THIS YEAR'S ENTRY

 SELECTION
This year's Ukrainian selection was the most controversial and shambolic of the year. Following their hosting of the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Ukrainian Channel One decided to reduce the cost of their 2010 entry in Oslo and opted for an internal selection, to choose their performer. The choice was something of a surprise, with virtual newcomer Vasyl Lazarovich, winning he ticket to Oslo, with the public choosing the song in a national final.  The first Ukrainian Final was held on March 6th at the NTU TV Studios in Kiev and. Vasyl Lazarovich sang five potential Eurovision songs, with a jury and the public combining to select "I Love You" as their entry.

However just a the final was taking place, there was a political change in Ukraine, which resulted in a change of management in Ukrainian television. The new management decided that the previous selection process was unsatisfactory and to choose the entry for Oslo in a hastily arranged multi-artist national final, which included Vasyl Lazarovich and "I Love You"

Twenty song competed in the second Ukrainian final, which was held on March 20th at Shuster Studio in Kiev, hosted by Savik Shuster & Olga Freimut. The winner was chosen by text voting and a jury. As there was a tie at the end of the voting, the jury chose the winner, "To Be Free" performed by Alyosha. However the song was subsequently disqualified for having been released on CD in 2008, consequently Alyosha will "Sweet people" at the ESC. 

There was a few days of confusion as the deadline for submitting Eurovision entries had passed and Ukraine did not have a valid entry. Channel One asked for an extension, paid a fine to the EBU and opted for another new song by Alyosha, "Sweet People" as its 2010 Eurovision entry.

 BIOGRAPHY
Alyosha (Olena Kucher) will be Ukraine's participant in this year's Eurovision Song Contest where she will perform Sweet People.

Alyosha (Olena Kucher) was born on May 14th, 1986 in Zaporozhie. Since childhood she demonstrated a love for music: since the 5th form she sang in a school choir and since the age of 15 she attended the Yunost studio .

When she became 18, Alyosha dared for major changes in her life. She moved to Kyiv and got enrolled to the Kyiv National University of Culture and Art, Faculty of Pop Vocal. At the same time she opened her own recording studio together with some friends.

Alyosha is the author of many hits for popular singers. She worked at Fabrika Zvesd (Star Factory) as a vocal teacher, back-vocalist, sound producer, author and composer. She collaborated with Potap & Nastia Kamenskih, Natasha Mogelivskaya, Irina Bilyk, Alina Grosu and Ani Lorak.

In 2008 Alyosha signed a contract with the production center Catapult Music, which gave her life a sudden new swing. Alyosha filmed a clip to the song Sneg - this track was put on hot rotation on all radio channels. The singer’s first album (recorded in English) was also released in the USA.

 REACTION
Alyosha has done some limited international promotions, since being chosen to go to Oslo, but reaction to all three Ukrainian Eurovision entries has been generally unenthusiastic.  Bookmakers see Ukraine as a marginal qualifier, but are offering odds of up to 125/1 for a Ukrainian victory, while internet polls generally have the song in the bottom ten entries in this year's contest.

BROADCASTER

RATINGS