After what seemed like a good second rehearsal of “O mie”, Aliona Moon and the Moldovan delegation have canceled the mandatory post-rehearsal press conference, thus breaking EBU rules.
The rehearsal was similar to the first except for the inexplicable absence of Pasha Parfeny at the piano (he was replaced by the four dancers). We noticed that Aliona Moon did not attempt the high note at the end, but we blamed it on nerves. Otherwise, she sounded pitch perfect and many commentators, including Eurovision fans on YouTube, called it a great rehearsal. But apparently there was chaos backstage.
According to the Swedish television website SVT.se, the “O mie” songwriter Pasha Parfeny wasn’t happy. Here’s what he had to say:
“[The staging] looks nothing like we imagined. We have many questions without answers. If we were to hold the press conference, we would just be asked questions that we could not answer.”
Refusing to hold the press conference violates EBU rules. It happened once before, in 2010, when the Netherlands refused to hold one in Oslo. It is unclear whether Moldova will be penalized for this refusal. But given that the number of competing countries is already down to 39, we doubt it. Stay tuned!
Update: Shortly after midnight Aliona Moon explained her absence via Facebook:
I felt a bit sick after the second rehearsal, maybe it was because of emotions or the heavy dress, that’s why I couldn’t attend the press conference. So I don’t have any objections and I feel the guys from SVT and the whole ESC team could help us to show our best during the ESC 2013. Now I feel much better and I am opened to all the face-to-face interviews!
Photo: Dennis Stachel (EBU)
good luck from azerbaijan but coppy of sabina babayeva eurovision 2012 azerbaijan and georgia to ell and nikki, but land of fire wish lucky both of you
I love this song, Moldova good luck, you have my vote this year.
What? Moldova nailed it yesterday. This was absolutely beautiful and stunning. I didn’t see that coming because I haven’t had Moldova on my radar at all. But they nailed it and crushed Ukraine, Denmark and all the others yesterday.
So, Pasha had different ideas about the staging, but I wonder if it still could get any better?
Pasha was replaced not by the four dancers, but by the Aliona’s young man, Vova Fedorenco! 🙂 Those three dancers are there by default.
Poor Moldova … so much bad luck … first the stuff up in Eurovision In Concert and now this.
Let’s give our sentimental vote to Moldova!
I think if Aliona was truly ill, then she shouldn’t be penalised. I’m not sure how well she could speak in front of a pushy, crowd of people constantly asking question if she’s not well anyways.
Thanks Bogdan. Let’s hope that Aliona doesn’t get penalised for Pasha’s outburst, if there was one indeed.