Last year Justin Timberlake made headlines around the world with his guest performance of “Can’t Stop The Feeling” at Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm.

And today a well-known music figure in Ukraine claimed that Eurovision 2017 producers approached Lady Gagaanother American mega-star — to perform during the grand final interval.

Karabas Live reports that Igor Tarnopolsky — the manager of Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala — was informed about the possibility of Lady Gaga performing in Kyiv in April.

He claims to have heard the news directly from Eurovision 2017 producer Stuart Barlow.

Igor told the news site that Lady Gaga — real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta — agreed to perform as the main interval act in Kyiv and for free, just as Justin did last year. The payment would have been the international exposure that Eurovision brings. (“Can’t Stop The Feeling” went on to top the charts in 18 countries, including 12 that competed at Eurovision 2016).

But the site says that Gaga also required a rider of between 100,000 to 200,000 US dollars, which they were unable to pay, forcing them to cancel her appearance.

Ukraine’s Eurovision 2004 winner Ruslana was eventually chosen as the grand final interval act, performing her new single “It’s Magical”.

She was one of three guest performers alongside Jamala and ONUKA, who was announced on April 18.

What do you think? Should Lady Gaga have performed as the interval act? Would she have delivered a better show? Or were you happy that Ukraine showcased homegrown talent instead? Let us know in the comments section below!

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João Teles
João Teles
6 years ago

i doubt about this, i think it’s fake. And besides, Ruslana was pretty good and represented very well the Ukrainian spirit, Lady GaGa has nothing to do with ESC at all.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

Just as it is at the Olympics, Eurovision should be a showcase to promote the home country’s culture. Luckily, Igor didn’t get his wish and tarnish that idea with Gaga performing. [And by the way, I’m from NYC.]

You have to wonder, who would it have benefited the most? Timberlake and Gaga were once at the very top of the pop music world. Now they are just faces in the crowd and on the border between the upper and middle echelons of the pop music world.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I don’t want to be mean, but…I don’t understand their way of thinking. Should Ukraine bring a big name too, because Sweden brought Justin Timberlake last year? That’s nonsense! Every country should try sth different. Not taking sth others did and make it a “must” of the contest. For me, thank God Lady Gaga didn’t perform. She wanted 100 – 200 thousands dollars? That’s not strange they denied. That’s much money and they saved it by having a Ukrainian artist perform at the Interval act. I think Eurovision loses its European identity like that. I liked Justin Timberlanke last year,… Read more »

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Tbh, I’m glad Ukraine stuck with its own acts, like Jamala and ONUKA (loved them), not some US superstar that we can see any time. No need to pander to the US market. It’s bad enough people outside the EBU can’t watch the damn show on the official channel because of so-called “rights” issues (re: Canada, US, Brazil, etc). Thank goodness I could watch it on SVT! Tack, Sverige! Thanks, Sweden! 😀

PP
PP
6 years ago

We don t need huge mega star as interval act in Eurovision fianl. Instead I will, love to see mega star to represent their countries in contest.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

Even though I never liked Ruslana, I was fine that it was a local act. It’s the only good idea that works and fits the musical contest. If you out of participating country – then you’re out.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

As a Little Monster myself it would be Amazing to our Mama on ESC stage.
Let’s face it, Gaga would be perfect for ESC: Weird, over the top, just like ESC itself. What a hoot!

Ruslana was nice but it was obvious she was way past her prime! I can’t even remember the song!

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Not to mention that Lady Gaga’s surname, Germanotta, is an Italian surname, which indicates that she’s of Italian heritage! 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Oh please, no. We Italians do not associate with Italian Americans. They have nothing to do with us and they think that our national fishes are Fettuccine Alfredo and garlic bread.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

The only relevant Gaga in Europe is GAGARINA. Glad Ukraine got to show their talents instead of an American superstar, leave that to countries that lack culture.

Chicken Kyiv???
Chicken Kyiv???
6 years ago

I dont like the idea of just importing international stars to replace your interval act. I love Ruslanas New song and wouldn’t have heard it otherwise. Whereas Lady Gagas latest track is obviously going to get a tonne of coverage.

Interval acts should be former winners or high placing representatives (verka, ani lorak) or things that show the countries culture like Onuka.

Ukraine delivered on all of these

No gaga
No gaga
6 years ago

I agree , Eurovision should be a land that showcase anything BUT american music , the americanisation of the industry creates a thirst to see something different then everyday radio music that we hear , thats what makes Eurovision special. America should stay in America and stop putting their hands and feet on everything ….

Karen
Karen
6 years ago

To the wider audience and not us fans in a Euro bubble, the majority would not know Ruslana from Marie N. A week before this years final I asked my colleagues at work who won ESC 2016 and they could not tell me the country never mind the artist or the song. So for a mass audience I think the show needed Lady Gaga.

Ruslana fan
Ruslana fan
6 years ago
Reply to  Karen

So your colleagues don’t care about Eurovision and it’s fine. Why should Eurovision change? I trust Portugal that will stay away from US kitsch.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

I guess that inviting American stars was supposed to become a tradition, but it already didn’t work in its second year. I understand the idea behind it but I prefer local acts.

Timi
Timi
6 years ago

If host country will have interval act from America, because people from host country work in America, can you imagine what will happen if Israel wins? They will have in Tel Aviv the whole American music industry as interval act.

bbb
bbb
6 years ago

Eurovision is a competition for countries, and interval acts should be previous winners and something that represents host’s culture. Why change that?
Eurovision was not supposed to be for names that everybody has heard of, all contrary, fans are curious and want to be surprised by what each country will bring.
Otherwise, why not choose one single city to host every year, and as interval acts, only stars that everybody is tired of.

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago

What was outrageous about JT last year was that SVT could’ve easily gotten Zara Larsson to perform in Stockholm when she was starting to get big- girl was willing to do Melfest this year when she was even more famous, so of course she would’ve agreed to ESC. Ukraine doesn’t have a star of that calibre, and let’s be honest, Gaga is more Eurovision than most American artists, so it’s less bothersome, but I’m glad ONUKA got to perform. I have to say that all the non competing acts (Jamala, Ruslana, MANITOK, ONUKA and the hosts’ opening for SF2) were… Read more »

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
6 years ago

Thank God she cancelled! It was AWESOME to see Ruslana again!

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

I love Lady Gaga, but I can see her in tons of other events. I just wish they’d brought Monatik for the final as well.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

I can see Lady Gaga any day of the week.

I was so happy to see Ruslana back on the Eurovision stage, where she belongs.

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago

Stop it with these American superstars. Justin Timberlake was bad enough… No offence, really, I love Gaga, but Eurovision should stop looking to give already famous superstars this platform for cheap promotion. The next day I want to remember how amazing the acts were and how exciting the voting process was and not Lady Gaga’s metallic triangle bra… If they keep this up, every year will be a battle over who gets the biggest superstar. And the actual competing acts will get sidelined. Eurovision should rather support new artists from the hosting country and give them a chance to perform… Read more »

Bella
Bella
6 years ago
Reply to  Napaw

Yep. I completely agree.

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

are you gay

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago

I love how “she’ll perform for free” still works out to “that will cost one or two Hundred THOUSAND dollars”. Oh, American music industry, never change.

Padeira de Aljubarrota
Padeira de Aljubarrota
6 years ago

Justin Timberlake? Lady Gaga? Nooo! Marial Leal will perform in 2018, It’s for Robin and as he said ” “Fast food” pop music can be the best thing in the world at the right place and time”, I hope he (Robin) changes his opinion about “Fast food” music and he takes some gaviscon pills 😀

R
R
6 years ago

Para o ano vamos ter noticias destas com a nossa nova vizinha, a Madonna. x)

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

One year later, we in the USA still cannot watch youtube videos of the 2016 contest.

Sorry, but Eurovision is about Europe. Keep the Americans out if it, unless they’re representing a country in the contest.

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago
Reply to  Ern

Agreed. As an American who absolutely adores Lady Gaga, I have no idea why she would even be considered for an interval act at a Eurovision Song Contest. If she isn’t on stage as a mercenary hire for an actual performing country, like Canadian Céline Dion for Switzerland, I have no desire to see her anywhere near the Contest. Even as a mercenary hire, she’d better be amazing and somehow relevant to the country that hires her. Timberlake’s 2016 performance was just corporate promotion for his song from the Trolls soundtrack, yet another part of the vast marketing campaign of… Read more »

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Ern

Next year, try SVT.se or any other national broadcaster who has a Web site and/or an app. I downloaded the SVT Play app on my Android tablet and watched the whole thing uninterrupted…

…And this year, we did have an American representing in this contest. Theatrical singer Jimmie Wilson sang with Valentina Monetta for San Marino, and left Kyiv with 1 point in the 2nd semi. of course, Katrina Leskanich won the whole thing in 1997 with her band from the U.K.

Alison
Alison
6 years ago

Definitely homegrown over imported international superstars. That’s not what Eurovision is about.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Why? Because we had JT last year? It’s totally unnecessary. We have enough talent across Europe and Australia. I think Ukraine did right.

Elhaida Dani
Elhaida Dani
6 years ago

I do not really like Lady Gaga as an artist tbh, Ruslana,Jamala, and Onuka are way better! Good they didn’t have her as an interval, Id prefer Ruslana.

Daan
Daan
6 years ago

No! Get those american fastfood artists away from Eurovision ASAP. It’s disgusting. They are NOT The highlight of the show, They do NOT deserve to stand there and they probably dont even know what Eurovision is anyway. It’s very rude towards the stars actually representing their country! Like last year, Bulgaria, Russia etc all sending BIG famous stars of their countries and then it just seemed like “But not big enough like this american artist HI” This contest is already sadly victim of the terrible music influence of the usa so stop promoting it. Salvador winning should be a wake… Read more »

Gloria
Gloria
6 years ago
Reply to  Daan

Sweden had ACTUAL connections to bring JT to ESC last year, swedish production/writers. Also Christer even said in an interview on Eurovision Youtube Channel since they won in 2015 there was no reason to showcase Swedish culture so they could throw away that prime spot for JT.

Reusing the fast-food comment is really insulting and not in the spirit of Eurovision. Please don’t preach diversity but hate other opinions. Thanks 😀

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago
Reply to  Gloria

When the “actual connection” for Timberlake is “tons of Swedes work in the American music industry!”, that is an argument against his movie-soundtrack-promotional appearance, not an argument in favor of his movie-soundtrack-promotional appearance.

If Sweden wants its contributions to Eurovision to be “look how utterly American we are!”, that is Sweden’s right. All the more reason to never admit the US to the contest: there’s simply no need, with Sweden deputizing itself to pick up all the slack.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Darth Thulhu

“Can’t Stop the Feeling” is written by Max Martin, a man iconic enough to have been featured on a postage stamp in Sweden, and Shellback, another Swedish super-producer. Martin and Cheiron Studios also wrote the biggest hits for NSYNC in the 90’s, so the connection is not as abstract as one might think.

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago

The connections of various major Israelis, Germans, Irish, and Brits to the largest organs of the US music industry would also be non-abstract. Multinational megacorps are, unsurprisingly, multinational and megacorporate. Still doesn’t mean that it was anything other than bizarre for Sweden 2016 to decide that it had no national artist more deserving of recognition-in-that-timeslot than Justin Timberlake. Surely that same superfamous producer/composer had some Swedish performer somewhere doing something worth highlighting? Anything? As real and extensive and non-abstract as the German and Israeli and Irish and British links to the US music industry are, it would still have been… Read more »

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Darth Thulhu

All I did was to correct your misconception regarding the link between Sweden and Timberlake. It was not my intention to defend the appropriateness of such an interval act in Eurovision. But when on the subject, there might be a subtle point to be found here, well expressed by the New Yorker: “Martin has thrived in the ghostwriter’s milieu, where the trick is to remain as anonymous as possible, because the public likes to believe that pop artists write their own songs. That the Swede happens to bring to the table an exceptionally large dollop of ‘Jantelagen’, the Scandinavian disdain… Read more »

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago

Maybe she’ll do San Marino’s entry next year!

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago
Reply to  Richardinho

OMG Imagine Lady Gaga not making it to the final xD

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago
Reply to  Napaw

More likely that she makes it to the Final but bankrupts the broadcaster with the cost of producing her act. Think all the technical costs of Sweden 2017 and Russia 2016 as a Starting Point, and then escalate the final expenses from there.

Even if she works “for free”, the act would be cripplingly expensive for a tiny national broadcaster.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Darth Thulhu

Imagine Gaga NOT making the final and bankrupting the broadcaster… :-O

Vlad
Vlad
6 years ago

AHAHA Ruslana is Gaga of smoker’s based on snapshot XDD

esc1234
esc1234
6 years ago

Instead of paying 34.000$ jamala, it would be better to save some money for gaga….