The only thing that stings more than a last place finish a Eurovision is being denied the chance to perform there at all. And that’s exactly what happened to Maruv after she won Vidbir 2019 — Ukraine’s national selection — earlier this year. Rather than getting a trophy she only received an unreasonable contract that she (rightfully) refused to sign.

So she’d be forgiven for not being too enthusiastic about Eurovision this year. Now, in an interview with Svala+, the “Siren Song” hitmaker has spoken candidly not only about Ukraine’s infamous withdrawal from the competition, but also this year’s Eurovision winner Duncan Laurence, her perceived chances at the song contest, and comparisons with Iceland’s Hatari.

Maruv watched Eurovision this year — and she wasn’t impressed. She reckons that “Siren Song” would have brought more action to the Eurovision stage than many of the other acts.

“My chances were quite high. I think I would have definitely come in the top three.”

“I watched the performances, then watched my own from the [Vidbir] final, and I found mine more interesting. There was more action in mine than many of the performances from Eurovision.”

Though Eurovision wasn’t short of leather this year, thanks to the Icelandic BDSM punk-rock-techno band Hatari, Maruv thinks she would have brought an entirely different flavour to the table.

“We are not BDSM. I have fetish aesthetics, but [Hatrid mun sigra] came across like a punishment, like a flogging – I don’t know.”

“Plus the song itself, do you remember their song? I couldn’t sing it back to you now. But I had a cool song that everyone remembers, that everyone can sing, and movements which went viral, that everyone knows.”

Not even this year’s winner, The Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence, could win her over. Though she liked the song, she thought that Duncan could have brought better staging and more charisma to his performance.

A lot depends on the music. But there was no show. The way he sang on the stage was mediocre, but the song was great.”

Unfortunately, the chances of Maruv taking to the Eurovision stage in 2020 to show the Class of ’19 how it’s done are looking pretty slim. When asked about whether she’d perform at a Eurovision selection again, she wasn’t enthusiastic.

“I wouldn’t do it, even if they call and offer extra money. I wouldn’t do it. Though it depends on how much they’re offering…”

What do you think? Do you agree with Maruv’s assessment of Eurovision 2019, or has she been too harsh on the other acts? Let us know in the comments!

283 Comments
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Nahum
Nahum
5 years ago

First of all, maybe MARUV of Ukraine should’ve participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv and won, despite the fact that she cannot be able to sign the contract given by the broadcaster. Also, she has the chance to return in the #ESC2020 in Rotterdam, if she cannot participate. The point is, if she wasn’t impressed with the ESC 2019 acts or to show them how it’s done, go watch the performances of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest both 2018 and the present year if she was impressed or not. “Haters gonna hate, MARUV. I hope we’ll… Read more »

Sasa
Sasa
5 years ago

All my respect for her is gone, and I’m happy she didn’t take part in Eurovision

Joao
Joao
5 years ago

Completely agree. Anyway Duncan’s song was already alive in 2017.. so it’s odd…

Loin dici
Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Joao

Probably Loreen’s Euphoria has been in G: son’s demo shelf from 2009, so, yeah, we’ll take that.

Tom
Tom
5 years ago

Like Greta from Iceland ? She sang about aspirine

Anna
Anna
5 years ago

Maruv? More like Screwed

Tom
Tom
5 years ago

Loving Maruv was a losing game 🙁 i am done

Anna
5 years ago

People who call it opinion. Yes it technically is, but does it have any merit to it? No. If you wanna diss on other artists please go ahead, but go all in. “Oh wait, you just dissing on them so you can put yourself up? Oh, you just mentioned it and didn’t mean it? Sure. It not like you can’t handle attention not being on you for more than 5 seconds. Absolutly not, that would’ve been childish and narcissistic.” (Sarcasm if it isn’t obvious) I like(d) her song, and I think she would’ve placed high. But girl, everyone remembers it… Read more »

Nick
5 years ago

Pffff “there was no show” , what did she expect? A S&M show with dancers from Cirque du Soleil. He did enough to win the entire show….#boring https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6uXf1nRt6o

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Nick

She expected naked man maybe or maybe a butt

Megan
Megan
5 years ago

Her act was literally all based around the beat and the sexy dancing. She BARELY sang.

Urda
Urda
5 years ago

Nobody’s going to remember your song in a year either Maruv. Someone’s a little too bitter over being disqualified.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Urda

She wasn’t disqualified – she decided not to take part herself.

Mag
Mag
5 years ago
Reply to  Urda

Oh no, I think many will remember “Bang” and after 2-3 years after …….

Lena
Lena
5 years ago

hahahah poor girl is hallucinating , does she even hear herself ? she cant make even one sound as good as Duncan. Her performance was more talking than singing and this horrible cheap dancing… her showed was based on sex.

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Lena

She literaly told i dont need boys i have girls ..

Sun
Sun
5 years ago

Maybe you have a show but your vocal is really bad. You’d have flopped with the jury vote with that weak vocal.

Lena
Lena
5 years ago
Reply to  Sun

Exactly

Ben
Ben
5 years ago
Reply to  Sun

Israel had a great voice but zero points from the professionals…..

Zsoo
Zsoo
5 years ago

Her memorable dance is based on the same movement as Abracadabra and Gentleman, and the aesthetic is also the same as many kpop acts I’ve seen in the 10 years I circled around the subculture. Her whole package is way too oversexualized for my taste, and talking down other acts just to uplift your own is arrogant and not okay.

NYCFOREVER
NYCFOREVER
5 years ago

Calm down, people! First of all, she expressed her opinion. Secondly, I guess major part of you (and author of the article) didn’t understand what MARUV said. In interview she says that a lot of depends on music. Duncan’s staging was simple but the song was cool. That’s why he won. That’s what she meant.

LAUDFan
LAUDFan
5 years ago
Reply to  NYCFOREVER

I speak Russian language perfectly, she literally said: “there was no show, he sang rather mediocre, but the song was cool”

Charles
Charles
5 years ago
Reply to  LAUDFan

She knows what a “song” is … wow … i am amazed!

NYCFOREVER
NYCFOREVER
5 years ago
Reply to  LAUDFan

I speak Russian more than perfectly and watched the whole interview. Everyone just hears what he wants to hear. She is very direct and speaks everything she thinks and doesn’t care about what others would think about it. So great respect to MARUV for that. She stated pretty obvious things, a lot of depends on music, there was no show, singing was mediocre but the song was cool. She said everything right, as it really was. Duncan won because the song was cool. Duncan’s fans go really mad when they hear something they don’t like)

Jubi
5 years ago

Poor darling..I wish she could have participated to be eliminated at the semi final…
Have some respect and some manners girl…

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Jubi

Well I understand u but even if she would be ESC she would make it to the final

Paolo
Paolo
5 years ago

I feel sorry for her. I understand that she was let-down by her own country, but if you feel the need to talk people down the way she does in this interview just to put yourself out there, it shows that she has no confidence whatsoever. Be proud of who you really are and only judge your own performances. The magic around Duncan, but also Tamara, Mahood and Norway for example was that they stayed true to themselves and their performances and said nothing but good things about the other contestants. Not before, not during and not after the show.… Read more »

Allove
Allove
5 years ago
Reply to  Paolo

Tell them sister!!! Just that. Love your comment!

Slytherin's Horcrux
Slytherin's Horcrux
5 years ago

Meanwhile, her song ment absolutely nothing and was extremely forgettable (and in my opinion slightly inappropriate)

Dimitri N.
Dimitri N.
5 years ago

“Unfortunately, the chances of Maruv taking to the Eurovision stage in 2020 to show the Class of ’19 how it’s done are looking pretty slim. When asked about whether she’d perform at a Eurovision selection again, she wasn’t enthusiastic.”

Unfortunately????? Name anybody who still wants her..

tom
tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Dimitri N.

me 🙁 BANG !

Charles
Charles
5 years ago
Reply to  Dimitri N.

Mariah Carey said once: “F***** nobody” l

Charles
Charles
5 years ago

Something tells me she will come back representing Russia through the hand of the most desperate Russian man to win this whole thing: Philip Kirkorov. And she will bring controversy and chaos … just to hand in another win for Russia.

Bran
Bran
5 years ago
Reply to  Charles

Love Russian Controversy. This would be GOLD.
Russia would be a very good and appreciative host, not like Amsterdam that doesn’t need more tourists.
Russia would appreciate the hosting.

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Bran

Maruv with a Philip Kirkorov song would be the greatest example of tonal dissonance between singer and song ever. It’d be like sending Eleni to the contest with Latvia’s “That Night”. It would be a hot mess on so many levels.

Moreover, Russia is a country where there are so many successful and internationally renown singers willing to do Eurovision. Snubbing them for a Ukrainian (no matter how popular) would cause an uproar throughout the country. San Marino this is not.

James
James
5 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Wasn’t their 2009 representative a Ukrainian?

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  James

Anastasia won a national selection- and so won the direct endorsement of the Russian public. That’s different to being chosen via internal selection, which is how Maruv would be chosen if she was to represent Russia next year.

Charles
Charles
5 years ago
Reply to  Bran

I guess some people like to be punched in the face and be treated like crap by authorities! Or have you chosen to get married and have kids so that Putin would be glad?

Jas
Jas
5 years ago

Cancelled

BT
BT
5 years ago

I don’t like her, but she’s right. It’s known fact that everyone paid attention to Duncan’s mediocre song (that wasn’t the best for jury nor public) just because of his… well you know what in the music video.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  BT

ridiculous comment

:)
:)
5 years ago
Reply to  BT

lmao you really think all 180 million viewers and all juries watched the video clip first and then decided to vote for duncan? it had like 2 million views at the evening of the grand final, the results are not decided by just eurovision fans who keep up with everything that’s released.

Paolo
Paolo
5 years ago
Reply to  BT

hahahahaha… you’re so funny. It’s your opinion, but it shows your mental capacity and trust in humankind. Just celebrate the win of maybe one of the best songs ever in Eurovision history. Let’s hope it sets an example for other countries and that as long as you have a really good song, everybody can win. You don’t need to win the jury or the public vote to have the best song. Duncan proves that. He won with more than 30 points ahead of number 2.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Yee yee,Bla bla talking on one of the worst entries of Iceland.Duncan brought emotion,they brought hate.

Onur
Onur
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

They remind us love. But you will never understand that. “Remember to love before hate will prevail.”

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

top 3? winner? hahahahaha

tom
tom
5 years ago

Burning in the flame
Wanna know my secret…..

Spence
Spence
5 years ago

She needs to perform next year like how Russia did with Julia

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago
Reply to  Spence

Its impossible, at least not for two next years, last fall local broadcaster made a deal (contract) with big local STB channel for make NS (vidbir) till 2022, STB puts a lot of money in this show and local broadcaster is very poor company, they cant offer it.
And anyway Maruv said she doesn’t intrested to participate in any contest anymore.

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

That would actually make her selection more plausible- a lack of funding from STB for a national final would make an internal selection more likely- and Maruv would have a better case than most to be chosen, a la Yulia in 2018. Moreover, while I about the prizes attached to a national selection, internally selected acts, particularly if they’re famous, will likely be paid a fee by the broadcaster.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
5 years ago

Is Maruv even actually attracted to women? Or is she just faking and sexualizing lesbianism for thirst views?

Talula
Talula
5 years ago

She has a husband and she never said she is a lesbian or bi ,
but she did say she had sex with a women

Joshua
Joshua
5 years ago

What d’you mean? Unlike other contestants and hosts this year, she has never used her orientation (which isn’t even homosexual) to be appreciated by the public. Her style is more sensual than sexual.

Carol
Carol
5 years ago

Everything that she said sounds so freaking arrogant and narcissistic…. Im sorry but her live vocals are bot good…. so her commenting on singers is kinds funny… this years winner had better vocals than her for sure… maybe not the song but… it depends how are u able to perform the song in the first place tho since its freaking live… and Hataris song sounds great live and is actually very memorable (in my opinion) she cant sing it cus its in their language… which is very cool i may add… a person who wouldn’t know english couldn’t sing her… Read more »

tom24
tom24
5 years ago

She probably heard N. Macedonian song – Girl, they will try to tell you what to do How to look, smile, act and move All the rules I made for you to lose But baby let me tell you something Girl, for every tear the world makes you cry Hold on to me, I am always on your side Don’t be afraid to spread your wings and fly Tell them Raise your voice and say it loudly Show them What it means to stand up proudly Tell them This is me and thanks to you I’m proud Go on now,… Read more »

Taco
Taco
5 years ago

I really liked her song, and I liked her performance, I did not appreciate her vocals that much, lets face it, she is not really a singer… and I still stand by my opinion. Ukraine and that broadcaster really handled this terribly and was awfully rude and disrespectful to her…. Having said that I don’t like to read this, shame that she has to feel good about herself by dissing other artists. I never understand that, they are all artists and face the same objects on route to fame and success, and yet she feels the need to diss others.… Read more »

Alex M
Alex M
5 years ago
Reply to  Taco

The broadcaster did stupid things, but there is no evidence of anything “awfully rude”. Maruv just didn’t want to go to Eurovision so she played the victim.

Taco
Taco
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex M

Just Jamala’s question was awfully rude, so what are you talking about ?

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
5 years ago

She should just stay away from Eurovision if she’s gonna be such an arrogant biatch about other contestants.

Bruno
Bruno
5 years ago

Being a representative of your country at the world’s largest song contest is a great honor and rare chance, but looks like for Maruv its more about big money, no wonder she had a disagreement with poor local broadcaster who refused her to have concerts in Russia for 3 months if she wants go to Tel Aviv, she would lost a looot of money lol

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago

Ukrainian artists pay own money to go to ESC … who she expects would pay to her? State-financed UA: PBC from its budget? lol)))))

BRC
BRC
5 years ago

She really said she would have come top 3 LMAOOOOO I have to laugh

tom
tom
5 years ago
Reply to  BRC

Well, she would DEFINITELY cancel Tamta and Cyprus since if Ukraine was in competition Poland would be in the final over Belarus and Ukraine over Cyprus, actually Tamta and Zena was so lucky lol

Phantom632
Phantom632
5 years ago
Reply to  tom

Yeah, good thing she didn’t participate because Tamta and Zena were my favourites from the 1st Semi Final and I definetely wouldn’t want them to not qualify. (Even tho, i think Tamta would still had some chances of being at least 10th but ok)

BlackKava
BlackKava
5 years ago

She really thinks someone in Ukraine gonna offers her a big money so she could go to Eurovision? Lmao!
She was invited to replace Tayanna , which was against the rules btw, because she didn’t went through pre selection like others artists , she got her chance and she blew it, and now she is trashing others artists and thinks she is the best, Maruv never care about Eurovision, only hype and money , bye Felicia!

Talula
Talula
5 years ago
Reply to  BlackKava

True!
As a local fan i can tell that hundreds of Ukrainian talented artists would sell their souls to have a chance to go to Eurovision , i remember how Loboda sold her flat to pay for her Eurovision trip, Ruslana got almost broke before she wins, Melovin spent a lot of his own savings too, cos broadcaster payed only for staging and tickets , nobody gonna pay her extra money for sure,because our broadcaster is poor and we have enough unproblematic artists who want represent country and love Eurovision more than money

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago

Dont worry, nobody will call her again and offer “extra money” to this russian s…

Ellen
Ellen
5 years ago

Duncan’s stans/fans still can’t handle any criticism of their King’s song or staiging.

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

Its not criticism its arrogance and self righteous altitude

Jill Stephens
Jill Stephens
5 years ago

Wiwibloggers, since there are so many of you don’t you have anyone capable of translating what she actually said? I get it, that wouldn’t generate as much *interest* and vicious comments but still. BTW I was always critical of Ukraine but not of M although her song was.. just a kind of lesser Fuego much like Luca Honey.

https://reddit.com/r/eurovision/comments/bxi2a7/lesson_learned_dont_carelessly_trust_rough_google/

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
5 years ago
Reply to  Jill Stephens
Brandon
Brandon
5 years ago

Sour grapes if you ask me

Dalth
Dalth
5 years ago

Well he could hardly have a load of female dancers humping the floor like she had with a song like arcade. But Maruv is nothing original minimal talent so let’s just use what will get me attention which is sex, it’s a well trodden path, Maruv probably thinks she is an artist.

Lloyd
Lloyd
5 years ago

Wow. She sounds so stuck up. It’s like she thinks she’s God’s gift.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
5 years ago

What she did was very wrong but damn this comment section shows how the fandom’s opinions change. Before her song was “a masterpiece”, “she would have been the winner of ESC”, “her staging show was amazing”, but suddenly her song is “mediocre”, “I’m grateful she didn’t go to Eurovision”, “her staging’s just OK”. People, it’s the same song.

Taco
Taco
5 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

I really liked her song, and I liked her performance, I did not appreciate her vocals that much, lets face it, she is not really a singer… and I still stand by my opinion. Ukraine and that broadcaster really handled this terribly and was awfully rude and disrespectful to her…. Having said that I don’t like to read this, shame that she has to feel good about herself by dissing other artists. I never understand that, they are all artists and face the same objects on route to fame and success, and yet she feels the need to diss others.… Read more »

An American ESC Fan
An American ESC Fan
5 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Right? It was like that with KMH’s song in Australia Decides. When it was released? Everyone loved it to no end (“oh my god! It’s so amazing! I hope she wins!”). When it did win? “Noooo! This sucks! X person was robbed!!!”

Double standards, I swear.

Joshua
Joshua
5 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

This is something I really didn’t like about this comment section. I liked Maruv and still like her, even after what she said. And if I must be honest with you, I suspect some things in the article were exaggerated a little bit just to attract viewers, but i didn’t watch the actual interview to verify it.

Ocato
Ocato
5 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Maybe it’s also different people commenting now? I have never said I liked her song, (although I didn’t dislike it, tasteless staging aside), but I do not appreciate such classless back-seat driving. It’s like pulling out of the Olympics and saying you could have beaten them all. That just shows a lack of maturity and a lack of appreciation for the festival itself.

A1.
A1.
5 years ago

Duncan fans literally canceling anybody who has an opinion.. 😐
….
….
downvote pls :)))

Mag
Mag
5 years ago
Reply to  A1.

+

tom24
tom24
5 years ago
Reply to  Mag

Robert
Robert
5 years ago
Reply to  A1.

It’s not an opinion when based on stupidity

Rogesc
Rogesc
5 years ago

She is a total loser. Accept the fact that you didn’t participate. Nobody cares about your opinion girl. Participate first, then crack the top 3 and THEN have an attitude. Besides there is no way she would’ve made a top 3 worthy impact. Bye felicia

Lloyd
Lloyd
5 years ago
Reply to  Rogesc

I agree. Definitely could not see the juries going for it realistically

guest
guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Rogesc

Appearantly lots of people care about her opinion 🙂 . This interviewer asked questions and wiwibloggs even made an article about her answeres. For these people who doesnt understand russian i can tell she said that winner song was great.
Island´s song she cant sing along, because she didnt remembered the lyrics. She liked her own song and staging and its totally normal to think this way. Otherwise its no point to compete at all, when you think your song is bad.

tom
tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Rogesc

Loving her was a LOSING GAME ?

Ocato
Ocato
5 years ago
Reply to  Rogesc

Have my upvote for the “bye Felicia” comment, haha. That made me laugh 🙂

Peter
Peter
5 years ago

A shame she reacts like this. Maruv had an okay song, a mediocre voice and a great show. Duncan has a great song and a fantastic voice. For Duncan it is “Music first. Always”. For him the kitsch show is irrelevant. He is good enough to do without. And Europe appreciated that!

David
5 years ago

though i do agree that Duncan’s staging might have been better worked i’m suprised that last year, with a much worse winning act, there weren’t as many salty people as this year. only in 2017 i remember Al*x Fl*rea calling Salvador’s health problems “fake”. a problematic country hosting and then giving us problematic contestants…wig.

Ron
Ron
5 years ago

Well, it’s easy to talk big when you actually didn’t compete. I’m sure in her head she won the contest.

Loubella McDoughnut
Loubella McDoughnut
5 years ago

What a stinking attitude.

Harvey
Harvey
5 years ago

No Maruv – we love you, but please, don’t be like this ??

Escfan
Escfan
5 years ago
Reply to  Harvey

loved*

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago
Reply to  Harvey

Never loved her or her songs, i wish Tayanna didn’t withdraw so she wouldn’t be replaced with an arrogant and bitchy artist like Maruv who doesn’t care about Eurovision, just cares for money….and she has rich producer and contract with big Russian music label, she is not poor indie artist, like Melovin for example (with no money and producer) for him Eurovision was a dream of his life , and she is being disgraceful brat… ugh!

Harvey
Harvey
5 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

Me neither tbh but I completely agree- I also loved tayanna (always my vidbir winner) and I was so sad to see her withdraw

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago

Hers is, of course, the opinion everyone has been waiting for…

Charles
Charles
5 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

I have been waiting for my chocolate milkshake … ain’t nobody got time for Eurovision rejects who want to grab attention pointlessly … now excuse me my order has arrived!!!

Charles
Charles
5 years ago

EBU: Do you like Duncan? Mariah Carey: Yes, a great singer and a good songwriter. EBU: Do you like Maruv? Mariah Carey: I don’t know her.

Julius Ant
Julius Ant
5 years ago
Reply to  Charles

comment image