Today, Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC announced the eight contestants of their national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2022. From the longlist of 27 entries, eight were selected to compete in Vidbir 2022. However, later this very day, they announced the withdrawal of LAUD, followed by the announcement of his replacement.
Just mere hours after they announced the shortlisted finalists for Vidbir 2022, UA:PBC announced that LAUD’s participation has been terminated due to his entry “Head Under Water” originally being published in 2018. Shortly after, it was announced that the song will be replaced by “Hear My Words” by Barleben.
Laud had previously taken part in Ukraine’s national selection in 2019 with “2 dni”, ultimately placing 4th in the second semi-final and narrowly missing out on a spot in the final.
Vidbir 2022: finalists
- Alina Pash – “Тіні забутих предків”
- Cloudless – “All be alright“
- Kalush Orchestra – “Stefania”
- Barleben – “Hear My Words”
- Michael Soul – “Demons“
- Our Atlantic – “Моя Любов”
- Roxolana – “GIRLZZZZ“
- Wellboy – “Nozzy Bossy”
Michael Soul took part in Belarus’ national selection the same year with the song “Humanize”. The electronic band Cloudless participated in Vidbir in 2020, but failed to qualify to the final with “Drown Me Down”.
The Vidbir 2022 final will take place on February 12th, where Ukraine will select their representative to the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy. The winner will be selected via the 50/50 combination of votes from both the televoters and the professional jury. Masha Efrosinina will be the main host of Vidbir 2022 as Eurovision 2017 host Timur Miroshnychenko will host the green room.
Who are you rooting for in Vidbir 2022? Let us know! 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!
