Alicja Empires Poland Eurovision 2020

Earlier today, Polish broadcaster TVP confirmed that the TV host Rafał would represent Poland at Eurovision 2021. Now Alicja Szemplińska — who had been due to represent Poland last year — has spoken out about the end of her Eurovision 2021 dream.

In a post on her Instagram, Alicja shared an emotional message about her Eurovision journey:

“The dreams of taking part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest have come to an end. I’ve already gone through it but the last time there was still hope with which I’ve lived for another year. Up to this very day. Last year I was stopped by Covid, and this year…

“I am 18 years of age and I do want to sing, create, write and meet all of you at concerts. I do not imagine any other life. The stress, the honour and pride stemming from the ability to represent the country, the country which I love, they all were mixing for the past 12 months with the feeling of uncertainty and hope for “being called” for this year’s contest.

“It did not happen… apparently my new Eurovision song was not liked enough to give us a chance.

“I do thank YOU for your support throughout the whole year, for the hashtag #alicjanaESC2021, for the amazing energy and faith in me!!! I promise that I am not putting aside my music career, next surprises from Alicja are in the making especially for you!

“My dream of going to Eurovision still lives on and I strongly believe that one day I will succeed at making it come true, Today’s hope lies in the form of the great representer Rafał Brzozowski. Rafał, me and my fans will always support you!! Congratulations!!!

“Alicja”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ALICJA (@aliciaszemplinska)

Alicja also mentioned that her proposed song for Eurovision was apparently “not liked enough” to be selected. This puts a quick end to the rumour that Rafał’s song “The Ride” had originally been intended for Alicja. It seems that Alicja actually had been working on a different song.

In her message, Alicja also showed support for Poland’s Eurovision 2021 act Rafał Brzozowski.

Alicja’s Eurovision journey

Alicja Szemplińska came to fame in 2019 when she won The Voice of Poland. She was then announced as one of the acts competing in Szansa na sukces, Poland’s national final for Eurovision 2021.

On the show, Alicja performed the song “Empires”, co-written by regular Eurovision songwriter Laurell Barker. Alicja won the national final and was due to represent Poland at Eurovision 2020 — but sadly the 2020 edition of the song contest was cancelled.

But Alicja did have her Eurovision moment with “Empires”. At Junior Eurovision 2020, she was given the opportunity to perform the song as an interval act, showing the kind of performance she could have brought to Eurovision 2020.

And while Alicja won’t be representing Poland at Eurovision 2021, that’s not to say we won’t see her at another edition of Eurovision in the future.

What do you think? Are you sad that Alicja won’t get to return to Eurovision this year? Would you like her to try again in the future? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Poland Eurovision news here

50 Comments
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Danny McEvoy
Danny McEvoy
3 years ago

Poor girl….she’s on 18…the guys should have let her sing anyway!!

Danny

Ben
Ben
3 years ago

They should’ve chosen her regardless of song.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago

I mean, at least others wasn’t dumped for broadcaster’s employee xd TVP was biased towards her back then, but it’s not like it’s her fault

Cal
Cal
3 years ago

What’s funny is that Denmark and Poland both shut their door in their 2020 artists faces. And both songs that were chosen (in my opinion) are clearly downgrades from the 2020 entries

Gig
Gig
3 years ago

Same as Cyprus, Germany and Croatia. Never gave any chance to 2020 artists.

Someone11
Someone11
3 years ago
Reply to  Gig

The Cypriot guy did not even want to, I am sure he realised he can’t keep up with it.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  Someone11

And what he was supposed to say? They didn’t want me? xd

Pancake
Pancake
3 years ago
Reply to  Gig

Sandro, Ben, and Damir literally said they won’t return

Andi
Andi
3 years ago

Two words: Robbed Queen! I really really loved Empires. Was one of my favourites last year and her performance of it at the JESC was stunning. Would have been definitely a dark horse. Hope that she will come back one day.

Pancake
Pancake
3 years ago

I find it very awful that Ben and Tan and Alicja were thrown under the bus by their broadcasters, unlike the others who at least got a say or have to defend their title. Like, they weren’t given that luxury and were sidelined instead. I find it hard to believe they (the broadcasters) could do something like that but here they are now.

I really hoping that karma will find it’s way to Denmark and Poland.

Last edited 3 years ago by Pancake
Brötchen
Brötchen
3 years ago
Reply to  Pancake

I mean both are pretty sure non-qualifiers.

Sasha
Sasha
3 years ago

I loved Empires last year, so much that it was my personal third. I was anticipating for TVP to internally select Alicja again, and was so disappointed to see that they selected the typical generic white male act with an unremarkable song. Part of the reason Alicja was so compelling to me was the fact that she was close in age. I hope that next year she gets another chance to perform

Jacob S
Jacob S
3 years ago

yet they pick a terrible song- doesn’t make any freaking sense!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

Has she released her song? I hope that she has plans to do so. Seems like she has too much class to do it while Rafa is competing but it’ll definitely be interesting to compare, considering that *everything* she’s made in the last year (Empires aside, obviously) is better than what Poland went with.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I assume she keept it unreleased until yesterday, because she didn’t know what TVP’s going to do.

BeepBoop
BeepBoop
3 years ago

To me, the saddest part of it all is that during JESC they kind of hinted at her being once again the person representing Poland. Didn’t they say something like “we will see you soon”? She looked so happy, and we all thought they were going to announce her ._.

David
David
3 years ago

Bruh just be happy for rafa? he got his chance

Last edited 3 years ago by David
Ben
Ben
3 years ago
Reply to  David

But Rafal didn’t win Krajowe Eliminacje; Kasia Mos did. He didn’t even participate in Szansa na Sukces, but Alicja did, and she won. Shouldn’t someone who actually won the national final last year be able to represent their country after the Eurovision was cancelled instead, of someone who came second place four years ago? Kurwa mac

Last edited 3 years ago by Ben
Nils
Nils
3 years ago

As someone who like and vote Poland songs normally, I have to say that this years song is boring and nothing special at all and they will stay in the Semis deserved. In 2018 and 2019 they deserved final but this year it´s a No for me.

Fred
Fred
3 years ago

Don’t blame the country it’s the scums at TVP who chose their trashy buddy who will flop. So disgusting I can’t… Feel sorry for Polish people and Alicia.

Nicolas
Nicolas
3 years ago

Such ungrateful TVP. How can you do that to a young girl ? And by replacing her for a poor singer with such a generic song.
And I am one who found last year song boring but she has talent and amazing voice and they could have come this year with something stronger for Alicja.

@ivanmckenziemx
@ivanmckenziemx
3 years ago

The TVP has done to Alicja what in Mexico is called UNA GATADA. She deserved to come back (actually every singer of last year does) and when it seems she will do it, TVP chooses a man with great links with TVP instead. Poor of her.

Zander25
Zander25
3 years ago

Polish broadcaster rudeness really bothers me it’s obvious they came up to choose a new artist but made this young lady wait for so long just to be rejected. Disappointment could be avoided if they just become honest at very first place like other broadcasters who announced as soon as possible if they will choose a new one or keep their 2020 artist. Polish broadcaster should apologized to her because she’s been so hopeful even at very end and yet she never speak any ill words.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

i can’t imagine her song being worse than “the rat” but k…

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

as a composition I think Empires is miles above The Ride…I didn’t love Empires but I could see juris supporting it and then you had all of the Polish diaspora…The Ride just pales in comparison

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

At least the truth finally came out(or half of it). Don’t worry Alicja you’ve still got many more years ahead. Looking forward to the day you represent and win for Poland!

Shane
Shane
3 years ago

A very talented girl who deserved her chance. Bad move from Poland.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

The lack of respect and care some broadcasters showed for their 2020’s artists is unacceptable. It gets uglier when we’re talking about a teenager like Alicja. Gladly, she was so gracious about everything and showed a lot of maturity. I hope she’ll get there eventually and prove wrong the people that dismissed her this year.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

Karma will hit poland the song they sended now is nothing special

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

at least poland’s youth is more open-minded and the elections were razor-thin. opinion polls there have been improving steadily. the same can’t be said about hungary.

Somebody
Somebody
3 years ago

We love you bby. Success comes to those who keep on working. I’m sure we’ll see you thrive some day like Senhit did this year.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Somebody

Lol weird comparison but ok.

Nobody Important
Nobody Important
3 years ago

First Ben and Tan and now her. Man, the way that broadcasters threat their participations is really disgusting sometimes. Ben and Tan were just said no even tho it would be only fair to accept them back, and Alicija had to wait a whole year, and they didn’t even bother to tell her no. TVP is at least more subtle then Belarus I’ll give them that!

rainer1
rainer1
3 years ago

Mimimimimimiii…..

1998
1998
3 years ago

I would love to see her in near future, 2022 if possible.

jack
jack
3 years ago

Its sad that someone who is in favor of an authoritarian government was chosen instead of a talented singer.

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
3 years ago

I feel sorry for her. The song that Poland choose sung by Rafal is nothing special IMO, maybe her song was better I guess

NickC
NickC
3 years ago

It seems to me that TVP felt they owe Rafal for hosting Junior Eurovision, as his song is mediocre at best.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  NickC

He’s their employee. He’ll do whatever they say him to do. TVP and it’s CEO care just about themself. Like, right after Viki won JESC, every TV station come to congratulate her, while lady from TVP asked if she doesn’t feel like she owes 1st place to TVP and Mr Kurski,CEO, with him standing next to her. Like, wtf. That’s the first thing you’re going to say to 12yo who just won international festival? So yeah, don’t be surprised

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago

TVP have no respect for her whatsoever. They made her wait 12 months to hear that she’s not going to participate in favour of TVP tv host, but if you recall corectly, they clowned her performance during JESC with ANOTHER TVP tv host. It’s uncanny how corrupted they’re. At least they’re smarter than Belarus and they don’t make it that obvious

Last edited 3 years ago by Dawid
Teddy
Teddy
3 years ago

It really should have been TVP opening song submissions for HER not the other way around. Maybe when Rafa? flops, then TVP will realise that sending a government mouth piece will earn them nothing but the ire of their own people.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

And this is how you own it like a lady! Hats down to Alicja! She could have easily been angry, as not informing her beforehand that she wasn’t chosen was indeed not the nicest thing to do on their part. Yet, she spoke with such grace. I loved Empires (it’s easily a part of my top ten) and I continued following her new music, which is also great. All the best, Alicja, and I really hope to see you at ESC sooner rather than later. You have my full support! 🙂

Last edited 3 years ago by Colin
Benny Hill
3 years ago

TVP has done her dirty. I’d look to represent another country if I was her. Unless the shake up is coming and some other broadcaster takes over.

Epicurean
Epicurean
3 years ago

Alicja got ROBBED by this right wing nationalist government in Poland. Another drama.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

Awww sweet message, thank you Alicja. Also thanks to Robyn for reporting this. Poland’s announcement of someone else took me by surprise yesterday, so I’m glad it’s cleared up.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

this is sad to read. Alicja for 2022, please. on another note, Samanta is giving us a flamenco-infused trap moment that is actually modern and not 80s surprised for a change, and it slaps.

F@b
F@b
3 years ago

She’s a lady… lots of Love

Last edited 3 years ago by F@b
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

If Alicja reads the comments here, I hope she sees how much support there is for her to come back to Eurovision in the future, and disappointment that she didn’t get a return ticket this year.

Lance Esgard
Lance Esgard
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

If she sees the official Eurovision video, she’ll also see a ton of support for her there.

Heartbeater
Heartbeater
3 years ago

Aww I m sad she’s not back it would probably be better then the song that they are sending this year