Julia is also the Russian representative at EuroBest and WorldBest, which is the follow-up of the European edition of the commercial song contest, in which several winners of national talent scout shows take part (not to be mixed up with World Idol).

Julia Savicheva was born on 14 February 1987 in Kurgan, Russia.

Music is definitely in the 17-year-old’s blood. Both Julia’s parents are musicians. After graduating from music school, her mother worked as a music school teacher for 12 years. Her father is an excellent drummer; now he accompanies Julia.“I’m happy Julia’s father is always by her side and that they can support and take care of each other,” says her mum. “Certainly I miss them very much when they are not with me. They know it and try to call me almost every day when they are on tour.”Having such a creative and musical family has meant Julia grew up a very artistic child. She always liked singing, drawing, dancing and performed her first solo dance on stage when she was just four-years-old.One of Julia’s favourite movies is "Leon" by Luc Besson, a fact which explains why she’s been nicknamed ‘Matilda’ since her school days.When she was six, Julia and her family moved to Moscow. Spending all her spare time with the musicians and choreographers with whom her Mum worked, it was soon clear the stage would be Julia’s future.
 
In 2002 and 2003 she performed the lead roles in Christmas performances in Moscow’s main Russian church – The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.And then there was Russian TV talent show, “The Star Factory” which propelled Julia into the limelight.Max Fadeev, producer and composer, on Julia: “She’s enormously hardworking, very disciplined. She is very kind, devoted, loves everything connected to art. I don’t see any limits in her talent.”

The Singer
 
Julia looks like she should come from Filey or Scarborough. The young girl used to be a band called "Agatha Christie", but will not be travelling to Turkey on the Orient Express. She hasn't even got "five little pigs" for backing singers.

There may have been a chance of her winning. But she decided to model herself on Avril Lavigne. "And then there were none".

The Past
Russia are a relatively new entrant into the fold (1994), having clearly deemed that inclusion in the contest would be a distraction to the transition to burgeoning free-market economy of the late eighties. Personally I think it would have helped to put the whole economic revolution in some sort of perspective. Anyway, in it they came and everyone really took note of Ms Pugacheva in 1997, who is up there as one of the most brash contestants ever. They came second the next year, and have had a third since. They clearly have the biggest advantage of everyone in the contest and should be winning soon. Maybe it'll happen when they move away from under-age popstresses.

The Song

It's got a touch of weak-James Bond theme tune to me, but really I just don't care. A From Russia with Apologies if you like. It makes me want to cry on your big shoulder.

Overall

Can she throw a "cat among the pigeons"? There's every chance she'll be the "third girl" up on the night, but being drawn after Belgium, could mean that Xandee will be her "nemesis"? (enough with the Christie-ims.) Inevitably the even larger numbers of historically oppressed smaller neighbours will vote for Russia in droves this year, but it will not be enough to push ginger Julia into the top 5.

In a Nutshell
"Her song turns me into a dumb witness"

Believe Me

Believe me, I just don’t care
If you look away or stare
If you choose to go or stay
Don’t believe me, I pray

In my head, every day, everywhere, oh no
You and I can talk, and I sound colder
In my heart, though I say I don’t care
I just cry and cry on your big shoulder

Believe me, I just don’t care
If you look away or stare
If you choose to go or stay
Don’t believe me, I pray

Believe me, I just don’t care
If you look away or stare
If you choose to go or stay
Don’t believe me, I pray

Far away, like the man in the moon, my dear
You just wave to me, you're always lying
Every face, every voice, every tune
Brings you back to me, and I start crying

Believe me, I just don’t care
If you look away or stare
If you choose to go or stay
Don’t believe me, I pray

Believe me, I just don’t care
If you look away or stare
If you choose to go or stay
Don’t believe me, I pray

Believe me, I just don’t care

Prediction Semi Final N/A
Final 8th
Avril Lavigne
Julia Savicheva