San Marino’s representative Boy George left Vienna for London following his first rehearsal, praising the 2026 Eurovision production and the local atmosphere.
As rehearsals for Eurovision 2026 reach their peak and delegations are deep into preparations in Vienna, it seems that Boy George, representing San Marino alongside Senhit, is less pressured by the fact that he will take the stage in exactly one week. Today (Tuesday), it was revealed that the global superstar – known for his significant support for Israel and the legendary hit “Karma Chameleon” by his band Culture Club – left the San Marinese delegation in the middle of preparations. Following the conclusion of the first rehearsal, he returned to his home city of London.
Just returned to London after a my trip to Vienna to rehearse for @Eurovision and it was a revelation. Firstly, the stage setting is gorgeous and the levels of care, respect and kindness are off the charts. I am so happy to be part of this experience. It was amazing in an empty… pic.twitter.com/9J5HIv310i
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) May 4, 2026
The sensational announcement was made by the artist himself on his X account, where he did not miss the opportunity to praise the competition abd wrote:
“I am back in London after my trip to Vienna to rehearse for Eurovision and it was a revelation. Firstly, a beautiful set and the level of care, respect, and kindness is extraordinary. I am so happy to be part of this experience. It was amazing in an empty arena so I can only imagine what it will be like with the audience”.
Although not yet officially confirmed, the logical expectation is that Boy George will return to Vienna within a few days. This is based on the fact that the singer is scheduled to take the stage for a second rehearsal for Eurovision 2026 this Thursday, May 7th. The third rehearsal is set to take place on May 11th, the day before the semi-final, and will be open to the press.
Rehearsal Surprises and the Vienna Meeting
Two days ago, it was revealed that the Israeli entry, Noam Bettan, met with Boy George in Vienna, and a photo of the two was shared on social media. For security reasons, the Israeli national broadcaster, KAN, confirmed that Noam Bettan did not participate in the promotional pre-parties held across the continent leading up to the contest. The photo caused a stir among fans, who were excited that the singer had landed in Vienna and was finally meeting his competitors, including the San Marinese representative, who frequently expresses support for the Jewish people.
The participation of Boy George in rehearsals was not taken for granted. He did not appear live during the performance in “San Marino Song Contest”, appearing only on screen. Furthermore, it remained unclear whether he would actually perform at Eurovision alongside Senhit, or if he would follow the precedent set by Flo Rida in 2021 – being replaced by another performer during rehearsals and appearing only for the live broadcast.
Consistent Support for Israel and the Jewish Community
Since being selected as a representative for the 2026 contest, Boy George has sparked various discussions, mostly due to his extraordinary support for the state of Israel. He responded sharply to activists who criticized his participation in the competition due to Israel’s inclusion among the 35 participating nations, stating clearly:
“I will never turn my back on my Jewish friends. […] From the beginning of my career, I have worn a Star of David. Go back and look at pictures of Culture Club. I feel very connected to the Jewish people”.
The veteran artist does not hesitate to respond firmly to those who oppose his participation – both those attacking him regarding the Israeli entry and those who harbor unexplained animosity toward him. In addition to his responses to critics, the singer frequently condemns hatred directed toward Israel, emphasizing his support and his firm opposition to protesters. After being near the site of an attack targeted at the Jewish community in London, he tweeted:
“My heart goes out to the two Jewish victims and their loved ones. We need to let our Jewish community know we support them. Our Jewish community contributes so much to us. They are an integral part of the fabric of this city”.
San Marino at Eurovision 2026
“Superstar” is the title of the song that will be performed by Senhit, who will represent San Marino at Eurovision 2026 and will compete as song number 13 in the first semi-final on May 12th in Vienna, Austria. This marks the third time Senhit will compete in Eurovision, following her previous representations for San Marino in 2011 and 2021. In 2020, she was also selected to perform for San Marino, but her participation was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The song was written and composed by Senhit and Boy George, whose participation alongside Senhit in the contest is still surrounded by some uncertainty, together with several songwriters who have previously written Eurovision hits: Anderz Wrethov, Thomas Stengaard, Kill J, John Emil Johansson, and Jonathan Bellini. The song is performed entirely in English.
Eurovision 2026: This will be San Marino’s 16th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. San Marino joined the competition in 2008 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2019 when the singer Serhat finished in 19th place with the song “Say Na Na Na”.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
