"We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding," said the EBU.
Stefano Guidi/Getty ImagesRussia has been booted from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute,” the Executive Board of the European Broadcasting Union, which produces Eurovision, said in a statement issued Friday, Feb. 25. Eurovision 2022 is set to take place this May in Turin, Italy.
The EBU board said its decision was based on a recommendation made by Eurovision’s governing body, the Reference Group, rooted in “the rules of the event and the values of the EBU.” The EBU’s Television Committee also supported the decision.
“We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage,” the EBU board statement concluded.
Russia has competed in Eurovision since 1994 and has won the contest once, with Dima Bilan taking home top honors in 2008 with the song, “Believe.” As it happens, Russia’s representative at Eurovision last year, Manizha, appeared to come out against the war in Ukraine in an Instagram post shared yesterday, Feb. 24.
“I believe that [the current aggression] is against the will of our people,” Manizha (via Google Translate). “There are Ukrainians in my family too. My daughter-in-law is from Ukraine. My future husband is half Ukrainians. My close friends are Ukrainians. Russia and Ukraine are not just two countries. We are relatives. Any war between us is fratricidal.”
Other prominent Russian musicians have spoken out against the invasion as well, including the singer Valery Meladze, rock musician Zemfira Ramazanova, and popular rapper, Oxxxymiron. Oxxxymiron even canceled six sold out shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg in protest of the invasion, saying, “I know that most people in Russia are against this war, and I am confident that the more people would talk about their real attitude to it, the faster we can stop this horror.”
Miley Cyrus has joined a new record label following her departure from Sony Music’s Columbia Records.
The 33 year old singer and songwriter has agreed to a fresh deal with Atlantic Records, the company officially announced.
The label shared the news on its official Instagram account, writing: "Welcome to the family @mileycyrus [white heart emoji]"
Miley joins an impressive Atlantic Records roster that includes Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Rosé, PinkPantheress, and Lizzo.
The Hannah Montana star launched her recording career at Disney’s Hollywood Records, where she released three albums, before putting out another four records through RCA.
She later signed with Columbia Records in 2021.
Celebrating the agreement at the time, Miley uploaded a photo of herself holding the contract and wrote on her Instagram Story: "WHEN IM NOT RUNNING GAME. IM RUNNING MY MF BUSINESS. LET’S RIDE. (sic)"
During her time with the company, Miley released two albums, Endless Summer Vacation and Something Beautiful.
Only a few days before Something Beautiful arrived on May 30th, 2025, Miley revealed that her next project would take a much more "extremely experimental" direction.
According to Rolling Stone magazine, she offered fans a preview of her future plans during an event at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood.
Speaking to the intimate audience, she said: "My next album is about to be extremely experimental, so have fun with that.
"Something Beautiful is just the appetizer."
Following the release of the title track Something Beautiful, Miley suggested the project represented "another bold artistic evolution" in her musical journey.
A message posted to her Instagram account stated: "Miley’s second song and video release ‘Something Beautiful’, the title track off of the forthcoming album explores her deep connection to fashion showcasing an original custom design by Casey Cadwallader for the House of Mugler in the visual.
"This era marks another bold artistic evolution for Miley, blending music and film into an immersive experience."
Miley had earlier revealed that Pink Floyd’s The Wall helped shape the inspiration behind the album.
Speaking with Harper's Bazaar, she explained: "My idea was making The Wall, but with a better wardrobe and more glamorous and filled with pop culture.
"It’s a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music.
"I would like to be a human psychedelic for people. I don’t want anyone trying to be like me or imitate me or even be inspired by me. I want to impact frequencies in your body that make you vibrate at a different level."
