Each year the hype behind Russia’s Eurovision candidate gets bigger and bigger.

And in the run-up to the forthcoming artist announcement, the rumour mill has spit out countless names from Eurovision veterans to reality show stars. They include Manizha, Filipp Kirkorov, Egor Kreed, Alexandr Panayotov, Elena Temnikova (she of Serebro fame), Olga Buzova and, of course, Eurovision 2016 singer Sergey Lazarev.

All the promised deadlines have passed, leaving us without any confirmed news. But now all of the gossip coming out of Moscow seems to revolve around Sergey. The 2016 runner-up is widely considered the most probable artist to represent Russia this May. And tonight fans are glowing with happiness over one of his latest Instagram posts, in which Sergey mentions Eurovision 2019.

So here’s what happened. A radio listener wrote to Radio Romashka and requested that it block a Lazarev song, as his or her boss was singing the words as a parody, and totally changing the meaning to something slightly vulgar. The boss basically changed the word “Whispers” to an inappropriate three-letter word for bum.

Sergey re-posted the Radio Romashka post, writing that “people are going crazy! Or, just before the announcement of Russia’s representative for Eurovision 2019, my candidacy bugs them….”

His statement isn’t confirmation that he will sing for Russia. However, in the comments section of that post it becomes clear that he’s at least being considered. One follower asked why Sergey would go for revenge. The “You Are The Only One” singer avoided any official confirmation by saying that “it is still unknown who will go [to Eurovision]. I am just one of the candidates!”

But the story continues. These are two screenshots of Russia 1’s programming schedule for this Saturday, February 9th. The top pic was published by the network, but then quickly deleted and replaced with the second. Do you see any changes?

View this post on Instagram

?? Is the cat out of the bag? Today Russia 1 published its upcoming TV schedule…and they seem to have dropped a rather big piece of information. ____ ?? The February 9 at 17:30 time slot was filled by a show called “Privet, Andrey! Sergey Lazarev – Eurovision 2019”. Shortly afterwards it was changed to just “Privet, Andrey! Eurovision 2019”. _____ ?? In the interim VK users shared grabs of the schedule online. We have consulted with people close to Russia 1 and can confirm the images are NOT fake. Our source tells us a mistake was made, but did not elaborate on what that mistake was. So it could very much be #sergeylazarev at #ESC. _____ Do you take this as accidental confirmation that Sergey Lazarev will song at #Eurovision in 2019? Or are you still waiting for it to be official? #eurovisionsongcontest #eurovision2019

A post shared by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) on

Yes — the first one includes Sergey’s name in the 17:30 time slot.

Both images include the title of the show — Andrey Malakhov’s weekly programme “Privet, Andrey”. But the deleted schedule also included “Sergey Lazarev – Eurovision 2019” as the topic for the programme. It’s either accidental confirmation or a very elaborate decoy.

Of course, fans on VK noticed what happened and soon the programme listing was changed simply to “Privet Andrey, Eurovision 2019”, without any references to the artist. We’ve confirmed that the screengrabs floating around are, in fact, real. But there’s not been an official response from Sergey or Russia 1 just yet.

No matter. We will all find out the truth once and for all this Saturday at 17:30 Moscow time.

And what are your thoughts? Would you be excited to see the Russian star at Eurovision again?

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David F
David F
5 years ago

Even the official ESC email sent out today contains Sergey lyrics.

“With just 100 days to the Grand Final in Tel Aviv we say: Thunder and lightning, it’s getting exciting!”

Do they know more as well? Or just a little light trolling? 🙂

Pinault Lucas
Pinault Lucas
5 years ago

Join our eurovision comunity : https://chat.whatsapp.com/GZsu3geWcLXDv9uyjNy8Kq on whatsapp !?

love u
love u
5 years ago

so much bile in the comment secession when it comes to him. always. pathetic

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

meh….. with all the talent they have in russia i’d be disappointed if they sent him again, he ain’t even one of the best singers out there

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago

He is

David F
David F
5 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Oh no he’s not
Oh yes he is
🙂

mara j
mara j
5 years ago

oh no really?? who’s the best Russian singer then??

A random russian guy
A random russian guy
5 years ago
Reply to  mara j

If we are speaking about male singers here are some random options (youtube)

/watch?v=CvTz2gSxqj4
/watch?v=jqyJ4xW2gb0
/watch?v=HNHbQXnTWbw
/watch?v=WujKJpxaUHk
/watch?v=sl_pxCAcJz4
/watch?v=nidQCt_HEsY
/watch?v=LOHDnKI1U8A
/watch?v=705H5NfWZSs
/watch?v=jFQhiSj7yR0

Max
Max
5 years ago

So we could have Serhat and Sergey from Eurovision 2016

David F
David F
5 years ago
Reply to  Max

Is it too late to bring back Dami as well 😀

2016 is such a vintage year for me.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Max

Sir Hot and Sir Gay.

florinho
florinho
5 years ago

i am so sick of this sergey lazarev wanna be .. every single day we nned to hear about him

José
José
5 years ago

Let’s see what kind of cliche pop song or a ballad he will bring this time. Zero creativity, Russia!

A random russian guy
A random russian guy
5 years ago
Reply to  José

Have you heard the song? We will judge what kind of song it is after we listen to the song 🙂

Julia
Julia
5 years ago

For me it’s a big mistake he is coming back.
His song in 2016 was for months in iTunes Charts, a massive hit in radio in Eastern Europe (which is 30% of the countries that are voting) before the contest, it topped all polls (Ogae,Infe etc) , was for nonths first in all betting offices.
And then the staging came which was AWESOME.
I don’t think he will be able to do something better than that.

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

with all the talent in russia to choose from, i’m disappointed they picked him again…. i get it that he wants his revenge bc he won the popular vote, but yeah russia has other and better singers they could send

Adriana
Adriana
5 years ago

I think he should of waited 5 years,and then return ,but what do i know.Anyway loved his song from 2016 ,i listen to it even now.Good luck and hope he retunrs with even better song than the one from 2016.

esc stan
esc stan
5 years ago

Oh god please no, all attention will go to him and Russia if he gets picked. All other countries will be in the shadow…
PLEASE DON’T PICK HIM!

Toinousse
Toinousse
5 years ago
Reply to  esc stan

don’t worry it’s just a eurofan craze anyway

123
123
5 years ago
Reply to  esc stan

or you can switch to a Eurovision site that is objective and actually covers every country equally….which is every site except this

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  esc stan

“In the shaaa-doww”…
Oops, sorry.

David F
David F
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I thought of that song too 😉

It’s still in my 2019 playlist

zxc
zxc
5 years ago

Since when he became a runner-up in 2016? Did Australia disqualified?

David F
David F
5 years ago
Reply to  zxc

Runner up can refer to second and third place. Like in Olympics commentary, the Silver and Bronze medalists can be called the “runners up”.

The inconsistency is confusing I agree. It’s like how the ground floor in some buildings can be called anything from “Ground Floor”, “Floor 0”, to “Floor 1”.

SafeAssumptions
SafeAssumptions
5 years ago

Is there any reason why there’s a lot of Sergey hate over here. I don’t really understand it…

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago

Maybe you should read comments more properly, nobody here hates Sergey, if anything its only about his generic song he sang in 2016

Petersu
Petersu
5 years ago

Oh no…Another cheesy song in the making and people will hype it like crazy.

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago

Hope he has a less generic song this time…

coca_cola
coca_cola
5 years ago
Reply to  eurovision6

What is wrong with generic songs? In 2018 two generic songs where first and second.

Gurl
Gurl
5 years ago
Reply to  coca_cola

I wonder what kind of music these people listen when they always compaining about ”generic”, lol

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  Gurl

Music with actual lyrics rather than “Unforgettable, so unbelievable”

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  coca_cola

I do not like last years winner but it was not even close to as generic as “thunder and lightning its getting exciting”

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

I’d welcome Sergey Lazarev back to Eurovision anytime. He came across as quite likeable in interviews and in the aftermath of losing to Ukraine, he wished Jamala well, when tensions between the two countries where at fever pitch.
He’s also a great performer.
He’s also very easy on the eye, damn he’s beautiful.

Just please, come with a better song than last time. “You’re The Only One” was so bad, it was Sergey and the stunning performance that saved it.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

Meanwhile, here is the San Remo playlist. Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb_Qew9Dujkjp0hpUgbuYvqvgnL-d07_m

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Thank you dear:)))

Bahog Bilal Hassani
Bahog Bilal Hassani
5 years ago

Would setting up a national final instead ever cross their mind?

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Not a single post about Sanremo, so I’ll just leave my fave here anyway.
Nek is my #1. I also like Mahmood and Arisa. But I’ll wait for the studio versions to judge them properly.
Il Volo is ok.

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Agreed, so many ‘info’ about nothing and no words for Sanremo, which is currently happening,
i adore Nek since early 2000’s, he was one of my teenage crush:)
it would be fantastic if he would come to Eurovision, aww…

Joshua
Joshua
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

For me:
1) Irama;
2) Einar;
3) Shade ft. Federica Carta

Nek was good too (he’s always good anyway) and Arisa had a nice uplifting song which I enjoyed, but not too much. The rest were just the typical Sanremo songs you listen to every year. I’m actually a bit disappointed by Il Volo, I would have thrown their song in the bin if it wasn’t for their outstanding voices.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

What a beautiful set of songs and performances from San Remo. And a lot of poetry! 🙂
I have about 10+ favourites from this, and I’m not joking. It’s stunning music, and art at its best.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Meh

EmilyG
EmilyG
5 years ago

He is still so BIG that people love to talk about him 3 years later. So many comments in just a few hours.

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago

Kirkorov probably wrote for him some trashy song already,lol
Sergey deserved much better than the song he sang in 2016, it was so plastic and mediocre….if he come back at least give him something decent to sing, but i feel he will flop hard this time …

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  MikolasFan

You are entitled to have your opinion but its annoying when you post it like being a fact.
He won the viewers vote and he had a massive hit with his song in 2016.

Kris P. Kreme
Kris P. Kreme
5 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

I still prefer his She’s All That over YATOO.

Shanfa Chai
Shanfa Chai
5 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

@VlaD : He won the televote in 2016 only because of the great staging, not because of his garbage cheesy song.

Katitam
Katitam
5 years ago

It’s obvious that he will come back. He wasn’t my favourite that year, it was a good song and a memorable performance and that stuff but he wasn’t the best (hi, Poland, and Australia, and Armenia, and Bulgaria, and Ukraine too, but I don’t like Jamala since she was unrespectful with a musician that I love). I hope he brings a soulful song this time, and a staging that make justice to a really good song. He’s a good singer and he and his son are adorable.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
5 years ago

As much as I like Sergey, I think it’s a bit too early for him to return to Eurovision. Russia has a very big musical scene with plenty of talented artists who have never been to Eurovision and who certainly have a lot of potential to do well at Eurovision.

coca_cola
coca_cola
5 years ago

He should have won in 2016: he had an amazing song ,great staging and he was perfect vocally.

David F
David F
5 years ago

It’s ironic that Australia look like they might send their first potential winner again since Dami Im in the same year that Russia may be sending back Sergey Lazarev. Both Australia and Russia could have won the whole Contest in 2016 but were pipped by Ukraine. How will the dice roll this time round?

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
5 years ago
Reply to  David F

Which song from Australia do you say is a potential winner? Personally I don’t see any Eurovision winners in the Australian NF (although some of them could do well nonetheless).

David F
David F
5 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

Really? I think Electric Fields, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Sheppard all have a very good chance to win.

I also think Leea Nanos, if she Damis it up on stage, could be a Top 5.

If Courtney can pull it off, I think she would be Top 5.

All of the others I think could have a shot at Top 10. On Australia-related articles, there is a LOT of love for these entries. That strikes me as a good sign for the fan momentum behind Australia this year.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  David F

I think Kate can go Top 10, with Electric Fields and Sheppard as qualifiers. The rest is flop IMO.

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

kate miller-heidke’s song sounds like a surefire winner….. flawless vocals, not generic, dramatic, potential for the best staging

Thunder and lighting it is getting exciting

I am really weird to see how juries will place him this year

Loin dici
5 years ago

In other news, Shalva withdraws.

Lolek
Lolek
5 years ago

I’d be down to see Sergey make a comeback. He was my favourite act of 2016.

Bobby
Bobby
5 years ago

So what new we found out? I guess nothing…lol
Lazarev should stay classy and not coming back…he was very lucky ended up third with that average song …. but its up to him…

Thunder and lighting it is getting exciting
Reply to  Bobby

Average song ? Lol every song nowadays is average

Loin dici
5 years ago

Damn, those generalizations. Good thing people over here still have better tastes, not this.

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago

I am sure “RTR” will send Lazarev.No one in Russia cares the last two years,so they need a known artist to make people watch the contest. In 2016, Lazarev and Kirkorov where ever week in a different program of “RTR” so I assume something similar will happen this year.

An American ESC Fan
An American ESC Fan
5 years ago

I’d still like to see Manizha compete for them, but I don’t mind if it’s Sergey either! Just don’t make it a total copy of “You Are the Only One” and I’ll be happy 🙂

Also, quick correction: Sergey was 3rd in 2016, not runner-up.

OrangeVorty
OrangeVorty
5 years ago

It’s good to see an artist of quality return hungry for the crown but I’d be happy to see someone else as well: they know how to put an entry together in Russia and we’ve already seen Sergey at the contest. I think this is most probably fan hype but Russia must surely want to make up for last year so it wouldn’t surprise me this year of all years!

Ani
Ani
5 years ago
Reply to  OrangeVorty

this isnt just fan hype df

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  OrangeVorty

artist? quality? where

EDM Fan
EDM Fan
5 years ago

Sergey Lazarev will probably win like Dima Bilan did when coming back after almost winning 2006.

If Russia wins, I hope many will boycott because of the anti-gay purges in Chechnya.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  EDM Fan

Have faith. Sakis Rouvas lost in 2009.

EDM Fan
EDM Fan
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

What does Sakis Rouvas has to do with my comment?

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  EDM Fan

Almost won. Came back. Lost again. wow.

EDM Fan
EDM Fan
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Oh, didn’t know that. Started following Eurovision 2007.

Escfan
Escfan
5 years ago
Reply to  EDM Fan

Sakis returned in 2009 after coming 3rd in 2004 and didn’t win (like Dima did)

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Let’s add Malta’s Chiara to that list, when she almost won in 2005 and lost big time in 2009.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

N.B. Chiara also almost won in 1998. (I just thought I would mention it.)

hellohi
hellohi
5 years ago

“the only one” along with many of his songs is totally soulless !
His music is empty and shallow. He looks great and is a good performer but surely Russia has better

Oded
Oded
5 years ago
Reply to  hellohi

I second that

hellohi
hellohi
5 years ago
Reply to  hellohi

I have a feeling my comment will get many thumbs down cause I hit a nerve and its true.
without all the money spent on the stage production and without Sergey’s good looks Russia’s 2016 entry would have crashed.
Eurovision should be about song writing and genuine artists not silly stage effects just for the sake of it

“thunder and lighting, it’s getting exciting”
just a sample of the many terrible lyrics in his music

Bobby
Bobby
5 years ago
Reply to  hellohi

Preach!

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  hellohi

you described 2010s russian pop music in general with that lol

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Overhyping what everbody already knows.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Serhat probably “didn’t know”. 😛