Julia Samoilova Flame Russia Eurovision 2017

She’s the Russian X Factor star who was promised a place at Eurovision 2018. But it seems that Julia Samoylova is still waiting to hear from the Russia‘s broadcaster whether or not she’ll be heading to Lisbon in May.

Russian website So Groovy reports that Julia discussed the issue during a recent live chat with her fans. The “Flame is Burning” singer revealed that while she still hasn’t heard from the broadcaster, she remains hopeful. Barring some sort of apocalyptic outcome (!), Julia seems determined to make it to Lisbon.

“Regarding the Eurovision song —  no guys, the song for Eurovision has not even been chosen yet. Well, they say that I will go. I hope that the end of the world won’t come and everything will be fine … And we will go to Eurovision.”

The subject came up again and Julia took the opportunity to discuss the song selection process.

Yes, folks, we are going to Eurovision. What kind of song is not yet known, we’re searching for songwriters. I have not finished my songs yet … and who knows, maybe it will turn out that one of these songs will go to Eurovision.

The message for the Russian broadcaster is loud and clear: Julia is ready to go to Lisbon and she’s even looking for songs.

Russia is one of the few countries who has not publicly confirmed their intended participation in Eurovision 2018. Neither of the two Eurovision broadcasters — Channel One and Russia-1 — have spoken out beyond the controversy in March.

However, earlier this month host broadcaster RTP revealed that 43 counties will participate in Eurovision 2018. While the confirmed countries were not named, it was widely assumed that Russia is on the list.

Julia and Eurovision

Julia was originally announced as Russia’s act for Eurovision 2017 back 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. Now it seems that particular flame might not be burning so brightly after all.

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 earlier this year, 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 Russia select Julia Samoylova for Lisbon? Who should make Russia’s big Eurovision comeback?

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Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago

What I don’t understand is why anyone thinks that cynicism and corruption wins anything at Eurovision? Countries that try and rig things in their favour only end up looking like a-holes – even in cases where they win the contest itself.

On the other hand, Naviband were a great advert for Belarus – even though Belarus itself is a total basket-case.

Jurgis
Jurgis
6 years ago

Crimea is not a “contested” region, for God’s sake, it’s occupied

Whatever
Whatever
6 years ago
Reply to  Jurgis

Do you still really-really think that it’s occupied?

Jurgis
Jurgis
6 years ago
Reply to  Whatever

Not just me, the UN and the world think the same.

Vlad
Vlad
6 years ago
Reply to  Jurgis

wiwibloggs is journalists, they should be be neutral, especially considering this is cultural contest.

Jurgis
Jurgis
6 years ago
Reply to  Vlad

They should be objective. According to international law the peninsula is occupied, so there is no “contestation” in here.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Welp, it was clear from the very beginning that they didn’t intend to actually make her compete. This entire situation is trash.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I don’t understand the criticism. Why are people always saying meaning things about Yulia? I’m really hoping for her to fly Russia’s flag in Lisbon. Hopefully she’ll have a better song during then.

Mil
Mil
6 years ago

They won’t send her, she was used because they knew Ukraine wouldn’t allow her to the country. And they cynically chose a disabled person in order for people to pity her. Ukraine was successfully turned to look bad…

Whatever
Whatever
6 years ago

Whatever Russia does will be bad, mmm? No matter what it does.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

There a saying in Spanish: “mal paga el diablo a quien bien le sirve”, which in English is something like “those who serve the devil well get lousy pay from him”. This is Yulia’s case.

I don’t like her because all the Ukraine stuff, but Russia should send her. They owed her after she agreed to fall on that sword for them.

not me
not me
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Yes is true, I would translate ”The devil pays the least to those who serve him best.”

Lucas
Lucas
6 years ago

if yulia is out, russia should be out ! they said they will send her, they have to do it ! they can’t complain if people are booing us ! shame on russia !

Jurgis
Jurgis
6 years ago
Reply to  Lucas

omg, Russia is always about lies and denial. As if you did not know

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Oh darling…

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

I’m guessing they will use Romania 2016 as an excuse. Romania didn’t invite Ovi back this year.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Philip Kirkorov already stated in the interview that he thinks Julia’s chapter is finished and Russia should move on from her.

not me
not me
6 years ago

Kremlin is involved in Russian internal selection. Are not enough proves of that? So Russia wants to win, every year (an Russian minister was angry at Armenia for not giving 12 points in whatever year). It will be so interesting to see what Russia will do this time. It is sure that they don’t see Julia as a winner, but will they care enough about their image overall, to send her anyway? Or ambition, and fear of another year lost, will make them choose a winner and hope for the votes of many fans that know nothing about this drama?… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  not me

Oh I remember that mess, it was Azerbaijan in 2013 who shamelessly paid Russia dust despite ~agreements~ about some points exchange. So reductive, to be honest. No politics should be involved in the Eurovision, and this doesn’t only count for the songs–but unfortunately those ex-URSS countries will never learn.

Miss Unfongeniality
Miss Unfongeniality
6 years ago

Oh my oh my… Dear Yulia, when are you going to understand that you were used? Russia never had the real intention to send Yulia to Eurovision, that was just an effort to create simpathy through mother Russia… Some eurofans buyed it, some didn’t, but the poor little Yulia totally buyed that crap… Oh no my dear, please stand up your face, put a smile on it and pretend amnesia

not me
not me
6 years ago

And a Russian man on skates
Love peace peace love
It’ll be incredible
You will be the best
And win the Eurovision Song Contest

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

I feel pity for her… She seems optimistic but I doubt they’ll send her, too. I believe they’ll pick Sergey again, like Dima Bilan (2nd place in 2006, winner 2008), Sergey 3rd place in 2016… winner 2018? Russia is aiming for the trophy and Julia is not a winning material, more likely a social case… We’ll see where the Russian drama goes this time…

not me
not me
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Totally agree, but another factor is the quality of all songs. 2018 might be full of Salvador copycats, and in this case Sergey can do well if the jury doesn’t buy the Salvadors.

loci
loci
6 years ago
Reply to  not me

not me – it won’t be full of salvador copycats. they know that you gotta try something different to stand out and they’ll send something more upbeat.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  not me

Agree! If 2018 turns out to be Salvador copies, slow songs and native language Russia might have a huge shot of winning. The biggest they have had in years.
Providing of course the performance isn’t as over polished and glossy as it was in 2016

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  not me

Agreed! If 2018 turns out to be a lot of Salvador copies, slow songs and native language Russia might stand a huge shot of winning. Probably the biggest shot of winning they will have in years.
Providing of course the performance won’t be as over-polished as it was in 2016.

not me
not me
6 years ago

Philipp Kirkorov looks fierce.
About Julia, the drama is just beginning I guess. Russia in 2018 will have her in the game whether she will be in Lisbon or not. The ultimate cynicism Russia can do is to leak her anti LGBT comments, only to make Eurovision fans stop talking about her.

Sabi
Sabi
6 years ago
Reply to  not me

@not me, Eurovision is not a gay song contest, proved that Ukraine (an anti-LGBT country) hosted last year without any problem.

TC
TC
6 years ago

I’m definitely predicting they won’t send her. They already used her as a pawn, so they have no further utility for her. It’s sad, really.