Eurovision 2025’s withdrawal season: Full stories behind the dramas-what truly unfolded behind the scenes of national selections, from scandals to criminal investigations.

Montenegro: The Surprising Withdrawal of the Famous Singer and the Unexpected Turn

November 4th, 2024, marked a particularly surprising day for Eurovision fans in Montenegro and worldwide. The Montenegrin national broadcaster, RTCG, announced the withdrawal of singer Boban Rajović from the national selection “Montesong” ahead of Eurovision 2025. Rajović, considered one of the most beloved figures in Montenegrin music, had built his reputation through a long career and songs that achieved significant success in Montenegro and the Balkans. His withdrawal came as a complete shock, especially given his past enthusiasm for participating in the contest.

In a statement posted to his Instagram Story, Rajović wrote:

“I don’t think there’s even a need to speak about my passion to represent Montenegro at Eurovision, but it simply wasn’t meant to be this year-that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future”.

These words reflect a sense of personal disappointment but also hope for the future. Rajović emphasized that this was not a rejection of his desire to participate but a decision stemming from unspecified personal developments. In his announcement, he congratulated all the participants in the national selection and expressed hope that “the song with the most votes from the audience will win”.

Replacing Rajović, singer Tamara Živković joined the competition at the last minute with her song “Poguban let” (in English: “Deadly Battle”). Živković’s swift entry allowed RTCG to maintain the normal proceedings of the national selection, but it was impossible to ignore that Rajović’s withdrawal had shifted the balance of power in the entire competition.

The Year’s Most Surprising Drama – The “Clickbait” Scandal in Montenegro’s Eurovision Selection

As Montenegro recovered from its first withdrawal, another storm erupted, dominating the national selection season: the “Clickbait” controversy. The band NeonoeN won the “Montesong” national final with their song “Clickbait”, securing victory with 20 total points from combined jury and audience votes.

However, just three days after their win, it emerged that the band had performed an early version of the song at the Zabjelo Tourism Festival on September 9th, 2023, nearly a year before Eurovision’s permitted deadline of September 1st, 2024. Under Eurovision rules, competing songs must debut after September 1st of the prior year to prevent pre-contest marketing advantages, including performances for even small audiences.

In response, NeonoeN posted a defiant statement on Instagram:

“Thank you to our colleagues and others who reached out. Many know ‘Clickbait’ won under fair conditions. We certainly gained no advantage from performing a working version for a small audience long before Montesong was even considered”.

The band attached a 2016 EBU ruling allowing Ukraine’s Jamala to compete despite a similar early performance, arguing for precedent.

Despite their defense, NeonoeN announced their withdrawal two days later:

“We refuse to be part of gossip unrelated to music. Eurovision was never our goal, only exposure to Montenegrin audiences”.

They maintained the early performance provided no competitive advantage and noted the EBU sometimes permits such cases.

Following “Montesong” rules, broadcaster RTCG appointed runner-up Nina Žižić (19 points) as Montenegro’s official Eurovision 2025 representative.

Albania: The Under-the-Radar Drama”

Even Albania’s selection process was not without turbulence. On November 19th, 2024, the Albanian national broadcaster RTSH announced the withdrawal of singer-actor Olsi Bylyku from the competition. Bylyku, a beloved figure in Albania who enjoyed popularity among younger audiences, cited unspecified personal reasons for his abrupt exit. Though full details were never disclosed, the decision sent shockwaves through local fans.

Replacing Bylyku, singer Klea Dina entered the competition with her song “Dashuri Ndiej” (in English: “I Feel Love”). While Dina’s late addition stabilized Albania’s Eurovision selection “Festivali i Këngës”, the public grappled with a lingering sense of loss over the exit of one of the year’s most anticipated talents.

Croatia: A Surprising Withdrawal

In Croatia, another drama unfolded: on December 24th, 2024, the Croatian national broadcaster, HRT, announced that singer LSQ and Lara had withdrawn from the national selection “DORA 2025”. Their song “Mama” (in English: “Mother”), considered one of the most promising entries, was replaced by Swingers, a well-known pop-rock act in Croatia, with their song “FUL KUL” (in English: “Totally Cool”).

The withdrawal reminded many of Baby Lasagna’s story from the previous year – a last-minute replacement who ultimately won the national final and became one of Eurovision 2024’s breakout stars.

Ukraine: The Russian Boycott Battle Behind the Dramatic Withdrawal

On December 27th, 2024, the Ukrainian national broadcaster, Suspilne, announced that singer Teslenko had withdrawn from Ukraine’s national selection. The decision followed escalating tensions over competitor Enleo’s alleged consumption of Russian music – a contentious issue given Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.

Teslenko’s management issued a stark declaration:

“We cannot compete alongside someone for whom Ukrainian music is an embarrassment and a failure”.

Initially, Teslenko pushed for Enleo’s disqualification. However, after a Russian missile strike on Kyiv, he opted to withdraw in protest. Later, Teslenko entered San Marino’s national selection, securing third place with his song.

Israel’s Dramatic Withdrawal: Benny Elbaz Exits “HaKochav HaBa”

On December 13th, 2024, singer Benny Elbaz announced his withdrawal from “HaKochav HaBa” after advancing through the auditions with 78% from judges and the audience. In a TikTok video, Elbaz stated:

“I want to announce my withdrawal from ‘HaKochav HaBa for Eurovision’. I sincerely thank the entire professional team, managers, producers, and judges for this incredible opportunity. After October 7th, I believe the younger generation should represent us at Eurovision this year. We’re probably ‘expired’. […] Only the youth are the victorious generation – I’m proud of them, and they alone should represent us”.

Benny Elbaz’s participation in the audition stage was accompanied by significant attention from the production, reflected in the promos that preceded the audition episode in which he took part. Elbaz’s withdrawal just before the start of the selection phase is surprising, but at the same time, we cannot help but question the singer’s intentions to participate in the Eurovision contest in Basel as an observant Jew who would be required to attend rehearsals even during the Sabbath.

Benny, 64, is a very well-known Israeli singer who began his career in the 1980s. Benny revealed that he has been a “Eurovision fanatic since a young age” and was very hopeful that Israel’s representative Eden Golan would win Eurovision 2024. Elbaz chose to sing the French song from the last Eurovision contest, “Mon amour”, originally by Slimane, in his audition.

Moldova: A Shocking Withdrawal – The Country Abandons Eurovision

January 22nd, 2025 will be remembered as one of the most dramatic days in Eurovision history. During a press conference, the director of the Moldovan national broadcaster TRM, Corneliu Durnescu and the head of Moldova’s Eurovision delegation, Daniela Crudu announced that Moldova will not participate in Eurovision 2025, citing a “detailed analysis of the current situation, alongside economic, administrative, and artistic challenges”.

Corneliu elaborated:

“The decision was not easy but necessary in the current context. This year’s national selection highlighted specific challenges, including declining public interest and the overall quality of artists and performances. This created a negative perception among judges and the public, emphasizing the need for substantial reform in the selection process”.

He added that TRM aims to revise selection criteria and methodology to attract more talented artists and ensure a “consistent, competitive cultural representation on the international stage”.

Corneliu emphasized Eurovision’s significant costs, including organizing the national final, production, artist promotion, travel, stage setup, and technical equipment. He clarified Moldova’s EBU participation fee as 21,486 euros, countering rumors of a 176,000 euro fee.

TRM had already held auditions for 26 songs and scheduled the national final for February 22nd, 2025. However, just one month before the final, Moldova withdrew-a decision unparalleled in Eurovision history.

The next day, Bacho & CARNIVAL BRAIN, who qualified to the national final with the song “Semafoare” (in English: “Traffic Light”), announced a sponsor’s offer to fund Moldova’s Eurovision participation. Despite their proposal, TRM refused to reverse its decision, leaving Moldova absent from the 2025 contest.

Italy: The Withdrawal That Shook the Sanremo Festival

In early December 2024, the Italian national broadcaster RAI, revealed the official lineup for the Sanremo Festival 2025. On January 29th, 2025, just two weeks before the contest’s start, on February 11th, rapper Emis Killa announced his withdrawal on Instagram, citing a criminal investigation tied to ultras fan clubs of Milan’s football teams Inter and AC Milan.

In a dramatic Instagram Story, Killa wrote:

“I learned from the newspapers today that I’m under investigation… If true, I want the inquiry to proceed properly, without media circus pressures. After 15 years in music, I was thrilled to debut at Sanremo. I thank Carlo Conti for selecting me, but I’ll step back. […] I trust this will resolve positively, and I hope to compete in a future edition where music takes center stage-as it should”.

Killa clarified that contrary to media reports, he faced an administrative investigation rather than criminal charges. Despite this, he chose to withdraw to avoid negative media scrutiny at Sanremo and potential backlash if he advanced to Eurovision. While it remains unclear whether external pressures influenced his decision, his statement left open the possibility of future participation in Italy’s Eurovision selection process.

The Withdrawal Season That Left Its Mark on Eurovision 2025

The unprecedented wave of withdrawals that swept through Eurovision 2025’s national selections will be remembered for generations. Artists who dreamed of gracing the stage were forced to abandon their ambitions, often amid dramatic circumstances, fateful missteps, or insurmountable pressures. While the contest has long symbolized musical unity across borders, this year laid bare its role as a battleground for controversies, strategic gambits, and agonizing decisions.

Whether driven by personal struggles, public scandals, or strategic calculations, one certainty remains: Eurovision 2025 will transcend mere musical celebration. It carries the scars of behind-the-scenes conflicts that unfolded long before the first note echoes across the stage in Basel.

Eurovision 2025: Dates and Time

The Eurovision Song Contest for 2025 will take place in May, as per tradition. Here are the exact dates:

• First Semi-Final: Tuesday, May 13th, 2025

• Second Semi-Final: Thursday, May 15th, 2025

• Grand Final: Saturday, May 17th, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Eurovision 2025: This will be Switzerland’s 65th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland joined the competition in 1956, being one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Its most recent victory was at the last Eurovision in 2025, with Nemo’s song “The Code.” This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” performed by international singer Céline Dion.