Own USAvision Song Contest 8

Own USAvision Song Contest 8, often referred to as OUSC #8, is the eighth edition of Own USAvision Song Contest. It took place in Lexington, Kentucky, following the state's victory in the 7th edition with the song "Scandalous" by Gryffin & Tinashe. It was the first time that Kentucky had hosted the contest. Organised by the Own Public Broadcasting Service and host broadcaster Kentucky Educational Television, the contest was held at Rupp Arena, and consisted of a semi-final and the final. The live shows were hosted by Jennifer Lawrence.

Location
Further information on the host state: Kentucky

Host city
Lexington is a city in Kentucky, United States that is the county seat of Fayette County. By population, it is the second-largest city in Kentucky and 57th-largest city in the United States. By land area, it is the country's 28th-largest city. The city is also known as "Horse Capital of the World". It is within the state's Bluegrass region. Notable locations in the city include the Kentucky Horse Park, The Red Mile and Keeneland race courses, Rupp Arena, Central Bank Center, Transylvania University, the University of Kentucky, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

As of the 2020 census the population was 322,570, anchoring a metropolitan area of 516,811 people and a combined statistical area of 747,919 people. Lexington is consolidated entirely within Fayette County, and vice versa. It has a nonpartisan mayor-council form of government, with 12 council districts and three members elected at large, with the highest vote-getter designated vice mayor.

Venue
Rupp Arena is an arena located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, United States. Since its opening in 1976, it has been the centerpiece of Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Center), a convention and shopping facility owned by an arm of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, which is located next to the Lexington Hyatt and Hilton hotels. Rupp Arena also serves as home court to the University of Kentucky men's basketball program, and is named after legendary former Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp with an official capacity of 20,500. In 2014 and 2015, in Rupp Arena, the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team was second in the nation in college basketball home attendance.[6] Rupp Arena also regularly hosts concerts, conventions and shows.

Semi-final
Twenty-two countries participated in the semi-final, with all thirty-two participating states eligible to vote.

Final
Twenty-six countries participated in the final, with all thirty-two participating countries eligible to vote.

Other states
Eligibility for potential participation in the Own USAvision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active OPBS membership that would be able to broadcast the contest. As in every edition, an invitation to all the members has been sent to confirm whether they will participate or not.
 * The head of delegation resigned from their position, forcing the state to step away.
 * The HoD was fined by the OPBS due to inactivity.
 * The broadcaster didn't respond to the invitation sent by the OPBS, thus not being present in the final list.
 * The HoD was fined by the OPBS due to inactivity.
 * The head of delegation announced their departure to focus on chicken farming business.
 * The HoD was fined by the OPBS due to inactivity.
 * Despite initially confirming their intentions on taking part, no entry was presented, thus forcing the state to withdraw.
 * The HoD was fined by the OPBS due to inactivity.
 * The HoD was fined by the OPBS due to inactivity.
 * The broadcaster announced that Minnesota will sit this edition out.
 * The head of delegation resigned from their position, forcing the state to step away.
 * The broadcaster didn't respond to the invitation sent by the OPBS, thus not being present in the final list.
 * The broadcaster didn't respond to the invitation sent by the OPBS, thus not being present in the final list.
 * The broadcaster didn't respond to the invitation sent by the OPBS, thus not being present in the final list.
 * The broadcaster didn't respond to the invitation sent by the OPBS, thus not being present in the final list.
 * The head of delegation resigned from their position, forcing the state to step away.
 * The HoD was fined by the OPBS due to inactivity.
 * Despite initially confirming their intentions on taking part, no entry was presented, thus forcing the state to withdraw.
 * The broadcaster didn't respond to the invitation sent by the OPBS, thus not being present in the final list.