Russia holds an enviable record at Eurovision: Since the turn of the century, it has finished in the Top 5 nine times, tying it with Sweden in this regard. And, unlike Sweden, Russia has made every final since the introduction of the semis in 2004.

Naturally they are keen to keep their good fortunes alive and speculation is rife about which artist or artists will get the gig for Eurovision 2017.

On Wednesday Russian web site life.ru claimed to have the official list of potential candidates for the contest. Russia’s Channel One hasn’t confirmed any of the details from the story, but it’s sent the rumour mill into overdrive. So we put on our detective hats (and scanned social media) to see if life.ru is on to something.

Aleksander Panayotov

The first candidate, not surprisingly, is Aleksander Panayotov. The acclaimed singer has been the most talked-about potential act for Russia since September, although Channel One officially denied that he had been selected earlier this month.

Alexander came to fame in Russia in the 2000s, when he tried to represent Russia in Eurovision on five separate occasions. Since then he’s taken his career to another level by participating in the most recent edition of Golos (The Voice of Russia). Although he finished second behind Daria Antonyuk, the Russian singer of Ukrainian origin has received a lot of support from people hoping he’ll sing at Eurovision. He’s got the talent and his background would be a friendly nod to this year’s host nation.

??? ???? ????? ???????????? ? ?????????? ??? ????? ?????????.. ??? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ???, ????? ?? ?????.. ?? ?? ????? ?? ???????. ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ? ????, ??? ??????? ? ?????????.. ?? ???????? ???????? ?????????????, ??? ?? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? "???????????".. ?? ? ????? ?? ?????)) ???? ?? ??? ???????, ??? ????? ?????? ? ??????? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????, 30 ???????, ? ????? ????, ?? ??????, ? ????? ? ??? ?????????????? ?????? – ? ?? ?? ???????.. ? ??????? ?? ?? ?????????? ?? ???? ????. ??? ??? ??? ?????, ??? ??????, ??? ???? – ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ???????????? ? ???? ??????, ? ???? ????, ? ???? ??????.. ??? ???? ???? ?????. ? ?????. ???????????, ??? ?????????, ? ???? ????????, ???. ???? ?????? ???????, ??? ????. ???? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????????, ??????, ???????? ? ???????? ? ??????! ??? ???? ??????? ????! ? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ? ??????? 8 ?????! ???? ????? ???! ? ? ??????????? ????? ?????! ?????! #??????????? #????????? #????? #?????5 #??????????????????

A post shared by ????????? ????????? (@panaiotov) on

Elena Temnikova

The next potential candidate is Elena Temnikova, known to all of you as a former member of pop band “Serebro”, who represented Russia at Eurovision 2007 with “Song #1”.

When she was still a member of the group, they released the hit “Mama Lover”/”Mama Lyuba”, which was popular not only in Russia, but also throughout Europe. In 2014 Elena left the group due to illness and the termination of her contract with the group’s production company.

Today Elena remains a successful singer and recently released her debut solo album “TEMNIKOVA I”. She’s also the mother of a one-year-old daughter. The singer recently reposted a photo that suggested her possible participation in Eurovision 2017 and even made some very provocative comments on her VK page, both of which she’s subsequently deleted. But you can check out the original pic she reposted below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP7nCs5gCZm/

Daria Antonyuk

Daria won the fifth season of The Voice of Russia, cementing her place in the minds of millions. At the age of 20 she is the youngest candidate, but that isn’t a mark against her. She’s currently studying at one of the main universities devoted to theatre in Moscow, so will no doubt be ready to bring the drama in Kyiv. She has confirmed that this shortlist is official, and says she is happy to be a part of it.

Earlier this week — during a press conference held for participants of The Voice — she said that they are currently choosing a suitable song and that the representative will be revealed between February 21 and 23. That’s very specific information, right?

Writing on her Instagram page, she also asked her fans to get behind her and to vote for her as a favourite on various web sites. Youth does not curtail ambition.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8ikELBjiT/

Nyusha

We all remember Nyusha — the adorable Russian spokesperson from Eurovision 2016. Well after that the girl confessed that she’d like to represent Russia at Eurovision and she has even discussed the possibility with Filipp Kirkorov — the man behind so many Russian Eurovision songs, including Sergey Lazarev’s “You Are The Only One”. She runs in the right circles for good reason: She’s already one of the most popular female singers in Russia, commanding a huge fanbase, countless awards and a string of hits. She’s not just a pretty face…

#latergram #eurovision2016 Dress – @kamuchii Jewelry – @j_point ???

A post shared by Nyusha (@nyusha_nyusha) on

Soprano Turetskogo

Last but not least, the pop band Soprano Turetskogo finds itself in the mix too. The band consists of professional singers with voices ranging from the highest — coloratura soprano — to the lowest — mezzo. They sing rock, classics, jazz, disco, contemporary and retro music, so basically anything. Their management has said, in direct response to Sergey Lazarev’s 2016 performance: “After a fabulous male artist a powerful female energy is needed. After the ‘Buranovskiye Babushki’ there has been no female band. We are certain about our project.”

?????? ???? ? ???????? ???????? ????????? ?? ????? #Repost @eurovision.rus with @repostapp ??? ?????????? ??????? #WhoFromRussia2017, ? ??????? ????????? ????????????? (?? ?????? ????????) ?????????????? ?????? ? ?????. | ??????? ????? ?????????? ???? ??????? ????????? SOPRANO ?????????. ????????? ?? ???? ??? ????????? ??????? ??????????? ?? ????????????? ??????? ? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???????????. ? ????? ???????? ??????? «?????????? ??????????» ???????????? ?????????? — ?????? ???????? ??????: «? ?????????, ??? ???????? ?? ??????. ????? «??????????? ???????» ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ??????. ???-?? ??? ????? ? ?????, ??? ??? ??????. ? ??? ?????????? ?????? — ? ????????????, ? ?????????????, ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ? ??????. ? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????. ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????… ? SOPRANO ???? ???? ????, ??? ?? ?????? ???-??????» | ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????????? ??????? ? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?? ??????????? ???????? ????? «???????????» ? ??????

A post shared by Soprano ????????? (@sopranoturetskogo) on

Which of these artists would you like to see at Eurovision 2017? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Follow all of our Russia Eurovision news here 

34 Comments
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Christina
Christina
7 years ago

Dima Bilan maybe???He can win again.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Zaro4ka

your Armenians just Russian slaves with their exact agenda and same attitude towards Ukraine. I wonder if something similar would happen in Azerbaijan, would they bully foreigners who tried to cheer the artist? would Azeri moan about “nationalism”? heck no. stick to your Karabach, pussy. leave our Crimea and Donbass out your rotten comments. I’m not going to listen to coward Russian slaves who uses their “nationalism” as a culture and humialite other nations because they express “nationalism”.

Zaro4ka
Zaro4ka
7 years ago

Eurovision is a festival of cheap and cheesy pop music. Last year the contest excelled itself. Jamala won with a mugam, which is considered low quality music all over post Ottoman Empire countries (at least Armenia and Georgia), like Blatnyak or Gopnik music in Russia. Russians can send Irina Krug or Lyubov Uspenskaya to repeat the success of Jamala. LOL

Zaro4ka
Zaro4ka
7 years ago

@Oxana Last May Okean Elzy was giving a concert in Yerevan and as it is my favourite band, I bought the most expensive tickets but I didn’t manage to enjoy the music because of some Ukrainian nationalists who came to the concert with large flags (not only blue-yellow, but also red-black) and were crying “Slava Ukrainy, Geroyam Slava” after each song. That was really annoying and after 4th or 5th song we started to boo those motherf*ckers and finally got them out of the arena. Raise your flags in Donbass and Crmea, if you can, but not at Zemfira’s concert.… Read more »

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

one this is know from officials: they will reveal the contestant in 3 weeks. if they ever will do so. I guess they are waiting to see as much NFs as possible to make sure the song they bought from greeks or shwedish mafia is not sold to them second hand, LOL

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Polegend Godgarina Zemfira? I doubt it. last year she humiliated her fans who flied to her concert in Baltics from Ukraine. not just fans, she was vulgar and told ugly things about our flag. after that Ukrainians said she’s not welcomed in Ukraine. we’ll boo her for that incident too. Zemfira is hot tempered w/o selfcontrol, she will start to behave like a junkie once we’ll put a pressure on her. Everyone knows it so I doubt Russia will send her, unless they want a scandal with EBU. I would love to see Zemfira in ESC, but not in my… Read more »

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
7 years ago

@Lanti: You beat me to it (regarding Nargiz).

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

Russia is always qualifying coming top 10 (or top 5) every year and that’s annoying! I agree! Unfortunately, they do better than they would if they didn’t have all these ex USSR neighbours voting. The point is instead of being 10 – 12 or 14th, they are always 3-4-5 or close. This is unfair for songs from not such a strong country and it’s a shame. You vote for the song not for the country. I can’t say we don’t do the same in Greece with Cyprus but it’s one country voting for the other not ex.10 voting one. Still,… Read more »

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

I will be very sad if Russia will not have the courage to send something brave like Little Big. What Russia wants to send? A peace ballad?
What ? Do you surrender after ”1944”.
Don’t get me wrong, I prefer present time political songs, but don’t tell me about something my grandfather did. I don’t blame 21-st century persons about these historical events.
I hope this article about Russia is bluffing. Please tell me is a bluff.

Selen
Selen
7 years ago

@Polegend Godgarina this is not an official shortlist. Life.ru correspondents have been collected rumors about ESC possible contestants. Of those presented as contenders, only Yelena Temnikova and Darya Antonyuk have announced to be included in shortlist which is obviously larger.

Ivan U7n
Ivan U7n
7 years ago

FYI, Njusha is a coach of the upcoming season of the Voice.Kids Russia. I doubt she’ll have enough time for both.

Saqartvelo
Saqartvelo
7 years ago

Elena Temnikova or Nyusha! Both very talented ladies.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Where is Little Big?
Russia is playing safe. Nothing memorable.
Russia should ”attack” with music against a song like 1944.
I like Ukraine and Jamala, if I were to compete in ESC (never could), I would buy a Jamala song, not swedish, but a song about history is so unfair. Don’t accuse people of today of something their grandparents did.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

@ Colin – you’re right, look at 2010. Just 2 points from a Western country (Portugal), and yet 11th in the final. They could send someone farting for 3 minutes and they’d still have 80 free points from ex-URSS countries.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I need something original from Russia. I was hoping for Zemfira, but I guess among all these shortlisted acts Nyusha will do.

Tusán
7 years ago

I’m a big Nyusha fan so yeah I’d be pleased.

AzeriBoy96
AzeriBoy96
7 years ago

It would be great to see Nyusha on Kyiv stage.

M
M
7 years ago

NYUSHA. End of story.

Evy
Evy
7 years ago

I want ALEKSANDER!!!!

Armenian boy
Armenian boy
7 years ago

OMG. Of course Elena. She has a very strong support of her fans. She is considered as one of the most successful singers in Russia. Her songs always take first place in the all Russian music charts. And actually she is interested in participating in the Eurovision 2017. Now Elena is leader of all Internet votings. She is a friend of Polina Gagarina and Sergey Lazarev. And she is ready to slay! We are waiting for another beauty from Russia after Polina Gagarina! And it’s Elena Temnikova!

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

Soprano Turetskogo has eight (8) members, and the contest only allows six (6) to be on the Eurovision stage. So two (2) of their members will have to either stay back in Russia or be the Green Room supporters.

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
7 years ago

NYUSHA

Liam Alan Lindsay
Liam Alan Lindsay
7 years ago

Nyusha or Soprano for Russia

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

It’s worth noting that Nyusha is a coach in the new season of the Voice Kids so she would be quite busy in the next few months until April.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

soprano would be amazing choice for russia. werk if they’re really chosen.

Riva
Riva
7 years ago

I’m wondering if they will send someone with ukrainian origin 🙂

Ron
Ron
7 years ago

If Russia sends Nyusha….

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

Russia is always in the finals for two reasons: They are big and powerful and even though this is a song contest which is seemingly unpolitical, Eastern countries feel obliged to vote Russia. Moreover, Russia always invests in their songs. Even if the song is generic, it is well produced and they make a great show. But honestly, I am afraid that the first reason trumps the second. Russia could bring the biggest turd on stage and they would most probably still be in top 10, or *at least* at the upper right side of finals scoreboard. Considering the political… Read more »

Melow
Melow
7 years ago

Yas, Queen Nyusha, come through!

Zorz
Zorz
7 years ago

Aleksandr Pistoletov with song K beregam 😀

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

This is an excellent article, well done.
Danya or the Soprano group would be the most innovative choices. 🙂

D
D
7 years ago

Elena or Nyusha would be great choices. Darya would be okay but I think it’d end up being too similar to 2015. I really would not want to see Alexander but part of me is suspecting it. Soprano Turetskogo would be a disaster and I don’t know how they made the list.

escAU
escAU
7 years ago

After I featured Sergey in my video for ideal ESC 2016, Russia eventually picked him! Recently I chose Elena Temnikova for Russia (video in link) so seeing her name pop up again might be a coincidence… 😉

Lanti
7 years ago

Not that it will ever happen, but I’d love to see Nargiz Zakirova at Eurovision sometime.