Overview

• Organizers say the participating countries represent about 4.334 billion people who could potentially watch the broadcast.
• Australian-born Vassy will perform for the United States after B. Howard withdrew days before the contest.
• Russia’s entrant is Shaman, while no performers from European Union countries are taking part.
• The winner will be chosen solely by an international jury, with the U.S. represented on the panel by musician Joe Lynn Turner.
• Officials have promoted the event as an alternative to Eurovision, highlighting national identity and running ads as far afield as New York’s Times Square.