Ahead of her participation in Vidbir this year, Rory spoke to Masha Kondratenko. She is hoping to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2025 with her song “No Time to Cry”.
Hi Masha! How are you doing today?
Hey! I’m fine, thanks. I just need to get some sleep. Otherwise, I’m preparing, getting ready for Saturday, accumulating all my strength and emotions to show the best result on stage.
You’re competing in Vidbir 2025; how did you feel after you heard the news that you were first on the longlist, and then on the shortlist of participants?
I am one of those people who hope for the best but prepare for the worst. That’s why even the news that I got to the longlist was cool and pleasant for me. And the shortlist is incredible! There are also hundreds of great reviews and feedback from listeners and Eurofans around the world. For me, this is a great achievement, responsibility and real happiness. I hope I won’t let you down!
Your song, “No Time to Cry”, tells the story of someone who is defiant in standing up for themselves. How much did Russia’s full-scale invasion of your country impact the writing of the track?
My song is entirely about the moral state, about the feelings that have already become familiar to many Ukrainians. “No Time to Cry” is about the “normal abnormality” we have to live in today. When you wake up in the morning because of a rocket attack outside your window, and in the afternoon you rush to have coffee with your friends. Because life cannot be paused. Even during the war.
We all go through pain, tears, losses, moments of weakness, anxiety, but we always choose the side of strength and light. We have to fight and we cannot just give up.
You first broke out into the public sphere in teen drama The School, before trying out your musical career. What did you learn from acting that helps you in your singing abilities?
Filming in “The School” series was a great springboard for me. I tried something new, felt what popularity was like, and passed a real test with long filming shifts and tours all over the country. Of course, I improved my acting skills, which help me now. But my music career started long before “The School” and has always been a priority. I can’t imagine my life without music.
On top of that, you’ve also had experience after performing on Holos Krainy (The Voice). What did you learn from that experience that you will take with you to Vidbir?
I participated in “The Voice Kids” (Голос Діти) and “The Voice” (Голос) adult projects. These shows gave me faith in myself, my first opportunity to perform on the big stage, very cool acquaintances and the understanding that I, a girl from a simple family, can do anything! It’s a super cool experience and a real marathon that toughens and inspires at the same time.
In general, I have participated in dozens of song competitions since childhood. So this is a familiar story for me. I hope this will help me cope with the excitement of performing in the final of the Vidbir.
Are you a big Eurovision fan? What are some of your favourite entries?
Since childhood, I have been watching the Eurovision Song Contest, rooting for our country and somewhere in my heart I dreamed of taking part in the contest. I really hope that this year I will have a chance to show myself on the big stage in Basel.
As for my favourite performances, apart from Ukrainian artists such as Jamala, Ruslana, Go-A, etc, I was very impressed by Loreen, Dunkan Laurence, Nemo and the band Maneskin.
If someone wants to check out some more of your music after hearing “No Time to Cry”, what’s one recommendation from your catalogue that you would ask people to listen to?
I recently presented my first album, “I found my diary” (знайшла свій щоденник). It’s a collection of very personal stories, different moods and random moments from my life. And although it is entirely in Ukrainian and has a completely different style, I am sure you will like the songs, because each of them was created with love.
As for my English-language songs, I’m working on it. I am sure I will soon surprise my listeners from all over the world.
What would it mean for you to represent Ukraine on such a big stage such as Eurovision?
This is a great honour and an important step for me personally. And I feel that I am ready to take it now. I have experience, strength, inspiration. I have written a song with an important deep message. I have something to tell the audience about the life of Ukrainians during the war. About our strength and weakness. About our courage and uncertainty. About the normal abnormality in which we live. I have something to talk about on the Eurovision stage.
And finally, do you have a final message to all of your new followers who will have discovered you thanks to Vidbir?
Dear friends, I am happy that thanks to Vidbir and Eurovision I have the opportunity to share my work with you. I hope to see you in Switzerland very soon. I am grateful for every comment, every reaction, every like. You are incredible!
Who is Masha Kondratenko?
Mariia Kondratenko – known professionally as Masha – is a 25-year-old Ukrainian singer-songwriter. Born in Shostka in the northeast of Ukraine, Masha first shot to public prominence when she starred in TV drama “The School” in 2018. Since then, she has pursued her music career, appearing in the likes of The Voice Kids and The Voice in 2020. During the course of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Masha’s song “Vanka Vstanka” went viral as it was used for several clips of important battles during the war.
Her song for Vidbir, “No Time to Cry”, was written by Masha herself, as well as Roman Grisiuk and Stanyslav Malikov.
Ukraine’s Eurovision journey
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country has scored nine top-five placements, with an extra four top-ten finishes. Ukraine won the Contest three times – in 2004, 2016 and 2022 respectively. Ukraine made history for being the first ex-Soviet country to win the Contest more than once.
In 2024 alyona alyona and Jerry Heil represented Ukraine in Malmö with their song “Teresa and Maria”. The duo finished in 3rd place, scoring 453 points – of which 146 points came from the jury, whilst the remaining 307 points came from the televote.
Will Masha Kondratenko make it to Eurovision this year? What do you think of her song “No Time to Cry”? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we prepare for Eurovision 2025!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: Masha Kondratenko
Giwrgos Oiko