Eurovision fans may have booed Russia at Eurovision 2014, but that was then and Polina Gagarina is now. The “A Million Voices” singer wowed audiences with her pitch-perfect vocals and stunning LEDs. They sang along and cheered, and it left Polina in tears. “It was really, really amazing and I’m so thankful for that warmest welcome because everybody was singing with me and it was just amazing,” she said at the first semi final qualifiers press conference. “Really. Thank you all who sang with us! Thank you so much.”
Polina Gagarina: Press conference after semi final 1
During the press conference, a Turkish journalist referenced Russia’s anti-LGBT laws and asked why Polina didn’t choose to sing about this issue. But that didn’t phase Miss Gagarina. “Well,” she said. “I just can say that my song is really about love and it’s really about that we are speaking — everybody is speaking one language, language of love. It’s no difference about who you are. We are people and we can make bridges in a moment. I saw it today. It was amazing. Everybody was screaming Polina. I cried.”
And while fans didn’t boo, they did unfurl Gay Pride flags, which you can see below.
What do you think of Polina? Are you loving her as much as we are?
Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)
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We have to face the truth and it’s sad to say but Russia will never be a favourite amongst the ESC fans as most of us are Gay and the ESC is the Gayest annual event (beside Gay prides), I would have been more attached to this year entry if Polina Gaga had been more natural and sincere with her answer and attitude, she HAD to be presented as a Singer/actress/mother, everytime she had been interviewed she had to talk about the fact of being a good mother just to evacuate embarassing questions (for her and Russian delegation) about LGBT.… Read more »
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@Iberian: I don’t know if you remember this or not, but Mans and Vaidas both had pro-LGBT messages when they were asked questions in the show and winners’ conferences and neither of them mentioned LGBT people explicitly (at least not for every question). It’s not really fair to knock on Polina in particular for going the same route. Also, and more importantly, the anti-gay propaganda law in Russia has a chilling influence on all Russians, including Polina. Let’s not forget about the specifics of the law that everyone is angry about. We might as well be asking her to write… Read more »
Well everyone talks about Russia and this st!pid law against gay propoganda, but what about all this Russophobia lately, in Baltic states its every day norma. I am from Latvia and when I watched Eurovision broadcast in Riga, in some Cafe/Bar, I felt a lot of hate against Polina Gagarina ( because she is Russian, and representing Russia) I even felt a bit sad for her how hard this year was for her in Eurovision, thats why I voted for her, and when Lithuania did not gave any points to Russia, there was some happy faces and ovations, I felt… Read more »
Well, her song is not bad, her voice is good, but she was very fake while replying to the question, pretending she didn’t understand it in the first place and then finding the way around it.
Just take into account that Polina was raised and school educated in Greece. Having spent her life out of Russia means she has created an independent way of thinking. Probably Greece is neither a heaven for gays but definitely they are much more respected by the government, the church and the society than in Russia. Also the fact that she grew up as an immigrant must have made her more aware on issues around racism, equality etc. It seems that her own experiences have contributed to her grounded opinion.
I think it’s important to remember not every Russian is a racist or a homophobe or a nationalist. Real people live in harmony with one another, respectful of each individual rights. The country may want to repress that but there are many that love and learn. Let’s not tar all with the same brush, otherwise we risk alienating the good work some Russian citizens do.
Polina only did one thing right, which is singing her first line: “We are the worst people”…
Again, you guys. Go back to school. There you will learn that no question is ever stupid. It is always allowed to ask. Anything.
And secondly. Yes, Spain shouldn’t have taken part back in the days it was a dictatorship under Franco. That was 40 years ago, by the way. Russia is a dictatorship in 2015.
This performance doesn’t touch me. Polina is cold and untouchable, her performance is all about LED effects and especially showing off her voice (which is, of course, great)… but the actual song, which should take center stage at Eurovison, is dull and everything but contemporary.
I admit this one question was uncalled for. Asking the Russian delegation about homophobia is like discussing circumcision with the guys from Israel. Polina found a perfect answer and has my respect for that.
She handled well this inappropriate and stupid question.
And yes, I have also definitely heard the booing through the cheering… idiotic!
And to *Iberian* and about preventing undemocratic nations to participate: Spain would have no victories to show today and what would be Spain’s Maciel’s ‘La La La’, Mocedades’ “Eres Tu” or Portugal’s Simone’s “Desfolhada”… That is really unfair try to pervent nations to participate on political grounds and it is really counter-productive.
And by the way, that question on a LGBT song was really stupid… But Polina responded very elegantly
Polina was perfect! She embodies everything that is great about Eurovision and the great heritage of female balad singers with a contemporary take! Although I wouldn’t necessarily want another ESC in Russia (yes! I am very anti-Russian or at least anti-Russian establishement) I would be very happy if this masterpiece would win ESC over Sweden.
i swear i heard people booing her in the midst of applause after she finished performing yesterday.
This song did nothing for me and i couldn’t believe that people liked this song so much. However yesterday they were great! 2nd place out of the semi final in my opinion! Well done Russia!
OMG Polina is so adorable!
Ask the President of America Mr Obama…
He always has his own speech writings texts totally checked by experts in speech so he will not say just even a single one word that would seem or sound tricky/provocative/inappropriate/offensive etc…
Its NOT only if you have the right with your side…But how actually you will manage to persuade the others so they will agree with you…
I fully agree with Francheska here… Not always you can be such open & express your opinion at least in the way you want to…If there are different sides involved on this matter you have to find a way to have them all satisfied & not ditch another side more or completely… That’s why we have the diplomats…The peacemakers… You always have to be careful about your speech so there will be no misunderstandings… Its not really only if you are right but how you will support your rights… If you are terrible of doing this using wrong words or… Read more »
It’s honestly not fair to say to her “you haven’t done enough”. She’s in a certain position as somebody selected by a state broadcaster, no matter what her opinions are. Whether or not she’s compromised, saying just the right things, or she truly believes in what she’s saying, is hard to tell. To say that she’s not doing enough is not being understanding of the situation. Self-censorship and outside censorship are active issues in many parts of Europe, especially on this issue. She, as a representative of Russia as a nation and not a state, is doing a great job.… Read more »
I’m really curios about what Stephanie sayed to Polina. Also it is really weird that the writer of this article doesn’t speak about the long time Polina kept on silence. And why is everybody so obsessed with Russia on LGBT rights and not with other countries which aren’t also tolerant with gays, etc.? I think it is pretty authoritarian to harass those countries citizens. Society in many countries are not ready for tolerance. If you want to be accepted you will not achieve it being the judge of what is good and what is right, you will do it if… Read more »
I really do not have any issue with Polina’s statement…It was diplomatic & as it was supposed to…Not too much that could sound provocative & challenging to any party… If we want gay rights/gay marriage/gay family/gay love 4 us then we just can’t go to a country like Iraq,Iran,Afganistan,Somalia,Mali and demand all these rights 4 us… We might have all the right in the world but it really doesn’t work like that… he uncivilized savages people there will not even understand what we are saying for f**s sake! e have to promote & claim for our rights with the RIGHT… Read more »
I thought the question came out of nowhere, and was pretty stupid too. Why didn’t you write a song about such-and-such? It’s like asking the UK why they aren’t singing about climate change.
Stupid people this is a song contest Polina is not Homophobe and she has the best voice and maybe the best performance this year.if she win she deserves it.Go Polina!
@ Agree partly with *Iberian* but… Polina covered the topic just fine….I really liked her beautiful answer.. <3 🙂 And taking into consideration the fact that she really can't speak english 🙂 And about the Turk journalist that questioned her that gay question…Well with no offense to him but his country Turkey is not gay friendly either…And lately the turkish government behaves like Stalin Sovietic Russia taking away all the freedom of speech,expression from the people & media…Banning even sites like facebook & youtube…So Turkey is also very messed up country…At least in Russia its not bad on this fields… Read more »
I agree with Iberian. As we saw from Deban’s interview, Gagarina speaks English when she wants to. It would have helped if the courageous questioner had put it in more simple terms, but she could have given a more convincing answer rather than the superficial and over-emotional fluff which was forthcoming.
The cynasisim directed at Polina in the comments is nauseating to be honest. She’s not Putin, her English is a struggle and yet she still managed to say a message for equality in amongst that. I don’t know what people aim to achieve when taking their issues out on an artist who has now eloquently said her song is for all, and said kind words about Conchita. When people hold Russia to one degree but not others like Azerbaijan or even Sweden who were murderous Vikings once it just makes you look as hypocritical as the song. Also Turkey isn’t… Read more »
I think her answer may as well have been written on a TI-84.
We don’t anything about that question as she didn’t say anything clear. Just Russian propaganda again. And – you learn that in school – you are allowed to ask anything, no question is embarrassing.
Polina is a heaven sent to the Russian and European crowd.
With regards to this question, let us just move on about it because Polina has politely answered it. The question is indeed cringe-y and embarrassing but at least we now know what is on Polina’s mind about that.
I will be so mad if Russia wins, just because the song is sooo cheezy, unoriginal and very overrated. But just because it’s Russia people are going cray. I LOVE the song Mamo by Anastasia Prikhhodko, that was a truly emotional song. But a million voices is just mehh.
PS: And to all those intelligent people saying, it wasn’t fair to ask her about LGTB … are you homophobes? And right, life isn’t always “fair”, otherwise just ask some gay guys in Russia who end up beaten up just for being who they are. Well, one can ask anything and if interviews were ONLY about music, you’d end up bored with all the same questions all the time. Check the amazing wiwibloggs interviews, they have all kind of questions. Then, whether Polina could or couldn’t do anything about the situation in her awful country. At least, she can speak… Read more »
Polina’s English is a mess, okay, but still. Her answer was just an useless effort to try seeming the nice Frozen figure from Walt Disney and just don’t say anything. She doesn’t seem to care about LGTB rights, that’s for sure, didn’t even MENTION words like gay or lesbian… But it’s funny her fans reed between the lines and interpret her statement, that in fact was nothing but a bubble of meaningless loveblabla, as whatever they like. Anti-Democracy countries like Russia, Belarus and Aserbedijan shouldn’t be allowed to take part at the ESC. And if, then the representative should be… Read more »
Completely agree with Steven below – and she handled it spectacularly despite the circumstances.
Well im sure that Polina GayGayrina is totally opposed to her country’s anti gay policies…Its not her fault & she can’t do anything to fix that… {Like i can’t do anything to change my own ‘family as i hate my parents..} There are good people in every country/race/family.. You can’t just blame the single individual when is innocent & has nothing to do with that.. If Polina could she would get a speaker & unite with us & would BOO too her government’s homophobic laws…She has all the right in the world to criticize her own government as Russian citizen… Read more »
She was good, but so where others as well. Why so much coverage? Trying to create hype?
I agree with some others that we are Polina’d out on here! 3 out of 4 posts in a row! That said I will give her credit that she did very well and the staging was great but she wasnt the only one who succeeded.
Moscow 2016 ? Oh NO. I should not be surprize if it be like that .They have so many neighbors who should wote for them. They starts war, and murder people. Thats should be a big YES to Puttin.
She is so likable, especially compared to last year’s twins who seemed to be like puppets.
@europa – I agree. I thought there were ten acts that qualified. Looking at the home page, you would think that Polina had won the whole contest already!
I’m loving her more and more 😀
videos from inside the arena http://oikotimes.com/2015/05/19/may-19-video-eurovision-2015-first-semifinal-inside-the-arena/
She still didn’t answer the question anyways no reference to this but the Netherlands were robbed