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The Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Could Celine Dion perform at Eurovision? Here's what we know
Eurovision organisers are in contact with Celine Dion regarding a potential appearance at the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland. Dion's potential involvement is significant given she won the competition for Switzerland in 1988. Despite a video message recorded by Dion for the semi-final rehearsals, Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR stated there are no changes to her potential involvement and they remain in 'close contact' with her. The first semi-final features several contenders, including Dutch singer Claude Kiambe and Swedish group KAJ. Switzerland already has an act in the final due to Nemo Mettler's win in 2024, along with major financial contributors Italy and Spain.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Eurovision explainer: Why was the song contest controversial last year?
The competition, usually the preserve of the weird and most wonderful acts that Europe has to muster, found itself bogged down in Malmo, Sweden, in controversy and politics amid the war in the Middle East. The event began with a boycott, featured protests, and a rare disqualification along with criticism from artists, and the 2024 winner Nemo Mettler saying they were 'really sad' after their triumph with The Code. Here we take a look at what happened: Israel boycott call There have been many years where Israeli broadcaster Kan competing in the contest has drawn calls for a boycott, but despite this the country has won four times. However, this time those entering – including the UK's Olly Alexander and Irish hopeful Bambie Thug – called for an 'immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages' during the Hamas-Israel war. They also rejected the boycott push from Finnish, Swedish, Irish and Icelandic musical artists and a letter from Queers for Palestine, signed by actress Maxine Peake, as did the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The EBU, which has had Israel competing since the 1970s, defended its decision to allow the country to enter, saying that it would be a violation of its rules. It also pointed out that Russia, which was banned after the invasion of Ukraine, was kicked out due to 'consistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service media values'. Added to the pressure from outside of Eurovision, acts such as Bambie said that they 'do not agree with the decision' the EBU made by allowing Israel to take part. 'I am pro-Palestine through and through and without us there, there would be less voices that are pro,' they also said. There has been renewed calls this year with the UK's 2023 contestant Mae Muller, who came second last, joining former Eurovision contestants in calling for a ban on Kan along with Spanish civil society groups that was raised by its broadcaster RTVE. ADVERTISEMENT The EBU said: 'We welcome RTVE confirming their commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest and appreciate there are concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.' Thousands protest Ahead of Israeli singer Eden Golan performing in the semi-final, a Swedish police estimate of between 10,000 to 12,000 pro-Palestinian people including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg marched through the city of Malmo. During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters, some of whom had dogs, young children and bicycles with them, were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-Israel conflict. Israel has strongly denied any accusations of genocide and maintained it has the right to defend itself following the attacks launched by Hamas in October 2023 that saw more than 1,000 Israelis killed and kidnapped. Later that evening, Golan made it through to the final, and there was clear tension at a press conference after her triumph. The Netherlands act Joost Klein told Golan to answer a question on whether she is comprising the safety of other contestants at a press conference. She defended her participation, saying the EBU is 'taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and and united place for everyone'. The final, two days later, saw renewed protests, and increased security for Golan, with several demonstrators forcibly detained and dragged away by police in the stadium. In the Malmo Arena during final dress rehearsals, acts such as France's Slimane appeared to reference Gaza, calling for peace, and later countries including Norway, and Finland saw their spokespeople – who announce their countries' voting – step down. Bambie criticised Kan, accusing the Israeli broadcaster of a rule break over inciting 'violence', and missed their dress rehearsal as they felt they needed to bring a situation to the 'urgent attention' of the EBU. Kan also released a statement after the contest, saying its delegation 'faced immense pressure and an unprecedented display of hatred, notably from other delegations and artists, publicly and collectively, solely because of the simple fact that we are Israeli's and that we were there'. 'However, throughout the journey, the delegation maintained a dignified and respectful approach towards artists and other delegations, striving to foster unity around music while adhering to the competition's rules, unlike some other delegations,' they said. Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Nova music festival attack on October 7, will be taking part for Israel with New Day Will Rise. Dutch act disqualified Hours before the final, the organisers said Klein would be leaving after being accused of threatening behaviour towards a female member of the production crew on the night of the semi-final. This move was strongly criticised by the Dutch broadcaster Avrotros who called 'the penalty very heavy and disproportionate'. Swedish prosecutors later dropped the criminal case against him and he has always denied all wrongdoing. Avrotros later considered returning, and offered for Klein to represent the Netherlands again, which he declined. The broadcaster said in a statement that it is 'satisfied with the package of measures' that has been put in place by organisers and is looking 'positively to the future'. It cited 2025 changes by the EBU which included it having an artist safety manager, saying it will reduce behind-the-scenes filming, having a crisis team from across participating countries, and the appointment of Martin Green as new Eurovision director following its review. They have returned with Claude Kiambe and his song C'est La Vie for Basel 2025. Flags and symbols cause issues Despite a ban from the EBU, Palestinian flags were seen in the audience, the first semi-final saw former Swedish contestant and opening act Eric Saade wear a keffiyeh pattern material, commonly used by people who want to show they are pro-Palestinian, on his arm. The EBU hit out at Saade – whose father is Palestinian – for his compromise of 'the non-political nature of the event', while the singer defended it saying that the 'EBU seems to think my ethnicity is controversial'. There were also reports of EU and LGBT+ flags being refused into the arena, while Nemo claimed they were not allowed the non-binary flag of their identity and they had to 'smuggle' it in. A guideline for Basel's St Jakobshalle has been published that says that 'flags and banners that do not pose a risk to safety or production are permitted', which would allow Palestinian flags. It does not allow 'racist or discriminatory content, including symbols that incite hatred or violence', 'flags that could be considered offensive or defamatory', or 'symbols of banned terrorist organisations'. Delegations are only allowed the flags of their country, which appears to have prevented LGBT+ ones, according to the EBU code of conduct rules.
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Eurovision Contest to start this week in Switzerland amid controversy
A total of 37 countries will take to the stage in Basel in Switzerland for the Eurovision Song Contest over the next few days, ahead of the grand final at the weekend. Five countries automatically qualify for the grand final each year thanks to the size of their financial contribution to the contest's organiser, the European Broadcasting Union – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Last year the contest hit the headlines due to political tensions and artist complaints. The competition, usually the preserve of the weird and most wonderful acts that Europe has to muster, found itself bogged down in Malmo, Sweden, in controversy and politics amid the war in the Middle East. The event began with a boycott, featured protests, and a rare disqualification along with criticism from artists, and the 2024 winner Nemo Mettler saying they were "really sad" after their triumph with The Code. UK's Olly Alexander and Ireland's Bambie Thug – called for an "immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages" during the Hamas-Israel war. This year, protesters could target Basel during the week of the Eurovision Song Contest, as Israel's participation continues to generate anger amid the war in Gaza. The city is hosting the 2025 contest, after Switzerland's Nemo won last May in Sweden with The Code, which explored them coming to terms with their non-binary identity. About 1,300 Swiss police officers will be on duty in Basel this week, with more forces drafted in from the Swiss Armed Forces, federal police and neighbouring countries – Germany and France – ahead of the two semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday, and the grand final on Saturday. Basel police's head of communications Adrian Plachesi said that the force was aware these type of events could mean an "increased risk of terror attacks" from extremists, and they were also monitoring in case of "cyber attacks" on the city's infrastructure. The force has stepped up video surveillance because of the "heightened threat level" and the city centre has some road closures, Swiss police said. Local campaigners Basel for Palestine attempted to place Palestinian flags near the Eurovision opening event, the Turquoise Carpet, on Sunday, and more protests are scheduled for Saturday in the city centre at 7pm. Israel's Government has issued a warning to its citizens travelling to Basel that "events of this type are a preferred target for threats and attacks by various terrorist elements", and urged them to avoid "hot spots and these demonstrations, which could escalate into violence". The EBU conducted a review and pledged a new code of conduct for 2025, with a raft of measures to "protect" the wellbeing of artists in Basel. This year, former Eurovision competitors such as Ireland's winner Charlie McGettigan, and the UK's Mae Muller, who came second last in 2023, have signed a letter calling for a ban on Israel's public broadcaster Kan, and accusing Israel of "genocide", which Israel denies. Last week, Irish protesters, including The Crying Game actor Stephen Rea, pushed for an RTÉ boycott of the event. RTÉ has written to the EBU to have "a wider discussion" on Israel's inclusion. Emmy, a Norwegian national will be representing Ireland this year at the competition with her song Laika Party. The 24-year-old said that she met a songwriter from Ireland at a songwriting camp so "it felt natural to submit the song for Ireland". She began making her own songs at the age of seven and her career got a kick-start in 2015 when, as a 15-year-old, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix Junior, one of the biggest music competitions in her country, for children.
Metro
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Reigning Eurovision winner backs calls to ban Israel from 2025 Song Contest
Switzerland's winner from Eurovision 2025 holds the trophy (Picture: SPA/dana press/REX/Shutterstock) The current Eurovision champion has said they support the decision to ban Israel from the 2025 competition. Nemo Mettler won the song contest in 2024 on behalf of Switzerland with the song The Code. Ahead of last year, the singer joined critics in calling for a boycott of Eurovision if Israel's Eden Golan was allowed to participate as the conflict in the Middle East continued to rage on. Nemo, who was the first openly non-binary act to represent Switzerland in Eurovision, was one of nine acts who issued a group statement expressing solidarity with Palestine. This time around, the singer-rapper has once again objected to Israel's participation. Speaking to HuffPost UK, Nemo said: 'I personally feel like it doesn't make sense that Israel is a part of this Eurovision. And of Eurovision in general right now. Nemo Mettler won the song contest in 2024 on behalf of Switzerland (Picture: Shutterstock) Nemo backed calls in last year's competition to ban Israel's Eden Golan (Picture: Getty Images) 'I don't know how much I want to get into detail, but I would say, I don't support the fact that Israel is part of Eurovision at the moment.' Nemo later added an additional statement, reading: 'I support the call for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest. 'Israel's actions are fundamentally at odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold — peace, unity, and respect for human rights.' Earlier this week, former Eurovision contestants called on the competition to ban Israel and its national broadcaster Kan from this year's contest. Among the 72 names who have signed the open letter are the UK's 2023 entry Mae Muller, Ireland's 1994 champion Charlie McGettigan and 2017 Portuguese winner Salvador Sobral. The contestants have accused Kan of being 'complicit in Israel's genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.' The Swiss singer said 'I personally feel like it doesn't make sense that Israel is a part of this Eurovision' (Picture: Shutterstock) This year, Yuval Raphael will be competing for Israel (Picture: Reuters) Lauren Byrne, Charlotte Steele and Holly-Anne Hull of the group Remember Monday performs on stage during the London Eurovision Party 2025 (Picture: Getty) The open letter also accused Eurovision organiser, the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU), of 'whitewashing and normalising [Israel's] crimes' by providing a platform for the country. It also said there was a 'double-standard' after Russia was expelled from the competition in 2022. This year's participant for Israel is Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel in which roughly 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Meanwhile, Remember Monday – which is composed of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele – will be representing the UK with their song What the Hell Just Happened? Elsewhere in this year's competition in Basel, artists have been banned from taking Pride flags on stage. The new guidance outlines that only one national flag can be used in official spaces 'in line with other international competitive events' which includes the Stage, Green Room, Eurovision Village Stage, the Turquoise Carpet at the Opening Ceremony and the Flag Parade. Eurovision will be available to watch on Saturday May 17 on BBC 1. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: When is Eurovision 2025 final? Date, location and latest odds revealed Arrow MORE: Why Eurovision fans called for Estonia's 'offensive' 2025 song to be banned
