Ukraine’s national final — popularly referred to as Vidbir — is set to return in 2020. And according to Znaj.ua, the names of the acts set to sing for a ticket to Rotterdam will be revealed on 10 January. Not long at all!
With the live semi-finals planned for 8 and 15 February and the final planned for 22 February 2020, the fifth edition of Vidbir will follow the same pattern as previous years.
The acts will be judged by three panelists, including Andriy Danylko and Tina Karol. While the former is the creative father of Eurovision 2007 runner-up and drag act Verka Serduchka, the latter represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2006. She’s considered one of the biggest female stars in Eastern Europe.
Speaking of Verka Serduchka: the drag act recently released a new single called “Make It Rain Champagne”. Since its release, some Ukrainians have suggested the broadcaster cancel Vidbir in favour of sending the dance hit to Rotterdam.
Who has submitted a song to Ukraine’s Vidbir?
To avoid possible controversy, Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC introduced a new rule that acts that want to participate in its national final should not have entered the territory of the Russian Federation in the five preceding years.
While some worry that big Ukrainian acts will shy away from Vidbir in 2020, several local artists have already expressed their interest in participating, including Elina Ivashchenko, Andriy Boyko and Jerry Heil.
As reported previously, X Factor Ukraine winner Elina Ivashchenko would love to bring her power ballad “Get Up” to the stage. She already performed “Get Up” during the final of X Factor. Both Vidbir judges Tina Karol and Andriy Danylko have judged Elina before. Tina was her coach during The Voice Kids and Andriy was one of the judges during her X Factor journey.
Former child star Andriy Boyko would like to perform a “serious song” as well. Andriy previously tried to represent his country at Junior Eurovision and sang duets with Eurovision 2008 winner Dima Bilan and Eurovision 2008 runner-up Ani Lorak. He told local media:
“I fully understand how serious this is — we treated the song tenderly and tried to make it as honest and real as possible! This is a story about how I was in a relationship with a girl! I want to show by my example that a teenager of 17 years old may be an artist.”
Meanwhile YouTube star Jerry Heil promises to bring a “funny song with a social undertone”. The song covers a social topic that is not only of importance in Ukraine, but also outside of her home country. She said that unlike most of her material, which is in Ukrainian, the song will be performed in English.
Who would you like to see participate in Ukraine’s national final Vidbir and represent the country at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam? Would you like to see Elina Ivashchenko, Andriy Boyko or Jerry Heil? Let us know in the comments below!
Hope Vasya Boykova, LOZOVOY, DONTSOV, OHITVA, MUSAEV, Elina Ivashchenko, Ivan Navi,
will participate in Vidbir 2020!
Excluding artists who perfomed in a huge market like the russian one would be an issue for Ukraine and the results they would get. I get that they have their differences but you cant prevent a singer to reach a market of more than 100 million people…
I don’t necessarily think that it will be an issue. Look at the last year‘s national selection there I’ve only found 5 artists/groups (out of 16) that have preformed in Russia/occupied territories after 2014. I’m sure there could be more but no more than half of participants . Don’t forget artists don’t necessarily have to be physically present in Russia in order for their music to be heard and earn revenue from it. No one is prohibiting them to use social media and streaming. Look at KAZKA they haven’t preformed in Russia but their song Plakala still reached top of… Read more »
differences? Russia occupied our teretorries, destroyed hundreds our cities and villages, we have 6 millions migrants from East Ukraine and Crimea who lost absolutely everything, they killed 13 000 people for last 6 years and still keep doing it every day, so yeah we just have a little differences….ugh!
so if artists want to make money in aggressor country, and have concerts there it’s up to his/her conscience, but stay away from NS then, they obviously don’t give a shit about Ukraine and her killed citizens
Most of quality Ukrainian artists stay in Ukraine, while most of “Ukrainian stars” touring Russia perform simple euro trash which is in high demand in Russia, as quality music has never been popular there
Pro-Russian admins keep deleting my comments but I will reiterate that those Ukrainian singers performing in Russia mostly produce cheap eurotrash which is number one in that country
Please LAUD or IVAN NAVI!!!
Tayanna and Khayat been seen during submission sessions, crossed my fingers they got through preselection
Today’s rumors about Kazaky participation very exciting
This would be simple FANTASTIC if they will participate, they’re sensational and fantastic artists, absolutely mind-blowing band…..swoon
even Hatari guys cant compete with them in boldness and sexiness… also all Kazaky guys are openly gay and bi …swoon again lol
well, they’re phenomenal dancers but they can’t sing live, but who cares if they look like this lol
Idg why you have to mention their sexuality was there any need?
why not? its what they demonstrate in every their performances, proud and out guys on heels )
since when people can’t discuss sexuality of celebrities? especially if these artists demonstrate it so openly?
Omg yes!! They are like Hatari but with better dance skills and their songs are total bombs
I hope during the preselection the producers checked Andriy Boyko’s bio! This guy took part in a singing competition (and apparently won it) in the occupied Crimea in August of 2014. This is breaking the rule that states that the participant guarantees that he/she has not performed in Crimea after the 15.03.2014. This rule is under the section 3.4 the fourth point/paragraph.
Here is the link to the original Ukrainian national selection rules https://eurovision.ua/ESC2020_national_rules.pdf
Even without this rule, he would be rejected by 95%
Maybe you also have a link to confirm your info about Andrey performed in occupied territory?
he is still underage btw and back then he was only 11 years old ,and even he was (or performed) there after occupation, it can not be his responsibility anyway
@Tasha: Producers cannot start making exceptions. That sets a double standard standard. “If he can participate in the National selection only because he was underage and his parents made him do it.” Then others can start making excuses as well!
so where is the link to proof your info?
@Tasha and @Berta: Here is the link to his performance at New wave 2014: https://youtu.be/cAu35Ee5AVI
(PS My previous comments with links to his performance and article where you can read about it were deleted. Hope this one stayed up)
I don’t want Vidbir to interrogate him too. The show would rather humiliate these artists live instead of passing or rejecting them instantly during preselections.
producers promised no more interrogations during live show, that’s why the new rules were made
Jerry Heil is gonna be one of fan favorite for sure, her popularity is huge in Ukraine
TAYANNA
I want Kazka, Tayanna and Khayat to come back to Vidbir, please !
and yes they all can participate even with new rules, bring it on guys)))
Khayat actually confirmed his application. Tayanna’s entrance is very unlikely. Kazka probably 50/50
Okay, guys, this Verka´s song is everything!
Well too bad we won’t see Verka in the National selection. The artist can’t participate because of the new NS rules.
its a lie, Danylko didn’t have any official concerts in Russia for 11 years, (private party in Sochi is not count)
anyway he wasn’t planning to come back to ESC anyway.
@ Tasha: Please read the rules of the National selection! It states that artists cannot have preformed at private/public events in Russia, Crimean and occupied territories.
Here is the link to the original Ukrainian national selection rules https://eurovision.ua/ESC2020_national_rules.pdf
@Tasha: Why are you speeding fake information? Regarding the fact that private party does not count? When in fact it actually does count. Did you even read the rules?
Please, please people read the rules carefully and always check your information!
no it doesn’t count, and he never said he want to compete again so why to even discuss it?
?