ARMENIAN CONTESTANT WITHDRAWS HER PARTICIPATION FROM EUROVISION 2010

Tert.am
14:30 ~U 12.02.10

Armenian Public TV yesterday broadcast the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest
final allocation draw to decide the order the Armenian contestants will
follow in this European song contest. Despite earlier announcements,
there were 9 contestants instead of 10.

The order of contestants representing Armenia are as follows:

1. Another Story
2. Ani Arzumanyan
3. Meline Beglaryan
4. Emmy and Mihran
5. David Ashotyan
6. Nick Yegibyan
7. Maria Kizirian
8. Razmik Amyan
9. Eva Rivas
10. Sonya

Singer Sonya was also among them when the finalists’ names were
announced a few days ago. But, citing health issues, she withdrew her
participation. However, numerous online media reported that the real
reason she withdrew her participation was, in fact, the song itself.

When Armenian contestants’ songs appeared on Eurovision 2010’s Armenia
webpage, well-known Turkish singer Hadisey’s songwriter protested,
saying songwriters of the Armenian contestant’s song had plagiarized
Hadisey’s song, albeit with a few minor changes.

These two disputable songs are available on YouTube where a comparative
version of these songs can be played.

During the February 7 semi-final allocation draw in Oslo, it was
determined that the contestant representing Armenia, to be decided
any day now, would perform in the second semi-final on May 27.