Lithuanian broadcaster LRT announced that semifinalist Evgenya Redko will not be performing in the second semifinal of Pabandom Iš Naujo, Lithuania’s Eurovision national selection, on Saturday, February 8th.
Redko, who entered the competition with the song “Far,” qualified from the third heat in fourth place (second in jury, seventh from public) on January 25th. However, she is now bowing out of the competition, citing a spinal hernia she suffered in mid-January.
In the past few days, Redko had been practicing for the annual M.A.M.A Awards, the Lithuanian Grammy equivalent, where she was set to perform after winning “Breakthrough of the Year” last year. Though she was able to carry through that process with pain medication, she says she will not be able to go on with filming on Tuesday.
What does this mean for the second semifinal? Deviating from the precedent set by Monika Marija’s withdrawal of “Criminal” in 2019, there will not be a replacement act to fill Evgenya’s absence (that act would have likely been “Reikia Man” by Nombeko Auguste, which came seventh in Heat 3). Instead, the semi will commence with only eight acts vying for the last four spots in the final, joining Aiste Pilvelyte, THE ROOP, KaYra, and Rūta Loop there. Those acts are:
- Andy Vaic – “Why Why Why”
- Germanas Skoris – “Chemistry (Breaking Free)”
- Meandi – “DRIP”
- Monika Marija – “If I Leave”
- Moniqué – “Make Me Human”
- Petunija – “Show Ya”
- Rokas Povilius – “Vilnius Calling”
- The Backs – “Fully”
Everyone at ESCXTRA wishes Evgenya Redko a speedy recovery, and we hope to see her at Pabandom Iš Naujo in the future.
Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest
Lithuania has competed 20 times at the Eurovision Song Contest, debuting in 1994 with the song “Lopšinė mylimai” by Ovidijus Vyšniauskas, coming last with the dreaded nil points. Their best outing was in 2006 when LT United gave us the song “We Are The Winners,” placing sixth.
Their most recent entry is “Run With The Lions” by Jurij Veklenko, which came 11th in the second semifinal in 2019 with 93 points.
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