In a recent interview, Russia’s Eurovision 2021 represented Manizha revealed she didn’t expect to win the country’s national selection and make it Eurovision.
Russia’s Eurovision 2021 represented Manizha has spoken about her Eurovision experience in a recent interview conducted close to the singer’s 30th birthday. Speaking about her experience in Rotterdam the singer stated that the month of May was difficult due to the demanding rehearsal schedule that Eurovision requires.
“We had about 50 runs, during which we went through the number from start to finish, and each one was at the maximum of emotional impact. “Russian Woman” requires a lot of energy when you are on stage. I can give a three-hour concert, but I’m not as tired as from the performance of my contest song.”
Manizha also stated that she remembers the final very well and felt very tired after her final performance.
“At the end of the performance, my voice trembled from the feeling that everything was over. When I went backstage, I could not stand on my feet – I cried a lot, I was hysterical. Before that I didn’t feel how tired.”
Ultimately the singer described the experience as “A holiday, a bright event” and was happy to be part of this year’s event. In the build-up to this year’s Eurovision, Manizha entry “Russian Woman” faced a lot of controversy from within Russia due to the song’s strong feminist message and Manizha’s ethnicity along with views on topics such as LGBT rights. When asked about the success of the song and its impact the singer stated:
“I could not have thought that “Russian Woman” could become such a phenomenon and cause so much controversy. Moreover, I did not write it on purpose, it appeared by accident: we just jammed with the musicians in the studio.”
When asked about her experience in the national final Manizha confessed she was due to have a concert on the same date as the national final. The singer stated sales were poor due to the ongoing pandemic.
“I don’t want to go to Eurovision, but participation in the national selection will promote my concert”
Manizha initially did not wish to enter Eurovision but hoped that appearing in the national selection would boost her profile within Russia, however the singer would ultimately go on to win the national selection and place 9th in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. Although Manizha had written “Russian woman” approximately a year ago in Israel the singer only had a single day to take the demo she created and make a finished product for the national final.
When asked about the cost of Eurovision the singer stated the entire cost was approximately 10 million rubles (£97,000), the majority of which was paid for by Channel One. This included the application the, flights and accommodation. Although the singer stated that the broadcaster was not fully responsible for costs regarding the song staging itself, with the singer covering some of these expenses on her own.
Speaking about her plans now that the events of Eurovision 2021 have concluded, Manizha explained she had been invited to many events outside of Russia due to her popularity at the contest and wishes to perform all over Europe. Although the current pandemic is made capitalizing on the singer’s Eurovision success difficult due to ongoing travel restrictions and event cancellations.
“We were invited to Portugal in August for a big music forum. But it is still unclear whether the borders will be opened, whether mass events will be banned. Of course, the pandemic prevents me from having the success in Europe that I would like.”
Concluding the interview Manizha stated he wishes to continue working hard to produce music in our native Russian language for the singer’s fans within Russia and her new fans across Europe.
“I believe I will have a European tour. And I am sure that I will keep the Russian language in my songs and foreigners will listen to them.”
Who is Manizha?
Manizha Dalerovna Sangin was born on 8th July 1991 in Dushanbe, Tajikstan. The Russian-Tajik singer moved to Moscow, Russia, at three years old, and began her career in 2003 as a child singer, winning numerous competitions.
This year it was revealed that Russia would use a national final to select their 2021 Eurovision entry. Three acts competed, and the winner, Manizha, was determined by 100% televoting.
Image Source: EBU / Andres Putting| Source: ria
