Last Saturday she held the Ukrainian flag while delivering an explosive performance at the Eurovision Pre-Party Riga 2017.
But hours before she popped and locked and tore it up on stage, Eurovision 2004 winner Ruslana sat down with wiwibloggs to talk about meeting Michelle Obama, watching Jamala win last year and Kyiv‘s preparations to host Eurovision 2017.
Right off the gate, the “Wild Dances” singer promised us that she was working on even more energetic material than the one that brought her international fame when she won Eurovision more than a decade ago.
“I am preparing you a project with more energy and crazier than ‘Wild Dances,'” she says. “I know it sounds unbelievable, but believe me. We have a crazy mix with amazing elements, which will bring you my energy more than before.” Gurl, we believe ya. And we’re already grabbing a Red Bull.
Ruslana was still giddy when describing how Michelle Obama presented her with a Woman of Courage Award in 2014. “I bring this amazing [award] to Ukraine and show to other people that it’s about us,” she says. “I was really inspired by this event. Thank you again and again.”
She even got to sing for the former First Lady and spoke with her about the situation for women in Ukraine and around the world: “It was an amazing conversation and I’ll never forget it.”
Speaking of Ukraine, the singer assured us that things will run smoothly in Kyiv for the 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. “I ask God every day, every moment for that,” she says. “I promise you guys, it’s about music celebration and nothing more.”
This, of course, is a thinly veiled reference to the entire Julia Samoylova debacle, which a journalist brought at the press conference moments before. Ruslana made her position on the matter clear, saying that Ukraine was right to ban the Russian singer from the contest for breaking the law.
The only issue that Ruslana is not 100% certain about is the acoustics in the hall of the International Exhibit Centre, which she also mentioned at the press conference. But she assured us that this is only because she is a worrywart.
“It’s not a big problem. I spoke with the production team and they promised me that everyone would use in-ear monitors and there will be no issue. Also, with a big audience, it will be better. But that’s how crazy I am — I worry about everything.”
As for Jamala winning the contest last year with “1944”, Ruslana confessed that she was absolutely sure of her friend’s victory. She confessed that she prayed to God that Jamala would bring the Eurovision trophy to Kyiv.
“We needed this win, with Jamala’s strong message, strong voice and strong song. She is a strong woman,” Ruslana says. She also revealed that she had been trying to persuade Jamala to participate and win for a long time.
Lastly, Ruslana had a message for the Eurovision fans who plan on visiting Kyiv in May.
“Ukraine has been waiting for this moment. All the producers and musicians are ready to welcome the visitors with a lot of positive energy, with smiles, with crazy ideas, fresh, original and exotic things. I think you will be inspired. Just visit Ukraine.” We are so ready!
What about you? Are you ready for Eurovision 2017 in Ukraine? Are you visiting Kyiv or will you watch from home? Let us know!
You can watch all of our interviews from Riga in the playlist below.
Just about all of the things you state is astonishingly appropriate and that makes me wonder why I had not looked at this with this light before. This article truly did turn the light on for me as far as this specific topic goes. Nevertheless at this time there is actually one particular point I am not too cozy with so whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the main idea of the position, allow me observe exactly what all the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Very well done.
Celebrating music and nothing more? Ruslana doesn’t seem to understand the messy setting she has once been part of … or she is refusing to! And calling Wild Dances a piece of music is just …. arghhh …. #aintnobodygottimeforthat
Of course ESC is about music! It’s as evident as saying that the Baywatch TV-series were about sexy women 😉
However, sometimes too many things get in the way to some people…politics, glamour, self-centration (I chose a vague word on purpose), nationalism etc.
I don’t give a toss about such things myself 🙂
‘Speaking of Ukraine, the singer assured us that things will run smoothly in Kyiv for the 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. “I ask God every day, every moment for that,” she says. “I promise you guys, it’s about music celebration and nothing more.”’
If she asks God every day for things to be ok in Kyiv than the ‘things’ must be truly dire there because that is when people resort to divinity.
whatta reach selection of Russian scumbags in comments 🙂 your flame is definitely burning 🙂
@Niko
You must’ve confused something, Ruslana really was all behind Jamala last year, as was the public. It was Serdiuchka and Meladze who gave her lower points 🙂
So last year she was completely supporting Jamala’s entry commenting it with “A piece of our land was taked from us and we’re supposed to be silent?”, not only clearly admitting its political message but also stating the necessity of it, and now suddenly it’s all about “celebrating music, nothing more”? This woman is full of… you know. #hypocrisy
You all the one who really pathetic thag swallow Russian trap wholefully, such a dumbass
Meanwhile ESC stage building process is going on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVpYCagVuf4
OFF TOPIC: Christina Magrin (JESC 2016) is releasing her debut album real soon.
http://www.esc-plus.com/malta-christina-magrin-jesc-2016-release-debut-album/
Let me remind you, Ruslana. Russia gave you 12 points in 2004 for Wild Dances. And now you support the ban of the innocent girl in wheelchair. Shame!
Pathetic
Methinks this woman doth speaketh half truths and white lies…. 😉
“We needed this victory”. Would that be because you lost Crimea now you’re using eurovision as revenge? I mean how pathetic are these people. Same as Azerbaijan. They think winning eurovision is going to solve their territorial disputes or boost their countries’ egos. It’s NOT. Most of Europe sees eurovision as a joke and except for Sweden they all dread hosting it.
“Eurovision is about music – except when it comes to Russia. We’re right to ban their singer.” Such a hypocrite. She disgusts me.
Well of course she has positive information, what else would she say: “It’s a disaster. Don’t come!” haha
So she thinks eurovision is about celebrating music, nothing more, but still thinks banning Russia is OK and right? Pathetic.
She’s a good singer but she became an ukranian ultra-nationalist wich is very sad!
@ Niko – I’m pretty sure the good sis Ruslana sits unbothered with the best-selling album in the history of Ukraine, Wild Dances/Dyki tantsi (700k copies sold in Ukraine, I own one myself).
Tell me more about that, Ruslana.
@Niko
Who pays you for for your lies?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDP8OPok1uA
at 14:15 Ruslana say what she give 6 (max result) for Jamala.
Russian troll, do you know that thieves pay you stolen money from you? Just think about it.
Eurovision is about music, not politics. Too bad Ruslana and her nationalist ilk have forgotten all about that. Good thing she reminds us that she only does what the americans want from her to the point that Michele Obama actually gave her a “Courage” award!
@As I lay me underground
Yeah. She should change her name, it’s too Russian. Not partiotic!
@As I lay me underground
Ruslan ~ Lion
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruslan_(given_name)
“As for Jamala winning the contest last year with “1944”, Ruslana confessed that she was absolutely sure of her friend’s victory. She confessed that she prayed to God that Jamala would bring the Eurovision trophy to Kyiv” She’s such a liar, I remember watching Ukraine’s national final in 2016 and I know for sure Ruslana didn’t gave Jamala maximum of points… Her friend, right… It was a tie between Jamala and another band, and in case of a tie the televote decided the winner, in that case, televote crowned Jamala as the Ukraine representative last year, and not the jury….… Read more »
I’m still worried about Russia’s entrant having been banned from Kiev. And yes, the Ukrainian authorities’ behavior is indeed unacceptable. 🙁
But one thing we CAN say for sure is that we’re here to celebrate diversity! 🙂
Then perhaps change the slogan, your stupid country came up with!
Timo1962FI
These comments are simple truth.
Dear BOGDAN HONCIUC: Take a look at these comments below. Do you think they are appropriate or is there a reason to delete some of them? Thanks.
This woman is full of lies, but she likes her name Ruslana meaning Lana from Russia
Yes, and it’s a real pity we won’t be hearing Ukraine’s music anymore thanks to the sanctions the EBU will impose on you.
Although, to be honest, the only reason the EBU is imposing sanctions is because there will be 40 million fewer viewers this year thanks to Russia not participating.
@SING
I found nothing in the Commandments about Ukraine. To love Ukraine is a very big sin?
I can’t wait to see her on Sunday! OMG.
No political agenda here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1OeDkpLm4
Eurovision is to make piece in Europé after the worldwar 2. Thats Whyred its start IT. But thats gone Thanks Ucrain and Russia and other contry in East Europé.
I DON’T BELIEVE YOU UKRANIAN NATIONALIST!