Mika Newton and Kseniya Simonov have responded to accusations that the staging of Moldova’s song this year ‘Stay’ copies their staging from 2011. It’s since been revealed that Moldova have hired the same artist, Kseniya Simonov.

Mika Newton represented Ukraine in 2011 with the song ‘Angel’ which featured the Sand artist Kseniya Simonov

Anna Odobescu who is representing Moldova with the song ‘Stay’ has used what looks like quite similar staging with a Sand Artist. Newton has now responded to the comments on her Instagram story saying:

I mean what can I say guys, she has used almost the same idea that I did in 2011. Honestly, if I inspired her and she decided to go with almost the same performance as I did, then good luck. What can I say? It’s funny because it does look almost identical, and she even brought Kseniya there.

Responding to a rehearsal clip of ‘Stay’ on Youtube, Kseniya has responded saying:

Yes! I am back! To this amazing stage and great festival called Eurovision Song Contest! How it happened? I was dreaming to come back for a few years, and at the same time – as an international performer – I felt that sand animation is no more enough for me. I want to create something else, something different. That’s how the SNOW ART (or snow graphic) appeared. Again, only live hands and fantasy of an artist, but now it is more complicated and requires much more work. I proposed my snow fantasy to Anna, who I consider one of the strongest voices of Eurovision, and was proud and happy to be invited to do her staging act as #TeamMoldova. It had to be a theater, not a mapping, or computer graphics, it is live, magic and…snowy! Yes, we indeed brought some winter breath in hot Tel Aviv! Moldova is a very relative country to me, it is a Motherland of my husband and producer, I come there very ofthen, our big family lives there. So, I am proud and honored to be a part of #TeamMoldova! See you in semi-final 2, on May 16th! Vote for #Moldova! #TeamStay

You can see the staging by Mika Newton in 2011 below, followed by Moldova’s staging underneath

What do you think of Moldova’s staging? Let us know in the comments section below!