What seemed destined to be a showdown between Tayanna and Mélovin at Vidbir 2018, ended with Mélovin winning the right to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2018. He will sing “Under The Ladder”

For the third year in a row, Ukraine partnered with commercial broadcaster STB to stage the national final, that is also known nowadays as Vidbir. Six acts made it to the final stage of the selection and were judged by a panel consisting of Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, Verka Serduchka creator Andriy Danylko and Yevhen Filatov. They made up for 50% of the vote, the other 50% was decided by the televoting public.

The two previous editions of Vidbir both ended with two acts tied for top spot. In 2016, Jamala and The Hardkiss drew. Victory went to Jamala given that she received more support from the public.

A year later, Tayanna and O.Torvald drew. While Mélovin won the overall televoting, O.Torvald were next with the public and so went to Eurovision. They delivered Ukraine its worst result ever in the contest.

This year, however, there was no draw. Mélovin comfortably won the televoting, while coming second with the juries.

Nevertheless, the show wasn’t without drama. At one point, Tayanna was accused of using playback, Andriy Danylko got into a fight with someone in the hall and Mélovin’s fans sent Jamala threats.

The Wiwi Jury did not fully agree with the result tonight, putting Tayanna on top, followed closely by Mélovin, just as our readers did.

Jury results

Tayanna — 6 points
Mélovin — 5 points
LAUD — 4 points
Kadnay — 3 points
The Erised — 2 points
Vilna — 1 point

Televoting results

Mélovin — 6 points
Kadnay — 5 points
Tayanna — 4 points
Vilna — 3 points
LAUD — 2 points
The Erised — 1 point

Combined results

Mélovin — 11 points
Tayanna — 10 points
Kadnay — 9 points
Laud — 6 points
Vilna — 4 points
The Erised — 3 points

Do you think Mélovin and his song “Under The Ladder” is a good choice for Ukraine? Let us know in the comments below!

Read all of our Ukraine news here

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Kate Petrich
Kate Petrich
6 years ago

Love u, Melovin???

PT
PT
6 years ago

I also did not understand the song, so I looked up the text online. Well, it is about taking a step up in your growth, making a scary/risky move forward. I like Melovin and I am not a teenager. He has energy about him that is spiritual and focused. If anyone had watched America’s next top model, there was a winner in one season Nicole Fox. She was also spiritual and focused and people’s #1 favorite of all seasons. I think they both have this otherworldly but likeable feel about them.

Valerie
Valerie
6 years ago

Quite convincing and charismatic! What I like most is the energy!!! And…what a catchy song.

Yulia ftw
Yulia ftw
6 years ago

Best result. Lol who knew I will be rooting for Ukraine!

SARA
SARA
6 years ago

yeah!!! my fav ) He’s in my top 5. Ukraine has made the right choice!!!!!

dalila
dalila
6 years ago

Kadnay was robbed

Monique
Monique
6 years ago

Amazing song, great performance + he is sooo cute. The ideal package for Eurovision! Welcome back to the top 10, Ukraine!

Steph
Steph
6 years ago

amazing performance this is top 10 material, he needs to improve his english though

Simon
Simon
6 years ago

Look at hundreds comments of his finale performance on Eurovision official channel, people around the Europe looove him:))) so do i, go baby!

Richard
Richard
6 years ago

This is the only song so far this season that has given me a glimmer of excitement. It’s great and I love the staging. True to say you can’t understand a word, but I think this is a great choice.

Esti
Esti
6 years ago

He’s charismatic he will gets points from public. I love it.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

On a plus side, he is a very charismatic performer and the song is memorable. On the other hand, I have no idea what is this about. It’s obviously speaking through metaphors, but for what, I cannot tell. The song leaves me confused. But, hey, at least now we cannot say that Ukraine sends only women to ESC on foreign soil.

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago

I prefer Tayanna with “Lelya” but Mélovin is not bad at all. His song has grown on me since the first listen. I think it will do well in Lisbon, maybe not Top 10 but a spot on the left side of the scoreboard.

P.S. It would be amazing if Tayanna became the Ukrainian spokesperson in May, I mean she’s a two time finalist in Ukraine like Wiktoria or Mariette. She could do it and she would be the first to announce the votes!

Zippa
Zippa
6 years ago

i like his song…. but the buzz around his person is already too big in internet, don’t think he gonna win but people talk about his ‘look’, attitude,bad English and his gayness a lot, much more than about his song,local people say he is too cocky though, lol
he definitely caught attention, guess it’s good sign for a young artist, btw i like how he posted rainbow flags and pics of sexy guys all over his pages just to piss off bigots, limao

Graph
Graph
6 years ago

This is my favorite Ukraine song since 2013.

Definitely a finalist, and with this year’s line-up, a 3rd win for Ukraine isn’t totally out of the question

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  Graph

Can they afford it? That’s another question…

Nick
Nick
6 years ago

He gonna be in TOP 5! He has charisma and energy that a lot of artists this year can’t even close to reach… he and France my favourites so far, just make sure Danilko hires English teacher for his boy…lol

Tarilaralay
Tarilaralay
6 years ago

MÉLOVIN, he’s warm, smart and amazing guy. You think 60000 (!) people voted for him last year and this time are just a fanbase? Way not. He deserves to win! People, stop judging by some lens and stuff. Look deeper and you’ll see more ?? His “Rise like a Phoenix” was soo good… Come on, the guy is only 20 years old! Danylko said that English lessons will be learned btw. I wish him all the best at Lisbon ? And I cannot mention that ALL the artists rocked tonight, great! And what a Medley… Wow. It was pure pleasure.… Read more »

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  Tarilaralay

His ”Rise Like A Phoenix” was such a flop, he doesn’t have any singing register, he can only sing lower notes.

Fabian
Fabian
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Omg stop! Don’t be cringey please!! “He doesn’t have any singing register..” Wtf. Don’t talk about things you don’t know nothing about. He and the rest of the people in thr world have 3 singing Register. Chest Voice, Head Voice and Falsetto. Some are even lucky by being able to sing in the Whistle Register. Do some research before you say certain things please.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  Fabian

he doesn’t have falsetto, he only has a head voice (nasal one), barely uses his chest voice, so that’s only 1 out of 3

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

His performance on stage is strong and his voice is good, this isn’t a winner but just seems like something that would do well. I appreciate he isn’t singing in his first language, but his diction was really poor there, maybe it was that performance but I think he needs to be a little clearer for Eurovision, but the vibe he gives off works.

Magpie
Magpie
6 years ago

This needs a Tick Tock revamp but this time it’s because the song is extremely flat. This is way too average for me.

Visionary
Visionary
6 years ago

Huge mistake Ukraine. Tayanna had the overall best package and was ready to be sent to Lisbon, but instead hormonal teenage girls voted ‘en masse’ for the local “teen idol” who in Eurovision will struggle. Ukraine has lost its touch in Eurovision, long gone are the days when Ukraine brought professional females with great package to ESC, now we will have these local amateur boys who might have a public in local teenage girls but who don’t have what it takes to do well internationally. I miss the glory days of Ukraine in Eurovision.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago
Reply to  Visionary

You know it won the competition like two years ago, this is literally the second act since then, Despite what you think of the song, I think you’re being a bit dramatic

Pork Loin D'Icee
Pork Loin D'Icee
6 years ago

is he singing in English?

Josh Kennon
Josh Kennon
6 years ago

“weather’ , “Together” and one other phrase were the only things i could understand in those lyrics

lasse braun
lasse braun
6 years ago

a corrupt jury live on television!
cool – never seen that in my country – so i have learned a lot about the ukraine.
5 acts has been slaughtered especially vilna and then came the red carpet for melovin – smells like a script. ;

PP
PP
6 years ago

After 2005,2017,2012 one of not good song from Ukraine. My prediction Ukraine in final (Ukraine know to sell not good song at Eurovision with good staging ). In final from 15 to 20 place , thanks to points from ex Soviet union countries plus Poland, Spain, Portugal with huge diaspora.

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

It’s a good song, and probably more accessible than last year while also having more artistic credibility. It’ll stand out in Lisbon for sure.

Anyway, with two good entries and silver medals under her belt, Tayanna winning Vidbir 2018 is quite a likely possibility.

stojko
stojko
6 years ago

But their law last year said that they cannot broadcast person who visited Crimea.

Will they broadcast Yulya Soylova performance? Will they withdraw because of national law?

RumahDara
RumahDara
6 years ago
Reply to  stojko

In case you didn’t know that this year Eurovision are held in Lisbon, Portugal. It’s nothing to do if Yulia were performing in Mars since she’s not entering Ukraine, i think they still broadcast her.

stojko
stojko
6 years ago
Reply to  RumahDara

Last year they rejected EBU’s suggestion to have Yuliya perform via satellite from another place, because they cited a Law that forbids them to show on TV the image of a person who entered Crimea under russian occupation.

Yulia ftw
Yulia ftw
6 years ago
Reply to  stojko

yeah yeah ‘occupation’ keep teling yourself that lol

Stephanie
6 years ago
Reply to  stojko

UA:PBC said a while ago that they will have no issues with broadcasting Yulia’s performance

stojko
stojko
6 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Then:

1st possibility) the law that was mentioned last year doesn’t exist and somebody was lying

2nd possibility) Ukrainian TV doesn’t respect their country’s laws and make selective application of them

eurovision6
eurovision6
6 years ago

He is a good singer but his english is awful. He should sing in ukrainian instead.. Its an ok/good song, not the best. But Ukraine made the right choice even if “Wonder” last year was better

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

I probably have a different perception of what can pass as ‘beautiful’ if compared to other folks here, but I found Melovin’s face kind of handsome, his vocals interesting and personality intriguing. And come on, eurovision audience are mostly teenage girls, their mums and gay uncles. So don’t send us a beautiful lady with impeccable legs (I stopped liking Tayanna when I saw them), send us a pretty boy with charisma please. I am officially happy with the result

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

Same here. 🙂

Ffs
Ffs
6 years ago

At least it’s not another boring , copy paste ballad.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

He is a good singer and he has a good song musically. But I couldn’t understand a single word he said!

Surabaya
Surabaya
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex

That’s OK. Most likely he doesn’t understand his own lyrics either.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

I actually think he might do well. There aren’t to many up-tempo guys this year. And it has a catchy chorus. Even though I have no idea what he is saying most of the time. I just wish it was a bit more modern and not last decade punk pop..
History shows that Ukraine don’t do well with solo guys. Could this be the year to change it?

Max
Max
6 years ago

Tayanna was far far better, Melovin will have trouble standing out amongst all the other uptempo male radio pop songs that other countries have sent.

Harlow
6 years ago

Sorry is he the lead singer of my chemical romance from early 2000’s or is he someone special? Because this one contact situation is making me uncomfortable. Let’s give an emo boy a pop song and rewind the clock back 10 years! No no no sorry but no Ukraine bottom 5 this year. It’s a tad embarrassing to say the least

LaylaDemarco
LaylaDemarco
6 years ago

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy
Boy
6 years ago

This Song its not go to the final.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Yay! 😀

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

If he qualifies with this, I’ll be seriously suprised. I can’t understand what he is saying AT ALL! Which is sad because English is my first language. His diction is awful. The song itself is very basic and uninteresting. At least Leyla had a cool story about a goddess. I can’t say that Tayanna would have gotten top 10, I would have to see the other contestants but I can say she would have qualified.

Bastian
Bastian
6 years ago

Very strong package. Me lovin’! 😛 This smells like a top 10 entry in the final, well done 🙂 8,5/10

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago

I’m glad he won as he was my favorite from this final and the song got stucked in my head since the first time I listened to it. The only thing that I don’t like is his bad bad english, so I hope he will take some time to improve his pronunciation until May.

Antranig Shokayan
Editor
6 years ago

Tayanna was my favourite but Melovin a close second. This will do well at Eurovision, he’s extremely talented.

Kaz
Kaz
6 years ago

Melovin’s Song kinda doesn’t have that Ukrainian personality or charm. It feels limp. Tayanna and Vilna would’ve been better choices.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

YES finally MELOVIN is going to ESC! And its finally a male soloist for Ukraine. That’s a first for Ukraine after many years of sending female soloists and bands 😉

Andromache
Andromache
6 years ago

Oleksandr Ponomariov. 2003. Hey, there

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago

Vilna was soo good ….. melovin has just a generic o ooo o song …..really cannot understand people sometimes ….. how can this trash song win anything ….. im speachless

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago

VILNA was kinda pitchy-scratchy in the vocal aspect. If this was a contest of studio songs, VILNA should have been the winner. In terms of performances, Kadnay felt more relevant but Jamala has some personal issues with one of the singer’s relatives and gave them her 2 points, putting them down in the jury vote.

DragKvinna
DragKvinna
6 years ago

Bed bed ingraysh
Cannot understand a word for the world

Agrael
Agrael
6 years ago

I liked Vilna the best, but I’m happy with this result since at least it wasn’t Tayanna, I really dislike her song and preferred Kvitka leagues over Leyla. It really felt like Leyla was produced last minute.

Sad about Vilna’s harsh treatment but I’m content with Melovin.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I would have preferred Tayana, but this one is also not bad.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Not fan of the song, but still better choice than Tayanna.

Magistr
Magistr
6 years ago

piss girl wetted TYANNA 🙁 pity for my country

x
x
6 years ago

Let us see if Ukraine will have a good result with no-female act :p

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I have to say, after Slovenia and Hungary, that was good news for me.
Good song, great performance! Melovin at Eurovision finally!
Wish him best of luck!