In recent weeks she’s been at the centre of an international media storm after Ukraine banned her from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 over a past trip to Crimea.
And on Wednesday Russian news media Bloknot revealed that Julia Samoylova will return to Crimea to perform in the stunning seaside city of Sevastopol to mark Victory Day on May 9.
Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, which helped end the Second World War. This year it coincides with the first semi-final of Eurovision 2017.
Bloknot reports that “the city is now preparing for the event and has coordinated details with the singer,” though the concert has yet to be officially announced.
Sergei Aksyonov, who Russia acknowledges as the prime minister of the Republic of Crimea, has made it clear he hopes Julia comes to the region more often.
“Ukraine should be deprived of the right to hold Eurovision,” he’s quoted as saying. “It would be right and just. And Julia, you’re invited to come more often to the Russian Crimea.”
Even if her dream of representing Russia at Eurovision has come to an end (at least for this year), Julia remained poised and upbeat as she gave her take on Ukraine’s travel ban and Channel One’s withdrawal.
“The support is unreal,” she told Channel One. “It’s not just Russia either — it’s from all over the world. In Japan, they draw me like an anime hero!”
That international support wasn’t enough to get her into Eurovision 2017, however. But, as a performer used to being told “no” throughout her career, Julia isn’t as subdued as you might think.
“It’s upsetting because it’s my dream, but I believe in hope. I believe I will go to Eurovision again. I want my example to inspire people, to inspire them to not surrender in any situation, live a full life and follow their dreams.”
Her message is simple: “Do not give up!”
Until the decision was announced, Julia was dedicated to the task of representing her country on the Eurovision stage and flying the flag for Moscow.
“I would have flown to Kyiv, even under threat of arrest.”
classic KGB
What a Shady Lady she is lol
@Wiwiblogg Moderators: What are the rules regarding the comments on this site and where the line is drawn? Amid the general animosity, two people have directly called Yulia a b****. These comments are unjustifiable and revolting, and have no place on a quality blog with so many wonderful contributors such as Wiwibloggs. Can those particular comments be removed? On a more positive note, I just wanted to say that Yulia has my admiration, and she has shown so much strength in the face of Ukraine’s hardline and exclusive behavior. Even if there is politics involved on her side, I don’t… Read more »
She make a choice, and I don’t like it. And I don’t like that we we even discuss it. It is politic. We shall discussions and be a little uppsett over music not at political matters. So, what do you think about her song!
why is this relevant?
#she is no longer in the contest, she is a nobody-
good riddance to her and russia
O-M-G. So much hate. It’s definitely not a “come together ” for Ukraine and Russia this year. Perhaps that’s why they are celebrating DIVERSITY
Russia choose an artist who Russians themselves haven’t heard a lot about, in a wheelchair with a song which has no potential to succeed, they haven’t booked their hotel in Kiev even before they got the message that they can’t compete, even though delegations of other countries did that way earlier. So Russia knew that she won’t compete way before you, and after all she returns to Crimea in the days eurovision starts. You are so easily manipulated by russian political system, and all your hate goes to Ukraine, stay narrow minded, those who want a peaceful shows who bring… Read more »
Russian singer Lolita denied entry to Ukraine, she was born in Ukraine, in Ukraine lives her mother and daughter. Lolita went to visit his sick daughter. In 2014 the Ukraine Nazis beat her mother, criminals unpunished so far.
youtube.com/watch?v=bpO50wDbg8k
The only reason people got behind her was because she is in a wheelchair thats why Russia chose her as it would make a great story without it it would not have made a big deal .
Lmao Russia just won’t quit, what a fricking telenovela.
I love how she’s trolling Ukraine.
Well done Julia. And good luck if you participate next year.
Sevastopol patriotic city. Sevastopol people are most happy that their land back to home – to Russia.
Well, considering that they still praise Stalin, why then they offended by songs like 1944?
If she was to come to Kyiv for Eurovision than yes, a visit to Crimea prior to that would have been a provocation. But she is no longer coming and was offered to sing for the Victory Day Concert in Sevastopol. Probably has some other offers too for concerts mostly in Russia – is not like she was a superstar. She is now more famous so she could earn more money than before for her participation, has bills like all people have. As regards to the view of the organizers her presence there means more audience, more money, more media… Read more »
You go girl!!
Let’s turn a blind eye to Jamala! Yeah…
As usual wiwibloggs not being objective and siding with Russia in this. It’s over, she isn’t coming. Concentrate on those that didn’t break the law!
She’s banned from the country. Welcome to prison I guess
People complain and complain, but why would Julia refuse this gig? (And if it wasn’t for some other political things, she would be occupied and unavailable to go to Crimea on the 9th of May)
O.M.G. Are they serious?
Clearly she is doing this to antagonise Ukraine.
She was never going to compete at Eurovision this year.
I have no sympathy for her just because she’s in a wheelchair. I’m disabled myself but I don’t deserve any sympathy.
If I broke the law I’d never even accept an invitation to participate knowing I won’t be aloud in the country.
She deserves no sympathy what so ever.
I agree with every word. Julia was just an instrument of propaganda, a concert in the Crimea will be a confirmation of this.
Really glad that the people who were supporting Julia are finally seeing the true colours of Russia & Julia. How manipulative. The only thing I’m proud of Russia is for beating the Nazis & ending the holocaust. that’s all
Hello? Soviets done it not Russia.
Russians were against nazis only, cause they attacked them. Previously, Russia was nazis ally 🙂
Russia is like that kid who throws tantrums so the adults pay attention to him.
Now everybody can see that Ukraine was right.
How naive to defend Russia. How can you think that such
a country like Russia is not the teaser, but the victim?
Ugh, she’s just stupid and at this point, irrelevant. Next.
I hope she wins next year and those who banned her can go to hell. Such unfair .
I had enough of this in my life, bye.
Great news. Greetings to ukraininan nazis.
She’s a troll. There, I said it
Poor girl. She’s used as a puppet for Russias dirty political games. Strangely it seems she does not care about hurting Ukrainian’s feelings at all. 🙁
You are a troll
I know.
She was banned from entering to Ukraine because she entered Ukraine illegally and then she does the exact same on the night of the first semifinal.
She’s either really stupid or doesn’t care for Ukraine at all.
Why should she care for Ukraine. After the Crimean Referendum when 96% of people voted to rejoin Russia, Ukrainians cut the electricity, gas, water and food supply to Crimea. Did Ukraine care for 2 mln people back then in 2014? F**k Ukraine. That’s not a country. That’s a propaganda project.
Well now we see that Ukraine was right all this time. I hope that people finally understood this.
I think FIFA 2018 shoud ban Ukraine
And they should have also moved the World Cup from Russia because of the doping scandal
I’m sorry, I just threw up from the bad smell of politics.
She could be mature and turn the offer down after everything that’s happened, but no… Keep provoking.
Well looks like Ukraine was right all along…I was felling sorry for the girl.
What a shame. This just shows that Ukraine was right from the very beginning. How ugly can Russia play.
What are the Russians trying to prove? That Ukraine was right all the time banning Julia. Good job, Russia…. Well done!
She’s not even relevant this year after being banned from the competition. Who gives a damn about what she’s doing?
Pure provocation. Again. And no, she is not the victim, is not, was not, never was.
Lasha tumbai!
I hope Ukraine win Eurovision 2017. That mean that we will not see her at Eurovision 2018.
I’m not really expecting Ukraine to win on home soil unfortunately. At least they can still surprise the viewing by being on the bottom left hand corner of the scoreboard. :/
And this is why the government banned her from the country. She’s idiotic for doing this again.
Pathetic
in psychology the more someone is resisted to do something, the more they want to do it. this is the perfect example.
Oh come on… she’s not a victim or a manipulated innocent girl. She’s a hardcore Russian nationalist.