While Jamala was the undeniable star of Eurovision 2016, another Ukrainian star made almost as much of an impact. Verka Seduchka, joined by her mother, presented the points for Ukraine. And as this footage shows, there was no shortage of comedy and drama behind the scenes.
Verka — who gave Ukraine one of their best results coming second in 2007 with “Dancing lasha tumbai” — was wearing as her silver star headpiece from Eurovision 2007 and looking fabulous in a traditional Ukraine dress that emphasised her gravity-defying bosom. Verka’s mother, also wearing traditional Ukrainian dress, had come well prepared with a Eurovision-branded bottle of champagne.
The two were waiting for their moment to deliver to points. Verka rehearsed her lines, but was startled by a loud voice demanding silence in the studio. And you do not disrupt an artiste when they are in the zone!
Finally it was time to go live. As the live broadcast showed, Verka received a rapturous response from the audience. She had a bit of banter with Petra, before finally delivering Ukraine’s 12 points to Lithuania.
But the drama continued. Once they were off air, Verka’s mother accused Verka of forgetting everything that had been planned in their two days of rehearsals.
But even though it might not have gone quite according to plan, Verka’s points delivery was still fun and memorable, and it’s made fans call for Verka to have some sort of involvement with Ukraine’s production of Eurovision 2017.
And that wasn’t the only mischief that Verka had delivering the points. At an earlier rehearsal, the Ukraine link to Sweden was plagued by technical troubles… or was it? Whether due to a glitch in the system or just trolling from Verka, Petra’s reaction was priceless. She kept it cool.
@Max H
That’s not his real mother 🙂
@Karen
Sorry but in the same year as Verka was Scooch.
That should immediately answer your question. Nothing wrong with humor in Eurovision but Verka was tongue in cheek funny humor, Scooch were desperately using sexual innuendo and Eurovision cliches to try and be funny when they weren’t.
It has nothing to do with east vs west…Eastern Europe has also failed with comedy entries such as Estonia with Leto Svet and Latvia’s Cake To Bake.
Out of curiosity is that verkas real mother, ie the mother of Andrei or is that just an act too?
It’s my dream. Thank you for this post. I love Verka
Her anxiety before announcing the votes was giving me anxiety. It was as if I was the one about to announce the points.
Why all so loves Verka? She is terrible!!!
I didn’t like the “Korean Australia” comment.
Verka is amazing, I love her:) Verka in Sweden was nice surprise:) I think host should invite stars from earlier edition of Eurovision Song Contest. Verka, Loreen, Lordi, Alexander Rybak celebrated Eurovision in Sweden and made me happy:)
Verka doesn’t speak English to host an international event. But she’s so funny and is famous, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a special role for her at the ESC next year.
hahaha, so funny! I hope they will be part of eurovision in 2017.
If UK or Ireland for example sent Verka to Eurovision they would be accused of sending a novelty act and demeaning the competition. Just shows the big divide between East and West Europe
No matter what language she speaks, she must be there. I am from Armenia and I love her. Let her have some role, please. It’s fun.
OMG Verka needs to host the green room or something in 2017.
Last time in Kiev the host were rather dull so Please let Verka host something 🙂
Imagine her talking to the Russian delegation She’d say something like
‘So last year you were the favourite to win…..But you came 3rd’
And how she’d troll all the other acts would be hilarious 🙂
Verka is very impudent woman! 😀
And she badly speaks English!
Verka definitely needs to be involved in next year’s contest somehow 😛 she and Lynda Woodruff should do a segment together.
Verka clothes is transparent thanks to green…
Amazing lol.
Hahaha! The sense of relief after the votes.
If you think delivering the scores is nerve breaking, imagine how it is one stage! Wonder how Verka felt back in 2007! haha!
I’m dying to know now what those jokes were that Verka Serduchka forgot! 🙂
She needs to be announced next year’s green room host asap!
Verka is a master of jokes and improvisation 😀 I miss her on out TV. She used to bring lots of positivity.
Hilarious! 😀