“They wanted me – but I chose to decline”: The Joost Klein saga became her story too – and once again, she refuses to participate. Why isn’t Eurovision 2021 host NikkieTutorials coming back?

The Surprising Refusal

The topic arose when Wes, Nikkie’s manager, brought up Eurovision during the discussion and mentioned the uncertainty about who would announce the Dutch points this year. Nikkie, one of the most recognizable figures associated with the contest since co-hosting Eurovision 2021, admitted that she had again been invited to deliver the votes but chose to decline of her own accord.

“I’m not the one doing it this year,” said Nikkie. “But it was my personal choice.” She emphasized: “I think a lot of people will assume I wasn’t asked again, like I was pushed aside – but that’s really not the case.” According to her, she received a clear offer: “They really wanted me again,” she said, referring to the Dutch national broadcaster, but ultimately turned it down. The reason: unresolved emotions from the previous year.

“It was Joost’s story, but it also became a little bit mine”

Nikkie revisited the drama that unfolded during Eurovision 2024 and explained how it personally affected her: “It was Joost’s story, but it also became a little bit mine. For me, that circle is now closed.” She clarified that this is not about distancing herself from the contest or any bitterness, but rather a sense of closure with what she had experienced.

Still, Nikkie is not ruling out a future return: “If we ever win, I hope they’ll still call me,” she said with a wink, referencing her experience as a host in Eurovision 2021. However, she knows that the decision may no longer be in her hands. Wes, her manager, wondered aloud whether she would be approached again, after declining twice. “Well, if that’s how it works – then never mind,” Nikkie replied, somewhat bitterly.

Who Will Give the Points for the Netherlands This Year?

While Nikkie did not reveal who will present the votes, she and Wes hinted that they have a good guess. “I think she’s blonde too,” said Wes, to which Nikkie responded with a laugh – but kept the name to herself. Is it a familiar face from television? Another influencer? Or perhaps a total surprise? The answer will only be revealed on the night of the final.

Either way, Nikkie’s remarks highlight how deeply the Eurovision 2024 incident still resonates, and how the rift caused by Joost Klein’s disqualification continues to affect not just fans – but key figures in the Dutch Eurovision scene.

Joost Klein – What Really Happened at Eurovision 2024?

On April 30, 2024, after an early Dutch rehearsal, an incident occurred between Klein and a Swedish camerawoman hired by the production team to film a behind-the-scenes documentary. She attempted to film Klein removing his in-ear monitors – a seemingly standard shot. However, Klein shouted: “Stop filming!” twice, loud enough for those around him to hear. When the camerawoman explained she had permission, Klein curtly replied: “Still no!” and walked away.

This incident led to an official conversation between production officials and the Dutch delegation. Klein was explicitly told he must adhere to the Eurovision’s strict code of conduct. Eurovision is a massive production, with thousands of coordinated elements – and there’s no room for exceptions. Ultimately, all sides believed the situation had been defused. The camerawoman was reminded she could continue filming Klein as long as she followed the rules.

That evening, during the semifinal stage performance, Klein energetically leapt off stage after his song, shared high-fives, and ran backstage. It was there that the second – and decisive – altercation occurred with the same camerawoman. The Swedish photographer, located in the designated “afkoelruimte” (cooling-off zone), noticed the joyful atmosphere and attempted to capture it. She aimed her Sony A7 III camera at the group. Klein immediately noticed and yelled: “Hee! Why are you filming?”

At first, she assumed he was joking due to the upbeat mood. Realizing he was truly angry, she turned off the camera, hoping to de-escalate the situation. Klein kept approaching. She shielded the camera with her arms, but Klein made a sharp gesture toward it. She felt the camera hit her body. Looking up, she saw Klein running toward the green room, leaving her shaken, with a visibly damaged camera.

Joost Klein’s Disqualification – A Dramatic Friday Morning

On Friday morning, May 10, Claudia van der Pas, newly appointed head of the Dutch delegation, received a phone call from the police. Joost Klein, she was told, would not be allowed to perform in the Eurovision final.

The news came as a shock. Klein still performed that day in the jury rehearsal – a key run-through used by national juries to allocate points. To avoid full disqualification, footage from Klein’s previous rehearsal was used for the judges.

In practice, this became Joost Klein’s final performance at Eurovision 2024.

The European Broadcasting Union’s Decision – Legal and Ethical

On the Monday following the grand final – won by Switzerland – the European Broadcasting Union released an official statement: the decision to disqualify Klein had been made unanimously by the EBU’s executive board.

The Eurovision reference group, composed of representatives from all participating countries, also supported the ruling. While there may not have been unanimous agreement, the vote was sufficient. In fact, delegates from competing nations, including those in direct competition with Klein, voted for his removal. His fellow contestants ultimately sealed his Eurovision fate.

Still Hurts – Joost Klein Responds to His Disqualification

Despite his disqualification, Klein appears to be thriving professionally. He now boasts over three million monthly Spotify listeners and, in February, released his new album “Unity”, which has received critical acclaim in the Netherlands. After a broad European tour, he is now launching his first U.S. tour – including two shows in New York.

However, in a recent interview in London with The New York Times, 27-year-old Joost admitted that Eurovision still weighs heavily on him. “Everyone tells me, ‘Your career took off,’” he said, “but I don’t care.”

According to him, the Eurovision disqualification still stings – and he doesn’t expect to forget it anytime soon. “Both my parents passed away before I turned 14,” he shared. “It took me over a decade to process that loss. So why would the Eurovision situation take any less time?”

The incident was investigated by Swedish authorities but closed without charges. The prosecutor found that Klein had made a “gesture” toward the camerawoman and damaged her equipment. The names of those involved were not made public. Klein maintains that the area where she filmed should have been restricted, though he declined to elaborate – possibly knowing that was not the case. “I didn’t do anything significant,” he said, acknowledging that his height and tattoo-covered appearance may have made him look “quite intimidating” when angry.

Netherlands at Eurovision 2025

“C’est La Vie” (in English: “That’s life”) is the name of the song to be performed by the singer Claude who will represent the Netherlands in the second part of the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 to be held on May 13th in Basel, Switzerland.

The song was written by the singer himself along with Arno Krabman who is responsible for the song “De Diepte” (in English: “The Depth”) that represented the Netherlands in 2022 and reached 11th place in the grand final. In addition to these creators, the creators Joren van der Voort and Léon Palmen are involved in the writing and production of the song. Apart from Krabman, this is the first song by the other creators in the Eurovision competition. The song is performed in English and French. The song “C’est la vie” blends childhood memories with a burst of nostalgia and a deep reflection on the cyclicality and rotations of life.

Currently, the singer is ranked fifth in the betting tables, with a 5% chance of winning.

Who is Claude?

Claude Kiambe, 21 years old, was born in Congo and moved to the Netherlands with his family at the age of 13. The first Eurovision he watched was in 2014, when he and his family cheered for the winning singer Conchita Wurst from Austria. Since then, Claude has been an avid follower of the Eurovision contest. He began releasing music in 2022, with his debut single “Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot)” (in English: Ladada (My Last Word)). His song reached about 53 million views and won the 3FM award for “Best New Discovery.”

Claude released his debut album in 2024, in which he co-wrote and co-composed every song. Since then, he and his band have been performing extensively in the Netherlands and neighboring Belgium. His debut hit, for which he made English and French versions, achieved international success in about 15 countries worldwide, making Claude a globally recognized singer.

After the announcement of his selection, the Dutch singer said: “I feel extremely honoured that I will represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest next year and I still can’t believe it. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to present my song to Europe.”

Source: RTL.

Eurovision 2025: This will be the Netherlands’ 65th participation 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’ last victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.