Masha Kondratenko discusses Irina Bilyk, the journey to Eurovision 2025, and the fight for the finals in an interview with Focus.

Masha, this year you have amazed your fans with so much — new songs, unexpected collaborations, and finally, your participation in the National Selection. Can you share what your initial emotions were when you found out you made it to the shortlist for the Eurovision 2025 National Selection?

Initial emotions? I was shocked! I felt joy, but immediately began to worry: "Oh my God! What should I do? Where should I run? What awaits me?". I wouldn't say I was surprised, but I was preparing myself for the worst. I always do that. So, this news was extremely pleasant and made me very happy. I did it! So ahead lies a lot of work and a great opportunity to showcase myself.

Can you tell us what the main challenges were on your path to the final?

I think it's still too early to answer that question. But I can say that it was psychologically difficult during the auditions. It feels like you are already participating in the National Selection, you’ve prepared the song, and you’re planning active work, but you’re not in the final yet. You're somewhere in between the stages. And there’s such a responsibility, such a desire to perform well to move forward! And even though I have tremendous experience, having participated in various competitions since childhood, I was very nervous.

Tell us about the idea behind your song for Eurovision 2025. How did it come to life, and what main messages do you want to convey?

When I was writing this song, I envisioned a little house somewhere on the horizon. It’s bright there, a family lives there. A child is playing, mom is preparing dinner, smiling, and dad is watching TV. Everything seems fine, but around the house — darkness, gloom. And the entire world seems almost plastic, unreal, puppet-like. People have invented their own reality where everything is just "normal." They live their lives despite the sadness surrounding them.

No Time to Cry is about our current state. It conveys the feeling of experiencing pain and tears but having to fight and not being able to give up. The song is about "normal abnormality" in which we have to live. It’s about the struggle between light and darkness. We all experience moments of weakness, anxiety, and invariably choose the side of strength and light.

Who do you consider your main competitor in the National Selection?

It's hard to say right now since I haven't fully heard all the songs, only snippets. The musicians are all interesting, young, and promising. I’m sure it will be a great selection. It seems to me that each of us faces the biggest competitor — anxiety. The key is not to let it win.

How have your relationships developed with other National Selection participants? How do you maintain relationships with artists in a competitive environment? Who do you consider your main competitor?

Actually, I didn’t know some of the participants before this National Selection. However, it seems we are creating a very friendly atmosphere. I have a wonderful relationship with the group MOLODI. We are friends. With the group Ziferblat, we even share a team since we work with GNS. Everything is great between us. I’ve known KRYLATA for about two years. I’ve met FIЇNKA a few times during shoots and had some conversations, but I really admire her. KHAYAT is amazing! We met in person a long time ago, but we had a great chat recently at Tina Karol's concert. In short, all the participants are wonderful, and I’m sure we will become even closer friends.

You actively collaborate with other artists. Which projects do you consider the most significant in your career?

This might sound a bit cliché, but every collaboration is important to me; each one is bright and significant, bringing me wonderful experiences and a lot of emotions.

The collaboration with Oleg Mashukovsky was undoubtedly the most fun. Great teamwork with Klavdiya Petrovna and Osti. For me, it was a real adventure that ended with an incredible performance with KP at the Sports Palace. Unforgettable! Working with Irina Bilyk is incredibly important for me, as I have been her fan since childhood. It is super valuable and significant that I have the opportunity to sing with such an artist, such a diva, as Ira.

What is more important to you: popularity or sincerity in music?

I believe these are interconnected stories. If you are sincere in your music, you will also achieve popularity. One cannot exist without the other.

It seems to me that these days, it's no longer the time when a hypothetical producer could create an entirely commercial project based solely on their vision. Things work a bit differently now. The soul, heart, mood, individuality, honesty, and authenticity of the artist are crucial.

For me, it is very important not to betray myself, to be sincere in my music and in my life. And that’s how I aim for my popularity.

What has been the most unexpected reaction to your music, and why did it surprise you?

For me, the most unexpected reaction was hate. I encountered it for the first time in 2022, and at that moment, I realized that people could react so aggressively to someone without a rational reason. It was tough; I felt apathetic and probably even depressed. But I worked through it with a psychologist, drew my conclusions, and I think I can now say that I’m ready for anything.

As for the positive reactions — those definitely come during live performances. When listeners sing along with me in unison. I’m not sure if one can ever get used to that. I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you at my first solo concert in Kyiv this spring. Let’s sing together!