This year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest has turned into the most chaotic ever. From massive booing during rehearsals and the lives show to the unprecedented disqualification of the Dutch Eurovision singer Joost Klein, this has become a contest to remember for all the wrong reasons.
And moments ago Norway added more fuel to the fire with the news that its spokesperson Alessandra Mele has withdrawn as spokesperson with just hours to go before the show.
“Tonight I was supposed to give out Norway’s points during the Eurovision final,” she said in an Instagram video. “Even though I’m thankful I was given the opportunity to do so, I’ve taken the decision to withdraw.”
“United By Music — Eurovision’s motto — is the reason I do music. Unite people, bring them together. But right now those words are just empty words. There is a genocide going on and I’m asking you all to please open up your eyes, open up your heart. Let love lead you to the truth. It’s right in front of you. Free Palestine.”
Ingvild Helljesen, a trusted presenter and journalist, will take over from Alessandra.
During last night’s jury rehearsal, the spokespeople around Europe gave out fake points so that producers could test their on-screen graphics and so the spokespeople could practice saying their lines. The Finnish representative was asked to give 12 points to Israel, but refused.
Just empty words, very true. As empty as her „gesture“.
Is it not quite obvious yet that 99% of the anti Israel in ESC is for PR and self promote using hate and racism?
Absolutely. This edition of ESC will be remebered as the antisemitic ESC . lies and accusation against the Israeli delegation that seems like were taken from events during 1940’s. For a contestant to say ” my team and I cried when Israel managed to get to the final ” is sick , is insane , it’s disgusting and I said months ago. ESC will never be the same even if tomorrow there will be peace in the middle east . This was a direct show of hatred towards israelis and Jews not because an ongoing war .it was the same… Read more »
The more hatred Eden and Israel receive, the more I think I should support them instead of Palestine. And I think I am not the only one as the televoting results show.
And, think about it:
These countries whose televoting awarded Israel 12 points have such huge viewing and voting figures, that it must be really hard to rig.
What Azerbaijan supposedly did was intervening in small countries like Malta, Iceland, Czechia, Slovenia, Cyprus and so on. Just look up the televoting results of the 2010s…
Israel was surely already confirmed to be taking part of the contest when she accepted the job, what a clown
She knew months ago that Israel was in the Contest. Why didn’t she turn down the gig right away?
Immature girl, BYE!
Virtue signaling and attention seeking at its finest
Because the edition for the show she won took place way before October 7th attacks and she was already signed a contract for participating in the show. And.why would she not do it ? She is proud representing her country and in your face get 2nd best public votes. She should be proud and she is.
Käärijä also withdraws
That was for Joost. To support Joost only.
Kaarija danced with Eden Golan.
Guys I don’t think Alessandra knows the official votes and withdrawed for this reason. I just think she’s done after all the chaos (Israel as potential winner, dutch singer kicked off). She probably doesn’t want to get involved in such a mess and spoil her image.
Rightly so.
Why doesn’t she say anything about Myanmar, Sudan, Haiti or Ukraine.
Things in Palestine are horrid. But Palestine supporters tend to have “selective care for human suffering” and it SHOWS
*yawn* What a bad whataboutism comment it is obvious
Or even Mexico. There’s been more deaths there than in Palestine from October 7th, and almost 200k murders since December 1st, 2018 (when the current prez took office and gave carte blanche to the cartels)
How she can know the results of jury just yet? Is not a violation? Odds are still open
Because the jury voted last night so they should already been known
Jury obviously gave 12 points to Israel, as the song is the best. And this fat nobody from last year is trying to be relevant
That ” fat nobody” also got more points from voters than your Chanel/ Eleni/ Beyonce 2003 rip off so there is that.
I like the theory she withdraws to not announced Israel 12 points but I don’t think spokepersons already know their country jury points many hours before the show. Maybe not until a few minutes before airing.
If Israel actually wins tonight, can you imagine the reaction??
By the way, it seems suspect that Israel has engaged their troll farms to rig the televote. This can explain why they got 40% of the Italian vote. Azerbaijan used to do this a decade ago.
So you say RAI is lying when they say they haven’t published the complete televote results?
Oh no, I have no doubt RAI’s phone lines got many votes for Israel.
I’m just wondering who made those calls.
I can tell you: It’s people who cannot stand the booing anymore.
We’ll soon know if the number appeared in the Italian show on thursday’s night were correct.
I guess EBU forced RAI to say those were incomplete. RAI -being in fault- couldn’t do anything else than reporting the official lie.
I said it before.
In Italy we love art, style, class.
That’s why I voted for Eden, and so did probably many others.
Its people who are watching at home, waiting for beautiful songs.
Yes, face filled with fillers is real class.
She knew that Israel is allowed to participate in the first place. To withdraw now is just disgusting
Real Queens are knowing how to exit stage left gracefully.
Looks like she has timed this to get the most publicity possible, how pathetic. As you say, all this hand wringing, the only viable position is not to take part. And in the unlikely event E Golan wins, I bet she won’t swear on live TV unlike Mele.
So Norway’s jury gave 12 to Israel?
Likely. Eden is number two in odds. But mostly the public will vote for her. Hopefully Eden wins tonight
And then what? Even if you win what then? You can´t host and most countries would boycott. Would a rigged win that you paid for really make you that happy?
We will just watch the world burn
A bunch of egocentric narcissists Israelis are. Desperate to win because you are crap at every other sport and entertainment thing lol
All these people knew for months that Israel is participating and now they make such a big fuss about it! Well then don’t deliver the points and stay home…. Who cares?
Possibly waited to see if they would qualify or not.
The RAI leak wouldn’t have helped mattered either.
Come on Darren, Israel were never likely to NQ
Just empty words?? What does she mean by that? Did she expect EBU to ban Israel half an hour before the show? Why did she wait until the last moment to be so committed?
She’s been reposting Eurovision content from last year for the last few weeks because she’s so desperate to stay relevant and now pretends that she’s too good for it?
She was not even relevant the year she participated. Everybody spoke about Loreen, Kaarija and Noa Kirel (the top3 of 2023). She was a nobody and still is a nobody. But now she’s a antisemite nobody.
Pity she didn’t think that 12 months ago
Right she should have withdrawn her participation
Oh this is hilarious, she could have refused the job in the first place!
You ruin ESC and blame Israel.
Sad what have become of Europe a land of satanic workers and jew haters
We don’t hate Jews, just Israel and its bloodthirsty g3nocidal government
Israel and their online supporters need to leave this contest. You’re not wanted. Have some grace and decorum and leave.
Dear friend, you must know by now, they dont have that Grace.
Decorum they only put on in justification of their cause.
We cant critic them, as well we are called Anti-S……………and much more for that matter.You know how toxic those comments were the last months online.
This is all coming to a finale right now.
I hope Bambie wins so a great pagan witch spell is being put upon us.
Yes! Reject the God of the Bible and all it’s horrible ideas! Return to paganism Europe!
Noo, its all ideas from every spectrum of the souls of our beloved Mother Earth.
We have to embrace and reject.
If we are able to push the sheit out and yeah all those ‘holy ‘books are part of the BIG divide for millenia.
Our fore-Fathers and Mothers paved the way.
Lets find it back.
You need to leave this contest. Lecturing about free speech but clearly free only for your propganda.
How’s the weather in Moscow?
You have no idea what’s coming in televote tonight. Eden will win
Oh I have every idea! And if you pull it off, you’ll destroy Eurovision and will be hated even more than you are now.
You realize that the points would come from other countries and not from Israel! lol
It’s rigged. That’s why RIA blew the whistle and released the televote data. Israel buy SIM cards and have teams of people call. The same thing has happened with other countries.
Sure sure, every year it’s rigged!!!! lol
In practically every thread this year, you’ve attacked Western countries, especially the United Kingdom, yet shilled for Israel. Tell me you’re not a Russian bot!
I’m pretty sure that 323 televote points implies that we still are wanted. We also love Eurovision and do not want to leave. You just can’t stand the prospect that people don’t share your beliefs about a very devastating war that nobody wants.
Another ugly antisemite. But she’s right, she shouldn’t announce the votes, as they will be 12 to Israel all over the score board. Eden for the win!
Yes, you will win for sure. That is the reason you have paid ads on heavy rotation on social media beggin us to vote for 6 :)) dream on! You do not even have a good song… ps. Stop killing kidz!
Palestinians, lebanese…. are also semites. I would guess she is an anti zionist like the majority of the world.
Despicable
oh? and you Jews who hate literally each and every race, but your own, are not racist?
Alessandra is a beautiful Nordic-Italian girl. She certainly isn’t “ugly”.
Look at the pic again, quite ugly
Says an anonymous troll online.
Let us see your face, then we will compare.
How do you know I’m not your best friend, loser?
I know for sure because I don’t associate with the supporters or Mu rder, or eth nic cleansing.
So I definitely know we ain’t best friends.
Yes the whole world is wrong. Everyone is anti semite.
Remind me: who is the killer these days?
I was being sarcastic.
So we both know the answer… peace!
A babe with BALLS! Eat your heart out, Österdahl!
Balls? she clearly doing it for PR
I am sure Österdahl is losing sleep over this!!!! lol
What is baby lasagna opinion about this topic? He choose to sit on two chairs?
He hasn’t had one which is dissapointing.
No. He’s the smart one.
His job is to sing a song and represent his country. That’s what he signed up to do and that is what he is doing.
He doesn´t want to ruin his chances of winning, which is understandable
And Slimane just made a silent protest on stage.
3 minutes of silence from him would be very welcome
Apologize, it was not silent, it was spoken during the acapella moment
From you as well, I guess.
It’s mean, and I love his song, but I ..
laughed at that!
Muslims, homosexuals and far leftists are the ones who protesting (tbh that is an interesting pack since the last two would.have hard time to live in muslim country). Silent majority will say their opinion tonight. You can’t vote against, remember it
And all of them have a hard time living in a right wing country. You’re not fooling anyone.
He is of Algerian descent through his grandparents.
yeah and? He writes most his songs with jews. So what are you suggesting?
He never takes a political stand, that he does so means something really wrong is happening in that contest.
Well done Alessandra. Queen of the Kings.
Why didn’t she just say no when she was offered the position?
Performative activism is all the left has now
Better protest would be to be brave enough and say something during the announcement of twwlve points. This is a blunt protest thb
This IS not a protest just talking advantage and trying to get her 15 minutes of fame… Was she waiting until today to withdraw because she expected EBU to van Israel 5 minutes before the show??
After this year if anybody from EBU or otherwise dares to say ‘ it is unpolitical’, they should be banned from ESC.
What needs to be done is that EBU should acknowledge and say yes it is political, now what can we as organisation do to not ignite tension and fuse?
How can the reason be unckear, its pretty much clear in the quote from Alessandra herself.
Massive respect for Alessandra.
Thankfully Israelis are so keen in protecting young artists from online hate that the will surely abstain from harrassing her.
Not a single word about the Israeli hostages. Shes not pro peace, shes anti Jews.
It’s amazing how people complain about Israel participating because Eden will get “pity votes” and suggest it’s all political, but find it ok when juries and other contestants are making it the political event it has become.
You realise that Israel started it all with the political stuff when they twice were refused because of political loaded lyrics ? Forgot about that? Oh and Eden was all along on those ones…
Singing about a national tragedy is NOT a political statement.
The average viewer has no idea about anything and will just eat crisps and drink beer, and enjoy Eurovision like any other year…….. but for me the ESC 2024 is ruined. Thank you EBU. Keep staying silent and sitting on your hands, ignoring the reality and playing fake applause to hide booing. In the end of the day, money is the only thing that matters.
No place for aNtism and te rr ist supporters. EBU must ban her for life from Eurovision and even remove her from last year results.
I don’t understand how spelling name of the country is such a big deal. These liberals took everything for granted
EBU is banning the word Peace in the contest so they should remove Ein Bisschen Frieden as a contest winner also then! That is what you are saying right?
What about Petra Mede’s Love Love Peace Peace interval act a couple of years ago? So hypocritical. There is.no place for this gen0cid@l country on the Eurovision stage.
If Israel will win tonight and won’t be able to host a show due to dangerous situation, who would host it on behalf of Israel? UK hosted it for Ukraine but it was all about the Ukraine.
Croatia would take this controversy as a runner up? My bet it would be Germany
Germany and Israel hosting together 80 years after ww2 with the slogan United by music would be powerful.
Is powerful now a synonym for ridicuous?
Yes, I see no other country which would dare it only Germany
And host it in Nuremburg.
Come on, guys. Israël will never win. The televote will be massive, but jury members will be careful and cautious: they will not place it too low (to be credible), like 12-15, but not high enough to give it (many) points. It’s all too obvious.
Who was the finnish representative that refused to give Israel 12 points. I got to thank her.
Wasn’t a fan of her song but big congratulations to her! Hope more spokespeople follow suit!
Didn’t like her song last year but girl you got my 12 points!
I guess the slogan shouldn’t have been “united by music” but “overshadowed by controversy”.
Morten Thomassen, President of the MGP Club, was quoted by NRK saying (translated): ““United by music” is Eurovision’s slogan, but right now you are divided by the music.”
Kudos and massive respect for your principles Alessandra!
FairPlay!
Spain’s state-owned broadcaster hit out at the EBU on Friday, calling for it to respect “press and opinion” at this year’s event after it banned Irish entry Bambie “from displaying a pro-Palestinian message during their performance”.
What kind of journalism is that William?
The main information in this piece is that « However, this all remains speculation at this point. Alessandra has not clarified why she’s pulling out. »
The rest is complete nonsense basef on ifs.
It is called biased journalism
Where do you see that part? I can’t see it. Has it been updated?
Good. If you stand by an aggressor without saying nothing, you silently become one.
She posted on her Instagram it’s because of Israel
Honey, no one needs to post the reason. This edition the reason is always: BECAUSE OF ISRAEL!
Whatever helps you sleep at night
Actually this keeps me awake. As it does with every normal human being who knows what is happening out there.
Too bad people aren’t as vocal about other people in need, only when it comes to Israel
Just shut up! Being vocal about people in need is one thing, protesting because these people are getting killed at daylight is completely another thing and I have never met a person in my personal life that would support that.
Queen
There was no massive booing at any of the live shows. I’ve attended both of them – some booing, sure, but it was a very small minority and drowned in the positive reactions. What’s in these lies for Wiwibloggs? It’s not the first article where you did that.
haha there was massive buu throughout the song, and for good reason. And tonight its gonna melt. Europe will as joost say stand together against Israel
There just wasn’t. I have a video from the audience with a massive applause, I have a video of the last chorus with no booing, etc. There’s also the TV show recording. Now of course you’re gonna claim that SVT has manipulated that (despite multiple confirmation that no anti booing tech is being used by SVT), but how would they even do that if you claim that booing occured throughout the song? The antibooing method ORF used was basically about replacing the audio before and after the performance. You can’t do it during the actual performance, Eden’s microphone would pick… Read more »
watching it at home on tv, i couldn’t really hear any booing, yet you acknowledge that there was booing in the arena, showing that the EBU is silencing the voices of this “very small minority” and perpetuating their own narrative. i wouldn’t say their telling lies, just a narrative that (i believe) a very small minority would disbelieve.
No, EBU is not silencing anything, as I said it’s the same thing I’ve heard in the arena. There were few people who tried to boo, but that only provoked a much stronger positive reaction from the crowd. The boos were “cancelled” by the rest of the audience, not by the EBU. You can hear this during the silent part of the first verse – there’s some initial attempt to disrupt the performance, quickly followed by chearing and an applause. I think at this point most fans are getting tired of having Eurovision destroyed by chickens for KFC who feel… Read more »
You didn’t? I think you need an ear doctor then.
Open your ears and maybe your hearts too..
Alessandra has stepped down – perhaps Mr Österdahl should consider the same once this chaos is over! He’s been put to the test multiple times during 2023-2024 and seems to have failed every time! EBU needs to refresh and accept that politics has always been part of ESC – their job is not to ignite it!
absolutely agree with you
we need new leadership within the EBU, someone who isn’t afraid of kicking specific provoking countries out (not naming names but we all know which one) i mean current leadership lacks a backbone, therefore (that one country) can get away with literally anything
Lmao thought you weren’t gonna post anymore.
Also lol at standing up to the mob is considered “not having a backbone”
He’s definitely good to go after all this!
Well done to her!!
This really is the most chaotic Eurovision ever, the EBU must be having a nightmare with all this but they’ve only brought it on themselves.