Main points
- Jerry Heil stated that viewers did not see her entire performance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
- The public explained that the special effects were not shown due to the complexity of their implementation on live broadcast.
Jerry Heil / Photo from the artist's Instagram
The final of the National Selection for Eurovision 2026 took place on February 7. On the eve of the broadcast, Jerry Heil announced that viewers would not see her entire performance, as they did not show electrical appliances that broke and sparked, creating the effect of a collapse.
Public Broadcasting commented on the situation for the first time. In a comment to NV, the broadcaster explained why the idea of the directors of the Jerry Heil show was not shown on the air.
The public broadcaster said that the final of the National Selection for Eurovision is being recorded before airing due to the security situation in the country. It is being broadcast “without making any changes, improvements, or additional editing of the artists' numbers.” This is the broadcaster's principled position in order to be honest with the audience.
According to representatives of Suspilny, the Jerry Heil team was informed that the special effect may not be able to be shown live.
During rehearsals, the creative producer of the National Selection, Herman Nyonov, repeatedly drew the attention of the artist's team that this was a risky technique for television filming. To achieve the desired effect in the frame, a larger number of props, a different size/color, an increased number of pyrotechnics, as well as editing that contradicted the live broadcast format, were required.
– the broadcaster said in a statement.
The organizers of the National Selection claim that after the concert, the artist's management demanded that the storyboard for the number be changed so that the audience could see the suspended lighting fixtures falling from the ceiling.
Changing the storyboard after the concert is impossible, as this nullifies the very principle of live performances at Eurovision,
– emphasized the Public.
Final of the National Selection for Eurovision-2026: the main thing
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Jerry Heil performed the song CATHARTICUS (prayer). Her performance was directed by Joan Bourgeois and Valeria Fadeeva. According to the results of the jury and audience voting, the artist took 3rd place.
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The winner was LELÉKA. She will represent Ukraine at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Vienna in May. The singer will perform the song Ridnym.
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Among the other participants of the National Selection for Eurovision-2026 were: Valeriya Force, MOLODI, Monokate, The Elliens, LAUD, Mr. Vel, KHAYAT, “ШчукаРыба”.
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The hosts of the evening were Timur Miroshnychenko and Lesya Nikityuk, and the judges were Ruslana, Zlata Ognevich, Yevhen Filatov, Vitaliy Drozdov, and Kostyantyn Tomilchenko.
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The music producer of the competition this year was Jamala.