According to BBC News, Ukraine’s national broadcaster UA:PBC has now suspended its agreement for Alina Pash to be the country’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
Last Saturday, Alina Pash won Ukraine’s national selection with “Tini zabutykh predkiv / Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” by being the favourite of the jury and finishing second with the televoters. However, her participation at Eurovision Song Contest 2022 has been suspended as authorities are investigating a 2015 trip she made to Crimea.
The proof that Alina has provided authorities of how she entered the region is now being scrutinised. In a statement to BBC Newsbeat, Ukraine’s public broadcaster says it’s “expecting the response of the State Border Guard Service” to “confirm the validity of the document”.
Back in 2019, the Vidbir winner MARUV was disqualified after the Ukrainian broadcaster required MARUV to delay all upcoming appearances and performances in Russia in order to become the Ukrainian representative. Later MARUV revealed that the broadcaster’s contract had additionally banned her from doing any improvisation on the stage without approval of the broadcaster, she was not allowed to communicate with journalists without the consent of the broadcaster and she had to comply with all requirements and instructions of the broadcaster UA:PBC. Later the country withdrew from the contest after MARUV felt unable to agree with the terms.
Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
