Marko Bošnjak, Croatia’s Eurovision 2025 act, sparks conversation after addressing his country’s harsh backlash, his coming out, and the low placement he received in the contest.

Marko Bošnjak, who represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 held in Basel, decided to bare his soul this week in a powerful and emotional Instagram story. The 21-year-old singer failed to qualify for the grand final with his song “Poison Cake”, and is now revealing the painful experience of watching people in his own country seemingly take pleasure in his downfall.

Marko Bošnjak: “I Became a Symbol – and Faced an Onslaught”

Bošnjak laid bare those feelings that many young LGBTQ+ individuals in the Balkans often struggle to voice. He admitted that publicly coming out was not an easy move, and the reactions he received – particularly during his Eurovision journey – were harsh and deeply painful.
“No love from croatia. Most eurovision fans hated it. I was predicted last (37/37) the whole esc season. And it hurt watching my own country enjoy my ‘downfall’. The hate at home was and still is insane,” he reflected, adding a thankful note to those who offered support amid the storm.

Following the story, reactions quickly poured in – some filled with public support and encouragement, others harsh, belligerent, and even threatening. Bošnjak spoke about his professional fall, vocal health issues, and the grueling hours dedicated to vocal rehabilitation.

Bošnjak’s Controversial Stance on Israel Draws Fire

While many praised Marko Bošnjak for his courage and honesty, his outspoken views on Israel after the contest sparked backlash both in Israel and abroad. In an interview, Bošnjak publicly expressed support for calls to impose “sanctions” against Israel and claimed that “Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision.” Those remarks triggered a wave of critical responses, particularly from Israeli fans who felt hurt and alienated by his comments.

His stance sharply contrasts with the founding principles of the Eurovision Song Contest, which promotes cultural exchange and unity among nations. Though Bošnjak presents himself as progressive and liberal, his insistence on Israel’s exclusion from the contest undermines the values of inclusivity, solidarity, and pluralism that he advocates. Such actions cast a shadow over the message of tolerance and weaken the sense of unity Eurovision has long tried to foster among diverse countries and communities.

The fusion of sexual identity exploration and the international stage turned Bošnjak into a trailblazer—but the personal, mental, and public cost was steep. He closed his post with a promise to his supporters:

“I’m just getting started babezzzz.”

Croatia at Eurovision 2025

“Poison Cake” was the title of the song performed by Marko Bošnjak in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025. Croatia failed to qualify for the grand final, breaking the country’s recent streak of success. The song finished 12th out of 15 entries in its semi-final, receiving a total of 28 points.

Eurovision 2025: This marked Croatia’s 30th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Croatia joined the competition in 1993 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2024 by finishing in second place with the song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” performed by the singer Baby Lasagna.