Ukraine: Jamala wins ticket to Stockholm!

by Pete Lewis 381 views

Jamala has won the Ukrainian national final and will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

The singer topped the leaderboard in the final once the results of the jury and public were combined.

She’ll now prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden where she’ll perform her entry 1944.

The song tells the story of the deportation of Crimean Tartars in 1944, with particular reference to her grandmother’s experiences in that time.

The singer beat competition from SunSay, who had scored maximum points in the second semi-final with their entry Love Manifest. 

Jamala had qualified for tonights final after storming through her semi-final. Not only did she win the jury vote, but she picked up just shy of 50% of the public vote.

In tonights final, Jamala placed second with the jury vote but topped the public vote with 37.7%.
Over 380,000 votes were cast during the final, which is a record for the Ukrainian selection.

The Hardkiss won the jury vote but placed second in the televote. This meant that both The Hardkiss and Jamala ended with 11 points.

The public vote took precedence over the jury vote in the tie-break, which meant Jamala was crowned the winner.

Ukraine national final participants

  • Jamala1944
  • The HardkissHelpless
  • Brunettes Shoot BlondesEvery Monday
  • NuAngelsHigher
  • Pur:PurWe do change
  • SunSayLove manifest

Jamala will represent Ukraine on their return to the contest after the nation sat out of the 2015 edition.
The Ukrainian broadcaster, NTU, pulled out last year due to the financial and political situation in the country.

Jamala will perform her song in the second half of the second semi-final, which takes place on 12 May.

In their last Eurovision Song Contest appearance, Ukraine was represented by Mariya Yaremchuk. 

Her entry Tick tock finished 6th in the 2014 grand final.

What do you think of Ukraine’s choice for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Stay tuned to ESCToday for all the latest news from Ukraine and the Eurovision Song Contest 2016!