Ireland’s Eurovision contestant Bambie Thug looks very different without gothic makeup.
Bambie Thug was filled with emotion when they were chosen by the Irish public to represent their country at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The alternative non-binary artist from Cork was selected to fly the flag for Ireland in the final on Saturday (May 11) where they performed their gothic tune, Doomsday Blue.
Since their debut, fans have been fascinated with the gothic queen and who they were before the white painted face and elaborate costumes. But fans might be stunned by throwback photos of Bambie, who once dreamed of being a ballerina before they broke their arm in college, reports the Irish Mirror.
READ MORE: Eurovision’s Olly Alexander recalls forgotten role where Bond girl whipped him
READ MORE: UK Eurovision entry Olly Alexander issued crushing blow just hours before live final
A blessing in disguise it would seem, as Bambie decided to study musical theatre in London, where they found their gothic sound and unusual style. But before their musical talents were discovered, a red haired Bambie enjoyed partying with friends and dressing up as a princess as a child.
(Image: BBC)
In one picture, we can reveal Bambie dressed as a princess with a tiara on their head when they were a youngster. Another image shows a ginger-haired Bambie dressed as a ballerina holding a guitar for a photoshoot while another shows a makeup free naturally stunning Bambie posing with a pal.
Bambie Thug’s real name is Bambie Ray Robinson. They were born in 1994 and grew up in Macroom, Co Cork. The singer’s mother is Irish, and their father is Swedish and they have three sisters.
(Image: Bambie Ray Robinson/Facebook)
They were diagnosed with ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Bambi used to entertain children with special needs at parties. They moved to London to study ballet on a scholarship.
Cork Beo had previously reported that Bambie was training to become a ballerina. But an arm injury during college diverted them to musical theatre instead.
(Image: Bambie Ray Robinson/Facebook)
Their father made metal parts, in stark contrast to their mother, whom Bambie would call “my biggest champion”, who was a stay at home parent. Growing up, Bambie admitted the desire for the limelight, saying: “Growing up in a small place, the furthest I would go was to say I was different.
“I definitely wanted the spotlight. I wanted to assert myself, but the closest I got was wearing brown clothes with pink tights.” Moving to London at 20 marked significant self-discovery for Bambie, asserting: “I don’t think it was until I moved away, and I came out that I really took agency over myself.
(Image: Bambie Ray Robinson/Facebook)
“I moved to London when I was 20 and that’s when I really felt I became myself. But learning to stand strong within yourself in the face of everyone else is a constant learning.”
They went on: “This year my resolution was to back myself completely and be my own strongest cheerleader.” Bambie conceded that living creatively has its pros and cons, making note that one need a robust veneer.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
But despite their online popularity, they’ve attracted a number of hateful comments on social media. They made a heartfelt plea to the public, saying, “remember I am a human too”.
“I have gone through so much trauma and still show up with love after every obstacle and hard time,” they revealed. “I have always been a phoenix and your words and warped views cannot hurt me.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
In a defiant message to their haters, they expressed: “If my expression of art moves you to hate and anger then you are who I send the most love to. If you don’t want to be part of the Haus Of Thug you are not obligated to come on this journey with me”.
Bambie has dubbed their unique sound “ouija-pop”. During a chat in 2023, they explained: “my stuff is hyperpunk avant electro-pop. We call it grit pop or rot but recently I’ve been coining the term ‘Ouija pop’.”
Their reason for creating the term was a desire to avoid being “put in a box”, blending various genres into their work, with Bambie admitting “never having anything in mind” when producing tunes.
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
