After releasing a controversial video on Facebook decrying the fourth-place finish of his girl group MILKI at EuroFest 2015, Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak has pulled out of his scheduled appearance at the grand final of Festivali i Këngës 53. “After all the recent events, and some misunderstandings with the inviting company, I’m totally depleted of energy,” he wrote. “I have to realize my limits so I don’t make a fool out of myself on stage.”
He did not cite MILKI-gate specifically, but it’s likely that the mixed reaction to his Facebook video has contributed to his fatigue. We wish him well as he pulls it together and gets some much needed R&R.
Eurovision fans in Albania are now wondering what organizers of FiK 53 will do to fill their interval. Could Rona Nishliu, one of the jurors, swoop in and reprise her 2012 entry “Suus”? We’ll have to see.
This is the second blow in as many weeks for organizers. Conchita Wurst previously said no to their invitation.
Alexander on cancelling in Albania
Party pooper. Quite understandable, though. He’s still in shock that his girls, quite probably the bookies’ favorite, got milked in Minsk (or wherever the contest was held), and his chance perhaps of becoming the next Johnny Logan (who won as a performer – twice – and won as a writer) went up in smoke.
Next time, Alex, don’t try so hard. You probably have the right idea; but if the comments here are an indication, you might have the wrong attitude.
@Elisa. I understand and I totally agree with the split not beingthe fairest (I felt the same with Malta although this year didnt matter as it was unanimous). The thing is though is that Milki didnt get a single top score from any juror or from the televote so no split would have given Milki the win. (correct me im wrong as I didnt see the results and looking at the scoreboard) . Also if anything Alexander has much more opportunity to sway the jury having met the president and apparently shaken hands with jury members which is why the… Read more »
Would you rather have him lipsync like Emmelie had to last year due to her sickness? I mean… big deal. He can return next year.
@Steven
I’m not saying that Rybak’s song should have won (I was all for Muzzart and Napoli). It’s just that I find it unfair that the voting is split into 7/8 for the jury and 1/8 for the televoting whereas the main contest is about a 50/50 split.
Besides for all I know that juror I talked about (the Minister of Culture) could have done the picking on behalf of Lukashenko.
Soraya (ESC 2009) said that he is absolutely STUPID.
No points to Norway from Albania this year it looks like. Kinda disappointed by him, this is really unprofessional
What a cry baby. He’s just trying to get atention from everywhere. ugh, i hope he’s career will soon be stopped
man, now this takes whiny to a whole new level
I can’t fathom how much of a disaster this is for the Festivali i Kenges organizers
last part of my comment should read:. That would have been corrupt if they voted for him because he had met them before and was friends with them.
@Elisa
The juror split was the same in Malta.I do agree its not maybe the fairest split but its the same for all competitors. I dont see why the jurors should feel they have to vote for him. That would have been corrupt if they voted for him because he had them before and was friends with them.
He better pull the stick out of his arse and cop on to himself. He’s just sulking now.
At the 2013 Greek national selection he came with Ruslana, Dima Bilan, and Marija Serifovic. When it was his turn to be interviewed he made a comment saying how poor we were…but he “still loves us”. It was very awkward and sort of insulting.
Sorry to my neighbors in Albania, I hope they find someone more deserving to fill the space. It would be pretty cool for Rona to do a surprise performance! Good luck to all the acts 🙂
I’ve never liked Rybak and still to this day thinks “Fairytale” is an extremely undeserving winner, and this is just horrible. He seriously canceled on the day of the event? Wow, I feel bad for the Albanian broadcaster who’s gonna be freaking out trying to find a replacement. Kinda like how Elhaida had to perform for nearly an hour at last year’s FiK while Emmelie mysteriously disappeared.
what a weenie
I do have some sympathy for him, he must be exhausted, but that is appalling to cancel ON THE day. He says he doesn’t want to make him look like a fool on stage, but he has made himself look more stupid now because like what everyone else has said, it makes him look unprofessional and quite frankly, a sore loser.
I like his music and work as well as his exhaustion, but this is unprofessional. After all, he’s not expected to give a two hour concert, just one or two performances. Still, I wish him well and hope he recovers soon.
Geez. He is a bigger sore loser then I thought.
Finally a smart and wise choice from Rybak …
Have some pity for ARybak. Apparently he got hurt by the supposed vote rigging and betrayal by the juries in his home country. I would also be very angry at them (the fact that televoting only accounted for 1/8 of the overall votes as well as having a Minister of Culture as a jurors was alarming enough to make me suspicious).
Also, I’d rather see him cancel his appearance taking place two days after the EuroFestgate than a bad performance. At least he spared everyone the humiliation.
@giorgios He’s been through alot over the past week, and calling him gay! Homophobe much?
Come on!!! I would go there only to see Rybak. So sad. Just some hours before the grand final. :/
I always knew that Rybak is unprofessional, stubborn and a snobby gay! Boo for him! He is the worst winner ever. I hope any of his songs will make Eurovision.
lol no one wants to go to Albania
To cancel your appearance on the actual day of the show is very unprofessional. I will feel pity towards the Albanians as they struggle to find some way to pass time in order to make up for Alexander’s performance.
?_? are you kidding me
Unprofessional. Quite disappointed tbh