Aminata has tested positive for Covid-19 and will therefore not compete in tonight’s Supernova semi-final at the LTV Studios. On social media, she said that she would compete in the show “remotely, from home”. She will be competing for one of ten places in the final with “I’m Letting You Go”.
She previously represented Latvia at Eurovision 2015 with “Love Injected”, finishing sixth with 186 points. This remains their last top 10 placing to date and their best result since 2005. She also wrote Justs’ 2016 entry “Heartbeat” and Samanta Tīna’s 2021 entry “The Moon is Rising”.
“I’m ready to use the only opportunity I have”
Writing on Instagram, Aminata announced that she has tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time, after developing symptoms earlier this week. She is currently self-isolating but plans to compete in next week’s Supernova final if she qualifies this evening.
I have some not so good news! Sometimes things don’t go as planned in life and unfortunately I’m sick… Symptoms started for me earlier this week. I am currently self-isolating and if all goes well I will be able to go out next weekend!
Aminata, writing on Instagram
As a result of her positive test, she will compete in this evening’s Supernova semi-final remotely. The singer went on to thank fans for the “overwhelming support” that she already received, following her infection.
Supernova 2022: the semi-final
The ten finalists will be determined by a 50/50 combination of jury voting and public voting via SMS and telephone votes. The jury and LTV then have the option to select an eleventh finalist as a wildcard although this is not compulsory. The running order will be as follows:
| ORDER | ARTIST | SONG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citi Zēni | Eat Your Salad |
| 2 | Miks Dukurs | First Love |
| 3 | Linda Rušeniece | Pay My Own Bills |
| 4 | Elīna Gluzunova | Es pabiju tur |
| 5 | Raum | Plans |
| 6 | Patriks Peterson | Can’t Get You Outta My Head |
| 7 | Mēs Jūs Mīlam | Rich Itch |
| 8 | Katō | Promises |
| 9 | Miks Galvanovskis | I’m Just A Sinner |
| 10 | Markus Riva | If You’re Gonna Love Me |
| 11 | The Coco’nuts | In And Out Of The Dark |
| 12 | Aminata | I’m Letting You Go |
| 13 | Bermuda Divstūris | BAD |
| 14 | Beatrise Heislere | On The Way Home |
| 15 | Zelma | How |
| 16 | Bujāns | He, She, You & Me |
| 17 | Inspo | A Happy Place |
LTV created Supernova in 2015 after six consecutive non-qualifications for Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest, stretching back to 2009. On three of those occasions, the Baltic nation had placed last in their respective semi-final. Nevertheless, the creation of Supernova immediately had a desired effect as Aminata’s “Love Injected” earned Latvia a 6th place finish in the final of Eurovision 2015, their best result since the 5th place achieved by Walters and Kazha in 2005. The success continued a year later with Justs’ “Heartbeat” giving Latvia a second consecutive grand final appearance.
Unfortunately, the Eurovision success of Supernova has since waned and Latvia has not made a Eurovision grand final since 2016. Last year, Samanta Tīna was internally selected as a result of the 2020 contest’s cancellation. However, “The Moon is Rising” placed 17th and last in Rotterdam.
All the team at ESCXTRA wishes Aminata a speedy recovery. 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 for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 contest in Turin!
