 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Russian. (October 2025)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Yuliya Samoylova Ю́лия Само́йлова | |
|---|---|
_-_2018_-_03.jpg) Yuliya Samoylova in May 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | Julia Olegovna Samoilova (1989-10-07)7 October 1989 (age 36) |
| Genres | Pop, rock |
| Occupation |
|
| Instrument |
|
| Years active | 2013–present |
Julia Olegovna Samoilova (Russian:Ю́лия Оле́говна Само́йлова,IPA:[ˈjʉlʲɪjəɐˈlʲeɡəvnəsɐˈmojləvə]; born 7 October 1989), sometimes credited asYulia Samoilova orJulia Samoylova, is a Russian singer-songwriter. In early 2017, she was selected torepresent Russia in the2017 edition of theEurovision Song Contest with the song "Flame Is Burning", but was subsequently banned from the contest's host country, Ukraine, due to violating Ukrainian law by enteringCrimea through Russia in 2015, shortly after the region wasannexed by Russia.[1] In response to the ban, Russia ultimately withdrew from the contest. The following year, Samoylova was instead chosen torepresent her country in the2018 edition of the contest inPortugal. Performing "I Won't Break", she placed 15th out of 18 contestants in the second semi-final, failing to qualify for the grand final. "I Won't Break" was the first Russian entry not to reach the final since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004.
Yuliya was born inUkhta,Komi ASSR, Russian SFSR, USSR. As a child, Samoylova began losing function of her legs due tospinal muscular atrophy and has used a wheelchair since childhood.[2] The singer says that the manifestation of the hereditary disease could follow after an unsuccessfulpoliomyelitis vaccination (Channel One and TASS also take this view), but specialists deny such a connection.[citation needed] Samoylova started her career performing for oil workers at a restaurant in her hometown ofUkhta.[3] In 2008, she founded the band "TerraNova" which played heavy alternative music. TerraNova disintegrated in 2010.
In 2013, Samoylova was the runner-up of season three ofFaktor A, the Russian version ofThe X Factor.[2] The following year, she also took part in theopening ceremony of the2014 Winter Paralympics.[4]
Samoylova was selected on 12 March 2017 torepresent Russia in theEurovision Song Contest 2017 held in the capital ofUkraine,Kyiv, with the song "Flame Is Burning".[2] On 13 March, theSecurity Service of Ukraine announced that they might ban her from entering Ukraine due to her 2015 visit toCrimea – a region that was annexed by Russia in 2014.[5] According to Ukrainian law entering Crimea via Russia is illegal.[5] Samoylova has stated that she did perform in Crimea in 2015.[3] On 22 March, the Security Service of Ukraine banned Samoylova from entering Ukraine for three years for her violation of Ukrainian legislation[6]
State broadcaster Russia-1 announced on 13 April their withdrawal from the contest, which meant Samoylova would not participate in Eurovision 2017.[7][8][9] It had been previously announced that, if Samoylova was unable to take part in 2017, she would be selected to represent Russia in 2018.[10] Samoilova instead performed inSevastopol, Crimea, on the day of the Eurovision semi-final.[which?][11]
On 29 January 2018, it was confirmed by Channel 1 Russia that she would return to represent Russia at theEurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.[12]
On 11 March, it was revealed that the song Yulia was to sing at theEurovision Song Contest 2018 would be "I Won't Break"[13]
On 10 May, she performed in the second Semi-Final of the contest, but failed to qualify for the Grand Final. She is the first and only Russian entry to fail to qualify since the introduction of televised qualifying rounds in 2004.
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Flame Is Burning" | 2017 | Non-album singles |
| "Yad"(Poison) | ||
| "I Won't Break" | 2018 |
| Preceded by | Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
