The Eurovision Song Contest is a magnet for weird and wonderful acts, from the fabulous to the frightening.
But few can be stranger than the latest entry - Ivan, the 'rock star' from Belarus who sings naked surrounded by a pack of wild wolves.
The 21-year-old, who begins his song with a spine-chilling howl to the moon, wowed his audience during a pre-contest show in Tel Aviv this week.
'The most important thing is to remember to feed her sausages on time,' the singer told MailOnline, when asked what it's like performing with a wild animal.
'Then everything will be alright.'
But even Ivan, real name Alexander Ivanov, admits that his first meeting with the wolf that shares his stage was a little nerve-wracking.
He is set to perform in the second of the two semi-finals, on May 12. If he makes it through, Ivan will take to the stage in front of a global audience of over 200million in Stockholm for the grand final on May 14.
The UK's Eurovision act Joe and Jake, who do not have to go through the qualifying rounds as the UK always qualifies for the grand final automatically, were also in Tel Aviv this week for a practice run.
They performed alongside 19 other Eurovision contestants to crowds of fans in the coastal Mediterranean city.
And they told MailOnline they too have exciting plans up their sleeves for their performance in Stockholm, where they will sing their hit song 'You Are Not Alone'.
'We just don't have the wolves!' said Jake.
Joe added: 'We want to keep it a secret as we want it all to be revealed on the night.'
Is this the weirdest ever Eurovision act..? Meet Ivan, the Belarus 'rock star' singing NAKED to a pack of (hungry) wild wolves
Belarus' Eurovision hopeful will perform naked with a pack of wild wolves
Rock star Ivan, 21, begins his show with a spine-chilling howl to the moon
He revealed his wolf Shakira is fine as long as he remembers to feed her
Bizarrely, performing in his birthday suit is actually a precaution for safety
By Inna Lazareva In Tel Aviv For Mailonline
15 April 2016
Daily Mail
The 61st Eurovision song contest will take place in Stockholm on 14 May
The Eurovision Song Contest is a magnet for weird and wonderful acts, from the fabulous to the frightening.
But few can be stranger than the latest entry - Ivan, the 'rock star' from Belarus who sings naked surrounded by a pack of wild wolves.
Bizarre: Meet Ivan, the Belarusian entrant for Eurovision 2016, who performs naked with a pack of wild wolves
Star: The 21-year-old rock star begins his performance of 'Learn To Fly' with a spine-chilling howl to the moon
The 21-year-old, who begins his song with a spine-chilling howl to the moon, wowed his audience during a pre-contest show in Tel Aviv this week.
'The most important thing is to remember to feed her sausages on time,' the singer told MailOnline, when asked what it's like performing with a wild animal.
'Then everything will be alright.'
But even Ivan, real name Alexander Ivanov, admits that his first meeting with the wolf that shares his stage was a little nerve-wracking.
'Every first encounter with any wild animal is a little bit scary,' he continued.
'It doesn't matter if it's trained or untrained, the danger is real and there.
'She was scared. I was scared. We didn't know each other.'
Clips from one of the pair's early concerts in Moscow show that the wolf, named Shakira, didn't miss an opportunity to take nibbles out of the naked performer.
But since then they have spent many weeks training together, and have formed a strong bond after their first few hit-and-miss encounters.
Danger: Ivan revealed that the wolf, Shakira, is well behaved as long as she has been fed her sausages first
Teamwork: Ivan's Russian producer Viktor Drobysh (left) said the nudity is essential to the performance, comparing it to Rodin's famous statue The Thinker
Nerves: Despite his onstage bravery, Ivan, real name Alexander Ivanov, admits that meeting Shakira the wolf for the first time was 'a little bit scary'
Delight: Around 200million people around the world will tune in for Eurovision, which will be staged in Stockholm on May 14. Pictured, the pre-contest show in Tel Aviv this week
'Now, thank God, all is much better. I can stroke her calmly and walk around with her,' he said.
'It's very important that they get used to you and that you get used to them.
'They have to get used to your smell so that they can identify you. Shakira prefers the smell of aftershave or the smell of washing powder.
'She loves it! Normally animals like more natural types of smell, but she loves these.
'In any case, we are lucky with her,'
And while critics have slammed Ivan for his decision to perform naked, branding it a publicity stunt, Ivan said the nudity is actually conducive to her personal safety.
'We went over various options for outfits,' he said. 'But when I am onstage with a wolf, dressed in fur and leather, I look like a hunter.
Preparation: Ivan has spent weeks training closely with the animals that will share his stage, and has formed a strong bond with them. Pictured, Ivan at a press conference in Tel Aviv
Hopeful: The British Eurovision act Joe and Jake (pictured) also performed at the show in Tel Aviv this week, alongside 19 other Eurovision contestants
Secretive: Although they revealed that they have exciting plans for their performance of 'You Are Not Alone', the duo wanted to keep the details a mystery until the show itself
'And that kills any sense of unity I have with her.
'So it seems to me if you're wearing something, the wolf already doesn't trust you.'
His Russian producer Viktor Drobysh agrees that Ivan's nudity is essential to the performance, comparing it to the nudity of Rodin's famous statue The Thinker.
'Can you imagine The Thinker wearing jeans?' he asked.
When asked if Ivan has taken out life insurance in case something does go wrong during his rendition of 'Learn To Fly', he shakes his head.
'Well, we try not to think about it,' he admitted.
Eccentric: Eurovision is well known to be the home of some of Europe's more unusual performers. Pictured, infamous pop duo Jedward representing Ireland in 2012
Entertaining: Despite being a 'song contest', Eurovision is also an opportunity for performers to show off their creativity and flair. Pictured, members of Moldovan 2011 entry Zdob si Zdub (left) and Cleo of the group Donatan & Cleo from Poland in 2014 (right)
Joy: Russian geriatric singing group 'Buranovskiye Babushki' (pictured) delighted audiences with their sprightly footwork and bellowing high notes during Eurovision 2012
'There is a plan B that someone has thought up but, for now, we are hoping our plan will work out 100 per cent.'
But it still isn’t certain that Ivan will make it to the stage in Stockholm, as he still has to get through the semi-finals.
He is set to perform in the second of the two semi-finals, on May 12. If he makes it through, Ivan will take to the stage in front of a global audience of over 200million in Stockholm for the grand final on May 14.
British Eurovision act Joe and Jake, the winners of the UK nationwide vote, were also in Tel Aviv this week for a practice run.
They performed alongside 19 other Eurovision contestants to crowds of fans in the coastal Mediterranean city.
And they told MailOnline they too have exciting plans up their sleeves for their performance in Stockholm, where they will sing their hit song 'You Are Not Alone'.
'We just don't have the wolves!' said Jake.
Joe added: 'We want to keep it a secret as we want it all to be revealed on the night.'
Colourful: Members of Icelandic band Pollapoenk perform during rehearsals for the first semi-final of the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark
Space oddity: Nina Zizic, representing Montenegro, performs during the first semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden
THE DRAMATIC OVERHAUL OF THE EUROVISION VOTING SYSTEM FOR 2016
Voting in the Eurovision Song Contest is a complicated and time-consuming procedure that nevertheless produces a TV viewing experience quite unlike any other.
But for 2016, the voting has become even more complicated - taking into account both the 'jury' decision and that of the public.
It will come into force for both the semi-finals and the grand final. Here's how it will work:
For the semi-final stage, viewers in all countries that are taking part in that particular semi-final can vote on who should go through to the grand final. The public vote determines 50 per cent of the outcome.
Professional juries in each of the countries will decide the other 50 per cent. The jury, made up of five members, is the same as that which will vote in the final.
The total points from the jury vote and public vote will be added together. Each country will then award 12 points to the country with the highest total points, then 10 points to the second, and so on from eight points down to just one point.
Countries ranked outside the top 10 receive the infamous ‘nul points’.
The same voting conditions will decide who takes victory.
But few can be stranger than the latest entry - Ivan, the 'rock star' from Belarus who sings naked surrounded by a pack of wild wolves.
The 21-year-old, who begins his song with a spine-chilling howl to the moon, wowed his audience during a pre-contest show in Tel Aviv this week.
'The most important thing is to remember to feed her sausages on time,' the singer told MailOnline, when asked what it's like performing with a wild animal.
'Then everything will be alright.'
But even Ivan, real name Alexander Ivanov, admits that his first meeting with the wolf that shares his stage was a little nerve-wracking.
He is set to perform in the second of the two semi-finals, on May 12. If he makes it through, Ivan will take to the stage in front of a global audience of over 200million in Stockholm for the grand final on May 14.
The UK's Eurovision act Joe and Jake, who do not have to go through the qualifying rounds as the UK always qualifies for the grand final automatically, were also in Tel Aviv this week for a practice run.
They performed alongside 19 other Eurovision contestants to crowds of fans in the coastal Mediterranean city.
And they told MailOnline they too have exciting plans up their sleeves for their performance in Stockholm, where they will sing their hit song 'You Are Not Alone'.
'We just don't have the wolves!' said Jake.
Joe added: 'We want to keep it a secret as we want it all to be revealed on the night.'
Is this the weirdest ever Eurovision act..? Meet Ivan, the Belarus 'rock star' singing NAKED to a pack of (hungry) wild wolves
Belarus' Eurovision hopeful will perform naked with a pack of wild wolves
Rock star Ivan, 21, begins his show with a spine-chilling howl to the moon
He revealed his wolf Shakira is fine as long as he remembers to feed her
Bizarrely, performing in his birthday suit is actually a precaution for safety
By Inna Lazareva In Tel Aviv For Mailonline
15 April 2016
Daily Mail
The 61st Eurovision song contest will take place in Stockholm on 14 May
The Eurovision Song Contest is a magnet for weird and wonderful acts, from the fabulous to the frightening.
But few can be stranger than the latest entry - Ivan, the 'rock star' from Belarus who sings naked surrounded by a pack of wild wolves.
Bizarre: Meet Ivan, the Belarusian entrant for Eurovision 2016, who performs naked with a pack of wild wolves
Star: The 21-year-old rock star begins his performance of 'Learn To Fly' with a spine-chilling howl to the moon
The 21-year-old, who begins his song with a spine-chilling howl to the moon, wowed his audience during a pre-contest show in Tel Aviv this week.
'The most important thing is to remember to feed her sausages on time,' the singer told MailOnline, when asked what it's like performing with a wild animal.
'Then everything will be alright.'
But even Ivan, real name Alexander Ivanov, admits that his first meeting with the wolf that shares his stage was a little nerve-wracking.
'Every first encounter with any wild animal is a little bit scary,' he continued.
'It doesn't matter if it's trained or untrained, the danger is real and there.
'She was scared. I was scared. We didn't know each other.'
Clips from one of the pair's early concerts in Moscow show that the wolf, named Shakira, didn't miss an opportunity to take nibbles out of the naked performer.
But since then they have spent many weeks training together, and have formed a strong bond after their first few hit-and-miss encounters.
Danger: Ivan revealed that the wolf, Shakira, is well behaved as long as she has been fed her sausages first
Teamwork: Ivan's Russian producer Viktor Drobysh (left) said the nudity is essential to the performance, comparing it to Rodin's famous statue The Thinker
Nerves: Despite his onstage bravery, Ivan, real name Alexander Ivanov, admits that meeting Shakira the wolf for the first time was 'a little bit scary'
Delight: Around 200million people around the world will tune in for Eurovision, which will be staged in Stockholm on May 14. Pictured, the pre-contest show in Tel Aviv this week
'Now, thank God, all is much better. I can stroke her calmly and walk around with her,' he said.
'It's very important that they get used to you and that you get used to them.
'They have to get used to your smell so that they can identify you. Shakira prefers the smell of aftershave or the smell of washing powder.
'She loves it! Normally animals like more natural types of smell, but she loves these.
'In any case, we are lucky with her,'
And while critics have slammed Ivan for his decision to perform naked, branding it a publicity stunt, Ivan said the nudity is actually conducive to her personal safety.
'We went over various options for outfits,' he said. 'But when I am onstage with a wolf, dressed in fur and leather, I look like a hunter.
Preparation: Ivan has spent weeks training closely with the animals that will share his stage, and has formed a strong bond with them. Pictured, Ivan at a press conference in Tel Aviv
Hopeful: The British Eurovision act Joe and Jake (pictured) also performed at the show in Tel Aviv this week, alongside 19 other Eurovision contestants
Secretive: Although they revealed that they have exciting plans for their performance of 'You Are Not Alone', the duo wanted to keep the details a mystery until the show itself
'And that kills any sense of unity I have with her.
'So it seems to me if you're wearing something, the wolf already doesn't trust you.'
His Russian producer Viktor Drobysh agrees that Ivan's nudity is essential to the performance, comparing it to the nudity of Rodin's famous statue The Thinker.
'Can you imagine The Thinker wearing jeans?' he asked.
When asked if Ivan has taken out life insurance in case something does go wrong during his rendition of 'Learn To Fly', he shakes his head.
'Well, we try not to think about it,' he admitted.
Eccentric: Eurovision is well known to be the home of some of Europe's more unusual performers. Pictured, infamous pop duo Jedward representing Ireland in 2012
Entertaining: Despite being a 'song contest', Eurovision is also an opportunity for performers to show off their creativity and flair. Pictured, members of Moldovan 2011 entry Zdob si Zdub (left) and Cleo of the group Donatan & Cleo from Poland in 2014 (right)
Joy: Russian geriatric singing group 'Buranovskiye Babushki' (pictured) delighted audiences with their sprightly footwork and bellowing high notes during Eurovision 2012
'There is a plan B that someone has thought up but, for now, we are hoping our plan will work out 100 per cent.'
But it still isn’t certain that Ivan will make it to the stage in Stockholm, as he still has to get through the semi-finals.
He is set to perform in the second of the two semi-finals, on May 12. If he makes it through, Ivan will take to the stage in front of a global audience of over 200million in Stockholm for the grand final on May 14.
British Eurovision act Joe and Jake, the winners of the UK nationwide vote, were also in Tel Aviv this week for a practice run.
They performed alongside 19 other Eurovision contestants to crowds of fans in the coastal Mediterranean city.
And they told MailOnline they too have exciting plans up their sleeves for their performance in Stockholm, where they will sing their hit song 'You Are Not Alone'.
'We just don't have the wolves!' said Jake.
Joe added: 'We want to keep it a secret as we want it all to be revealed on the night.'
Colourful: Members of Icelandic band Pollapoenk perform during rehearsals for the first semi-final of the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark
Space oddity: Nina Zizic, representing Montenegro, performs during the first semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden
THE DRAMATIC OVERHAUL OF THE EUROVISION VOTING SYSTEM FOR 2016
Voting in the Eurovision Song Contest is a complicated and time-consuming procedure that nevertheless produces a TV viewing experience quite unlike any other.
But for 2016, the voting has become even more complicated - taking into account both the 'jury' decision and that of the public.
It will come into force for both the semi-finals and the grand final. Here's how it will work:
For the semi-final stage, viewers in all countries that are taking part in that particular semi-final can vote on who should go through to the grand final. The public vote determines 50 per cent of the outcome.
Professional juries in each of the countries will decide the other 50 per cent. The jury, made up of five members, is the same as that which will vote in the final.
The total points from the jury vote and public vote will be added together. Each country will then award 12 points to the country with the highest total points, then 10 points to the second, and so on from eight points down to just one point.
Countries ranked outside the top 10 receive the infamous ‘nul points’.
The same voting conditions will decide who takes victory.
Last edited:
