The Eurovision Song Contest has been a wild journey from start to finish.
It was plagued with drama and controversy before this year’s final even got underway, climaxing with an action-packed final in Malmo, Sweden on May 11.
Switzerlands’ Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. The non-binary singer, 24, scooped victory with a song called The Code.
READ MORE: UK Eurovision entry Olly Alexander issued crushing blow just hours before live final
During the tantalising performance, they balanced on a tipping metal disc while belting out the opera-dance tune. They scored 365 points with the juries and a further 226 from the public vote – finishing on an impressive 591.
If you forgot to tune in, fear not. We’ve got a round-up of all the action from the famous event – from wardrobe malfunctions to booing and technical difficulties.
Technical difficulties
The BBC’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest final was derailed by a tech blunder seconds into the show airing – awkward!
Graham Norton’s mic wasn’t very audible in the first minute of the final, and to make matters worse, BBC DJ Scott Mills was heard over the top of him. Unfortunately, it came at the worst possible time; his opening monologue.
Viewers flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to complain about the audio issues. One wrote: “Did anyone face technical difficulties at the start of the show on the BBC where you could barely hear Graham?”
Another wrote: “Graham honey we can’t hear you”. And a third commented: “Ok BBC can we sort the sound out, I wanna hear Graham!”.
Thankfully, the show soon got back on track so we could watch even more chaos unfold!
Walk-on controversy and booing
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Viewers believe Israel’s choice of walk-on song was an interesting one following protests about the nation entering the competition during conflict in Gaza.
Eden Golan stepped onto the stage as Icona Pop’s song “I Love It” blared in the background. And some weren’t happy that lyrics featured the words “I don’t care”.
On X, one commenter wrote: “#EUROVISION I don’t think it was a great idea to have Israel walk out while the song ‘I don’t care’ is playing but sure.”
Another said: “Playing ‘I don’t care, I love it’ as Israel is introduced in the Eurovision is certainly a choice… You can’t make this s*** up lmao.” And a third added: “Not Israel parading about on stage to the lyrics ‘I don’t care, I love it.”
Matters only got worse for Eden, who was booed during her performance. She was later filmed in floods of tears backstage.
Sexiest outfits ever?
(Image: Getty Images)
With all the tension in the air during the final, we needed Spain to lighten to mood. And they certainly delivered – putting on an extremely sexy display.
As Mery Bas put on a fun performance, her dancers strut their stuff in knee high boots, sexy fishnets and thong corsets. And viewers couldn’t take their eyes off them!
On X, one riveted fan said: “Omg male dancers in thongs doing the splits… SPAIN FOR THE WIN JUST FOR THAT. The shock I got, but I’m LIVING.”
And another agreed: “Spain. Sensational. A pure Eurovision banger.”
Extreme wardrobe malfunction
(Image: BBC)
Thought Spain’s outfits were raunchy? Finland upped the ante even more.
Entrant Windows95man suffered an extremely racy malfunction while on stage. During the act, the singer could be seen waving around two huge sparklers and jumping up and down in a tiny pair of denim shorts.
The outfit choice proved to be his downfall as his private parts fell out of one side of the pants and it was caught on camera for millions to see. He didn’t appear to be too fazed by the wardrobe malfunction as he continued dancing.
Host Graham Norton couldn’t help giggling after the performance, but he didn’t comment on the flashing. He noted: “So stupid, but I think that’ll do really well in the public vote.”
Fears for Olly Alexander
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Eurovision fans were scratching their heads over Olly Alexander’s routine in the final. The Years and Years singer took to the stage to perform his hit Dizzy with a troupe of backing dancers.
Yet, a number of fans were left somewhat perplexed, claiming that something “wasn’t right” with his act. The artist threw himself into the raunchy performance, shaking off recent critiques from the semi-finals just days earlier.
Olly belted out his tune to the audience, clad in a white vest. Host narrator Graham Norton described the performance as “terrific” but admitted that he did not know how well it would do because “it is so different to everything else in the contest tonight”.
However, some watchers were left befuddled after picking up on what seemed like an audio glitch, with chatter online about not being able to catch the track properly. As Olly gave it his all, a bunch of fans pondered if there was a hiccup, as the mic or sound seemed to be on the low side.
Viewers could’ve been on to something – as Olly received NIL POINTS in the public vote. Thankfully, the jury’s verdict was kinder to the UK. We ended up finished up with 46 points in total.
Political messages
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ireland’s Bambie Thug raised eyebrows by shouting a defiant message after their performance at the Eurovision final.
After belting out a gothic performance of Doomsday Blue, they had a five word message for viewers – “love will triumph over hate”.
Some believe it was a subtle way to draw attention to the conflict happening in Gaza, with one saying: “Wow! That’s wakened everyone up. Should win for sheer energy alone. Go Ireland!”
Meanwhile, people were shocked to see what Bambi Thug looks like when they’re not dressed up in witchy attire. It would definitely be difficult to recognise them in real life.
Act banned
(Image: Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)
Dutch performer Joost Klein was disqualified from the competition after a backstage incident following his performance in the semi-final on Thursday (May 9). An allegation of intimidation was made to Swedish police by a female member of the production crew.
The European Broadcasting Union stated: “The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest. We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.”
Greta Thunberg removed from protest
(Image: TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Ima)
Greta Thunberg ran in to some trouble as she attended a Eurovision protest.
The climate activist was seen being carried from the crowds by local police and transported away from the area. Swedish police were seen removing the 21-year-old from the Stop Israel march in Malmo where thousands are protesting Israel’s inclusion in the competition.
Activists, including Thunberg, were seen wearing a Keffiyeh scarf while they were escorted away from the venue as the Eurovision Song Contest final got underway.
Thunberg had previously accused Israel of “artwashing” its reputation at Eurovision Song Contest. Thunberg said: “People from all over Sweden are gathering in Malmo this week, where Eurovision is taking place, to protest against Israel’s participation in the competition.
“Yesterday we were tens of thousands people flooding the streets of Malmo. We will not accept that a country currently committing genocide is allowed a platform to artwash themselves.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
