Russia, like over forty other nations from around the globe, has been swept up by the popularity of “The Voice”.  Originally shown in The Netherlands, the format has taken hold worldwide, from Chile to Vietnam to the United States and back again.  Over in Russia, one of the four coaches who both guides and judges the aspiring stars was none other than ESC champion Dima Bilan, who hinted all the way back in November that the winner of Golos would be prepped for Eurovision.

Three months later, it looks like Dima’s statement has come to fruition, as Golos champion Dina Garipova has been announced by broadcaster Channel One as this year’s Russian representative at the ESC.  While the song has not been released, we know that it will be called “What If“, and it has been written by a Swedish-Russian team.

In contrast with her elderly predecessors from Buranovo, Dina will be only twenty-two when she takes the stage in Sweden this May.  Despite her young age, she carries a voice beyond her years.  Here she is singing a classic by Edith Piaf:

She doesn’t appear to limit herself to classic chansons, however; she has also dabbled in covering Lady Gaga, Sarah McLachlan, and even Sirusho.  Time will tell what Dina will actually bring to the stage in Malmö, and how she’ll fare on the scoreboard!