MOLDOVA – One more withdrawal took place in Moldova’s O Melodie Pentru Europa. Irina Kit has decided to withdraw from the competition as she was accused by her co-participant Serj Coston for plagiarism of her song. According to him “Baby Don’t Cry” was a copy of Akon “Bananza (Belly Dancer)”. It’s unknown whether TRM investigated the issue as they announced the singer withdrew on her own. Samir Loghin with “Glow” comes up as the replacement entry.
NORWAY – With the newcomer to MGP Line Elvsåshagen, NRK conclude the hosting job for the show. Kåre Magnus Bergh will be accompanied by Line. “It’s amazing. I love MGP with all my heart. It is one of the best nights of the year. It definitely has the same status as Christmas Eve in my eyes”, says Line adding that her favorite Eurovision entry is song of Moldova in Eurovision Song Contest 2009. “She’s a weird, funny, talented and fearless energy bomb with pink hair who loves MGP. I am very excited to work with her, a cool lady with an infectious laugh”, says Kåre Magnus Bergh.
MALTA – Malta withdraw its offer to host the 2017 edition of Eurovision Young Musicians. EBU is about to search a new host country but the timeframe is too narrow therefore the contest might be cancelled this year and move to 2019. The EBU statement: The EBU has regrettably announced the 2017 edition of Eurovision Young Dancers will no longer take place in Valletta, Malta as previously stated. Member PBS, who agreed to host the event in 2015, has due to circumstances beyond their control been forced to cancel their staging of the competition in June 2017. Unlike the Eurovision Song Contest, where Members agree to host if they win the event, there’s no obligation for participating broadcasters to host the Eurovision Young Dancers competition. The EBU therefore relies on its Members to volunteer to take on the responsibilities and partial costs of host broadcaster. The EBU is currently looking for another host broadcaster but should one not be found in such a short timeframe the competition will not take place this year and is expected to return in 2019.
ISRAEL – Rising Star auditions concluded and 20 acts are now ready to proceed to the next phase: Beatbox Element, Beta Zinc, Chen Maximov, Chen Zimerman & Noy Eisen, David Vanesyan, Diana Golbi, Elayev Family, Hallelujah (Halli), Lewis, Helen Kalandze, Imri Ziv, Judy Layne, Julietta, Lee Sabach, Osher Biton, Ron Buchbut, Sapir Nahon, Ta-La-Te, Yona Shabin, Yonit Zaidenberg, Yosef Gal. The next round has already be made behind closed doors therefore in the next show we will see eight of them. On January 30th and 31st we will see 8 acts, on February 6th & 7th we will have the semi finals with 6 acts and on 13/2 we will have the final with four acts.
