Inside Eurovision 2024 chaos – act banned, press conference axed and furious boos

The Eurovision Song Contest was plagued with drama and controversy before this year’s final even got underway.

The beloved singing competition made a triumphant return in Malmo, Sweden, following last year’s victory by Swedish singer Loreen in Liverpool. However, the 2024 event has been anything but smooth sailing.

An act has been banned, audience members have booed, and protests have erupted across the city. The UK’s entry Olly Alexander has been in tears and press conferences were abruptly cancelled.

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The final airs at 8pm on Saturday (May 11). Here’s a rundown of all the chaos at Eurovision 2024…

Banned act

Dutch performer Joost Klein has been 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, reports the Mirror.

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.”

Olly Alexander

Olly Alexander represented the UK at the Eurovision semi-finals earlier this week. However, instead of applause, he faced a barrage of criticism with fans complaining his performance was “off-key” and “out of tune”.

Reacting to the feedback on social media, Olly admitted feeling “tired” and “emotional”. The star revealed: “Eurovision updates. Semi-final one was last night. I performed – it was… it was good.

“I had a slight… well, my mic pack fell out halfway through the performance so I had to catch it and… just… it kinda threw me off. There were elements of the routine I couldn’t really do as well as I’d have liked.

“I was quite stressed that my pack was gonna fall off entirely and my in-ears were gonna… anyway, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. That is the thrill of live music, live television – anything can happen.”

“But the show was amazing. So many amazing contestants and they all did so well and it’s so heartbreaking that anyone had to go home cause they work so hard like… the preparation, the months of rehearsal and everything that goes into it. So it was sad that anybody had to go but they did so well. Everyone was so good.”

He added: “I’m just quite tired, really. Tired in a deep emotional, spiritual level. And today I’m just doing bits of press.”

Booing

Friday’s show, which is used as a jury performance, saw fans erupt into boos when it was announced Joost Klein wouldn’t be taking to the stage. A spokesperson appeared on stage and said: “The Dutch artist will not perform live on stage tonight.”

The EBU has confirmed Joost Klein will be judged by the juries on his semi-final performance, but it didn’t stop fans booing. Some social media users from in the stadium suggested the show had been entirely stopped due to the angry sounds of the crowd.

One wrote on X: “This years contest is in complete and utter disrepute. The jury show is struggling to even begin due to the crowds reaction to everything going on. #Eurovision.” Earlier in the week, Israel’s contestant Eden Golan took part in the semi-finals and was met with boos from the crowd as she gained a spot in Saturday’s show.

Awkward press conferences

During Thursday’s press conference, Joost put Israel’s act Eden Golan on the spot about her participation in the contest. A journalist had fired off a question to Eden: “Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and public?”

When her moderator stepped in saying she didn’t need to answer, Joost wasn’t having any of it, pressing with a pointed “Why not?” Eden Golan hit back: “I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here (if not).”

But drama didn’t stop there Friday’s media conference with the ‘big five’ and Sweden was axed at the eleventh hour. Just when journos were gearing up for the scoop, the organisers pulled the plug on the conference with the UK, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France.

An email landed stating: “Please note that the big five and Sweden media conference originally scheduled for 18.30 (5.30pm BST) has been cancelled because all artists want to focus on rehearsals.”

Protests

But it’s not just press conferences causing a stir. Protests have been erupting over Israel’s entry into the competition. During her Hurricane rehearsal, Eden Golan faced boos and even cries of “free Palestine”.

Her track, a revamped version of her earlier song October Rain, is rumoured to be a nod to the Hamas attacks. Meanwhile, a member of Ireland’s Eurovision fan club has spoken out about his concerns of Israel overshadowing the contest.

Rory Flynn, 27, from Kildare, said: “We feel that it’s important to make our voices heard in the competition in the arena. Others are doing a full boycott and full respect to people who are doing a full boycott but we think it’s important that our voices are heard in the arena and around Malmo.”

He was among protesters in the city over the weekend, where climate activist Greta Thunberg was also seen.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk