by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed




Report from the Netherlands: AVROTROS is holding talks with Joost Klein regarding his participation in Eurovision 2025. Will the beloved singer return to the competition stage?

Rumors surrounding Joost Klein‘s return to Eurovision 2025 have been growing in recent days, with recent reports from the Netherlands hinting that the popular rap artist might return to the stage to represent his country once again.




What We Know So Far

The report was published on RTL Boulevard, a popular Dutch entertainment program, claiming there’s a high chance that Joost Klein might represent the Netherlands again at Eurovision 2025. According to sources in the program, the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS, responsible for selecting the Dutch representative for Eurovision, is already in talks with the singer. However, the broadcaster has so far refused to confirm these reports or provide an official response on the matter.

Klein represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2024 with the song “Europapa” and gained great popularity with the audience, finishing second in the semi-final. Despite being disqualified hours before the Eurovision final due to a backstage incident – leading to the first-ever disqualification of a contestant on the day of the competition – Joost continued to gain popularity among fans across Europe. The singer even hinted at his intention to return to the Eurovision stage in 2025 – this time as Belgium’s representative.




Violent Incident Behind the Scenes?

The EBU disqualified the Dutch singer due to violence he allegedly displayed towards a Swedish camerawoman belonging to the Eurovision production. Simultaneously, a police investigation was opened against the singer, which was closed in August due to lack of evidence and difficulty in establishing an evidentiary basis. The closure of the case casts a heavy shadow and much criticism on the EBU’s decision to disqualify the singer from the competition final. The Dutch broadcaster stated: “We initially said that this disqualification was unnecessary and disproportionate, and it now seems so. We are still very disappointed that Joost Klein’s and the entire Netherlands’ European adventure ended so cruelly in this way. The next step is to hold a meeting with the EBU management on this issue at very short notice. This meeting will focus on this unjust disqualification.”

In the months following the competition, the Netherlands lowered expectations regarding its upcoming participation in Eurovision 2025.

Is This the Right Move for the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has undergone many changes in its approach to Eurovision in recent years, and it seems that choosing Joost’s return might be part of a strategy to upgrade its image. Dutch Eurovision fans are divided in their opinions. Some see Joost as an innovative and interesting figure who can bring a fresh approach to the competition, a view supported by all fans who see the Dutchman’s disqualification as unfair. Others fear that he may not be the most suitable for the national mission to bring the Netherlands back to the Eurovision top, mainly due to his involvement in a violent incident with the Eurovision production.

As of now, it’s not clear whether AVROTROS will compete in the next Eurovision, after the Netherlands demanded changes in the competition rules and direct dialogue with the EBU. The Netherlands is expected to make a final decision regarding participation in the next competition by November 1.

Meanwhile, there is no official confirmation from AVROTROS that Joost Klein will return to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025, but if the Netherlands participates, the chances seem high. If the reports are correct, the Netherlands might be betting on a familiar name that enjoys broad support from the local and international audience, mainly due to his disqualification. We will continue to follow the developments around this issue and see if Klein will indeed make his way back to the Eurovision stage soon.




Netherlands in Eurovision 2024

“Europapa” is the name of the song performed by Joost Klein in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2024. The Netherlands qualified for the grand final after securing second place in the second semi-final with 182 points. However, the singer was disqualified and did not participate in the grand final due to a violent incident involving him and a camerawoman from the Swedish Eurovision production team.
This marks the second consecutive time that the Netherlands has not competed in the grand final and the first time in the contest’s history that a participant was disqualified just hours before the grand final.
Source: RTL.nl

Eurovision 2024: This was the 64th participation of the Netherlands in Eurovision. The Netherlands joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. The Netherlands’ most recent victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.