Today, the sad news came to us that Finnish singer Laila Halme passed away. Laila Halme, born Laila Soppi in the Finnish town of Jääski, was a Finnish singer and actress. She began her career in the 1950, singing in several orchestras. Her first single “Kaunis rakkaus” was released in 1959. In 1960, she released several singles and EP’s at the Philips label. In 1961 she debuted as an actress in two films: “Penkki” and “Tähtisumua”.
In 1963, she participated in Euroviisut, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Olen mikä olen”. She became 3rd, while the song “Muistojeni laulu” won and Irmeli Mäkelä was chosen to sing it in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, Finnish broadcaster YLE decided to let Laila Halme sing it in the international final. She did not receive any point at all. A year later, Laila Halme represented Finland in the festival of Sopot in Poland. She released a couple of singles but left showbusiness in 1967. We only saw her back in 1987, when she hosted Euroviisut. Her son Jussi Halme is also a singer, he took part in Euroviisut in 1990.
Laila Halme was 87 years old.
🇦🇿 Song: JIVA’s Eurovision song “Just Go” released for Azerbaijan
📷 EBU JIVA’s Eurovision song “Just Go” has officially been released. It gives Azerbaijan its full package for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. The track premiered this evening through its music video. It immediately adds an emotional sound to this year’s line-up. For fans, The artist was already known, but now the song is finally here. According to broadcaster İctimai Television, “Just Go” is an emotional ballad about love, heartbreak and inner strength. The song focuses on finding yourself again after disappointment in a relationship. That theme gives JIVA room to do what she does best: deliver a sincere performance built around strong vocals and clear emotion. As a first impression, Azerbaijan is choosing intensity over gimmicks, and that could help the entry stand out in a busy field. In other words, Azerbaijan has opted for atmosphere and authenticity. There is also experience behind the release. “Just Go” was written and composed by Azerbaijani-American composer Fuad Javadov, while the official music video was directed by Farhad Ali. JIVA, whose real name is Jamila Hashimova, is no newcomer either. She won The Voice of Azerbaijan in 2025, sings in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, and already reached the top three of Azerbaijan’s national selection back in 2011. Now that “Just Go” is published, the attention will quickly shift to the Eurovision stage in Vienna. JIVA will perform for Azerbaijan in the first half of the second semi-final. It will be Azerbaijan’s 18th appearance at Eurovision since debuting in 2008. After an internal selection process that started with 186 submitted songs, the country now sends a track that aims straight for feeling and connection. Tonight, Azerbaijan has finally shown its hand. JIVA’s “Just Go” is in the race.
