It has been an interesting week in Armenia. Following the shock elimination of Tamar Kaprelian in the first semi-final, many big names were hoping to avoid the same fate. The second semi-final included everything from rap to drag and as the dust settled, all the big names survived.

The five qualifiers were announced in random order. They are Sevak Khanagyan, Amaliya Margaryan, Kamil Show, Mariam and Asmik Shiroyan.

The qualifiers

Kamil Show advanced from an early spot in the running order. Kamil’s personality was on display for the world to see, with the diva wearing a wig clearly inspired by the colours of the Portuguese flag. She was a delight in the green room, performing push-ups as the host interviewed other contestants and doing a cartwheel as she tried to kick off a Lisbon 2018 montage. Most importantly, the energy of “Puerto Rico” shone through on stage.

The mesmerising Amaliya Margaryan had arguably the most beguiling performance of the evening. The stark red staging conveyed all the drama of her song which took us on an enchanting journey. The Depi Evratesil returnee could be the dark horse to win in 2018.

Sevak Khanagyan has been touted as one of the favourites at Depi Evratesil. His choice of outfit served a peculiar mixture of gladiator meets security guard meets bodybuilder realness. What was less surprising was his stellar vocals which took “Qami” into the grand final.

Mariam did not fare favourable with the Wiwi Jury but much like Amaliya, her killer vocals secured her qualification. “Fade” was the biggest grower of the night, securing Mariam a place in the final alongside some of the more favoured entries.

Asmik Shiroyan seemed to be experiencing some sound difficulties akin to Tamar Kaprelian. However, she would not experience the same fate. Her performance had all the energy and attitude that “You and I” needed, and she also sailed through to fight in the final. Asmik had some big fighting words during her postcard — she says she’s taking Eurovision to Yerevan in 2019.

Depi Evratesil 2018 Semi-final 2 running order

  1. Maria’s Secret
  2. Arman Mesropyan
  3. Kamil Show
  4. Suren Poghosyan
  5. Amaliya Margaryan
  6. Alternativ
  7. Tyom
  8. Sevak Khanagyan
  9. Mariam
  10. Asmik Shiroyan

Grand Final

The final of Depi Evratesil will take place on Sunday 25 February at 21:40 local time (that’s 17:40 GMT or 18:40 CET). Be wary of the earlier start time as ten acts must become one and Armenia’s choice for Lisbon will be made.

Click here for more Armenia news

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Marko
Marko
6 years ago

We don’t want Sevak and his depressive song
Go Asmik

Armine
Armine
6 years ago

What a pathetic sour loser Tamar is.She is shading Hasmik and can’t deal with her success!
Go Hasmik,my vote goes to you!

Zebrahyp
Zebrahyp
6 years ago

OK now this is what I call awful sound.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Honestly, I’m rooting for Amaliya. She had such an amazing performance!

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Man, lots of Armenian words are used in Farsi, people look like so much the same and so does this with Arabic. And you’re telling me it is Arabic/Persian and public didn’t connect??? Weird it should have been the other way around.

Xoce
Xoce
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Wrong!lots of Persian words are used in Armenian

Dear Mark
Dear Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Xoce

Wrong, since both languages belong to the Indo-European family. It is hard to say whether the word is a borrowing or just a common in both – Armenian and Persian because of the same Indo-European roots.
English words ‘daughter’ and ‘mother’ sound almost exactly like Persian of the same meaning but that doesn’t mean Brits have borrowed those from Persian.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

@Steve – no it’s not. Armenian public has never been fond or connected to the whole Arabic/belly-dancing culture. You clearly don’t know much about the Armenian culture. And, I just don’t understand why you’re beating a dead horse? After the finals we’ll find out how the juries and the public voted then you can make an informed decision of what happened. You honestly sound desperate constantly bringing up the same subject.

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

After that less than stellar semi, audio problems and all, Sevak has it in the bag for me…Kamil was funny, but couldn’t take it seriously…though I love Asmik’s song, her voice needs a lot of work if she hopes to do well. Hope the final outcome isn’t fixed as some are suggesting….???

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
6 years ago

Is it only me or there is a problem with the microphone? Because Sevak and Asmik’s voice was a bit off with the (bad quality) microphones. But I still hope either Sevak or Kamil to win though I have a bad feeling Mger will win the whole thing.

lilitv
lilitv
6 years ago

DE stage was too small for Sevak, he definitely needs the one in Lisbon for us to see the whole beauty and power of his voice and the song, go get it, boy! Will be voting for you on Sunday <3

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Sevak also was bad tbh. He was screaming and sometimes was out of tune because the sound was awful. Just look how he sings at the Ukranian X-factor. This is so cheap of the National TV.

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

The broadcaster did everything to let Asmik down. They did the same trick to her, as they did to Tamar. I’m convinced that Tamar even sounded better. They just didn’t want to eliminate Asmik, as that would be too much. However, I’m sure they managed to spoil the performance which may affect her in the final. Just look how she vinstanyly sang at the same show from the last year. She sounds perfect. How come people be so stupid to criticise Tamar and Asmik for that, when the national broadcaster distorts the sound on purpose to get rid of the… Read more »

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

OMG can you stop being so dramatic. Tamar’s Persian/Arabic inspired performance did not go down well with the Armenian public. Big deal – get over it.

Roma
Roma
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Yeah. You guys are making Ron sad with your non-patriotic comments. You should only praise the the show and the entrants so that Ron would be feliz. 🙂

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Roma

Haha yeah I saw Ron coming up with a non-patriotic comment for the first time. That ranks to me LOL I’m really devastated. Tamar’s song could have been a runner-up, but Tamar had to be in the final. I’m sure that’s because of corruption. That’s why I can’t get over it even now.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Roma

@Roma – actually if you saw my previous comments, I clearly stated that the first semi was a complete mess and the qualified entries are pretty awful. I was all for Tamar qualifying. But going around making accusations without having seen the results is stupid. Some people just love drama. I mean @Steve, seriously, we heard you. You’re upset Tamar didn’t qualify. It’s not the end of the world. It has nothing to do with corruption. If Tamar sang (and btw she is not a strong singer), I’m sure she would be in the final. I would not be surprised… Read more »

ZK
ZK
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Ron, you are totally on point with this one. I also think that her performance didn’t resonate well with the pubic and juries. Her song was my favorite, but the performance didn’t do well with me. I think It was Tamar’s idea to come up with the theme and it just didn’t connect with the audience. She didn’t give the energy, it seemed she wasn’t comfortable.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

I was torn between Asmik and Sevak but now, Qami has to be the choice. Am just imagining what they could do with this on the Eurovision stage. Potential winner!

Asmik was good but the staging was not good and like Tamar, she needs some backing vocalist. Armenia are letting their best female songs get outperformed by the weaker female vocalists with less challenging songs. That is a problem.

Bastian
Bastian
6 years ago

Choose Kamil and Armenia will flop 🙂

Senior
Senior
6 years ago

Asmiiiiik my diva :))) I wonder who is the guy dancing with her ? Is it Kanye West lol??

Aren
Aren
6 years ago

Asmik is a queen on the stage ??? She nailed it all. There were some part to be fixed with the micrphone byt all is just great . Go Asmik tou will win

Bb
Bb
6 years ago

Sevak is the best, by a country mile.
I think he will finish in the top 5 if he goes to ESC.
I hope Wiwi will award him top points. 🙂

up!
up!
6 years ago

I hope Sevak makes it in the end. Qami is really touching and beautiful…

Quint
Quint
6 years ago

I’m gonna laugh so hard when Kamil wins the Finale because almost everyone is hating on her, and to be honest i don’t really get the hype about Asmik i mean its a good song but not that good its a very simple pop song i my opinion.
I support Kamil this sunday!!! 🙂

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Really happy about all five finalists. Hopefully either Asmik or Sevak will win, but man, Amaliya was stunning tonight!

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

She was great during X-Factor of Ukraine! She didn’t need that dress and make up! She should stay natural!

The Star
The Star
6 years ago

Just wanted to share with a moment. When Sevak nailed Hasmik.
During the voting in so called green room, when the host asked a question to Hasmik about “stealing” Rihanna’s choreographer and being in bad terms with her because of it, Hasmik answered, that she is in bad terms with James Arthur and Kygo, because the authors of her song authored their songs too. and then the host asked Sevak a question and he replied, that he is feeling good on the stage performing his own song.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  The Star

> When Sevak nailed Hasmik.

This sounded… dirty.

Rick Narcoisian
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

asmik and sevak looked really cute together <3 lol

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  The Star

I really don’t understand why some artists are hating on Asmik. Tamar posted “Really?” on her insta story during Asmik’s performance and then I noticed Sevak dizzed her. But, what I love about Asmik is that she doesn’t respond to anyone if anything, she gave Sevak a pad on the back when he qualified. Great singer, even better human being.

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Tbh they were really cute together. Sevak was harsh to tell that well it was his own song and no big names behind his song and staging. But Asmik did right, as she had to advertise that fact. Many people are so rubbish that they will be pleased with that fact when they know she is connected to them and they will vote for her. So, right move, but Sevak should have been modest and not try to tease her just after that comment.

The Star
The Star
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Steve, C’mon, nobody will vote for a song they don’t like, has it big names behind it or no. and what do you think ? Telling about those big names, when nobody asked (and she says about it every time they ask and don’t ask her) is being modest and Sevak’s telling that he is confident with his own song is being not modest ? 😀 I like Hasmik for a years, since The Voice of Ukraine, but big names don’t necessarily mean a good song. For me her song is something I wouldn’t even pay attention if it played… Read more »

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

@Ron I don’t follow Tamar on Insta, I do on FB. She says no word there. I’m sure she also got shocked by listening what the broadcaster did to the sound to let Asmik down. I think Hasmik is a great performer and it was very cheap from the National TV to act like that. They do everything to leave the door wide open for Mher who experienced flawless sound. Corruption at its best. Two of the hot favourites are treated so badly. It’s just insane.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

@Steve – no Steve she meant in a demeaning way. Stop trying to interpret things the way you want to interpret them. Also, Asmik’s vocals were fine – it wasn’t so much the microphone the issue. She was just out of breathe at some points. Overall, the outcome of the second semi was very very good – in fact exactly as I had predicted. Not sure why all of you are being so dramatic and negative.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I’m so glad Asmik qualified. 🙂 Hopefully she beats goddamn Kamil this Sunday. Kamil’s song gives me nightmares! 🙁

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

You do realise Sevak is winning, right?

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Sevak will win, mark my words ?

Aram Mp3
Aram Mp3
6 years ago

So proud of Asmik and Sevak! And the sound in Armenian national selection is so awful, omg. As I heard very recently, Asmik had a big problems with her headphones. And has anyone noticed from the very beginning that as soon as she started singing, the microphone had an echo effect? I was shocked. I hope that in the final this awful sound will be corrected. Even in some parts, when Kamil sang, I didn’t hear her at all. But what I know for sure is that this semifinal was a waaaay better than the previous one! Good luck to… Read more »

Rick Narcoisian
6 years ago

im quite disgusted and dissapointed with tamar. shading asmik on her insta for ‘stealing’ her idea with a dancer in a mask, when that has been done a million times before. Im glad tamar didnt make it through. she isnt a very nice person she showed us.

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Shut up and fu$k off. Tamar is a real queen and very kind. How do you even Daren to call her names? She is my queen and still my winner.

SARA
SARA
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

idiot)))

Rick Narcoisian
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

tamar is a pathetic sore loser. x
asmik>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sore loser tamar

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

The sound was indeed pretty bad. Sevak had the best performance, Amaliya was also good even if I’m tired of the screaming diva act. If Asmik can do better in the final, maybe she could still have it. But for me her entry sounded awful and looked very very cheap.

I have no problem with joke acts on Eurovision, but I can’t see anything remotely funny or entertaining about Kamil. I just can’t. I tried, but I can’t.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Asmik sounded really bad live. “Qami” was the best one tonight! Also, Kamil’s qualification was a surprise. However, I enjoyed her performance.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  AngieP

Relax! Asmik’s voice is just fine! 😮

oli
oli
6 years ago

Sevak is the best option by far. His song is magical

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

About Armenia: Now I want Sevak to win, I heard Asmik … She was…Well, not in her best form tonight.

Andy
Andy
6 years ago

There were major microphone problems. Especially with Asmik, when her voice would be too loud and suddenly too low then really loud again. I hope that doesn’t pull Asmik down in the final as her song is a contrast to the current songs revealed.

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago
Reply to  Andy

There were major microphone problems but she was out of breath unlike Amaliya, Sevak. Hopefuly she gets well next time.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Michael Schulte will go to Lisbon for Germany, it’s official. ^^ He was the right choice, I hope we won’t be last again.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Last? You could be FIRST with this song!

Considering how AWESOME France, Italy and Germany are, Spain also being really cute and UK, even if not with a great song, with a great performer, I have a feeling this could be the first year since 2013 that the last place in the finals goes to a semifinalist.

That is, unless Portugal brings a total dud.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Aaaaw, thank you! <3 After years and years I can finally be proud about our song again. I don't think we'll be top 5. Top 15 would be completely satisfying for me 😀

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I genuinely love the song! I cannot decide between Italy, Germany and France for my top spot now! With Czech Republic and Denmark making a strong top 5 which would be a strong ultimate top 5 in the end. And we are still waiting for Latvia, Hungary and Estonia to make a move! This will be a great year! I would definitely put it above 15th place, but then again, I loved Lucie last year and she ended-up 15th and it was still okay. Even though, I believe Big 5 can be so underrated at times. Best of luck from… Read more »

Lili
Lili
6 years ago

So come on ? you’re a journalist, but it’s obvious that Tamar was your favorite and consecutively you don’t want Asmik to win( Tamar’s insta story surprised me, so much SHADE). Please, be more objective. Obviously, there were technical problems during this live show, cheap sound, even Sevak sounded strange. -Kamil is a?. It was so funny, especially his jokes. XOXO. Even Mom voted for her -Mariam’s song is not memorable, but I’m glad she passed through because of her talent. -Asmik is a whole package. She was so confident because of her team and said smth like “I’ll try… Read more »

khav
khav
6 years ago
Reply to  Lili

Um no offence but a wiwibloggs reporter is far from being a journalist.

Rick Narcoisian
6 years ago
Reply to  Lili

tamar is just jelous shes out.

Rayne
Rayne
6 years ago

Just go back to your internal selections, Armenia. You can’t make a good show. Man, that was a terrible production. ._.

LoveWave
LoveWave
6 years ago

I loved Syuzanna Melkonyan the last year’s Depi Evratesil contestant. She was the best one among 5th performers. It was wonderful to listen Jamala’s song, but she forgot lyrics in one part of Conchita’s song 🙂 I also remembered she was William’s favorite.

Jame
Jame
6 years ago

ARMTV should I send you the new microphones? WTF?
Amazing stage, lightings but cheap and crappy ?microphones
Sevak was a King ?
It’s gotta be King or Queen (Hasmik) or someone who started to sing from bathroom (Kamil, she is so funny and I wish you guys understand her sense of humor)

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago
Reply to  Jame

They may stimulate this way Mger Armenia! spoiling all other performances!

DenizNL
DenizNL
6 years ago

Now Kamil is the reason why a lot of people think Eurovision is a joke, don’t choose that silly stuff.

Klaudia
Klaudia
6 years ago

Am I the only one who don’t want Kamil to represent Armenia? His perfomance was horrible today 🙁

West
West
6 years ago
Reply to  Klaudia

No, you’re not. I STILL can’t believe that anyone actually likes that song. Nothing againts joke acts in general – but they need to be funny.

LoveWave
LoveWave
6 years ago

The production is really cheap, don’t they have money to fix audio sound and buy good microphones? This is Shame, Armenia.
Sevak was screaming too much, Asmik was like “I am afraid of microphone” and sound was lame. Amalia was good till the last part, when she screamed to a microphone like a little kid. Kamil couldn’t hear himself. WTF?

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Kamil’s performance was so trashy, I’m sorry. And what abou the vocals? A “good joke” still needs to be a good performance.
Sevak is my favourite now.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

Heh, Hasmik qualified, even though her singing was probably worst this evening. I guess that’s because she sang fine during the jury show, and televoters would vote for her anyways.

Rick Narcoisian
6 years ago

asmik<3333 hopefully they fix the sound for her. But artsvik first live performance on depi evratesil of 'hurt' also experianced difficulties too.

Agnes with Unicorn
Agnes with Unicorn
6 years ago

Sevak or Kamil. I’m more for Sevak, but Kamil is so much fun, even when she’s out of the stage 😀

Avat
Avat
6 years ago

Only Sevak! !!!!
Cheap sound from cheap broadcaster. And they may do this just to make Mger winner. They didn’t dare to touch Asmik after the feedback they had because of Tamar’s elimination. From what I could understand tonight Sevak must already be chosen internally (without final) and go to Lisbon to make postcard if first lady doesn’t mind ofcourse.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
6 years ago

Kamil has got this in the bag. I predict Top 10 for Armenia this year #PuertoRico

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Sevak is winning.

Jack
Jack
6 years ago

Armenia sucks this year!
No Tamar No Final

ArmRus
ArmRus
6 years ago

Hasmik-meh
Amaliya was amazing
But for me Kamil and Sevak should fight for the win!!!

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago

My ears are bleeding because of cheap show production. With this quality of sound only Kamil sounded harmonic with environment. You can’t appreciate any vocal performance with this production. Asmik didn’t sound better than Tamar.
The best on offer : Sevak……. Amaliya (with different staging) and Kamil.

Avat
Avat
6 years ago

Agreed about production.

Miriam
Miriam
6 years ago

Asmik was OK.She still has the best song in the final

Hulu
Hulu
6 years ago

Asmik sounded like she was choking!Disappointed 🙁

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Hulu

Watch and see how she sounds at last year’s DE. Just perfect. It’s the TV which deliberately distorts the sound to get rid of the hot favourites. Sad( corruption.