---
title: "\"I will be principled but fair\": Jamala to judge the semi-final of \"Fabryka Zirok\""
description: "Jamala will join the jury for the semi-final of \"Fabryka Zirok\" during the ninth prime. The singer promised to evaluate participants comprehensively, from vocal technique to stage presence and understanding of the lyrics."
date: 2026-11-11T12:13:02.833Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/jamala-to-judge-semi-final-fabryka-zirok
tags: [jamala, fabryka-zirok, ukraine-tv, talent-show, sweet-tv, ukrainian-music]
author: "Inna Kinsheva"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "I will be principled but fair": Jamala to judge the semi-final of "Fabryka Zirok"

![Ukrainian singer Jamala poses on the brightly lit stage of the Fabryka Zirok music show](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/11/dzhama-la-stanet-sudyei-polumfinala-fabryki-zirok/dzhama-la-stanet-sudyei-polumfinala-fabryki-zirok-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Jamala will join the jury for the "Fabryka Zirok" semi-final in the ninth prime and perform on stage as well
- The singer stated she will evaluate participants comprehensively: vocals, emotions, stage presence, and understanding of the text
- The ninth prime will determine the four finalists; DYKYI, NEBOKRAI, and NASU's continuation depends on the voting results
- Jamala urged contestants to stop wasting time on idle talk and use every minute for rehearsals

Jamala will join the jury panel of the "Fabryka Zirok" (Star Factory) television show for the ninth prime, which will serve as the season's semi-final episode. This was announced by the press office of the SWEET.TV channel in an interview with Styler (an RBC-Ukraine project). The singer, who will also perform on stage that same evening, stated that she is accustomed to demanding a lot from herself and her team and intends to uphold these same principles when evaluating young performers. Thus, the season's key episode, which will determine the four finalists, will offer viewers a combination of a concert program and expert judging from one of the most recognizable Ukrainian artists on the international stage.

### Judging principles: more than just vocal technique

In her comments to Styler, Jamala emphasized that flawless vocal technique will be far from the only criterion for her evaluation. The artist intends to pay attention to emotions, stage presence, and how well the performer understands the essence of their song. "It is important to understand what you are singing about, whom you are addressing your song to, and what you want to convey to the audience. So, I will look at everything comprehensively. For me, an artist on stage is a holistic story," the singer explained. She also noted that she wants to not only judge the contestants but also support them while maintaining impartiality in her verdicts.

### "Don't waste time on idle talk": advice to participants

Addressing the contestants, Jamala compared participating in the project to an accelerated learning course: young artists receive numerous opportunities to work on their vocals, choreography, and acting skills, and every minute must be used productively. "If there is a difficult technical point you cannot master, repeat it until you get it right. If there is a difficult vocal passage, work on it. Use every minute. This is a huge chance, and it is important not to miss it," the singer urged, encouraging participants to focus on rehearsals and avoid wasting time on extraneous chatter.

### A childhood lesson the artist still remembers

Jamala placed a special emphasis on an episode from her childhood: at the age of nine, she was so preoccupied with her outfit that she thought about her dress even during her performance. A teacher noticed this and gave her advice that the artist remembers to this day: "When you go on stage and in the first seconds you are thinking about how you look, you'd better go back. On stage, you should only think about what you are singing and who you are singing to." According to Jamala, even an uncomfortable stage outfit should not distract from the song or the connection with the audience — a principle she intends to apply as a judge as well.

### Program for the ninth prime: who reaches the final and who will perform

The results of the audience vote, which determine the further participation of DYKYI, NEBOKRAI, and NASU in the show, will be announced during the ninth prime of "Fabryka Zirok." Based on the voting results, the four finalists will be determined, and they will present their own original songs that same evening. Joining the contestants on stage will be KADNAY, BRYKULETS, KATE SOUL, Oleksiy Kopylov, AZIZA, Yuliya Yurina, LYUDA BIELOUSOVA, and DOMIY. Masha Kondratenko will prepare a special number, and Jamala will combine a concert performance and her judging panel duties in one evening.

The ninth prime will be a turning point in the updated season of "Fabryka Zirok": after this, the show's format will move into its final phase, and Jamala's expert assessment may have a significant impact on how the participants perceive their own strengths and weaknesses. For the audience, this is a rare opportunity to see the singer in two roles simultaneously — as a performer and as an expert who articulates her criteria for evaluation publicly and argumentatively.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Не тратьте время на лишние разговоры": Джамала станет судьей полуфинала "Фабрики зірок"](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/trends/ne-vitrachayte-chas-zayvi-balachki-dzhamala-1794389994.html) - Primary source: SWEET.TV press office via Styler (RBC-Ukraine). All quotes from Jamala, the list of participants, and the program's schedule are based on this material.

## FAQ

### When will the ninth prime of "Fabryka Zirok" take place?

The exact broadcast date is not specified in the provided materials; it is known that the ninth prime is the season's semi-final, during which Jamala will join the jury panel.

### What criteria does Jamala intend to apply as a judge?

The singer stated she will look at everything comprehensively: vocal technique, emotions, stage presence, and the performer's understanding of the song's meaning. She emphasized that for her, an artist on stage is a "holistic story".

### Who will be determined in the final during the ninth prime?

Based on the audience voting results, the four finalists will be decided. DYKYI, NEBOKRAI, and NASU's continuation depends on this vote. The finalists will present their own original songs.

### Who else will perform on stage during the ninth prime?

KADNAY, BRYKULETS, KATE SOUL, Oleksiy Kopylov, AZIZA, Yuliya Yurina, LYUDA BIELOUSOVA, and DOMIY will join the contestants on stage. Masha Kondratenko will prepare a special number. Jamala will also perform a number of her own.