She’s the Russian singer who was promised a second chance at Eurovision 2018 after getting blocked from entering Ukraine in 2017. But now Julia Samoylova is still waiting to hear from the organising Russian broadcaster to confirm her role as Russia’s act for Lisbon.

Russian news site Life reports that four months after initially being told she would be the Russian representative in 2018, Julia still hasn’t had any official confirmation that she’ll be heading to Lisbon.

A spokesperson told Life, “Julia has never been to Portugal. Of course, she would like to go because the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest is the dream of her life.”

Life also reports that Julia is currently busy with her solo music career and has not prepared a song for Eurovision 2018.

The only one?

Julia was originally announced as Russia’s act for Eurovision 2017 in March. Channel One had internally selected the X Factor runner-up who would perform the song “Flame is Burning”.

However, controversy soon erupted when Ukraine authorities banned Julia from entering Ukraine for three years after having previously travelled to the contested Crimea region. This led to Russia withdrawing from Eurovision which ended Julia’s chance for 2017.

At the time, Russian broadcasters Channel One and Russia-1 issued a joint statement which promised that Julia would have the chance to represent Russia at Eurovision 2018. But it seems that particular flame might not be burning so brightly after all.

Russia’s entry for 2018 will be organised by Russia-1, who may wish to select their own act for Lisbon, different from Channel One’s pick for 2017.

However, Russia has never been known to announce their Eurovision acts early. They typically leave their artist and song reveals until mid-March, close to the deadline. So it is very possible that the wheels are still in motion for Julia to finally make it to Eurovision.

Mello-drama repeating

Julia’s experience has parallels with Anna Book’s Mello-drama. In 2016 Book was disqualified from the Swedish national final after it was discovered her entry “Himmel för två” had previously been performed two years earlier. Broadcaster SVT was said to have promised Book a place in Melodifestivalen 2017.

However, when the 2017 line-up was announced, Book wasn’t part of it. She said she was “incredibly disappointed” being left out. However, SVT said they did not hear anything from Book regarding an entry for Melfest 2017.

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Julia Samoylova, it’s that she’s a fighter. Speaking to wiwibloggs editor-in-chief William Lee Adams last month, Julia revealed that “The news that I could not come to the contest hurt me, but I never give up, never.” She added, “I would like to say to all the people — with physical challenges or without them — believe in yourselves, never give up and make your dream come true.”

What do you think? Should Julia be Russia’s representative for Eurovision 2018? Or should Russia be free to select someone else? Share your thoughtful comments below.

GET MORE RUSSIA EUROVISION NEWS HERE

70 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Nirgal
6 years ago

“So it is very possible that the wheels are still in motion for Julia to finally make it to Eurovision.”

Show yourself out.

Jurgis
Jurgis
6 years ago

Well, she’s been used by Russia as part of information war against Ukraine. Won’t be surprised if she’s not actually sent. And Crimea is not a “contested” peninsula – it’s still Ukrainian and recognized as such by the international community. Only some rubbish countries like several islands and Russia itself “recognized” it. Even Russia’s puppet Belarus has not recognized the annexation:)

DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago

She’s not going.

Julian
Julian
6 years ago

It’s other channel’s year, she does not have the right song yet. I would go with the song excuse.
And not in a hurry to make a confirmation. She is always a good choice for the place and the circumstances where Russia expects a hostile audience.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

Not sending her would be a grave mistake. What we learned from Conchita, Jamala and Sobral sisters is that Eurovision loves a back story, and her back story is the only way to beat anti Russian sentiment many esc countries have.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

That’s too bad since they already filmed her postcard for ESC.
Just hoping that they send a better song than Flame Is Burning and Only One. Something that doesn’t sound dated.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

I think not sending her would be a huge mistake, because what we learned from Conchita, Jamala and Sobral siblings is that Eurovision loves a back story. People support the underdog, be it a bearded lady fighting for equality and acceptance, or a guy with a heart condition trying to bring the class and pizzazz of good old times, or a daughter singing to honor the oppressed and slaughtered ancestors. And, boy, Julia has the back story. She is the biggest hope Russia has to win, because she is the only one that can make people forget the human rights… Read more »

Nath
Nath
6 years ago

She won’t go..

She was used as a political weapon by Russia to antagonise Ukraine.

Her song was awful, her voice is awful. Russia haven’t been far away from winning Eurovision. They won’t win it with her.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Nath

It’s the other way around: Yulia’s voice isn’t all that bad.

Sasha Tebrukanyan
Sasha Tebrukanyan
6 years ago
Reply to  Nath

You’re so tough with her omg.

ElskaPolska
ElskaPolska
6 years ago

How many times should they confirm? They already stated in April that she will represent Russian in 2018, if Russia participates.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

But Anna Book had a Moldovan reject song….she was not important…..nor she was gonna win and actually reach ESC!!

JULIA was actually going to the ESC!! And Ukrainians won’t let people forget it….Ukraine is not going to turn a blind eye you see!!

ella
ella
6 years ago

Sorry for the spam. Yesterday, I thought there was some kind of glitch because my comment didn’t appear. So I tried to post it several times (using another name as well). My comments are now visible. Don’t be surprised if another one shows up, haha. Sorry about that.

ella
ella
6 years ago

Of course she hasn’t received any official confirmation. Even broadcaster hasn’t been chosen yet. There is no official info that it will be Russia-1.

May 8, 10 and 12
May 8, 10 and 12
6 years ago

CookyMonzta – That won’t fly with Eurovision fans unless they announce her ”scheduling conflict”

In March 2017 Yulia knew she will skip Ukraine, but that she will be in ESC in May 2018, and that was her ultimate dream.
If Russia will say something like ”scheduling conflict” it will be funny.
My guess is….if Russia wants somebody else, it will say nothing at all about Yulia, hoping the people will forget about her.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Something tells me she was never meant to go to ESC at all. Not in 2017, not in 2018. I bet Julia and TV company comes up with some sort of compensation and she says she has another gig that date.
Julia should learn you don’t get promised anything in ESC, you get chosen. They don’t owe her anything.

This girl is just to naive for her own good! They used her like a pawn. Perhaps Ukraine was right all along?

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

That’s why they’ll send her, if at all possible. Making Ukraine eat crow is the primary political motivation in all of this. Sending her forces Ukraine to eat crow over and over again.

May 8, 10 and 12
May 8, 10 and 12
6 years ago
Reply to  Darth Thulhu

But now Ukraine is not the host, it’s a normal country again, and in Lisbon nobody will care that Russia and Ukraine have a conflict, so if nobody cares about this topic anymore….NEW poker game has just started for Russia.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

San Marino for the save then!!
Russia will lose a lot of votes though!! Say goodbye to their chances of winning people’s hearts…..

Fusedmarc is the real winner
Fusedmarc is the real winner
6 years ago

Julia will probably not go, let’s face it.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Well, at least there’s still time for Yulia to film a NEW music video for “Flame is Burning”. And I’m also hoping for Fusedmarc to film a NEW music video for “Rain of Revolution”. Hopefully soon!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

That won’t fly with Eurovision fans unless they announce her “scheduling conflict” WELL BEFORE they announce their selection for Eurovision. Even then, if the scheduling conflict has so much as even a hint that it was done in haste, the people will be suspicious.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Unless the commenters tell that to the viewers. What they say usually have big impact on the voting.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

It’s not necessary they pick Julia next year. If they think they have sth better to bring, then do it.

But I’d love to see her on the Eurovision stage! Whenever it will be!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  AngieP

Unfortunately, given what I’ve read, they were wholeheartedly committed to sending her next year. They have to send her next year. If they renege on that promise, it will most certainly look as if they were using her as a sympathy tool.

SERGEY LAZAREV WILL BRING TROPHY TO MOSCOW 2019
SERGEY LAZAREV WILL BRING TROPHY TO MOSCOW 2019
6 years ago

SERGEY WILL DO A DIMA BILAN AND WIN NEXT YEAR!!! HE WILL BRING THE TROPHY TO MOSCOW 2019!!!

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago

Meh.

If they want Sergey to be there as a backup singer for Julia, sure, whatever. They can also have Polina. And throw in the three ethnic Russians from Sunstroke Project while they’re at it.

A moving Russian-language song, with Five ethnic Russians from the Top Three for three years running, all backing up The Beloved Julia, up to and including some Epic Sax and some Epic Violin. Even if it didn’t win, it would be astonishingly over-the-top.

ella
ella
6 years ago

Sergey is too busy.

Dima
Dima
6 years ago

SERGEY WILL DO ANOTHER DIMA BILAN BY COMING BACK 2 YEARS LATER AND WINNING THIS!! HE WILL BRING US TO MOSCOW 2019!!!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

Russia has absolutely no choice but to send her. If they don’t, it will be, without any shadow of a doubt whatsoever, an admission that they were using her as a sympathy prop, and they will almost certainly get punished by the public if they send someone else. When they didn’t show up at the reference meeting, many came to the conclusion that they would withdraw. They probably would have been better off. Ukraine was all-but-prepared to do the same if Sergey had won in 2016. But to proceed with swindling Samoylova, that would be even more egg on the… Read more »

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago

This gives me an idea for a WWB article: A list of people who were supposed to go to EV but missed out for one reason or another: Dani in 1974 who missed out when France pulled out because of the death of President Georges Pompidou, Soetkin Collier for Belgium in 2003 who was dropped after being (wrongly) accused by the Belgium secret services of being a Neo-Nazi. Some really fascinating stories there.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

She so drank the cool-aid last year. Russia is not going to send her. Russia is coming back for a revenge and for that they’re gonna send someone who can take it all. My money is on Nyusha. She’s hot, current and has the whole package.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Well if Russia doesn’t send her….we may be in for a shock first time non-qualifier country this year!!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Aye. There was plenty of sympathy for her, and by extension Russia. If they pull a fast one on her and send someone else, there will be even more sympathy for her, but none for Russia, and their team will get punished mercilessly for their bait-and-switch sympathy game.

If Russia doesn’t send Samoylova, I wouldn’t be surprised if San Marino gives her a call to come and sing for them. They have nothing to lose, after getting a single point in the semis (from Ralph Siegel’s home country, Germany).

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

Yeah!! She has to be in Portugal on May 12 ‘2018. No matter which country she represents.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

On the other hand, we’re still waiting for Yulia to film a new music video for “Flame is Burning”. Hopefully soon! 🙂

Bella
Bella
6 years ago

Do Wiwibloggers have a standard template to write articles? Every article starts with “She’s the Russian singer who”, “They’re the Dutch sisters who”, “He’s the Italian act who”, etc.

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago
Reply to  Bella

“She’s the southern hemisphere writer putting together articles for WiwiBloggs, but now she’s responding to comments, as well!” 😉

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

It looks like that all Eurovision decisions in Russia are taken by individuals on a significantly higher pay grade than the Channel’s directors. It was the case in 2017, it will be the case in 2018. At the end of the day, the Kremlin will take decision and it will be the end of the story

Nika
Nika
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

You are absolutely mistaken.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

She would be great to deliver a important message in Lisbon. However, the only thing that she’ll speak about is towards politics, and the Russia-Ukraine situation. Even if she wanted to be a spokesperson for people with special needs, media won’t forgive her…

ella
ella
6 years ago

Russia-1 hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Áustria
Áustria
6 years ago

Poor tool

No Name
No Name
6 years ago

lmao it’s very clear she won’t be going next year

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  No Name

It’s clear to me that she wasn’t intended to actually go to Eurovision this year either.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  No Name

And if that is the case, Ukraine would be quite justified in appealing the EBU decision to fine them €200,000 for refusing to acquiesce to a bait-and-switch sympathy ploy played on them AND on Samoylova.

May 8, 10 and 12
May 8, 10 and 12
6 years ago

Russia will give her some money, and she will say she can’t go. Russia is far too ambitious to lose another year for Yulia.
My heart goes to the brave Russians that fight for freedom
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/2017/07/thousands-march-moscow-russia-support-internet-freedom-protest-vpn-ban/

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

pfft

ella
ella
6 years ago

It’s too early to speak about a participant when even broadcaster wasn’t confirmed yet.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

She really, really needs a good song. She’s a good, but not an amazing vocalist (as far as I can tell from what I’ve heard so far). I also prefer her singing in Russian (she sang “Molitva” very well in Faktor A but “I Will Always Love You” was not so good). I think she feels more secure when singing in her native language. The worst choice would be a cheesy, sentimental cliché mid-tempo ballad about either believing in one’s dreams or peace on Earth (or both).

Frisian ESC (jr)
Frisian ESC (jr)
6 years ago

She HAS to go for russia and otherwise they shouldn’t compete at all. Stick to your promise.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

They never intended for her to actually compete in Ukraine. She was a tool for Russian propaganda

Nika
Nika
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Nothing of the kind.

ESC84
ESC84
6 years ago

Keep you promise, Channel One/Whatever.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

You mean Kremlin TV?

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Given the change in channels, is Russia 1 even obligated to send Yulia? Would she be sent in 2019 then? Or did Russia just use her, as people were saying?

This flame is burning alright.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  azaad

Russia used her

bella
bella
6 years ago

They should send her
Its her right but i have a feeling it will be Sergey Lazarev again.

ESC84
ESC84
6 years ago
Reply to  bella

Although I want to see Sergey again, it better be 2019. Otherwise it is a huge P.R. Disaster for both Russia / Julia / Sergey.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

The Russians don’t care. They’ll just get their social media army to change the perception.

Nika
Nika
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

Relax pease)
Sergey will never participate in ESC again, this is for sure.

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago
Reply to  Nika

Kirkorov already said Sergey is doing it in 2018.

bella
bella
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

He said this last year.Did he say this this year too?

Nika
Nika
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

No.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

She fell in that sword for them. They better send her, and with a song that’s actually good and not cynical.

And the sooner hey confirm the better, they’ll have more time to come up with something good.

Aaron GR
Aaron GR
6 years ago

Julie was exploited for a specific purpose, and that moment has passed. If I were Julia, I wouldn’t wait by the phone.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Aaron GR

She has to wisen up to the situation she was apart of.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

They owe to her, She needs to go.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

They don’t owe her anything. She was internally Selected for 2017. She didn’t have to win a National Selection, which would have given her the right.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Speaking of which, I really hope Yulia films a NEW music video for “Flame is Burning”! 🙂