Changes and rearrangements in the last minute! Two days before the final of this year’s Lithuanian national selection Eurovizija, one of the show’s contestants, Monika Marija, decided to withdraw one of her two songs, with the national broadcaster LRT imposing a fine on her.

Following the 4 preliminary rounds in Lithuania, the singer Monika Marija had reached the semi-finals with two competing songs, these called Light on and Criminal. Monika’s successful course continued, as both of her entries qualified for the Grand Final, as Light on won the first semi-final, while Criminal came 3rd in the second semi-final.

You may watch both of her performances in the semi-finals below:

However, the singer had openly shared her preference for one of the two songs, and even asked the audience not to vote for the song Criminal in the second semi-final, through a YouTube video, where she said:

I’ll be very grateful to the jury, if you don’t give me points in this semifinal, and I ask the audience to save their money and I sincerely ask you not to vote for me and my song Criminal in the second semifinal. I am very happy that my work has received your attention and support, this Saturday I will sing your song Criminal with all my heart! And with Light on, we will meet in the finals.

Unlike her desire, the song went through to the final. Nevertheless, Monika Marija decided to focus on her preferable entry and withdraw the second, three days before the show. The gap created by this withdrawal will be covered by another entrant of the event, this being Alen Chicco, who was ranked 5th in the second semi-final with the song Your cure.

Hence, the line-up of this Saturday’s Grand Final will be as follows:

• Alen Chicco – Your cure
• Henry & Tommy Modric – Neverpart
• Justina Budaitė-Junà – Strength of a woman
• Monika Marija – Light on
• Jurgis Brūzga – CTRL ALT DELETE 
• Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys – Mažulė
• Jurijus – Run with the lions
• Jurgis DID & Erica Jennings – Sing!

The winner of Eurovizija 2019 will represent Lithuania at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The Baltic country will be performing in the second half of the second semi-final on 16 May.