Latest news with #EurovisionFans
Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The Eurovision 2025 finalists ranked — from hypnotic to atrocious
Welcome back to Eurovision world, where taste goes out of the window and nationality identity changes by the hour. This year the Swedish entrants are Finnish and the Irish are Norwegian, while the Dutch song has a French title, the Finnish one has a German title and two non-Italian songs pay tribute to Italy. Don't try to make sense of it all — just strap in and enjoy the ride. Twenty-six countries have qualified for the final on Saturday, but which songs are inspired and which are insipid? I have ranked them all, from worst to best. Do you agree? Who would you give nul points to? Let us know in the comments below. Deslocado by NapaTotally forgettable and barely in tune, this lot
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Former UK Eurovision star SLAMS song contest in savage swipe, ranting ‘I was fed to the lions'
A FORMER UK Eurovision star has slammed the song contest in a fiery rant on social media. The singer claimed they were 'fed to the lions' during their performance which led to a humiliating defeat. 5 5 Mae Muller was the UK's 2023 Eurovision entry and her song I Wrote A Song, bagged her a Top Ten single. Ahead of this year's Eurovision final (May 17), the singer took to X to speak on her experience. Mae penned: 'Sorry but they put me up there to sing a song which is meant to be sung with heavy auto tune (just the vibe of the song) with no proper background vocals, and i was nervous as hell which didn't help but like they fed me to the LIONSSSS omfg.' After performing last and closing off the show, her performance scored just 24 points once the jury and public votes were tallied together. This meant that Mae placed second to last with only Germany 's Lord of the Lost scoring less. Fans took to the comments underneath the post to agree with the singer, one user said: 'In hindsight, maybe a song that's meant to be sung with autotune was probably not the best choice for a contest that doesn't allow it.' To which, Mae said she completely agreed. 'I remember at the time thinking the sound was off & the visuals were swamping song was awesome & I still play it regularly,' chimed a third. Born Holly Mae Muller in London, Mae is a singer and songwriter. Eurovision fans spot huge technical blunders in UK entry Remember Monday's performance ahead of final She has enjoyed chart success both here and across the Atlantic and worked with some of the biggest stars in UK music including Little Mix, Aitch and Sigala. Mae's 2021 single Better Days, which featured Neiked and Polo G, peaked at No. 32 in the UK charts and No 23. Mae's big break came in 2007 when she was just nine-years-old and landed a leading role in the music video for Mika's No1 single Grace Kelly. Eurovision 2025 is well underway with the song contest returning to Switzerland, where the very first of its competitions was held way back in 1956. The contest's grand final will kick off tomorrow night. This year Girlband Remember Monday are flying the flag for the UK with their song, What The Hell Just Happened? The country-pop trio are made up of members Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele are hoping to take home the Eurovision trophy. 5 5 5
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Australian singer Go-Jo knocked out of Eurovision after performing his cringe song Milkshake Man
Australia's Eurovision hopeful Go-Jo was booted out of the 2025 competition during the semi-finals in Switzerland on Thursday. The Western Australian-born singer was competing alongside the likes of Montenegro, Ireland, Georgia, Czechia, and Serbia. Go-Jo, real name Marty Zambotto, bowed out after his tongue-in-cheek song Milkshake Man, written by Aussie pop star Amy Sheppard, did not win over the crowd. Despite not advancing to Saturday's Grand Final, Eurovision noted that participants like Go-Jo have cemented their place in the hall of fame, emphasising that once performers grace the stage they become part of its enduring legacy. The Grand Final lineup will include Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece. Devastated fans went online to share their heartbreak over Go-Jo's shock elimination. 'Just got back home from work and seen Australia's Milkshake Man has not made the Final at Eurovision. What the hell?!? We should all be ashamed! Ridiculous. Justice for Go-Jo,' one devastated fan wrote. 'I'm speechless. He gave us a wonderful show and Europe paid him dust. We are proud of you Go-Jo,' a second person added. 'Go-Jo not qualifying in #Eurovision.. RIGGED,' another sniped and a fourth added: 'The biggest robbery that I've seen in Eurovision history. So sorry Go-Jo. I REALLY wished you qualify.' Performers from 16 countries sang their hearts out in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday´s final, with the result decided by viewers´ votes. Those who made the cut include classically trained Austrian countertenor JJ, a bookies´ favorite with his over-the-top pop-opera song Wasted Love, and Israel´s Yuval Raphael, with her anthemic New Day Will Rise. Also voted through to the final was Malta's Miriana Conte, whose campy, diva-esque song Serving, performed on a set including a glitter ball and giant lips, is classic Eurovision. Performers from Luxembourg, Denmark, Armenia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Greece also advanced to the final. They will go up against contenders selected in Tuesday´s first semifinal including betting favorite KAJ, representing Sweden with serenade to the sauna Bara Bada Bastu; Dutch singer Claude with soulful ballad C´est La Vie; and Ukrainian rockers Ziferblat with Bird of Pray. Eleven of the 37 acts who traveled to Basel have now been sent home, leaving 26 finalists. Twenty were picked by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the Big Five who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. Music fans across Europe and beyond have travelled to the northern Swiss city of Basel, which is hosting Eurovision because Swiss singer Nemo won last year's contest in Sweden. The contest, whose motto is 'United by Music,' has been roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel´s participation.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Celine Dion cheers on Eurovision contest, as fans hope for surprise performance at final
Beloved Canadian chanteuse Céline Dion surprised fans and competitors alike with a message of love and gratitude at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, a competition she says was "life-changing" for her and helped launch her to global superstardom. In a pre-recorded video appearance during Tuesday's first-round semi-finals, she praised the wildly popular competition and 2025 host country, Switzerland, as fans have speculated for weeks that she might return to the Eurovision stage for a rare performance at Saturday's final at St. Jakobshalle in Basel. Dion won the top prize in 1988 when she represented Switzerland in the contest, singing the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don't Leave Without Me), when she just 20 years old. "I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's a country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be a part of something so extraordinary," she said. In the video, the now 57-year-old remarked that it was "so beautiful and emotional" for Switzerland to have won the 2024 competition and subsequently host this year's contest. "To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours and I hope you feel as proud as I do," she said in English. The Charlemagne, Que.-born singer wrapped her video message in French. "Music unites us, not only this evening, not only at the moment," she said. "It is our strength, our support and our support in the moments where we need it. I love you all, Europe and the rest of the world, of course. Kisses, I love you." Dion and Switzerland claimed victory in the 33rd Eurovision contest by just one point, beating English pop singer Scott Fitzgerald. Following the video, four singers from the 2024 Eurovision contest — Jerry Heil (Ukraine), iolanda (Portugal), Marina Satti (Greece) and Silvester Belt (Lithuania) — sang Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi on stage as drones performed above them. Heil later expressed her admiration for Dion in a post on social media. "The biggest THANK YOU to @celinedion for being a reason it's happening and for letting us touch your legendary song with our voices! It is a dream to share one stage with you one day!" Dion's appearances limited due to health Dion is living with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes sudden and severe muscle spasms. She revealed her diagnosis in a video to her fans in December 2022 and later cancelled her 2023 Courage world tour. She did not perform publicly again until last summer, when she gave a triumphant performance on the Eiffel Tower to open the Paris Olympic Games, her first since going public with her health condition. WATCH | Dion wows fans with Eiffel Tower performance during Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Céline Dion returns to stage at Olympics opening ceremony 10 months ago Duration 2:07 Céline Dion performed in public for the first time in two years to close out the Paris 2024 opening ceremonies. The Canadian superstar sang L'Hymne a l'amour, originally performed by Edith Piaf. The five-time Grammy and 20-time Juno award winner sat down with CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault last year at her home in Las Vegas, to discuss the effects stiff person syndrome has had on her body and her powerful voice, and her fears the condition might limit her ability to ever sing again. She began experiencing symptoms of the illness back in 2008, when she first felt spasms in her vocal cords. In the interview, Dion told Arsenault she persevered through her treatment and rehabilitation with the mantra, "I'll sing again." With or without a performance by Dion, anticipation is building for the Eurovision finals. Switzerland took on hosting duties for the 69th edition of the competition after winning last year with Nemo's The Code. Thirty-seven countries are taking part in this year's contest, with the second round of semi-finals taking place on Thursday night. Five countries were eliminated in Tuesday's round of semi-finals, with 10 others moving on to the finals. The Grand Final takes place in Basel on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Eurovision 2025: 4 things for Canadians to know about this year's song contest
Social Sharing The Eurovision Song Contest is underway, as representatives from 15 countries meet to perform their hearts out in pursuit of the top prize and a chance to host next year's event. It's a showdown of wacky, wild and wonderful songs that is hard to resist for a growing number of Canadians. For the uninitiated, Eurovision rolled out its first set of semifinalists on May 13, with the second set to be revealed May 15, all of which involves viewers and a jury to determine who continues to Saturday's grand finale in Basel, Switzerland. In recent years, more Canadians have caught Eurovision fever, helped by easier access to the live broadcast feed on YouTube, fan websites and the possibility that Canada may soon become a guest competitor. Here are four Canadian things to know as the 2025 edition gets underway: Céline Dion's potential appearance Rumours have swirled for months that the Quebec star may make a surprise appearance. Representing Switzerland, Dion won the top prize in 1988 when she was hired to sing Ne partez pas sans moi. It was her introduction to the world, and Dion has credited it with shaping her as a performer. WATCH | Céline Dion performs at Eurovision: Several media reports have suggested Dion may show up at the Grand Final on Saturday, either to sing or just be celebrated. But this is said to hinge on her health. Dion is battling stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes sudden and severe muscle spasms. Last summer, she gave a triumphant performance on the Eiffel Tower to open the Paris Olympic Games, her first since going public with her health condition. Eurovision organizers have been tight-lipped, but earlier this month, Dion shared pictures on Instagram from her past Eurovision experiences, which only fuelled speculation. A video of the singer was played during a dress rehearsal for Tuesday's first semifinal, which some took as a sign she might not appear after all. In it, Dion thanked Switzerland for being a "country that believed in me and gave me a chance to be part of something so extraordinary." Where to watch in Canada Eurovision's surprises can be watched in Canada on YouTube, which carries a live broadcast feed each day starting at 3 p.m. ET. But it will miss at least one key component: each host country recruits a local commentator to guide viewers through the show as if it's a sporting event. In Britain, comedian Graham Norton offers snarky jokes and trivia about each performer. The YouTube feed won't have any of that extra colour. Tickets available for Cineplex screenings Canada's biggest theatre chain is getting in on the action this year. Cineplex announced on its social platforms this week that it's hosting live Eurovision screenings at select theatres across the country on each day of the competition. It's a rare opportunity to catch the show on a screen that rivals the size of the spectacle. Tickets and locations are listed on the exhibitor's website. Eurovision Canada could launch in the future Plans to launch a televised singing contest that would send the winner to Eurovision on behalf of Canada have been underway for years. While a planned 2023 launch didn't happen, its producers say the show is still on track. Lindsay Cox, co-chief content officer at Toronto-based Insight Productions, told the Canadian Press that after first announcing the show in 2022 her team realized "the complexity of a Canadian going to Europe and competing." "If we're really going to compete, we need to have a bilingual-hosted show in Canada," she said. Cox said the Canadian competitors would "sing in whatever language they like" on Eurovision Canada. She said she and Quebec-based unscripted company Groupe Fair-Play expect to shop a reworked version to broadcasters this year.
