Monika Linkyte withdraws from Lithuania's Eurovision 2022 Selection Pabandom is Naujo
Photo: Monika Linkyte / J. Staceviciaus/LRT

She was one of the big names in Pabandom iš naujo! 2022. However, Monika Linkytė will not be going to Eurovision this time as she has withdrawn from Lithuania’s national selection processThe Voice alum Artūras Aleksiejus-Alekas has also pulled out.

Pabandom iš naujo! 2022: Monika Linkytė and Artūras Aleksiejus-Alekas withdraw

Monika — who represented Lithuania at Eurovision 2015 with Vaidas Baumila — is pulling out for health reasons. “I have a cold, I’m getting sick and now, unfortunately, I have to refrain from singing and be in silence”, she told LRT. “It is very unfortunate and very sad, but health and voice are the most important thing in this case”.

Alekas was less forthcoming with his reasons for quitting. “Personal problems, I do not want to talk about it in public,” he said in a comment to LRT.

However, amidst the news of the two withdrawals, the broadcaster was able to confirm that Basas Pegasas will continue in the process after missing their scheduled appearance in last week’s first PiN heat due to health issues. They will instead compete in the third qualifying heat next week.

Pabandom iš naujo! 2022 Heat 2 Running Order

The second heat for the 2022 selection show was pre-recorded on Monday night. Ahead of Saturday’s TV broadcast, LRT has released the running order. The line-up includes Eurovision 2018’s Ieva Zasimauskaitė.

  1. Viktorija Kajokaitė “Piece of Universe”
  2. Gabrea “Make It Real”
  3. Clockwork Creep “Grow”
  4. Emilija Katauskaitė “Illuminate”
  5. Justė Kraujelytė “How to Get My Life Back”
  6. Titas ir Benas “Getting Through This”
  7. Ieva Zasimauskaitė “I’ll Be There”
  8. Queens of Roses “Washing Machine”
  9. Cosmic Bride “The Devil Lives in Spain”
  10. Justin 3 feat. Nanaart “Something That Is Natural”
  11. Moosu X “Love that Hurts”

Will you miss Monika and Artūras? Are you excited for Saturday’s second heat? Let us know in the comments.

 

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Evan
Evan
2 years ago

I’m guessing Lithuania doesn’t have back up acts like Croatia to fill in in the event of withdrawals, right? Or do they?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

With all the Spain references, you think it was Spain that won Eurovision last year, not Italy. I’m surprised there isn’t more pandering to Italian tastes, Unless you count the spaghetti western themed Hope from Estonia.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

Let’s hope nobody else drops out, okay?

ArvinRoido Atienza
ArvinRoido Atienza
2 years ago

That explains why there are only 11 songs for the 1st and 2nd heats, instead of 12. Wonder why they it so long to tell us

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

It’s probably a very recent development

Tom
Tom
2 years ago

The Devil lives in Spain lol 😀

WALLY
WALLY
2 years ago

Stefan’s “Hope” was shot in Tabernas Desert (Almeria), in the east of Andalucia or southeast of Spain, where many spagghetti western films were shot in the 60s and 70s, like “A Fistful of Dollars” or “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and more famous people knew this land very well. 30 kilometers from here you can visit paradisiacal beaches of crystaline waters of Cabo de Gata.

Yankee
Yankee
2 years ago

I’m certain she may have contracted Covid-19. My family and relatives all have it currently and they got it from a Christmas gathering. Omnicron is very infectious and many people are being infected by it at the moment.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

la melodia’s lyrics are in italian sis… it’s not la melodía with an accent haha

Ieva
Ieva
2 years ago

And Estonian Maian has Spanish lyrics in Meeletu.

Matthew
Matthew
2 years ago

Poor Monika 🙁 I hope she will try next year with the same song!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Matthew

I don’t think that’s possible.

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

If it remains unreleased it is technically possible.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Take care, Monika, and recover soon! I hope to see you in PIN next year.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

I don’t know where you found out information that the hope music video was shot in Spain, but that makes sense because the song is a tribute to the spaghetti western themes and those movies were shot in Spain To replicate Mexico and southwestern American states.

The reason I am in favor of “Hope” representing Estonia At Eurovision because I think it’s very appropriate to have a Ennio Morricone like music sound In Italy where the contest is held as a tribute to one of Italy’s famous sub film genres. I think Italians could get a kick out of it.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I checked the credits in the video descyams you’re right. They are really committed to the spaghetti western theme.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

This isn’t the first time we’ve had withdrawals from this selection–Evgenya Redko withdrew from the 2020 selection because of a spinal hernia; Evelina Sašenko and Gintar? Korsakait? pulled out before the 2021 selection even began (although the latter is actually competing this year). It’s unfortunate that we have another pair of withdrawals, but I can only wish them the best.

Devito
Devito
2 years ago

I am most excited to find out about the devil who is, apparently, living in Spain, and MOOSU X. It’s a complete bop! As for withdrawals, I do believe they simple chickened out.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago
Reply to  Devito

it’s amaia romero

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Devito

Monika is definitely not the one to chicken out. In fact this is the year when she could’ve easily won.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Maybe she could have won again, or her song could have been disappointing, but we’ll never know now. Let’s hope we get no more withdrawals after this.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago

Doesn’t a cold usually go over in 7 to 10 days? Too bad. I was hoping she could bring something good to the selection looking at earlier songs like po dangum.

Last edited 2 years ago by Frisian esc
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

The recovery time probably overlaps with the schedule of the national final and it’s not a good idea to come to work sick. How many singers have performed while ill at Eurovision?

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

But they could still play her song.

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Not only it’s not a good idea, but also illegal in Lithuania with the covid situation still around. No one wants to take the risk. It may not be the cold after all.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Exactly. Nobody should coming into work (or in this case perform) sick during this pandemic.

Ignonito
Ignonito
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Having a cold and singing is not good. As a singer myself I was advised by my teacher to don’t sing whilst singing, since it won’t sound good and also recovery first before singing.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago

Why can they not just play her song on the spot then?