Ukraine has never missed the Eurovision Grand Final and the pressure will be on their next representative to maintain that. Tonight, three more acts progressed to the Grand Final of Vidbir 2018.

Nine acts performed but only three could go on. The three qualifiers were Melovin, Tayanna and Kadnay. They will join last week’s qualifiers LAUD, The Erised and VILNA in the Grand Final.

The results were determined by a 50/50 split of jury vote and televote. A lot of focus was upon the jury after their opinions greatly differed from the public last week. The full results are below, as well as a link to each performance.

Vidbir 2018 — Jury votes

9 points – Tayanna, “Lelya”
8 points – Melovin, “Under The Ladder”
7 points – Kadnay, “Beat of the Universe”
6 points – Mountain Breeze, “I See You”
5 points – Illaria, “Sila”
4 points – Julinoza, “Hto Ja?”
3 points – Yurcash, “Stop Killing Love”
2 points – Ingret, “Save My Planet”
1 point – Dilemma, “Na Party”

Vidbir 2018 — Combined votes

Vidbir 2018 Grand Final Running Order

At the end of the show each of this year’s finalists drew their place in the running order for next week’s grand-final. The running order draw was as follows:

  1. Kadnay – “Beat of the Universe”
  2. Tayanna – “Lelya”
  3. The Erised – “Heroes”
  4. Laud – “Waiting”
  5. Vilna – “Forest Song”
  6. Melovin – “Under The Ladder”

France’s Madame Monsieur also performed in tonight’s show. Keeping their black clothing and simple staging, the duo got the audience on their feet, and high praise from Jamala.

What did you think of tonight’s show? Did the right acts for the final? Who will win Vidbir 2018 and represent Ukraine in Lisbon? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

I am all about Kadnay at the moment! Having said that, Ukraine has some great songs to pick from. Am sure they will make a good choice.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

After the 2 semi finals, I have to say I’m not impressed by any song in this national selection.

All 3 qualifiers yesterday had sth different. There was diversity. Tayanna with a different song than last year. I really enjoyed her performance. Up-beat with a cathcy chorus and a hooking melody. Melovin with an interesting proposition and Kadnay with a song in which I really like the beat.
Personally, I can see Tayanna or Melovin win. Both can do well at Eurovision for sure.

Mil
Mil
6 years ago

Well, Vilna’s song is probably my fav. I think by adding backing vocals this song will be improved immediately and significantly.
Melovin is just not my cup of tea. The song is ok, but I don’t like him as an artist. He doesn’t engage me, he isn’t interesting to watch and follow.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

I am the only one who thinks that all 6 songs are in the various degrees of okay, but that neither screams top 10 material?

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

It’s okay for Ukraine to make top 10 material from average songs (“Tick tock”, “Angel”)

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex M

Angel was good, but it was in a rather weak year alltogether. Just now, Mercy, Lie To Me, No me avete fatto niente and Higher Ground are all better than most, if not all, 2011 songs. Add the possibility of La Forza, Esamiba, Poison, ect. joining the line-up and it just becomes more difficult. Whoever was 4th in 2011, would possibly be 20th in 2018.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I must say I think the same. I like all the six songs, but I don’t really love any of them. But I can see Ukraine getting a top 10 on Eurovision and maybe also on my personal ranking.

Tarilaralay
Tarilaralay
6 years ago

For the record. That clichés about Mélovin being emo boy or teen idol etc. are nothing but clichés. This person managed to gather such a strong fanbase not because of his looks. It’s way more behind this – he is a motivation for those young people, he is one of them. He always wants to inspire people to go do your thing, to learn, to search, to create and he is the one, who tells you that you CAN do it, you CAN find your way and be happy in it. This love and support he gets from fans are… Read more »

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago
Reply to  Tarilaralay

How does this change the fact, that he has 3min stage performance with broken English and emo looks?

Tarilaralay
Tarilaralay
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex M

I think those things can be resolved, if it is such a big problem) Other contestants also have to improve their performances, they all have the room to grow.

Currikitaum
Currikitaum
6 years ago

Melovin is by far the best option for Ukraine. He’s awesome.

Dew
Dew
6 years ago

Mélovin will win! I really like it.

Visionary
Visionary
6 years ago

Our only hope now are that the juries will somehow save this. It was apparent that the televoting was dominated unproportionallly by teen girls voting ‘en masse’ for the local “teen idol” Melovin, well listen here Ukraine: Europe will not give a damn who he is! It would be ashame if some local amateur gets the ticket based on irrational voting rather than the act that has a ready and professional package for Eurovision: Tayanna. It doesn’t look hopeful for Ukraine now, Tayanna should get the ticket to Lisbon, it shouldn’t even be a question since she’s above the rest,… Read more »

Mariah
Mariah
6 years ago
Reply to  Visionary

This^
If he had the looks, his song might’ve done better (see Kristian Kostov) but Europe is not fond of creepy emo guys singing broken English, so please juries stop this song from going any further

Chris
Chris
6 years ago

While Melovin can definitely sing, and the melody of the song is also good, the lyrics just make no sense at all (speaking as a native english speaker). Can anyone make heads or tails over what that song was even about?

Tarilaralay
Tarilaralay
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

The song is about letting go of all your fears and superstitions (walk under the ladders is a bad superstition), about hardships that lead to success if you won’t give up. When you have hard times of your life and all you have is your will, that burns inside. You should always remember – things will get better no matter what, the wind is fair, and just dance under that damn ladders!

Skimur
Skimur
6 years ago

A very predictable semi-final. After the SF1, there was a hope for the miracle that viewers over the past year have grown up and the fans of Melovin will not be in such overwhelming numbers, but the miracle did not happen. This year, the jury will not have the courage to give him low points, so in May, with a probability of 99%, we will see this guy. Tayanna will never overtake him by the public votes. Last hope left for the favorites of the first semifinal – Vilna and The Erised, but the judges have already sabotaged them and… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY MELOVIN!!!!! His english is the only bad thing here, he was amazing last night, he would be a clear finalist and straight to the top 10.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

Call me crazy, but I think Laud is the best. I guess I am alone, but nobody came close last night.

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago

Tayanna’s song is called “Lelya”, not “Leyla” 😀

Jordan
Jordan
6 years ago

Melovin is by far the best in this selection. Tayanna is good but I don’t think she would appeal to non-eurofans as much as Melovin would. I think if Ukraine want a good result they should send Melovin.

Varian Jeataba
Varian Jeataba
6 years ago

Looks like another get year for Ukraine, a guaranteed top 10! If they send Tayanna it’ll be top 5. Ukraine is my favorite ESC country.

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago
Reply to  Varian Jeataba

Vilna has the cheapest song of all 6. And her vocals are not great.
Melovin has terrible English pronunciation, and also kind of forgettable song. I can see him flopping at the Eurovision final.
Tayanna’s song is 2nd cheapest, and I don’t like how juries always give her max points. But vocally she is the best, probably.
I just hope that Kadnay will go to Lisbon.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

Can’t say Kadnay is my cup of tea, but Ukraine will have a good final. All six acts have quality. My favorites are Mélovin and Vilna.

ale
ale
6 years ago

Tayanna is the best choice. Looking from the standpoint of already selected songs, it would def stand out a lot! Plus we need more moving songs, I’m getting tired of slow songs.

khav
khav
6 years ago

Every year Vidbir is the best selection of the whole Eurovision season. So many quality songs every year. But Ukraine please don’t send Melovin – his song is not very good. Tayanna slayed.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I need the juries to sabotage that creepy twink. His song is forgettable.

Andomache
Andomache
6 years ago

We in UA think that 2018 Vidbir is stronger than 2017.
But Melovin made final because of his fans and Tayanna and Laud because of jury. And because of names, not because of songs. Those are cliches.
While KADNAY, VILNA and The Erised are unknown contestants and their songs are pure art.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Andomache

Your selection is pretty good this year, much better than last year’s. But Vidbir 2016 was THE selection. Good luck anyway.

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago
Reply to  Andomache

Melovin has the best song in the whole competition.

Xandra
Xandra
6 years ago

Kadney is seriously sexy BTW and brilliant final Ukraine you will do brilliantly at Eurovision again!

Anabela
Anabela
6 years ago
Reply to  Xandra

“Kadnay is seriously sexy” I know right? :p The performance was spectacular as well. It would definitely stand out in Eurovision. But I don’t think ukrainians are going to choose him.

Phary
Phary
6 years ago

Wow Ukraine, why do you have such a good national selection ? All 6 songs in the final are great (much better than last year) and I really don’t mind who wins. (A lot of them need to improve their English pronunciation though.)
Why were the “LED cubes” (which I love) stuck in “loading screen mode” during Madame Monsieur’s performance ?

Andomache
Andomache
6 years ago
Reply to  Phary

Thank you so much. We wish Wiwi could write more about Vidbir.
I think Madame Monsieur wanted to keep staging simple. Or they didn’t prepare any LED animation for our stage.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

MELOVIN is good but needs to work a bit more on his diction. Still can’t understand half of the words he’s singing. TAYANA has a great upbeat song and I agree that a bilingual version should be done but as long as the quality of the original Ukrainian isn’t tarnished in the process of translation.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Good show from Ukraine from what I saw of it. There are some entries there that should do them quite well at ESC; it’s just a matter of preference.

sea
sea
6 years ago

Melovin is a sure winner in the final by televoting

semi’s percentage:
MELOVIN 25.49%
KADNAY 15.4%
TAYANNA 13.23%
Mountain Breeze 10.69%
Yurcash 9.29%
ILLARIA 7.78%
INGRET 6.96%
DILEMMA 6.47%
JULINOZA 4.7%

Vanessa
Vanessa
6 years ago

Melovinnnn <3

Rayne
Rayne
6 years ago

I am surprised nobody is talking about Kadnay. They were really good. It was different and I see it doing really well in Eurovision. And the singer is so hot btw. LOL

Alex
Alex
6 years ago
Reply to  Rayne

Kadnay is favorite all adequate ukrainians. I hope we will choose them

Hanna
Hanna
6 years ago
Reply to  Rayne

I’m talking about kadnay. they were great .. I’m very angry at fans of merovin .. kadnay is much more worthy

Amor
Amor
6 years ago
Reply to  Rayne

Kadnay slayed that! I loved them.

Yep
Yep
6 years ago

I’m happy with the results. A bit gutted for Dilemma as absolutely loved their song AND staging. Otherwise finally a well deserved trio in the final. Also believe that todays qualifiers are going to be the ones at the top of the scoreboard next Saturday. I’m torn to pick a favourite: I’m feeling justice has been made with Melovin being a front runner to win Vidbir this year, then goes Tayanna with absolutely banger of a song (seriously can’t imagine anyone who would be able to stand still to it) and fantastic quirky Kadnay who just blew anyones expectations, especially… Read more »

doldol
doldol
6 years ago

It seems they like a lot Mercy in Ukrain ! And Jamala too ! Is it a good sign for France ?

Alex
Alex
6 years ago
Reply to  doldol

Mikolas Josef liked the audience more. But Madame Monsieur also liked the audience

Mariah
Mariah
6 years ago

By the way, was I the only one who cringed when the jury told Tayanna that her song ought to be translated to English to do well at Eurovision? Thankfully the Queen posted on Instagram that she will keep it in Ukrainian. I wish she stood a chance against Melovin, she really deserves to go, say what you want about the dance but those LIVE VOCALS.

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago
Reply to  Mariah

Actually Tayanna wanted to translate her song. She even said to juries that she has 2 English versions of the song already.

And believe me… you don’t wanna hear what it is about 😀

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex M

That just makes me even more curious.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Well, there are English lyrics embedded on the official video, I think.

sea
sea
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex M

she said in the break interview she won’t change the language

H
H
6 years ago

I am hoping for Tayanna so much. Melovin is really good as well but I feel like Tayanna’s song in Ukrainian will really shine at Eurovision. This a really new and fresh sound that not much of Eurovision’s song have. The song really makes me want to dance

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Tayanna has the best song imo (not the best performance tonight, tho). But why did she ask us to vote for one of those 4 songs? It doesn’t matter now, this is much better than those 4.
Melovin is definitely a contender too.
I kinda liked Dilemma’s song. That “puti puti puti” was funny, especially after Jamala’s hand gestures, that made me realise what it means lmao.
I’m #TeamTayanna now, such an improvement from the dull “I Love You”.

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago

WOW, guys. I absolutely loved the performances of Melovin and KADNAY. They were AMAZING! I hope that one of them is going to win next Saturday.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

That screams 2017 all over again. Tayanna the Jury favourite, Melovin the public favourite, so it’s going to be a third act lol.

eurovision6
eurovision6
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

so true

Mariah
Mariah
6 years ago

Now i can only pray that the jury will stop Melovin’s fangirls from sending him to Lisbon where he will ensure my country’s first non qualification and keep the bad streak started by last year’s mess.

Hermès
Hermès
6 years ago
Reply to  Mariah

Mélovin’s song isn’t bad and he does deliver vocally, the staging needs major improvement and so does his emo style. Tayanna surprised me the most tonight. I quite liked it studio, but it came alive during live. And flawless vocals! I agree with the « Loboda moment » comment, though. I don’t mind her rolling on the floor but she’s sympathetic-flirty-funny the whole song and suddenly she becomes a woman in need for three seconds? Totally uncalled for! She has great legs but it lacks harmony with the rest of the performance. Well all in all, whatever happens next week, keep in… Read more »

Mariah
Mariah
6 years ago
Reply to  Hermès

I agree on the Alekseev part XD except his song is so uninteresting and Melovin is not Kristian Kostov so I can’t see European fangirls voting for him like Ukrainian ones so I just cannot see it doing well in May, which is sad because it seems Melovin is going to win. My personal favourite was Ingret, so sad she missed out.

Sam
Sam
6 years ago
Reply to  Hermès

He will most surely not work on his emo style, because that how he pulls his fans to him. I am hopeful the juries give him 1-4 points in the finals because this cannot fly to Portugal, cringe emo style is not only outdated, but caters to 10-15 year olds, which Eurovision audience is mostly isnt.

Mariah
Mariah
6 years ago
Reply to  Sam

Truth said, if he wins i can see Alekseev doing better actually (both songs are atrocious) because he has the looks that might attract votes amongst girls aged 12, but Melovin is just an emo guy who sings gibberish because he can’t speak English. I can’t see it qualifying which is really sad because he is almost guaranteed to win.

Hermès
Hermès
6 years ago
Reply to  Sam

His style makes me think of emo boy that went through teenage life not finding the bathroom door. As per usual, if you can’t sing in English, just don’t. I’m very glad Tayanna chose to stick to Ukrainian, which completely fits the spirit of the song. English would be odd, at best. I was so surprised about the language comments of the juries.. wtf ppl? Jamala’‘s English was barely understandable and her chorus was in Tatar, then won Portugal in Portuguese… lasha tumbai was broken german plus made up words… and these two advocate for English? Huh? Do they even… Read more »

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago
Reply to  Mariah

I’m not a fangirl or Ukrainian. I had no idea who he was before I heard the song, and I loved it. That will qualify for the final with ease if selected. Tayanna has a forgettable song that will appeal to the ESC bubble but not the general public.

I think Ukraine should choose Melovin.