As previously reported by LSM, on January 5, 15 entrants for the 'Supernova' show that will select Latvia's Eurovision Song Contest contender were announced with some fanfare. The list included an act called 'Saule' (real name Krišjānis Suntažs) with a song called 'Finally Happy'.
However, just 24 hours later the board of Latvian Television (LTV) decided to disqualify Saule after it belatedly emerged that his song had been publicly performed before September 1, 2022, in violation of the rules.
"Unfortunately, the LTV project team, which evaluated the suitability of the musical works, only found out after the announcement of the semi-finalists that the song "Finally Happy" was already played publicly on December 19, 2021" said organizers of the contest. They did not specify how they had found out – whether by their own devices or perhaps as a result of someone informing on the unfortunate Saule.
Interestingly, the decision was taken by the LTV board, not by the Supernova jury which, unusually, is remaining completely anonymous until after the Eurovision Song Contest is done and dusted in May. Their reason for being anonymous, despite the huge power they have over the outcome is unspecified "security concerns".
So while it's bad news for Saule, the remaining 14 contenders have instantly seen their chances improve. The first Supernova selection show will take place February 4 – as long as the rest of them haven't been disqualified by then, too.
