The road to Eurovision has been a long one for Russian entrant Julia Samoylova, but just like the title of her song, she won’t break on her path to the largest musical stage in the world. Wiwibloggs’ William Lee Adams caught up Julia at the Moscow Eurovision Pre Party this weekend to discuss her involvement in the contest this year.
Although it seemed like Julia was working on other songs for Eurovision 2018, it was later decided that it would be “I Won’t Break” for the X Factor Russia runner-up. Julia told us that on hearing the song for the first time, it was “Love from the first time, and I added it to my playlist, and I even saw the translation to understand it better”.
It was last year that Julia was disqualified from entering the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, due to Ukrainian national laws banning her entry into the country. But although it was an upsetting letdown, Julia was not ready to give up easily.
Julia kept up her positive energy over the last year and told us, “I think that a lot of events helped me, because I had a lot of concerts and I recorded some new songs, so everything of it helped me to deal with it. And also the channel told me that I would represent next year, so it was fine.”
Julia is working with Leonid Gutkin, Netta Nimrodi and Arie Burshtein who were behind last year’s song “Flame is Burning”, but she told us which song she preferred the most: “Well, I think I prefer “I Won’t Break” because it shows fully my strong character, and I really feel myself with this song.”
Alexei Golubev — the man behind Polina Gagarina’s staging for “A Million Voices” will be responsible for this year’s staging of “I Won’t Break”, and he’s promised a “grandiose” show. But on the imagery of the music video and the mountain Julia revealed that, “It was the idea of the video maker and I just tried to be myself, and I think it was good.”
Finally, none of this would be possible without her loving husband and manager Alexei Taran. Julia describes him as, “my everything. He makes almost everything, he makes timetables for me, he writes songs, he’s a director. So everything we do, we do together.” And as for the future beyond the Eurovision Song Contest, Julia said her and her husband are, “making a team that is bigger and bigger and hope to make a production centre.”
Catch her live performance of “I Won’t Break” from the Moscow Eurovision Pre Party here:
How do you feel about “I Won’t Break”? Let us know in the comments section below.
Now they are removing videos with Julia’s performance on Youtube 😀
do Russians think it will help them to cover up that mess? lol
This was not a good performance, I’m afraid. HOWEVER, she appeared to be pretty nervous. If you’ve ever been nervous in public, your throat closes up, and it becomes difficult to talk, much less sing (not to mention singing in a foreign language!). I’ve looked up other live performances by her, and when she is in her element and confident, she does a really good job. There are some adjustments to be made for sure, but I have every confidence she will do well in Lisbon. Good luck Yulia!
I imagine memorizing words you don’t understand is difficult. At times I did think she sounded better live than in the music video but other times the opposite.
Thanks, Robyn. The rumor was that Yulia will be singing but, sort of, like Demi from Greece last year. Not sure if this Polina business materializes at all but if it does I want to see the face of our friend Polilegend from this website
Robyn, I heard a rumor that Polina Gagarina will be a ‘back’ vocalist. Anything you might have heard on this subject?
Folks, I came across a rumor that Polina Gagarina will be a ‘back’ vocalist in Lisbon. I.e Yulia will stay but will sort of play a notional role (and her mic will be silenced big way) while all heavy lifting will be done by Polina. Has anybody heard anything similar?
the question is why the hell Russia send singer who can’t sing own song then?
… ehmmmm…. my theory would be that they want a) to keep the word to Yulia and 2) have a decent result at the same time. The guys are Machiavellian strategists, who knows what the real game is
decent result? i think it will be the first no finale for Russia this year, Julia doesn’t deserve to be in GF with this horrible vocal…
Russian DIVA?
LOL
She’d have to actually be able to sing well, in order to be a “diva”…
Unfortunately, she is being used by the Russian delegation for “pity points”, not for her actual talent, which isn’t very abundant…
JULIA SAMOYLOVA “‘I WON’T BREAK’ SHOWS MY STRONG CHARACTER”
PS: And weak voice.
She can’t sing…
Eurovision is not supposed to be 100% absolute perfection. If she doesn’t give the best performance possible, I’ll still applaud her efforts.
Don’t worry about a thing and just enjoy your once in a lifetime moment, Julia. I admire your strength to face such an imposing scenario.
+
Yeah, I get your point, but she doesn’t have much else going for her. The song is bland and it’s in a language she doesn’t even understand, so of course her pronunciation is not on point. Her vocals are weak, too. If both song and vocals are bad, and there’s nothing new, nothing innovative about her or the song… why should people support her? Just because of her pretty face? She has no reason to be at Eurovision with I Won’t Break, in my opinion.
I hope that juries and televote give her the points that she deserve (for her sing and song ) not to give her many simpathy votes. Juries votes normal for Poland 2015 and Finland 2016 , televote no especially for Finland 2016.
Poor entry! This will qualify because it is Russia at the expense of better songs. Last year’s Russian entry was stronger. This is a weak effort and in a song contest judging quality songs this is bottom of the pile.
Russia just wants drama and attention.
I feel sorry for this girl. She is being used.
If you cannot speak a word in English, what is the purpose to sing in English? How can you call yourself a singer if you don’t know a thing about what you’re singing? This is just … arghhh … I can have compassion for her personal story but right now she’s part of something that requires musical skills that go beyond the singing – understanding, interpreting lyrics is what allows any great singer to express emotion and connect that emotion to an audience. But without proper developed language skills this just fades to grey into complete failure … However this… Read more »
I’m a big fan of William too, but here he lost his credibility.
Love her sincerity. The mountain is there because it is. So many acts every year with their “made-up messages”.
At least they know the translations of their songs lol
If you ask her to translate any particular line of that song, I’m pretty sure she will say – you can ask the songwriters about that
I’m extremely disgusted how a singer doesn’t care why they made her head floating on top of the silly mountain
well, she said she read the translation before, so she knows what is all about.
Vaguely
But I told about translating any specific line not just the main idea “I’m so strong that I wont break blah blah”
She couldn’t even understand William’s simple questions (7th grade level), what are we talking about..
well, I do agree that artists singing in English should know the language, at least basic communication skills. Not that it really matters in the competition.
It kinda matters because there are performers like Nikolas Josef who composed his song and it’s based on his personal experience so he’s sincere while performing it
Samoilova just mimics English words with no real understanding of the lyrics and with blank face expression
Maybe the worst entry from Russia…
This is exactly what I am talking about: you’re relying on what’s generally accepted. Crimea is the territory of Russia whether you and your country accept it or not and in this situation no law was broken. Besides that Russia had no choice because there was not a single atrist in Russia by then who had not visited Crimea. Going to Crimea for them is travelling in their own country and it is not done for the sake of breaking some laws. Even if you don’t agree with me (and you don’t) it is not the reason for accusing William… Read more »
*This was for Ido
There was not a single performer in 130+ milion Russia ego didnt visit Crimea? Are you sane? Lol
This no-name disabled person Samoylova was chosen not for her voice like Polina and Sergey, but for political reasons
I’m sure there’s a ton of talented vocalists from the voice etc projects who could participate with dignity and not shame like this
I am sane. And I am sure that you wd not be able to name even 5 Russian artists who didn’t go to Crimea. Only very few amateur no-names maybe.
And I am not sure that any artist of Polina or Sergey’s level will ever agree to go to ESC again before all this Russsophobic hysteria calms down.
Samoilova is exactly a no-name
So why her and not some other really talented singer?
Btw the “Eurovision dream” is only a pr campaign, her first vocal teacher said that Samoilova didn’t think about it at all prior to the Kremlin sent her an offer to participate
Very interesting and absolutely unbelievable. Her first vocal teacher gives some interview to some media and mentions Kremlin. Kremlin doesn’t care for ESC, take my word for it. Why her? Because she was noticed by at least two prominent Russian artists at X-factor maybe.
The teacher gave that interview a year ago
And she didn’t mention the Kremlin, but we all know it is involved in propagandist informational war.
Absolutely unbelievable that russian citizens are so easily brainwashed and think what your government wants you to think.
I can no longer participate in a conversation with a brainwashed person like you because there is no sense, you won’t admit the obvious things.
I’m truly sorry for that. Have a nice day.
“but we all know it is involved in propagandist informational war”. How exactly do you know? Where from?
Just “highly likely”.
Have a nice day too.
Yeah right, did “Kremlin” tell her to sing Molitva at the X-Factor few years ago? Did Kremlin tell her to post tweets about ESC 2016 while she was watching it? Wow Kremlin’s been plotting this thing for many years, right. They got nothing else to do.
the only thing she will break is her song
Dear William, I’m sorry but I am disturbed by your co-operation with this whole mess. In 2017 the Russians chose her while knowing the Ukrainian laws regarding Crimea, while knowing she won’t be able to go to Ukraine and by knowing Russia has no intention to participate at all. This was just a very ugly PR trick, and unfortunately William – you fell in the trap that the Russians have set. I don’t understand why you went there, I don’t understand why you congratulated her, and I don’t understand why you’re co-operating with this ugly PR trick. I totally understand… Read more »
The difference between you and William is that he’s not as biased as you are. Your opinion of Russia is totally based on the information of your media, which you trust implicitly and have no need in your own opinion. At the same time, you condemn a person who is open to any information, is ready to make his own opinion and for this he went to Russia. I am sure William will have a lot to tell about what he saw with his own eyes. The only question is whether he will want to share his impressions with such… Read more »
You didn’t give any explanation to why do you think I’m wrong.
So tell me please, do you really think the Russians were not aware of the Ukrainian law before choosing Julia as their representative? Do you really think they were surprised when Julia was banned from entering Ukraine?
For what its worth, Ido does make a few valid points. ESC should be about music and rise above politics. With all due respect to Julia, there is nothing in Julias’ performance that suggests that choosing her to represent Russia was based on musical talent. It looks more like misguided political point scoring 🙁
Your opinion of Russia is purely based on what Putin whats you to say and wants you to believe. Pretty sure you will start saying that Putin loves gays and that Putin is not a dictator and that 2009 anti-gay demonstrations in Moscow never happen because it was all the western media making them up. In a similar fashion to American Republicans who claim that everybody is wrong and only they are right, you will start saying that there is no homophobia in Russia and never was a person violently treated on the streets for racists reasons. As for Crimea… Read more »
ESC 2017 was the worst Eurovision ever – and not because of Russia. The butt in front of Jamala kind of summed it up. Ukraine was unsuccessfully trying to prove it belonged to Europe which is in fact very far from what it actually is. The whole event seemed absolutely fake and made-up.
This sound really bad and song is not good but I support her and hope she do better in Eurovision, I think if she pass in final its just becouse its Russia ?
Someone in a German blog write:
“HILFE
…..sie packte das Lied am Halse und würgte es zu Tode”
Translation:
HELP
…..she grabbed the song at its neck and strangled it to death“
??
Well, I don’t like her, and even I didn’t expect the first live performance to be so bad. It seems that she was really not meant to sing the chorus at all (like in her music video). But she wanted to sing it at least once on her birthday, so they gave her a chance.
This should not be in the final.
Yulia should NQ, but they will qualify because it’s Russia
i already feel sad for the country who nq’s because this disgusting woman has to qualify
Your manners are disgusting.
Lets keep speaking about songs, not the actual performers.
Yulia needs a miracle vocal coach, i just want you guys to justify your qualification to the final and to me right now Yulia screams a deserved NQ to me
but yes positive things from me about Yulia, well she stays so positive despite so much hate
No, HER manners are disgusting. She is a willing pawn for the Russian government, and after the contest she will be case aside, and just be another mistreated disabled person in her country. I hope she enjoys her 15 minutes.
she really doesn’t deserve so much negativity
russian government apart from an unfair democracy i don’t think Russia are that evil, they get rid of terrorists for us 😉
You may not like the song, even hate it, and Russia mightbe your least favorite country in the world, but how DARE you call someone disgusting. She is trying her very hardest and we all know it didn’t sound good, but show some respect. And she won’t qualify ‘because its Russia,’ actually, there is a lot of hate against the country and she certainly won’t benefit from that.
i deserved this thank you, she isn’t the best singer
i have autism myself, so i wouldn’t want someone insulting me either, i get your point
i can relate to her being handicapped myself as well (different handicap maybe but still)
i never rooted that much for Russia on esc, and also i know my faves could do well (denmark) in semi 2
my votes are going to San Marino, cause i like Who We Are and Jessika/Jenifer have good Chemistry and they are very good live
Great to see you turned around, and I still respect your opinion.
I really like Julia’s song, and I have no issues with her pronunciation or her accent, but clearly there is much polishing needed, especially for the chorus. And William is totally charming.
Hey, William, you can peel your lips from her butt from all the ass-kissing you’re doing! Stop coddling Putin’s ‘puppet’!
–A reader with a physical disability
What’s wrong with his interview? He’s being very polite, friendly and lovely like he always is. I don’t get this hateful comments :/
these*
You can be polite and not nodding at every bs she says. Like « which song do you prefer between Flame is Burning and I won’t break » and fake genuine interest for the answer when who in the world would tell you « oh I prefer last year’s entry, this is meh but well vote for me? ». She seems like a nice lady, and I admire her force of character. That doesn’t mean a free pass on what is a very bland song, artificial and impersonal arrangements and lyrics and terrible vocals (don’t go blaming the backing singers on that one, please!)… Read more »
I’m in the US (so I can’t vote) and have a disability, but I wouldn’t vote for her. All my European friends with disabilities won’t vote for her, either.
This is an embarrassment. She is unable to sing, so she’s in the wrong place here. It’s not enough to WANT to sing at Eurovision, otherwise we could fill the stage with all the weirdos from the first round of X-factor or Idol. Whether or not she’s in a wheelchair or not is not an argument to put her on the ESC-stage.
Another set of 5 backing vocalists won’t save this horrible leading vocal
Every point she will get will be out of pity, not for great voice/song/performance
She didn’t even ask the director of the mv what was the meaning behind that head on the mountain and I’m not sure if she knows what is she singing about in English at all
Such a fail after 2 years of “hard work”
If I were the composer of the song, I’d be mad at the singer they chose.
Julia is nice girl and i feel sorry for her, but she can’t sing this song properly, why Russian team gave her this song? poor girl…
btw why Melovin arrived in Lisbon ? is he shooting his clip there, who knows?
Postcards are being shot in Portugal. Most acts have already done it.
thanks i didn’t know it, i heard he gonna release his clip in few days with revamped version,i wish wiwi would post something about it
Be prepared, because this comment section will burn…
Having never heard Julia perform live before, my initial opinion of her entry remained neutral, despite these following comments. From the studio version of “I Won’t Break’ alone, the lyrical content appears derivative with the song being profusely manufactured. Lacking in authenticity, it just strikes me as a little bland. Vanilla even. Damn, I can’t even say it ‘struck’ me, as I was left with no emotional impact whatsoever. The only response irked out of me originates from knowing her circumstances and long journey to the Eurovision stage. The only aspect of the entry that stuck with me was the… Read more »
STUPID UNFUNDED COMMENTS OFHATE TO JULIA, HAVE A LIFE!
No one’s hating on Julia, just her terrible vocals.
I feel like this quotation, chosen for a title of the article, was ironically laughing at Yulia. I don’t think it was intended though. But we all know what the live performance was and in this light, well… It doesn’t look (hear) good 😛 If nothing’s changed until May, I don’t even want to think about Russia’s “100%” qualification…
Dear Robyn – wiwibloggs should have written about the problems of the live performance and that you don’t know yet what the reasons are.. or something like that – it think it is a mistake not to mention it.
I know, I said that 🙂 It’s just the circumstances that made it sound like that.
She won’t break, but her voice will!
Just shows that Russias dirty political tricks just came to bite them in the toosh.
Hmmmm. Good luck?
That is something I will never understand. Why propose a song which require strong vocals to someone who can’t deliver? They didn’t figure that out in recording studio? I mean you can work your magic all you want on studio version but when you know the outcome is live performance what’s the point? I feel bad for everyone that has to work around that entry, singer included. It’s a pity cuz I do like her voice but they should have provided a tender ballad where she could grace the stage this warm and soft voice of hers. Anything would do… Read more »
William sings better than her, NO final for Russia ! (i hope)
What did he do? He interviewed all the contestants at the party?
please… really William ?..?
the weakest live vocal this year….sorry girl
,,it shows fully my strong character” Yeah, great for you, but it ain’t showing your strong voice, honey…