The press conference of RTSH, the Albanian National Broadcaster, for Festivali i Këngës 62 started with the drama. It has been announced that two fan favourites with massive reputations — Kejsi Tola and Samanta Karavella — have withdrawn from Festivali i Këngës 62.
In October, RTSH announced that these two names were among the 31 participants of the 62nd edition of Festivali i Këngës. But things have clearly been moving behind the scenes.
The singers will be replaced by Peter Pan Quartet and Irma Lepuri, both of whom are newcomers at Festivali i Këngës. They were, respectively, the 32nd and 33rd songs in the selection process.
Kejsi Tola and Samanta Karavella have not made a public statement yet to explain why they have decided to pull out.
Kejsi Tola represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow with “Carry me in your dreams” and was one of the fan favourites to make a comeback at the festival. Meanwhile Samanta Karavella is a big hitmaker who Albanian Eurovision fans have been dreaming of at Eurovision for a while.
The news out so far is not so pleasing
With “discussions” between Australia and ebu and now the withdrawal of two names from the FiK lineup it’d be sooo funnny to know what’s been actually going on, lol!!
I guess one thing we could say is that this is not predictable
And the system of vote it’s same than last year. Winner of FIK by juries & winner of televote for Eurovision 2024 !
How’s this system better than what they’ve done before?
I don’t know but it’s their choice.
Kejsi been a fan favorite even me so excited for her comeback but I guess she knows too well not to stain her 2009 entry, it was epic and better be remembered and not be compared.
Weird how the two biggest names suddenly withdraw
Give the trophy to Elsa already then
Kejsi and Samanta just knew they had no chance against the no.1 royalty of albania
Elsa Lila won’t go to Eurovision. Everyone forgets that Besa Kokedhima participates. Besa Kokedhima tops all Singers together in Festivali i Kenges this year. No doubt that she will win 100%. And even if Kejsi and Samanta would still participate they wouldnt really have a big chance winning.
unfortunately, samanta who is a big star in the balkans with major hits has withdrawn. she would have been such a great choice for albania but however, im looking forward for Besa (besa kokedhima)!
Same for me, Besa Kokedhima is also my winner. Besa tops everyone in FIK this year!
Too bad, as I was looking forward Kejsi’s comeback! I just hope that both of them are safe and healthy. If it’s a scheduling conflict or a creative disagreement, it’s alright. It can happen at another time. Meanwhile, I wish a welcome to two newcomers! I hope they cease this opportunity and bring sometning good.
Same, my 2009 crush, i hope she will still release her intended entry anyway