BTRC confirmed Sofi Lapina as one of the eleven finalists for Belarus’ national selection on January 11. But five days later the Russian songstress has given up on her dream to represent Belarus at Eurovision 2018.

The announcement comes one day after the publication of a letter in which six finalists, including Sofi, wrote that they intend to withdraw in case Alekseev does not get disqualified from participating in the national final, citing a lack of fairness, among other concerns.

Sofi decided to withdraw from the selection a few hours after the running order draw took place. She first confirmed her withdrawal from the national selection at Euroforum, a Russian Eurovision discussion forum.

She commented there yesterday:

“Alekseev is not ashamed to lose in an honest and open struggle. No one who will lose is ashamed. But not in this situation. Being humble and asking for a replacement song, I won’t. I said that with emotion. I decided for myself to withdraw from the finals anyway. The only reason why this has not been done so far is the collective statement. Dumping the rest is not pretty. Therefore, I will be at BTRC tomorrow. But the decision has actually been taken. Many thanks for your support.”

Today, she confirmed that she is not going to appear in the final:

“I have left. That’s all./I won’t participate in the final”

Sofi Lapina was going to participate with the song “Gravity”, co-produced by Pyotr Elfimov, who represented Belarus at Eurovision 2009. One of the reasons of her withdrawal is the fact that she actually intended to apply with a few different songs, but she found out that all of them were ineligible to participate with.

Her first potential entry “Just For Fun” had been performed before during concerts in its Russian version and her other songs “Castles” and “Greater Scheme” were published on a closed online music expert community by its author before September 1st. Sofi stated that “Gravity” was chosen in a hurry to still be able to participate.

The announcement of Sofi Lapina’s withdrawal comes hours after she was drawn to perform fourth at the national final. According to Alexander Slutsky, who is the producer of both NAPOLI and Alen Hit, finalists were given a contract after the draw to confirm their participation within a week.

Running order of Belarus’ national final

1. Adagio

2. Alekseev

3. Shuma

4. Sofi Lapina

5. Napoli

6. Anastasiya Malashkevich

7. Gunesh

8. Radiovolna

9. ALEN HIT

10. Lexy

11. Kirill Good

Are you sad that Sofi Lapina has withdrawn her song from the selection? Let us know in the comments below!

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