In May 2018, the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lisbon. The Russian Federation in the Portuguese capital was represented by the performer Julia Samoilova. Despite the fact that she did not happen to speak in the finals, the fragile girl immediately won the love of the audience.
First steps
Julia Olegovna was born in 1989 in the Komi Republic. In the city of Ukhta, her childhood and youth passed. Samoilova’s parents came to the North from different parts of the country, met in this region and started a family. In addition to Julia, their son Zhenya and daughter Oksana were born. The head of the family worked as a miner, and her mother changed many professions in search of work. Today, the family is successfully engaged in the construction business.
Baby photos indicate that Julia was born a healthy child. But the failed vaccination led the girl to a wheelchair. The diagnosis of "Spinal muscle atrophy" made her a disabled person of group 1. But this did not stop her from developing as a creative person and engaging in vocals with a teacher at the Pioneer House. The favorite performer of little Julia was Tatyana Bulanova, she confidently sang her songs at home. Before the townspeople, she first demonstrated her talent at 10 years old. For the performance, Valeria’s hit “Airplane” was chosen. The young singer willingly participated in various competitions and often won. At the age of 14, she was awarded a diploma of the laureate of the festival "On the Wings of Dreams", then victories at the competitions "Spring Drops" and "Shlyager-2005" followed.
Unrecognized Talent
Despite numerous victories, the girl could not get into the Russian show business. But she continued to sing, using every opportunity. At one time, she created a rock band and performed with the team for two years, but her solo career attracted her more. Julia began to sing in restaurants, where music lovers gathered all over the city. The singer's repertoire was very diverse: from the works of Vladimir Vysotsky to compositions in the style of the chanson of Mikhail Krug. At one time, the vocalist decided to break with music and do business. Together with a friend, she opened an advertising company and entered the university at the faculty of psychology. But she didn’t get an education, she was expelled from the academy without a diploma. She returned to music, which became part of her life.
Long-awaited success
In 2012, the television channel "Russia -1" invited the girl to the project "Factor A". The jury met the penetrating sound of the song "Prayer" while standing. In the final, the vocalist became the second and received the Golden Star of Alla award from the hands of the stage diva. A well-deserved victory and the attention of famous domestic performers was a turning point in the biography of Samoilova. Julia remained in the capital and became a frequent guest at Moscow concert venues, went on tour around the country. The biggest award and recognition was her participation in the opening of the Winter Paralympics in Sochi. During the performance of the song “We Together”, millions of spectators cried. Julia appeared on the Voice show with her new producer Alexander Yakovlev and presented the video Live. The performer was warmly received by colleagues in the music workshop. She was greatly supported by Olga Kormukhina, and Gosha Kutsenko offered to record the song “Don't Look Back”.
Eurovision
It was planned that Samoilova will represent Russia at Eurovision 2017 with the touching song “Burning Fire”. At first, the clip appeared on the Internet and caused a mixed reaction. Some considered speculation that the participation of girls with disabilities in the contest, in their opinion, this should have caused pity from the jury and the audience, but most admired the singer’s strength of mind and talent. However, the Kiev authorities did not allow Julia to enter the country. To the proposal to broadcast Samoilova’s speech from Moscow, Russia refused.
At the Eurovision Song Contest, Julia got in 2018. Her performance in Lisbon in the semi-finals of the competition was not very successful, apparently, the excitement at the time of such a crucial event affected. In the same year, the singer released her solo album "Sleep".
