Once a family favorite to gather in front of the television, the Eurovision Song Contest now appears to have become an on-screen raunch-fest with displays of near-frontal nudity, thongs and corsets.
Eurovision viewers have taken to social media to slam the 68th edition of the iconic Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Malmö, Sweden, after several performers stormed the stage in outfits that left little to the imagination.
After the finale last night, X, formerly Twitter, was flooded with comments about how ‘bad’ and shoddy this year’s performances were in terms of racy costumes and sets.
One concerned viewer wrote: ‘Was it always this bad? I don’t remember Nicole undressing for a bisschen frieden? And I’m sure the Bucks Fizz skirts were tacky. Is it a trend to be pushed back, or is this what happens when something goes (literally) into the age of p***? Can the Eurovision Song Contest set limits on decency?’
Another furious social media user said: ‘Eurovision – most performers and dancers almost naked or in bondage gear. There’s no need for that hassle.”
Windows95man, who represented Finland, was criticized for his barely there outfit in which he wore nude underwear and a crop top
Slovenian singer Raiven left viewers shocked with her long, see-through bodysuit that left little to the imagination
Her dancers were designed to look completely naked in beige outfits for the racy show
Several people took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their shock at how some artists were allowed to perform in their outfits
Another added: “I think I entered the bondage parlour.”
While a fourth commented: ‘Leather corsets look tacky on stage in this 80s Europop-style entry from Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest.’
The comments swirled on social media after viewers came across several singers wearing sheer outfits, PVC and flesh-flashing ensembles.
Raiven, the Slovenian star, left almost nothing to the imagination when she released her song Veronika, co-written by Bojan Cvjetićanin and Klavdija Kopina.
Footage from the glam event shows the 28-year-old singer parading on stage in a full-length sheer bodysuit, with only thin black nipple pasties protecting her modesty, while her dancers appear to look completely naked in nude underwear .
Finnish act, Windows95man, also left viewers in disbelief as he worked the stage naked from the waist down after emerging from a denim patchwork egg at the start of his performance.
Teemu Keisteri, was filmed using clever camera angles while wearing a short white T-shirt with a pair of socks and sandals.
His performance sparked outrage among viewers at home, who took to X to reveal their shock at how he was allowed to act like that.
“Oh, put on some pants. The song is better the second time I hear it, but the staging is all over the place and adds nothing,” one user wrote.
Speaking to PA ahead of his performance, he said: ‘All my sons and all the young people and all the grandmas like it, I think they really love my show and…kids and old people don’t care anymore, and neither do I.’ I do not care anymore.
One viewer called some of this year’s performances ‘sleazy’
Several artists were spotted wearing core sets, bodysuits and thigh-high boots
Austria’s performance came from Kaleen, 29, with her club anthem We Will Rave. She wore a metal bodysuit and metal boots
Britain’s Olly Alexander was surrounded by scantily clad male dancers, all performing provocative dance moves and suggestive near-kisses.
He got up close and personal with one of the dancers on set
“So I think adults have to learn a little bit, and let it go a little bit, and it’s not so serious that you see (a) little bit (of) my a**.”
Austrian Kaleen, 29, left some viewers clutching their pearls after she stepped on stage to perform her club anthem We Will Rave in a metallic bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots.
She wore her hair in a tight ponytail so that all eyes were on her during her sizzling act.
But the tiny outfits and racy outfits didn’t stop with the performers as Britain’s Olly Alexander, 33, turned up the heat as he performed his song Dizzy while surrounded by scantily clad male dancers.
Wearing a red and white vest and cargo combo, the group of five danced provocatively against each other on the floor and walls of the set, occasionally performing a suggestive near-kiss.
British fans were furious after watching the Years and Years singer’s performance as they claimed he had been ‘sabotaged’.
Viewers said his music had been deliberately softened, giving Britain zero points in the public vote and ultimately leaving the country in 18th place.
Ireland’s Bambie Thug has also criticized the Eurovision Song Contest, claiming organizers failed to support them after Israeli television dubbed their semi-final performance ‘Satanic’.
Bambie Thug from Ireland sings the song Doomsday Blue during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden
Irish entry Bambie Thug, a self-proclaimed ‘queer witch’, performed wearing a black headpiece and black feather costume
Swiss act Nemo emerged victorious from the competition, where they became the first non-binary winner of the competition, after scoring 365 points with the juries and 226 with the public, for a total of 591 with their song The Code .
Switzerland scored 591 points (365 from the juries and 226 from the public), finishing ahead of Croatia, Ukraine, France, Israel and Ireland
Bambi, who describes herself as a “queer witch,” performed their song while wearing a pointy black headband, dark lipstick and sharp black nails.
The singer, who has been vocal about their pro-Palestinian views, accused Israeli broadcaster Kan of a rule violation and said they have been waiting for a response from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on what action would be taken.
On Tuesday, a KAN commentator warned viewers that Bambie’s performance of their song, Doomsday Blue, would be “the most terrifying” of the night, with “lots of spells and black magic and dark clothing, satanic symbols and voodoo dolls.” .
He went on to say that Bambie liked to “talk negatively about Israel,” before adding, “But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.”
Swiss act Nemo emerged victorious from the competition, where they became the first non-binary winner of the competition, after scoring 365 points with the judges and 226 with the public, for a total of 591 with their song The Code .