Simon Hovhannisyan (Armenian: Սիմոն Հովհաննիսյան; born 9 August 1994), previously known mononymously as Simon and currently as Simón, is an Armenian singer-songwriter and dancer. He represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Paloma Rumba".

Simón
Simón in 2026
Simón in 2026
Background information
Also known asSimon
Born
Simon Hovhannisyan

(1994-08-09) 9 August 1994 (age 31)
Hrazdan, Armenia
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • dancer
Years active2025–present

Biography

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Hovhannisyan was born on 9 August 1994 in Hrazdan, Armenia, to a family of doctors. He studied economics at university; however, he did not pursue the field professionally, instead focusing on music and dance.[1]

In February 2025, Simon was announced as a finalist of the 2025 edition of Depi Evratesil with the song "Ay paparey bye".[2] In the final, held on 16 February, he won both the international and national jury vote and placed fourth in the televote, finishing as the runner-up overall.[3]

On 9 March 2026, Armenian media outlet Hraparak reported that he had been internally selected to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.[4] This was confirmed by Armenian broadcaster AMPTV two days later with the release of Simón's competing entry, "Paloma Rumba".[5] On 29 March 2026, he won the Revelation of the Year category at the Khazer Armenian Music Awards, organised by the Armenian National Music Academy.[6] He failed to qualify from the second semi-final of Eurovision on 14 May 2026, placing 14th out of 15 entrants with 49 points.[7]

Discography

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Credits taken from Apple Music.[8]

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Ay paparey bye" (Այ պապարեյ) 2025 Non-album singles
"Paranoia"
"Paloma Rumba" 2026

References

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  1. "SIMÓN will represent Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026". Eurovision.am. Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV). 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  2. "Հայտնի են "Դեպի Եվրատեսիլ" նախագծի մասնակիցների անունները" [The names of the participants of the "Depi Evratesil" project are known.]. Panorama.am (in Armenian). 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  3. "Armenia: Parg beats Depi Evratesil and heads to Eurovision 2025". Eurovisionworld. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  4. "«Հրապարակ»․ Եվրատեսիլում Հայաստանը կներկայացնի Սիմոնը" ["Hraparak": Simon will represent Armenia at Eurovision]. Hraparak.am (in Armenian). 9 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  5. "Armenia reveals its artist and song for Vienna". Eurovision.com. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 11 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  6. "Իվետա Մուկուչյանը՝ լավագույն երգչուհի, Արամ MP3-ն՝ լավագույն երգիչ. հայտնի են «Խազեր» հայկական երաժշտական երկրորդ մրցանակաբաշխության հաղթողները" [Iveta Mukuchyan, best female singer; Aram MP3, best male singer: the winners of the second Khazer Armenian Music Awards have been announced] (in Armenian). Armenpress. 29 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  7. "Vienna 2026 – Second Semi-Final – Detailed voting results". Eurovision.com. EBU. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  8. "Simon". music.apple.com. Apple Music.
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