London-based model Natalia Vodyanova and Russian TV-presenter Andrey Malakhov hosted the two Semi-Finals of the upcoming contest, on the 12th and 14th of May. The Final on the 16th of May was hosted by Russia's 2000 Eurovision Song Contest contestant Alsou and media personality Ivan Urgant.

The Semi-Final hosts

Natalya Vodyanova, born in Nizhny Novgorod, was discovered at the age of 16 by a scout from a local agency. Her modeling career sky-rocketed, and she is now one of the most famous and sought-after international fashion models. She is the face of many premium fashion brands and a star at the major catwalks. Her ad campaign for Calvin Klein in 2002 made her a highest paid model in the history of this brand.

Andrey Malakhov is known as one of the most stylish presenters at the Russian TV. He started as a journalist and then took position of special correspondent of the Channel One Russia Information Programmes Department. Starting from 1996 Andrey has been a special correspondent and host to the Good Morning show. He gained wide popularity as a talk-show and music charts show host. He is currently a host of a Let Them Talk show at the Channel One Russia.

The Final hosts

Alsou is a popular Russian singer. In 2002 she represented Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest with her song Solo and came second. Alsou collaborated with Enrique Iglesias, John Bon Jovi and Nelly.

Ivan Urgant is an actor and a presenter. Born to an actors' family, he started his career working for a number of Saint Petersburg radio stations, then TV channels (including a local MTV). He currently hosts a number of TV shows including a culinary show Smak, The Magic World of Walt Disney, and comic shows such as Projectorparishilton and The Big Difference. Winner of the national TEFI (Television Broadcasters) award in 2007. Together with Vladimir Pozner, one of the most famous Russian journalists, he made an award-winning One-storied America documentary.

The golden rules

The criteria the hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest are not only experience with presenting of both television and stage productions, but also situation sensitivity, personal aura, suitability to the Eurovision Song Contest ambience and of course language abilities – especially English and French.

Who did the job before?

Several former Eurovision Song Contest participants have hosted the show, such as Corry Brokken (1976), Marie N and Renārs Kaupers (2003) and Sakis Rouvas (2006). The 1997 Eurovision Song Contest was hosted by Carrie Crowley and the world famous Irish singer Ronan Keating. In 1998, legendary Eurovision Song Contest commentator and showbizz personality Terry Wogan hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on the side of the charming Ulrika Jonsson.

Last year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade was hosted by Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović. The latter represented Serbia & Montenegro at the contest in 2004 with Lane Moje, and wrote the Bosnian entry of 2006, Lejla.