Latest news with #69thEurovisionSongContest
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Celine Dion breaks silence after Eurovision no-show
Celine Dion breaks silence after Eurovision no-show Canadian singer Celine Dion has shared posts on social media following her no-show at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Basel which was held last weekend, May 17 Former Eurovision Song Contest winner Celine Dion, spoke in a pre-recorded video message during the first semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel (Image: AP ) It was a disappointment to many fans watching the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final last weekend that the queen of power ballads, Celine Dion did not make an appearance. The French-Canadian singer has now broken her social silence for the first time since the speculation was rife that she would appear at the Basel event. It was believed that the My Heart Will Go On singer would be making an appearance at the singing contest after it was reported that her private jet had been spotted in the Swiss city. She's been away from the spotlight for several years as she grapples with the debilitating condition known as "stiff person syndrome", but she returned to the stage last summer to perform at the Paris Olympics. Of course, she also represented Switzerland back in 1988. Now, Celine has broken he silence post Eurovision with an Instagram that has left fans confused. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Her Instagram post featured an image of her lying on a hand rail in a theatre. Alongside it, she said: "Is planking still a thing? Asking for a friend…" Article continues below One fan said what we were all thinking, "That's so random but I LOVE!", whilst also adding how much they missed the singer. Content cannot be displayed without consent Fans have shared their love for the singer, hoping she will soon return to the stage. One fans commented: "Soft launching that comeback, queen?!" Another added: "The stage is waiting for you !! we miss you so much!" This post comes following rumours of her appearing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel last weekend. Despite making a video appearance at the semi final of the competition on Tuesday, May 13, fans were expecting the singer to pop up in the contest's grand final which was held on Saturday, May 17. The BBC reported that her private jet had been spotted in Basel before the show and that whipped up fans into a frenzy. Although, the news outlet were unable to confirm whether the songstress was on the private jet or not. In 1988, 20-year-old Celine Dion, who was little known outside her native French-speaking Quebec province in Canada, performed and won with her song 'Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi' as she represented Switzerland in the competition. This marked the last time that the country had won the competition until Nemo took the crown for Switzerland in 2024. Celine herself even posted a throwback post on May 2, which showcased images from her 1988 performance as well as some from Eurovision 1989 when the country last hosted as a result of the singer's win the previous year. Where the Eurovision account joked: "It's all coming back to me now." Content cannot be displayed without consent In her video appearance during the first semi final of the competition viewers were moved as she made a rare public statement amidst her recent health battle. As the video began to play, the star was met with a loud cheer from the audience as she started off by saying: "I'd love nothing more than to be with you." She went on: "Switzerland will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary." Article continues below The star continues to say that winning Eurovision was "a lifechanging moment" and that seeing the contest return to Switzerland is "beautiful and emotional". You can read more here. The competition had previously been teasing fans that the Canadian singer would be making a return to the stage to celebrate the occasion following speculation. At a press conference ahead of the Grand Final, Eurovision's director Martin Green said: "Father Christmas exists, and you'll have to wait and see".
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eurovision Organisers Confirm Spanish Broadcaster Was Spoken To Over Pro-Palestine Message
Eurovision bosses have confirmed that Spain's national broadcaster was spoken to after a political message that it chose to air before this year's broadcast. On Saturday night, the 69th Eurovision Song Contest was held in Basel, Switzerland, with the competition once again sparking controversy in the lead-up due to Israel's involvement, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Before the live broadcast, Spain's national broadcaster RTVE displayed a black-and-white message in both Spanish and English, which read: 'When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and Justice for Palestine.' Frente a los derechos humanos, el silencio no es una opción. Paz y justicia para — RTVE (@rtve) May 17, 2025 Severalnewsoutlets subsequently reported that RTVE was potentially at risk of a fine over this message, due to Eurovision's strict rules about political messaging. HuffPost UK contacted the European Broadcasting Union on Monday, who declined to comment, but did say that it had spoken to RTVE regarding this, and had reminded them of the rules around neutrality. Slovenia and Spain were the first two countries whose national broadcasters raised questions to the EBU about Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025. After Iceland and Ireland became the third and fourth, an EBU rep said that conversations would be had with its member broadcasters about Israel's involvement in the contest – albeit only when this year's event was over. Prior to the contest, more than 70 musicians and performers associated with Eurovision – including multiple former winners – also co-signed an open letter urging producers to remove Israel from the contest, similar to how Russia was banned from competing in light of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These calls were then backed by then-reigning champion Nemo, who told HuffPost UK in an exclusive interview: 'Israel's actions are fundamentally at odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold – peace, unity and respect for human rights.' Israel wound up finishing in second place at this year's Eurovision behind Austria's JJ, with its representative Yuval Raphael landing the highest number of points from televoters. Remember Monday Speak Out On Their Eurovision Experience After Getting Zero Points From Viewers Eurovision Protester Speaks Out After Viral Clip Sparks Anger Over Security 'Aggression' 'I Was Never As Overwhelmed As I Was At Eurovision': Former Winner Nemo Reflects On Their 'Whirlwind' Experience
Toronto Star
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Austria welcomes JJ back home with cheers, hugs and roses after he wins the Eurovision Song Contest
VIENNA (AP) — Austrian fans enthusiastically welcomed classically trained singer JJ back home at Vienna airport on Sunday after he won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with 'Wasted Love.' As JJ walked through the gate, hundreds of fans cheered, some played his song and others surrounded the new star, hugging him and asking for autographs.
Gulf Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Filipino-Austrian JJ wins Eurovision crown with song ‘Wasted Love'
Austria's JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday, with his operatic song "Wasted Love" triumphing at the world's biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst's 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel -- whose participation drew protests -- on 357 and Estonia on 356. "Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true," 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, said after his triumph in the Swiss city of Basel. JJ from Austria talks to the media at a press conference after winning the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, early on Sunday. AP "Love is the strongest force in the world. Let's spread more love," the Austrian-Filipino singer said. "Wasted Love" saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno. His Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish. His performance, broadcast in black and white in 4:3 ratio, captivated viewers around Europe. "What a fantastic success! My warmest congratulations on your victory," said Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker, adding: "JJ is making Austrian music history." The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt also issued a message of congratulations to JJ on Facebook. "What an incredible moment -- Filipino pride on the European stage!," it said. Agence France-Presse
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Austria welcomes JJ back home with cheers, hugs and roses after he wins the Eurovision Song Contest
VIENNA (AP) — Austrian fans enthusiastically welcomed classically trained singer JJ back home at Vienna airport on Sunday after he won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with 'Wasted Love.' As JJ walked through the gate, hundreds of fans cheered, some played his song and others surrounded the new star, hugging him and asking for autographs. The 24-year-old countertenor, whose winning song combines operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno twist, and who also sings at the Vienna State Opera, held up his trophy in one hand and a big bouquet of roses in the other. He smiled, wiped away tears and told the crowd 'that victory is for you.' JJ, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch, was Austria's third Eurovision winner, after bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst in 2014 and Udo Jürgens in 1966. 'This is beyond my wildest dreams. It's crazy,' said the singer when being handed the microphone-shaped glass Eurovision trophy after his win in the Swiss city of Basel on Saturday night. On Sunday night, JJ told reporters in Vienna that 'I don't think you'll realize that you did it at all until you're on your deathbed.' 'All of Austria is happy' Austria's president, Alexander van der Bellen, celebrated JJ in a video posted on X. 'What a success! What a voice! What a show!' he exclaimed. 'All of Austria is happy.' Chancellor Christian Stoecker wrote on X: 'What a great success — my warmest congratulations on winning #ESC2025! JJ is writing Austrian music history today!' The Vienna State Opera also expressed joy over the win. 'From the Magic Flute to winning the Song Contest is somehow a story that can only take place in Austria,' opera director Bogdan Roscic told the Austrian press agency APA. Several Austrian cities were quick to show their interest in hosting next year's contest. Innsbruck Mayor Johannes Anzengruber told APA that 'not everything has to take place in Vienna. ... Austria is bigger than that,' and the towns of Oberwart in Burgenland and Wels in Upper Austria also threw their hats into the ring. JJ himself said he hoped that Vienna would get the next ESC which he would love to host together with his mentor, Conchita Wurst. A nail-biting final Israeli singer Yuval Raphael came second at an exuberant celebration of music and unity that was shadowed by the Gaza war and rattled by discord over Israel's participation. JJ won after a nail-biting final that saw Raphael scoop up a massive public vote from her many fans for her anthemic 'New Day Will Rise.' But she also faced protests from pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza . At a post-victory press conference, JJ said the message of his song about unrequited romance was that 'love is the strongest force on planet Earth, and love persevered. 'Let's spread love, guys,' said JJ, who added that he was honored to be the first Eurovision champion with Filipino heritage, as well as a proudly queer winner. Eclectic and sometimes baffling The world's largest live music event, which has been uniting and dividing Europeans since 1956, reached its glitter-drenched conclusion with a grand final in Basel that offered pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas. Acts from 26 countries — trimmed from 37 entrants through two elimination semifinals — performed to some 160 million viewers for the continent's pop crown. No smoke machine, jet of flame or dizzying light display was spared by musicians who had three minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, picked the winner. Estonia's Tommy Cash came third with his jokey mock-Italian dance song 'Espresso Macchiato.' Swedish entry KAJ , which had been favorite to win with jaunty sauna ode 'Bara Bada Bastu,' came fourth. The show was a celebration of Europe's eclectic, and sometimes baffling, musical tastes. The war in Gaza clouded the contest This year's contest was roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel's participation. Raphael — a survivor of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on a music festival in southern Israel that triggered the Gaza war — was met by a mix of cheers and boos as she sang. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said a man and woman were stopped as they tried to climb over a barrier to the stage at the end of her song. It said a crew member was hit by paint thrown by the pair. Raphael's team said she was left 'shaken and upset.' The Oct. 7 cross-border attacks by Hamas militants killed 1,200 people, and roughly 250 were taken hostage into Gaza. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests both took place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year's event in Sweden. —— Grieshaber reported from Berlin. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in Basel, Switzerland contributed to this report.
