He’s the Ukrainian superstar who’s just one step away from representing Belarus at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon.

Now, as Alekseev gears up for the Eurofest 2018 final in two weeks time, he’s spoken to wiwibloggs about his entry “Forever” and addressed the various controversies that have coloured the past few weeks.

From the September 1 rule to his competitors’ spicy open letter, he tackles it all — and with the charm and kindness that speaks of a seasoned star.

NOTE: This interview took place a few days before it was announced that he had been given the all-clear from Belarusian officials to participate in the show. They made their decision after Alekseev tweaked his melody.

He first addressed the September 1 rule regarding his entry, which we reported on last month.

“I don’t think that it came out in May because it came out in September. On my birthday performance in May, I tried to sing a part of the song ‘Navsegda’, but it was innovation and so I think it’s a different song.”

“When I first heard ‘Navsegda’ I thought, ‘It must be a Eurovision song!'”

On the meaning behind “Forever”:

“I had a message from a girl and she said she had big problems, and this song helped her very much. I think that we must release it…it’s a song about the most powerful and greatest feeling in the world, it’s about love.”

“It’s a strange feeling for me, but I like it.”

Alekseev pulled out of Ukraine’s national selection show Vidbir before deciding to compete in Belarus. But he says that switch stemmed more from a love of Belarus than any behind-the-scenes drama at home. 

“I’m a Belarusian singer too, I think, and I know that Belarusians know my songs, they love my songs and I have many concerts here in Minsk and Baranavichy. I had a good performance at Slavianski Bazaar — the big Belarusian festival — and I think that Belarusians are very good and cordial people. So I want to do my best to sing at Eurovision in Belarus.”

Alekseev also had his say on the recent controversy which saw six finalists write an open letter to BTRC threatening to withdraw from the final if he participates.

“I didn’t know it, actually, as I had many concerts and when someone say that I have a problem with it, I read about it and see that all of them will sing in the final and I think it’s great. I wish they had a good show.”

And what about Sofi Lapina, one of the six finalists who signed the letter before saying goodbye to the competition?

“I think it’s very sad and you always have to touch the dream. She has a good song. Why not? I don’t understand.”

Are you rooting for Alekseev in the final? Are you as impressed with his English as we are? Let us know in the comments box below!

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Joe
Joe
6 years ago

I honestly just think it’s a garbage song. Sorry, Alekseev. Whatever accusations are hurled at it, I don’t think it should represent Belarus by simple virtue of it sounding terrible. I’d be much happier with any of the other entries. Is it the favorite? Please tell me it isn’t the favorite, even after all this.

Sarah Boucher
Sarah Boucher
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Alekseev’s Backing vocalists for the national final (and if he wins, ESC 2018) are the tolmachevy sisters (Russia’s First JESC Winners)

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

This interview reminded me of how much I admire William Lee Adams, as a journalist. William was able to gently guide Alekseev through the tough questions in spite of the language barrier. That’s some skill. In his place, I might have become a bit impatient and called for the interview to be done in Alekseev’s native language with a translator on hand. Lucky I wasn’t interviewing, then. 🙂 I do like “Forever” as a piece of music, but it doesn’t work too well in the English language. And neither does Alekseev himself, frankly. I do think Belarus should re-think this.… Read more »

Zoe
Zoe
6 years ago

I mean, since Sofi left, he does have the strongest song, but I just can’t support him

deja vu
deja vu
6 years ago

So is he the new Manel Navarro? The bubble will not give him a break.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

“It’s a song about love.” You don’t say. If you can’t formulate one coherent sentence in English, that’s the kind of song you get.

Monique
Monique
6 years ago

Belarus is desperate to qualify, but they’ll make a mistake… His song is average and his English is really bad! He should sing in Russian, at least…

????
????
6 years ago

lol interview

Go Shuma!!!!!!!!!!!

salvadoradorabellissimo
salvadoradorabellissimo
6 years ago

Bring Salvador back. Only he must compete for every country.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Clones? 😀

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Salvadorvision 2019

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

He didn’t tackle anything. He basically dodged all questions in the interview(Saying i don’t agree/i don’t care) and commended William for his English.
Like yeah seriously the reason he switched to Belarus was because he loves Belarus more than Ukraine!! like wow

I hate such corrupt figures who can’t even act well. Good on William for trying to get him to answer though. Much appreciated. But he can’t always run away/dodge saying he didn’t understand the question.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Agreed, he does not to be more forthcoming, especially if he wins in Belarus. If this means he needs to say it in another language then he should.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

He does need*

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I think he was trying to behind the language barrier in the interview. He won’t say it in other languages no cause then he won’t have a place to hide.

The fact of the matter is Ukraine disqualified Tayanna’s entry cause she had performed and not released it before 1/9/17. Ukraine would have done the same to his entry too. Who was he trying to fool saying the two entries aren’t same and the chorus seems to be taken from a non-famous Greek song anyway!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

The Chorus’s similarities to that obscure song could just be coincidental. As for Ukraine, it is good that their selection process is being proactive, but technically it’s up to the EBU to screen the songs once they have finished winning their national finals. So Belarus can put this decision off for a while yet.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Why didn’t Belarus just select him internally instead of having a ridiculously bad line up with tons of bad filling material which is just there to pretend like the other Songs have any Chance? It’s obvious that they clearly want Alekseev…

Ewa
Ewa
6 years ago

He’s so cute. This song its beautiful. Top ten this year, I hope so.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ewa

Oh, just wait for the politically incorrect and risqué “next top model” competition before making comments like that. 😛

Ewa
Ewa
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I was more concerned with the fact that he has a nice facial expression and nice smile, it makes he seem to have a nice personality. And I really like his song it’s all 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ewa

Sweet. 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

But the Belarusian broadcaster told him that if he wins he’ll have to sing a different song, so he should consider the controversies.

James
James
6 years ago

Is there a source that could confirm this?

H
H
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Seems like Denmark will stay in the semifinal, all songs are so mediocre. Starlight is the only one I remember after listening them

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  H

They’d better not sound like Rachel Platten demos again.