Roll out the red carpet and call the paparazzi! Ukrainian broadcaster STB has this morning published the list of the 18 acts who will compete in its revived national selection for Eurovision 2016 — and it’s filled with major star power.
Leading the way is Anastasia Prikhodko, who has been signaling that she would like to take part since last October. “In 2009 I was already on this forum, but as a representative of [Russia],” she wrote on Facebook at the time. “My dream is try my hand at Eurovision again, but under the flag of my native country!”
Other big names include Viktoria Petrik, a veteran of both JESC and Ukraine’s national selection, and NeAngely, the taut-and-toned duo who tied for fifth at Ukraine’s 2014 selection with their song “Courageous”.
Continuing the rock trend we’re seeing at Eurovision, The Hardkiss will also compete. In Sofia Ukraine’s Junior Eurovision 2015 act Anna Trincher told us she would love for them to compete: “I really want Hardkiss to represent our country and I think if they will go, they will win.” (Listen to her comments from 3:00 in the video below).
The big reveal builds on yesterday’s momentum when we learned that Eurovision stars Ruslana and Andrey Danilko (aka Verka Serduchka) will serve on the jury.
Ukraine’s national selection: The semi-finalists
SunSay
Jamala
The Hardkiss
Anastasia Prikhodko
Lavika
Aida Nikolaychyuk
Viktoria Petrik
NeAngely
Peaks of Kings
Svetlana Tarabarova
ALLOISE
Arkadiy Voytyuk
Brunettes Shoot Blondes
Pringlez
Pur: Pur
Tonya Matvienko
Japanda
Vladislav Kurasov
If ”overload” is Viktoria’s entry this year than i won’t expect a good result for her :/
I hope she has another song.
It is probably between The Hardkiss and Anastasia Prikhodko. Or… there will be a dark horse from the list like Viktoria Petrik (my prediction).
Great to see Anastasia back, I loved Mamo.
Also interested to hear Aida’s song. If she wins, she’s already going into ESC with some amount of recognition as ‘that X factor girl with the naturally autotune-sounding voice’.
It will be a very interesting battle but I think the winner will be The HARDKISS (or Jamala If politics interfere). The HARDKISS – is a very strong group with a large number of high-quality songs – Stones, Make Up, October, Organ, Strange Moves, Babylon, etc. They definitely deserve to represent Ukraine.
Can’t say I’m a fan of Viktoria Petryk’s “overload” nothing special, overly repedative.
Brunettes Shoot Blondes HAVE to win this.
The Hardkiss seems to be very interesting, I really like this song! We’ll see what they bring to the NF.
I hope Anastasia doesn’t win, her song in 2009 was so boring.
If thats the same Aida Nikolaychuk (spelling?) from X Factor then she could do well. Anastasia obviously will be a favourite as will others, and I really liked Mamo so I hope Anastasiya Pridhoko does well.
Viktoria has got to win! “Overload” is written by Ylva and Linda and the song is fantastic. It would be a great first ever Eurovision entry for the twins.
Great line up I’m glad there’s semis because their old selection with 25/26 songs so many would get lost in one night!
Ukraine could be on to something here
Victoria’s is the only song I’ve heard and it’s great!
Wow. Amazing line-up. Ukraine could possibly win this year!
The Hardkiss sooo looking foward to this, Prikhodko, NeAngely, Jamala and others as well, hope the songs are good !
Do we really need another rockentry?
??????? is back, she sing Smile at national final in 2011.
I hope Viktoria Petrik wili win this year. She deserved to win in 2014 with Love is lord , that and Tic Toc was best song that year in their nationaln final.
I would love to see in list Ani Lorak, Zlata Ognevich, Tetiana Shyrko she had good song in 2013, 2014
The Hardkiss!!! That’s going to be interesting. 🙂
Good luck, Ukraine!
Give another chance to Anastasia Prikhodko, among others she’s really got the fighting spirit and will to represent her country this time, it is like a guilt reliever knowing she represent Russia last time she joined.
THE HARDKISS TO WIN
Very promising, Ukraine will be right up at the sharp end again.
Anastasia Prikhodko all the way!
Jamala!
I loved smile back in 2011 but I hope she has a better song since she has a huge range and can belt those high notes.
As for Hardkiss I did like their song Makeup a few years back but I haven’t heard anything since and don’t think they’re right for Eurovision.
But let’s hope Ukraine can keep up its momentum 🙂
Only The Hardkiss!!!!!
Ohmygodguysohmygod. Her song is called 1944 and it’s going to be a peace ballad that I just *know* will deal with the emotion conflict in the long and loving, but also violent and horrific, history between the people and countries of Europe in an impeccable way. From her facebook, translated and edited: “Friends! I’ve decided to participate in the national selection “Eurovision-2016”. During the television broadcast, I will introduce my new song “1944”. I wrote it in the past year, it’s an iconic song for me. It’s inspired by my Great-Grandmother’s story about the tragedy that took place with our… Read more »
YESYESYES JAMALA WILL WIN JAMALA WILL WIN JAMALA YES
OK, so Smile was… not great. But she’s UhMayZing now. I am so so happy she’s in the mix, literally a dream artist for Ukraine to send. It’s you, Jamala, and we’re waiting to be wowed.
Viktoria Petryk’s song “overload” is great, I would go as far as saying it will probably win.
Aida Nikolaychuk! She has an amazing voice. If her song would be nice too I’d love to see her in Stockholm
The Hardkiss!!!!
Only The Hardkiss!
The Hardkiss
They are very popular in Ukraine
they have a large fan zone
anastasia prikodhko for the win! (if she has the best song ofc)