"...allowed this simple girl from Minsk to live her dreams, many of which would have seemed totally unattainable to most people."

"Angelica Agurbash, a singer and actress, will represent Belarus at the international Eurovision music contest in Spring 2005. Already the winner of numerous awards including "Miss Byelorussia", " Miss USSR Photo", and "Miss Russia-2002", she is the soloist of the legendary group "Verasi". Under the stage name Lika Yalinskaya, Angelica is a well-known actress, as well as a TV-presenter and producer. She is often called the most famous woman of Belarus. For the past 10 years her songs have been the great hits of Belarusian radio. Alongside her charm and beauty, it was Angelica s talent and amazing energy which allowed this simple girl from Minsk to live her dreams, many of which would have seemed totally unattainable to most people.

The idea of participation in "Eurovision" occurred spontaneously as she was talking on the air with a Radio Minsk audience following her July 3, 2004 concert in Minsk, part of the festivities commemorating the 60th anniversary of Byelorussia’s liberation from fascism. One of the most frequently asked questions was whether she would participate in the world-famous Eurovision song contest; so, once the Eurovision selection process got underway, Angelica Agurbash applied.

She's changed her mind, 3 days before the final cut-off. After a national televised pre-selection, she's gone and scandalised every Eurovision fan everywhere, and taken it upon herself to change her song. Scandalous. Firstly she offered an alternative song after "Boys and Girls" was chosen by the Belarus nation. Then she wasn't sure about the song (quite rightly ads it turns out), so she released "Show me your love" and asked fans if this was better than "Boys and Girls". After it became quickly apparent this this was dogs-eggs too, she went and confirmed a third song, "Love me tonight". Crazy!

The Singer

Worzel Gummidge crossed with Aunt Sally, and aggressive temperament instils a wariness that shouldn't really be part of Eurosong.
I actually quite appreciate how she changed her mind over which song to sing. After the final, she must have had a few phone calls from her peers, politely attempting to explain just how poor "Boys & Girls" actually was. It was very much a Michael Jackson "the children are our future" type effort, with much of the same disturbing underage connotations. So she made a token gesture at asking fans both inside and outside of Belarus as to alternatives, and finally came up with a more palatable tranche of Euro pop, penned by the hand of Dana Internationals career launcher, Tvika Pick, who's name is worth a mention alone. All this showed that Angelica didn't want to be embarrassed with a poor song. Unfortunately her voice is Worzel Gummidge crossed with Aunt Sally, and it will ultimately let her down.

The Past

Sordid looking pagan exploits, Terry Gilliam, and a warbling witch. A solid Eurovision start in 2004 from one of the true last bastions of Communist rule. I can forsee Belarus becoming one of the more interesting of Eurosong nations.

The Song
It's almost impossible to compare this with what she had. Whilst "Love me Tonight" is an Euro-beat, pop production line of processed cheese, it still compares favourably to their previous woeful national selection, "Boys and Girls". Starting off with a 80's power ballad, then leaping without any thought for the listener into Euro dance fodder, topped off with her howl of a voice. I expect happy-clappy results.

Gestures - 34 An impressive amount from Angelika, who seems quite professional in using a microphone whilst splaying her extremities around the stage. Most of the gestures were either above the head hand clapping (11), or wafting away the annoying attentions of the leather coated little man who fawned around her throughout the video (8).
"Wanna" Count - 0

Overall
Good things can now happen to Belarus. In their second attempt ever, have the ingredients to be safely mid-table. I don't necessarily want her to "do it to me one more time", but I fully expect that she will have to after qualifying into the final.

In a Nutshell
"And d'you like her? I think I do"

"The Shrink Says"

Upon first sight of this lady, I felt like lying on my own couch. My anxiety was predominantly determined by a perception of deceit by my occipital lobe. Angelika seems to be oft dressed as "the only gay in the village", and her strength of character may mask an deeply hidden inferiority complex. The superlatives and bombasting of her biography may suggest a compensation of feelings of inferiority by acting in ways that make her feel superior...or maybe not.
An airbrushed "Angelika Agurbash"
 An airbrushed to within an inch of her life, "Stephanie Beacham"

Love Me Tonight

I Wish You Could Be Near Me
I Seek Your Eyes To Thrill Me
So Take Your Chance And Feel Me
I Am Ready Now

I Dream Of You By My Side
Move Closer Baby
You’ve Got A Place In My Mind
I’m With You Baby
Do It To Me One More Time
I’m Waiting Baby
Give Me The Time Of My Life!

Love Me Tonight
And I’ll Love You Forever
It’s No Sin, It’s No Crime
That I Want You Mine

Love Me Tonight
I Need You More Than Ever
You Can Make Me Feel Right
Just Love Me Tonight
Aah Aah Aah etc

I’ve Got No Hesitation
It’s my Infatuation
Your Touch Is An Obsession
I’m Addicted Now

I Dream Of You By My Side
Move Closer Baby
You’ve Got A Place In My Mind
I’m With You Baby
Do It To Me One More Time
I’m Waiting Baby
Give Me The Time Of My Life!
Love Me Tonight
I Need You More Than Ever
You Can Make Me Feel Right
Just Love Me Tonight

Do It To Me One More Time
Give Me The Time Of My Life!
Give Me The Time Of My Life!

Love Me Tonight
I Need You More Than Ever
You Can Make Me Feel Right
Just Love Me Tonight

Love Me Tonight
Love Me Tonight

Love You Forever
And We’ll Be Together
So Just Stay With Me For The Night
Love Me Tonight.
Prediction Semi Final =7th
Final TBA (N/A)