Eurovision 2025: Will Damiano David, who won Eurovision 2021 with Måneskin, step in for Celine Dion and bring Italian rock back to the Eurovision stage? All the details in the article!

In recent months, speculation has been mounting regarding the possible participation of Celine Dion in Eurovision 2025. Following Switzerland’s victory with Nemo last year, fans and organizers had hoped for the return of the Canadian singer, who won the contest for Switzerland in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi” (translated as: “Don’t Leave Without Me”). However, it now appears that Dion will not take part in the 69th edition of the competition, set to be held in Basel this May.

Watch Celine Dion’s winning Eurovision 1988 performance:

According to a report by the Swiss newspaper “Le Matin”, Celine Dion declined the invitation due to her severe health condition. Despite significant efforts from the Swiss national broadcaster, SRG SSR, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to bring her back to the Eurovision stage, the singer decided that traveling to Basel would be too challenging in her current state. Celine Dion was diagnosed several years ago with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a condition affecting the brain’s control over muscle function, making it difficult for her to control her voice. She has openly shared her struggle with the illness in the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion”. Even before her condition worsened, she had already canceled her planned tour.

Damiano David: A New Star for Eurovision 2025?

Instead, Eurovision organizers are in discussions with another prominent figure from the contest’s recent history: Damiano David, lead singer of Måneskin. The Italian band won Eurovision 2021 with the song “Zitti e buoni”, propelling them to global fame. Since then, Damiano David has launched a solo career, and according to reports from Le Matin, he has been in talks with the organizers since the beginning of the year. His debut solo album is expected to be released shortly after Eurovision, making his potential appearance a perfect promotional opportunity.

Damiano has previously expressed his desire to return to Eurovision as a guest performer, and this might be the perfect chance. With his latest hit, “Born With a Broken Heart”, climbing the charts, his presence at the competition would add to the excitement surrounding Eurovision 2025. While fans may be disappointed by Celine Dion’s absence, the prospect of Damiano David stepping in has sparked a new wave of anticipation. As the contest draws closer, all eyes are on the organizers for an official announcement.

Céline Dion’s Health Challenges

Céline Dion was diagnosed a few years ago with “Stiff Person Syndrome” – a syndrome that affects the brain’s control over body muscles and makes it difficult for the singer to control her voice. She bravely revealed her struggle with the disease in a film titled “I Am: Céline Dion”. Therefore, even before her medical condition worsened, she announced the cancellation of her planned tour.

Despite this, after a few years of not taking the stage to sing, Dion surprised everyone by returning with a moving performance on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. It seems that the singer is now finding ways to return to performing, albeit less than before and in different ways. It also appears that she has the desire to return to performing, and there’s nothing like returning for a guest appearance in the country for which she won Eurovision, after achieving her first victory with her song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” and swept Europe and the world.