On September 25 Armenia confirmed its participation at Eurovision 2016 with an exciting teaser video. The mysterious trailer gave very little away, save the fact that they were sending a solo female. After two and a half weeks we finally know her identity – it’s Iveta Mukuchyan!
The announcement was made on Armenian television earlier this evening, and comes less than a month after the country’s Head of Delegation Gohar Gasparyan denied the Iveta rumours. Following similar behaviour from the Netherlands surrounding Douwe Bob’s unveiling, are smokescreens set to be a trend for the Eurovision 2016 season? Shadow facers Genealogy would not approve!
A song has yet to be selected, with Iveta and the Armenian team issuing an open invitation for songwriters from across the world to submit potential tracks for her to sing in Stockholm. Those interested can submit their work to selection@armtv.com no later than November 13.
The last time Armenia sent a female soloist to Eurovision was back in 2011. Emmy — she of “Boom Boom” fame — became the first and only Armenian act to miss the Grand Final. However, the land of Sirusho and Eva Rivas has certainly spoiled us with its fair share of female divas since its 2006 debut.
Speculation about the artist’s identity has been rampant. The wiwibloggs team had a four-way bet on Athena Manoukian, Sirusho, Tamar Kaprelian and Iveta (go us!). Our readers were also backing Tamar, along with her Genealogy bandmate Inga Arshakyan.
Who is Iveta Mukuchyan?
Born in Armenia, Iveta moved to Germany when she was just five years old. But when she reached her early 20s, her parents suggested she return to the Motherland. Iveta first came to public attention in Armenia in 2010 while competing on the singing show Hay Superstar (the Armenian version of Pop Idol), where she eventually placed fifth. Before this she was studying jazz-vocal and it sure paid off! In 2012 she competed on The Voice of Germany and gave her own rendition of “Euphoria”, eventually making it to the live shows.
Previously named Armenia’s sexiest woman, Iveta has been on our radar for quite some time. Last year hopes were high that she would represent the country, potentially as a part of Genealogy. And we even included her in our summer 2014 Wednesday Wishlist for Armenia. Check out her latest single “Simple Like A Flower”.
She’s also a definite contender to win Eurovision’s Next Top Model 2016…
Iveta Mukuchyan: Photo Gallery
What do y’all think? Is Iveta the right choice for Armenia? Let us know below.
This is RIDICULOUS! I thought Tamar Kaprelian or Luara Hayrapetyan will sing for Armenia. But Iveta Mukuchyan…WEAK, WEAK, WEAK!
WRONG CHOICE, ARMENIA! GET OUT OF THE FINALS ALONG WITH NETHERLANDS BECAUSE BOTH OF YOUR SINGERS FOR STOCKHOLM ARE WEAK!
If they follow the Simple like a Flower route, Armenia could do well. A noughties style folkpop number is too dated, but what I fear will happen
Great choice, Iveta is SEXY ))))
I’m just hoping it doesn’t turn into another disaster with a song like the Dorians or Emmy or even Genealogy. Please tell me Derhova will write the song. This Armen guy sucks.
When are you going to discuss her on YouTube?
@Robyn – It’s one of those cases where the juries were actually listening to the song whereas the televoters had other reasons for voting for it.
@Robyn – if Armenia had sent Face the Shadow any other year, I’m sure they would have performed much better – give than 2015 was unusually competitive. Besides, compare 2015 entry to their 2013 entry which finished 18 and it was miles better. Additionally, if they had gotten as much as 7 more points they would have moved up like 4 spots. With that said, it wasn’t Armenia’s best effort in the contest, but definitely not their worst either and not a bad entry at all.
Armenia’s announcements are always dramatic compared to other European countries. Lots of luck to Iveta!
Good luck to her!
She can surely bring Armenia back into the Top 10 although I personally wanted Tamar or Anush to be the Armenian entrant next year. I hope they pick a song for Iveta that would really match her and bring out the best in her. Good luck Iveta! Good luck Armenia! I hope we’ll be off to Yerevan for 2017.
@baku cash: AMEN.
Definitely a step in the right direction after this year’s unmitigated disaster. Tamar would have been a better choice but Iveta has the potential to do well. I do not see her as a winner but she could be top ten singer with the right song.
I think I’m in love. <3 🙂
As for the song…whatever they choose, make her sexier, for God sake!
She definitely has the voice and the looks. After two disasters, Armenia has its sights pretty high this year!
Good for them and good for Eurovision 🙂
She can sing and dance and she really looks like a winner. Sirusho had that.
@Eugene: After watching Iveta’s “Simple Like A Flower”, I think that, given another song with a thundering climax (like Aram’s “Not Alone”), Armenia has an excellent chance of getting back into the top 10. Let’s see what song they give her; but if they’re smart, they’ll wait until mid-February, so that they can see what most of the other countries are sending.
I pray for an uptempo song
I hope they send a song that has the same type of sound as Qele Qele or other ethnic dance pop sounds of the mid 00s!
Lo siento pero tiene cara de travesty…lol
Great choice! Let’s hope they don’t disappoint us with the song like they did this year and choose something meh..
With the right material Armenia could do well this year.
This woman is pure talant. Can sing, dance and looks hot. She’s probably the most talanted/full package act Armenia has sent. Let’s hope for the right song.
Yeaaa my favourite was chosen! I was expecting Lilit or Athena but thank god is Iveta
Okay. Who knows? Monica Avanesyan could be the spokesperson! 🙂
She can definitely sing and undeniably has the look of a winner. Now, it’s all down to the right song.
egg and Iveta Mukuchyan !!!!!!!
I like the female entries of Armenia way more, so this has gotta be good!
Yaaas, yaaaaasss and yaaaaaaaaaaasssssssss
If her entry is anything like “Freak” this could be amazing!
That question mark was supposed to be a heart… but whatever xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaTzvTVaIKo
Her best song, in my opinion. <3
That was pretty much predictable, but amazing choice! ?
Has my suspisions.
Yessss, go Iveta! <3