Cambodia has selected Monetrey to represent the country at the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia, completing the competition's line-up ahead of the 14 November final in Bangkok. He won Cambodia's Finest Voice on Saturday 17 October with the ballad 'I Let You Go', defeating six other performers in a nationally televised selection. The result marks a milestone for Cambodia's participation in the new international event.
What to know
- Monetrey won Cambodia's Finest Voice with the multilingual ballad 'I Let You Go'.
- The result was 40% jury, 40% Cambodian public and 20% international online voting.
- Cambodia was the final country to select its Eurovision Asia 2026 entry.
The Cambodian selection featured seven artists competing for one place at Eurovision Asia. The final gave local audiences their first opportunity to see the full competing performances after rehearsals and song excerpts had circulated during the preceding week. Those preview videos offered clues about the entries, but the live selection was needed to determine the winner.
Monetrey's victory was decided through three voting groups. A professional jury provided 40 percent of the result, Cambodian viewers another 40 percent, and international online voters the remaining 20 percent. That arrangement gave the domestic public and jury equal influence while also allowing fans abroad to participate in choosing the country's representative.
His winning song, 'I Let You Go', is performed in Khmer, English and French. The multilingual approach combines a Cambodian-language foundation with lyrics accessible to international audiences. The official Eurovision account described the performance as an atmospheric ballad, emphasizing the singer's emotional delivery rather than a high-energy dance presentation.
Monetrey is part of a younger generation of Cambodian pop performers. The contest's official biography highlights his interest in visual storytelling, combining music with cinema, fashion and youth culture. Those creative influences may help shape the way the entry is presented in Bangkok, although any additional stage changes have not yet been formally announced.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia is due to take place in Bangkok on 14 November 2026. With Cambodia's selection completed, the list of competing performers is now finalized, according to the organizers. The next news to watch will be rehearsals and confirmation of how Monetrey's performance will be adapted from the national final to the international stage.
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Last verified: 18 October 2026.
