ESC+Plus has talked to Olga Shimanskaya, lead vocalist of Napoli, who achieved the runner-up place at the Belarussian national final for Eurovision 2016 and is now trying to represent Poland in Stockholm. She will perform “My Universe” at Krajowe Eliminacje 2016 to take place tomorrow.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Polish national selection for Eurovision 2016!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
I am the project of Napoli. My name is Olga Shimanska and I was born in Belarus. I have been doing music since my childhood. I would say music is my life. I sang everywhere on kindergarten, at school, university. When I was sixteen I won the national karaoke championship.
My professional career started in 2013 with the band of Napoli which then become my solo project. We started from scratch without a lot of money and useful links. We just wanted to sing for people. We have done a lot since that time. So here I am in Poland , thanks to my fans!
E+: What impelled you to take part in “Krajowe Eliminacje 2016?
It was the idea of the Polish Eurovision fans. Because, to be honest, I was not going to apply to the Polish selection. I could not even think that I have fans in Poland. And fortunately, they were very persuasive guys. The same I can say about my song “My Universe”. Thank you for all of my fans!
E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the final? Did you expect it?
I am very happy that I am one of the qualified participants for the Polish national selection “Eurowizja 2016”. It is really incredible! I would like to say thank the jury for the appreciation of my song!
E+: What would it mean to you to represent Poland?
Poland is my family’s native land that’s why I am double excited. Representing the country in such a prestigious contest means great responsibility.
E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
My song heroine shares her inner world and calls for revealing proper amazing universe.There is no secret, it is in everybody’s heart. There are only love, faith and the power of welfare.
It is not a love song. It is not a song about a war, sorrow, trouble or so when we wrote our song we wanted to do a three-minute fairytale for people. “My Universe” is a song about kindness.
E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
I think that my song is worthy being in Stockholm as well as the songs of the other 8 finalists. I’m full of energy and surely I would like to represent Poland in Eurovision.
On the one hand my participation in the national selection “Eurowisza 2016” is the next challenge for me.. On the other hand l clearly realize that I am an unknown singer for most of Polish audience. But I think my participation is a creat possibility to become a part of Polish Nation. At least I would like to be a little lit loved by the Polish audience.
E+: How are you preparing your stage performance for “Krajowe Eliminacje 2016”?
We are preparing for the contest, we have many rehearsals, we would like to make an accent on 3D graphics and vocal.
E+: How do you remember your participation in Eurofest 2016, the Belarusian national final?
Belarus is a small country and show-business isn’t developed enough. National Selection is a great event that’s why all the singers participate in it. It is held on really high level and I’ve participated there for the third time.Firstly, my aim was to get my song to the audience and then happen what may… I’ve got a lot of positive feelings and great satisfaction.
E+: Will you try it again for Belarus the next year?
I never plan for the future, if there’s a good song,why not.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
I’m an Eurovision fan and I admire this spectacular performance. I really like Emmelie de Forest and Loreen.
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
It is likely to be Conchita Wurst
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
I started to work on my first debut album and it starts with the song “My Universe”. There are so many plans and goals forward , I’d like them to come true.
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
I really want people to become kinder to each other.Many things happen around us but we live and move on and this is the most important thing. Let’s trust each other and then the universe will be full of peace and kindness.
E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!
Well i don’t expect her song to win tomorrow.
But it doesn’t really matter anyway for her as it seems.
She did GOOD 🙂
Its descent fine song but unfortunately its still my least liked song of the 9 songs in the polish NF.