 It was succeeded as Estonian representative at the 1997 Contest by Ilus, performing solo, with "Keelatud maa".While not resulting in a win, the performance was the first occasion on which a state previously annexed by the Soviet Union had placed in the top 5.The female solo had not been written for Maarja-Liis Ilus in the first place but for another popular singer, Evelin Samuel who had to turn the offer down for an upcoming tour in Japan.