Eesti Laul 2019: Uku Suviste knocked out in semi-final of The Voice Russia

He’s a singer-songwriter, actor and producer known to Eurofans for his 2016 Eesti Laul entry “Supernatural”. 

But Uku Suviste is no stranger to competitions, with appearances in competitions including Your Face Sounds Familiar and New Wave.

And ahead of his appearance in Eesti Laul 2019, Suviste found time to compete in The Voice Russia.

Uku Suviste on The Voice Russia

At his Blind Audition, “Shady Lady” hitmaker Ani Lorak turned her chair for him, and under her guidance he made it all the way to the semi-final, where he was knocked out of the competition on December 28.

View this post on Instagram

Thank You @anilorak and her team as well as @voice1tv for having me to perform one of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever performed. The semifinals are over and so is my way on the the voice of Russia. It has brought my way more excitement, fun, thrills, wonderful people and success than I could’ve ever imagined. We will still meet you in the finals on 1st of Jan and see you with all the Estonians on 31st in ETV new year’s show performing with Anne Veski. Be ready for a special surprise on 31st we’ll be singing a duet with @anilorak on @1tv . More about that tomorrow..?

A post shared by UKU SUVISTE (@ukusuviste) on Dec 30, 2018 at 3:39am PST

Speaking about his time on the competition on his Instagram page, Uku paid tribute to his coach and fans:

“Thank You @anilorak and her team as well as @voice1tv for having me to perform one of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever performed. The semifinals are over and so is my way on the the voice of Russia. It has brought my way more excitement, fun, thrills, wonderful people and success than I could’ve ever imagined.”

During the semi-final, Uku sang “You Raise Me Up”, originally written by Eurovision 1995 winners Secret Garden and popularized by Irish boyband Westlife.

Uku showcased his musicianship playing piano through the performance, but it wasn’t enough to advance from the semi.

Instead, he lost out to Ani Lorak’s other act Amirkhan Umaev, who went on to place runner-up in the final.

Uku wasn’t the only act with a Eurovision connection on The Voice this year.

Ukraine’s Junior Eurovision 2013 act Sofia Tarasova also made it to the semi-finals.

Her coach was Konstantin Meladze, who among other credits composed Russia’s Eurovision 2009 entry “Mamo” and was a jury member during Vidbir 2017.

Her last performance was a cover of 1980s charity single “We Are The World”:

Despite slick hair and a slicker performance Sofia Tarasova also lost out in voting during the semi-final.

Uku will be back in action on February 2 in the second semi-final of Eesti Laul 2019.

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Photo Credit: The Voice Russia