- The singer won a place in the final with their alternative singing witchy song
The first Irish singer to reach the final of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2018 has heavily criticized the competition’s organizers for asking them to change their pro-Palestinian body paint.
Non-binary singer Bambie Thug won a place in Saturday’s final during Tuesday’s semi-final in Sweden with their alternative witchy song Doomsday Blue.
But the Cork-born singer, 31, has revealed they were forced to change their body paint to Ogham script – an early medieval alphabet – which translated to a ceasefire and freedom.
Speaking at a press conference in Malmö, Sweden, Bambie Thug said: ‘It was very important for me because I am for justice and for peace.
‘Unfortunately I have had to change those messages today to just ‘Crown the Witch’ – which was an order from the EBU.’
Non-binary singer Bambie Thug won a place in Saturday’s final with their alternative witchy song Doomsday Blue (performance on Monday)
The Cork-born singer, 31, has revealed they were forced to change their body paint to Ogham script – an early medieval alphabet – which translated to a ceasefire and freedom.
The body paint was a nod to Gaza, while Israel’s Eden Golan was allowed to take part in the song competition, but organizers forced Bambie Thug to change the color if they were to compete in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: ‘The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals was in breach of competition rules designed to protect the non-political nature of the event. ‘
The authority had previously wanted Palestinian flags and symbols not to be allowed in the Malmö Arena.
Meanwhile, the British entry, Olly Alexander’s first live performance on Tuesday, received mixed reviews from Eurovision fans, with some criticizing his slightly off and shaky vocals.
It comes after he sparked controversy on Tuesday for saying he has an “ambivalent” relationship with the Union flag because it is “divisive” and can be “nationalistic”.
The 33-year-old Year&Years singer previously contributed to an anti-Semitism row after it emerged that he had signed a letter calling Israel an ‘apartheid regime’ and condemning ‘Zionist propaganda’.
The Israeli Eden Golan (photo) can participate in the song competition. There have been calls to boycott the match by campaigners during the Gaza war
The BBC said afterwards that it would continue to let him express his views, while Jewish campaigners called for him to be replaced as a Eurovision entrant.
The Israeli Embassy in London said in response: ‘We are happy to arrange a trip for you to visit the October 7 massacre sites in Israel, where LGBTQ+ rights are celebrated, protected and cherished. Unfortunately, our neighbors cannot guarantee that.’
Olly Alexander’s first live performance on Tuesday received mixed reviews from Eurovision fans
The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Mr Alexander, who identifies as pansexual, was subsequently given bodyguards after refusing to withdraw in protest at Israel’s participation in the competition.
He has faced persistent threats and abuse from pro-Palestinian fanatics for his refusal to back down, and last week was in tears in media interviews after “it all became too much.”