Just hours after the first semi-final of Lithuania’s Eurovizijos Atranka 2020 Pabandom Iš Naujo — which saw Aistė Pilvelytė, The Roop, KaYra and Rūta Loop qualify for the final — we are getting some bad news. Evgenya Redko is withdrawing from the competition ahead of semi-final two.
Evgenya Redko withdraws from Lithuania’s Eurovizijos atranka 2020
One of the fan favourites, Evgenya Redko was a huge stand out in the heats. Unfortunately, on Sunday the “Far” singer revealed that, due to medical conditions, she will not be able to perform in the remaining shows. As such, she has had to withdraw.
The songstress explained the situation to her fans on social media:
“It is very sad but I have to withdraw from the Eurovizijos Atranka. I tried my best to get through the illness, I didn’t give up on the first Eurovizijos Atranka filming! Sadly, this time my body and the doctors said STOP. I have reached a state where I just can’t physically get over myself. I want to thank everyone for their warmth and strong support! For those who wish me to get healthy soon! I know rest and proper treatment will do my part and I hope to get back on my feet soon and move forward!
And for Eurovizijos Atranka, we have so many strong performers worth travelling to Rotterdam this year, and so much talent to make Lithuania famous! I wish everyone well!”
Evgenya provided the Eurovizijos Atranka organizers with a medical certificate which states that she needs to stop any physical activities for at least one month and receive intensive medical treatment.
According to Evegnya‘s friend, hip-hop singer Konstantinas Kiveris-Lilas who spoke with LRT.lt, the singer has been suffering the pain since mid-January. But the pain started to intensify during rehearsals for the Lithuanian M.A.M.A. awards on Friday.
Evgenya appeared there with pain killers, but after the event it became clear that she wouldn’t be able to perform again in the near future. As a result, she had to give up her spot in the second semi of Eurovizijos Atranka, which is filming this Tuesday.
The remaining eight acts that will take part in semi-final two are:
- Andy Vaic – “Why why why”
- Germanas Skoris – “Chemistry”
- MEANDI – “Drip”
- Monika Marija – “If I leave”
- Monique – “Make me human”
- Petunija – “Show Ya”
- Rokas Povilius – “Vilnius Calling”
- The Backs – “Fully”
Of the eight songs, four will qualify for the grand final which will be held on 15 February. The final will be completely live and will return to the Žalgiro Arena in Kaunas. The venue last hosted the final in 2018.
Are you sad that Evegnya Redko won’t be performing in semi-final two? Would she have been among the four qualifiers? Let us know in the comments.
This is the 4 artist in national selection who withdraw from the show 🙁 hope she gets well soon
Hope she gets better and comes back next year.
Oh, the plot twist… So sad to hear that. “Far” was one of the best entries and was also very underrated. Now the 2nd SF is even more weak. Very unfair for the contestants in the 1st SF. Call Gabrielius to perform for a third time. Third time lucky? 😛
So yeah, Eurovizijos atranka is a bit predictable now. 1st THE ROOP, 2nd Aiste, 3rd Monique, 4th Monika Marija.
Monique is likely going to win the jury (although it’s not impossible for her to come second after MM or The Roop). It’s televote I’m not so sure about. She was second to Kristina Jure in the heat (a song which hasn’t proceeded to the finals), so there is a chance she’s won’t win the televote. If she comes first with the juries and second in televote, she will win. However, if she comes third or fourth in the televote, there is a chance MM or The Roop will win. I *could* see Aiste winning too, but unlikely.
The poor woman. That’s one of the worst ways to have your dreams dashed.
That’s sad. I hope she gets well soon and keeps trying to represent Lithuania. She’s a very interesting performer.
That’s a shame! At least she showed she’s talented enough to compete again. On the other hand I was wishing that Nombeko Auguste would take her place in the semifinal (she ended 5th in the same round)…
I hope she gets well soon. She is a very talented singer.
Oh wow. Must be quite serious to have to avoid any sort of activity for a month. Hope she feels better. Shame as I was warming up to her song.
Wow, her condition must be that severe if she has to withdraw from the competition. Get well soon.
In Lithuanian news report it was mentioned that she withdrew because of a spinal hernia (which usually causes intense lower back pain, as well as leg pain)
Poor Evgeyna. Hope she gets better soon.