Ukrainian Anastasia Prikhodko to represent Russia at Eurovision 2009
Anastasia Prikhodko, a 21-year-old performer of Ukrainian origin, and her song ‘Mom' will represent Russia at the Eurovision competition, due in Moscow from May 9 to May 16, said a March 7 decision of a panel of judges that selected Prikhodko from a shortlist of three competitors. The judges made their choice on the basis of a nationwide voting by telephone calls and SMS messages.
Anastasia Prikhodko from Kiev became famous in the Russian Federation after participating in the Star Fabric project.
The television audiences gave Prikhodko the biggest share of votes - 25%, and the voting by the judges themselves gave the singer a prevalence of one vote - six votes given to her and five votes, to other competitors.
Anastasia Prikhodko was followed by pop singer Valeria (14 %) and group Quatro (12 %).
After the national final televised on Russian Public Television (ORT) Valeria's husband producer Iosif Prigozhin announced that the results of the voting had been ragged.
"The organizers had earlier advised my wife to withdraw from the contest. Moreover, during the voting Prikhodko was already preparing in a separate room to stand before the audience as a winner," said Prigozhin.
Note that earlier Anastasia had taken part in an elimination round in the Ukraine, but it gave rise to a situation where the media started accusing the panel of judges of ‘partisan actions' and of attempts to conceal the true results of voting. Anastasia was disqualified as a result. Svetlana Loboda, ex VIA Gra member, will represent the Ukraine in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.
