2016 Eurovision winner, Jamala, will perform during next weekend’s Vidbir final in Ukraine. Jamala was previously a judge on Vidbir from 2017 to 2019.
The news was announced on the Ukrainian Eurovision delegation’s Twitter page during tonight’s Vidbir semi-final. It has not yet been announced what song Jamala will perform during the show.
The finalists are ready!
The running order has now been determined for next week’s final, following three more acts qualifying for the final from tonight’s second semi-final. The acts that will take part in next week’s grand final are as follows:
- Krutь – “99”
- Jerry Heil – “Vegan”
- Go-A – “Solovey”
- David Axelrod – “Horizon”
- Khayat – “Call For Love”
- Tvorchi – “Bonfire”
Following controversy over the selected artist last year, Ukraine withdrew from the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv. Ukraine returns to the contest this year, after a one-year break. This year, the judging panel for Vidbir consists of Andriy Danylko – better known as Verka Serduchka, who finished as runner-up for Ukraine at Eurovision 2007, Tina Karol – who represented Ukraine at the Eurovision 2006 and Vitaliy Drozdov – the general producer for TAVR Media Radio Holding.
Out of the three judges, only Andriy remains from last year’s panel. One of the judges that left the show following last year’s edition was indeed Jamala, who joined Vidbir in 2017, a year after winning the Eurovision Song Contest. During her three years on the show, she saw O.Torvald, Mélovin and MARUV, win the selection show.
Jamala at the Eurovision Song Contest
After winning Vidbir 2016, Jamala represented Ukraine at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, winning the contest with her song, “1944”. It was the first winning song that contained lines in Crimean Tatar. Jamala previously attempted to represent Ukraine at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Smile”. It finished 3rd at the Ukrainian pre-selection.
At Eurovision, Jamala finished in 2nd place in the semi-final with 287 points behind eventual runners-up, Australia. At the final, Jamala won the contest with 534 points. Jamala’s win marked Ukraine’s second win at the contest.
Are you happy to see Jamala returning to perform at Vidbir? Who do you want to win next week’s final?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.
