Rita Ora performed in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2023 with a 12-year-old Ukrainian who fled the war: a powerful number in support of Ukraine

On Tuesday, May 9, Liverpool hosted the first semi-final of Eurovision-2023, which was traditionally accompanied not only by the number of participants but also by famous artists. Thus, famous British singer Rita Ora took to the stage, performing a medley of her own hits. She appeared before the European public not by herself, but in the company of 12-year-old Ukrainian refugee Sophia from Rivne.

It became known to OBOZREVATEL while watching a live broadcast from the contest. Sofia is a young Ukrainian dancer who was forced to leave her home and flee the war after the full-scale invasion. She is staying with her family in Great Britain (scroll to the end of the page to see photos and videos).

The number began with a Ukrainian woman in a dance uniform playing ball amidst thick clouds of smoke. A singer came out to her. Sofia did some exquisite pirouettes around the star, and then Ora took her hand and began to sing her track Anywhere.

The 12-year-old refugee went on to hold a ball, which Rita Ora herself said symbolized the lost childhood of Ukrainian children.

"This is Sofia, a dancer, and refugee from Rivne. She has lived in Warrington since 2022. To me, Sophia represents strength and hope in these tumultuous, tragic, and volatile times... Sophia's family's plight reminds me of the incredible journey my family took when I was her age, and how grateful I will forever be to Britain for the kindness and compassion shown to us, " said Ora, who herself was born in Yugoslavia to an Albanian family, so as a child she also became displaced, having had to leave her home.

The number struck with its pomp. The big show ballet and the singer herself charged the hall with a powerful energy.

OBOZREVATEL had a text online broadcast of the first semi-final. Follow all the key moments with us.

Find out which semifinalists made it to the final here. You can also read how bookmakers' bets changed after the First Semi-Final. Ukraine, by the way, found itself in a new position again.

Find out where Ukrainians can watch the second semi-final of Eurovision 2023 on the link. Read our article about when the grand final takes place and what you should know about it.

As wrote OBOZREVATEL, this year has been changed the voting procedure for participants. Instructions on how to vote for the favorites are described in our article.

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