Julia Samoylova was born in Ukhta, a small industrial town in the Russian North, on October 7, 1989. A singer, composer and songwriter, she has won multiple music competitions both in Russia and abroad. She was the runner-up of the Russian version of The X Factor and took part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 Paralympics. She was selected to represent Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song “Flame is Burning”, but the host country banned her entry. Julia has used a wheelchair since childhood. She always takes an unbiased look at her own actions, refuses to be pitied and lives a full life.