Latest news with #EurovisionAct
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eurovision Bosses Stand Their Ground Amid Backlash Over New Pride Flag Rule
Eurovision bosses are not budging on the issue of Pride flags ahead of this year's live event. It was revealed last week that fans at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest would be able to bring any flag they like with them into the arena (including the flag of Palestine and the Pride flags of underrepresented groups within the LGBTQ+ community), so long as they don't break any laws. This was in contrast to last year's event, where only the flags of competing countries and the standard six-stripe rainbow Pride flag were permitted. However, these rules have not been extended to the competing acts, who are only allowed to wave the flag of the country they're representing, both on stage at Eurovision and in other 'official spaces'. The decision for Pride flags to not be allowed on stage at Eurovision 2025 was a controversial one, given the contest's strong LGBTQ+ fanbase, with The Netherlands' national broadcaster Avrotros appealing to organisers to relax this rule in the run-up to this year's live final. However, according to Eurovoix, bosses have insisted their decision is not one that will be reversed. A statement from Avrotros said: 'Although we think this is a missed opportunity, we – like the other 36 countries – respect the rules that now apply for this year. 'We are now focusing on the connecting power of music, in the conviction that the dialogue about visibility and representation is best conducted together and with a long-term view.' HuffPost UK has contacted Eurovision's organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for comment. The upcoming Eurovision Song Contest is once again at the centre of controversy due to the continued presence of Israel in the competition. In the last few weeks, the EBU has also responded to questions from three countries' national broadcasters about Israel's involvement, as well as an open letter from more than 70 artists and musicians who have been involved in Eurovision in the past calling for Israel's national broadcaster to be banned from competing, in solidarity with Palestine. Have Flags Actually Been Banned At This Year's Eurovision? Here's What's Really Going On Eurovision Bosses Respond To Former Contestants' Calls For Israel To Be Removed From Contest Olly Alexander Has Some Very Blunt Advice For This Year's UK Eurovision Act
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
UK's Eurovision entry Remember Monday have a huge connection to past winner
UK's Eurovision entry Remember Monday have a huge connection to past winner The UK's 2025 Eurovision entry Remember Monday have opened up on the inspiration behind their song, and also shared a surprising connection to a past winner Country pop trio Remember Monday have shared their surprising connection to a former Eurovision champion. The group, composed of pals Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, will represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. As the first girl band to represent Britain in almost three decades, they're set to perform their track, What The Hell Just Happened? The song explores the fallout of a wild night out, with a blend of contemporary pop and retro 80s pop-rock vibes, reports the Express. In anticipation of their grand final performance next weekend, Remember Monday joined Graham Norton for a special interview, which aired on BBC One on Friday (May 9). Remember Monday sat down for an interview with Graham Norton on Friday (May 9) Article continues below Remember Monday make major announcement ahead of Eurovision 2025 final READ MORE: Scott Mills makes daring promise to UK Eurovision Act READ MORE: During the interview, the band members talked about their song's inspiration and disclosed an unexpected link to a past Eurovision victor. "We wrote the song with Billen Ted [Tom Hollings and Sam Brennan], who also produced it, and then Thomas Stengaard and Julie Aagaard, who are kind of Eurovision royalty," said Lauren. "They've had a lot of success with their songs. Thomas has won it with Denmark, so we felt in really safe hands with them." Thomas is renowned for penning Denmark's triumphant 2013 Eurovision entry, Only Teardrops, performed by Emmelie de Forest. In addition, Billen Ted have a history of collaborating with high-profile acts like Little Mix, Anne Marie and MNEK. Denmark's entry Emmelie de Forest won Eurovision in 2013 Lauren continued: "We went into the writing room for nearly a month, and we were writing sometimes two or three songs a day to try and find the perfect fit." Charlotte added: "We kind of just said, 'What would we feel or say after we've come off stage from doing Eurovision?' That was the original thought process," with Lauren sharing, "That's where the title came from." Elsewhere, Holly pinpointed Sweden's entry as their "biggest competition" in the upcoming contest. Finnish trio KAJ will be performing their song, Bara bada bastu, which has already captured the hearts of many Eurovision fans. Article continues below "They're a band, they are the highest on the odds by miles. They're funny, their song is great, so I think it's probably them," Holly shared. The Eurovision Grand Final will air on Saturday, May 17 at 8pm on BBC One and When Graham Met Remember Monday is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer
