The 24-year-old singer LAUD, who has «stormed» contest, dropped out of the final.
Only on Monday, January 24, the names of the finalists of the National Selection of Eurovision-2022 were announced. Among them was the popular LAUD, but he was removed from the list on the same day. All because of a violation of the rules, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to Channel 24.
The Organizing Committee of the National Selection of Eurovision has chosen eight finalists among 284 applications. However, he warned that there might be replacements on the list. And so it happened, the 24-year-old singer LAUD, who for the third time «storms» contest, dropped out of the final.
LAUD was disqualified from the national selection of Eurovision-2022
For Eurovision 2022, LAUD submitted the song Head Under Water, written for him by Dutch songwriter Daniel Boting in 2018. In the same year, the artist experimentally recorded the track in the studio.
The video with his performance was posted on YouTube by the author of the composition, although the singer himself officially presented it in the second DUAL album on November 18, 2021. According to Suspіlny, this directly violates the rules of the National Selection.
The decision to exclude LAUD from the list of finalists was very difficult for us, since we really consider him a worthy participant in the National Selection. However, the rules are the same for everyone, this is our principled position,
— admitted the head of the organizing committee Yaroslav Lodygin.
«The published video with the song LAUD was a complete surprise, because we carefully check and clearly explain the rules to all participants. I am very grateful for the messages of eurofans who drew attention to this violation», added producer Alexey Goncharenko.
Note, according to the rules of the National Selection, the entry for Eurovision must not be released, performed publicly, made available on video platforms or social media before September 1, 2021.
LAUD's reaction to disqualification
LAUD himself noted on his Instagram that the first version of Head Under Water has 340 views in 3 years, which «in essence, home video». He assured that the work on the song had been going on for all three years — different versions and arrangements were recorded.
I appeal to the Organizing Committee of the National Selection with a call to make a decision that meets the spirit and values of the international competition. The disqualification of the clear leader of the selection requires at least consultation with the EBU and obtaining their recommendation,
— wrote LAUD.
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Who will replace LAUD in the final of the National Selection with Eurovision-2022
Instead of LAUD, they took Barleben (real name Alexander Barleben) to the final of the National Selection for Eurovision-2022 with the song Hear My Words.
«The chance to represent Ukraine passed to another talented performer, who also received high marks among the organizing committee — Barleben. We wish you good luck», — said Yaroslav Lodygin.
Interesting In 2020, Barleben, together with Live Music, introduced Stop the war social music project — «Stop the war». They dedicated it to everyone who fought for the independence of Ukraine on the front line.