News Archives - Page 63 of 242

Bambie Thug Says She Would Perform in Russia While Boycotting Israel

January 6, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 controversy intensifies after Bambie Thug states in a live broadcast she would perform in Russia, while continuing to publicly boycott Israel’s participation in the contest. Recently, Irish singer Bambie Thug sparked widespread backlash and reignited debate across Europe after remarks that many perceived as highlighting contradictions within parts of the progressive cultural sphere. Ireland’s Eurovision 2024 representative stated during a live broadcast on the social media platform “TikTok” that she would be willing to perform in Russia while continuing to boycott Israel. The statement, delivered live and recorded by viewers, draws a sharp contrast: a sustained public boycott of Israel, a democratic country and full member of the EBU, alongside cultural openness toward a country excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest following its military invasion of Ukraine. This was a direct, unequivocal public declaration without clarification or subsequent correction that intensifies the ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision and the singer’s stance toward it. (adsbygoogle =...

Monokate Explains Why She’s Going Solo for Eurovision 2026

January 6, 2026January 12, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); It was recently revealed that Eurovision star Monokate is returning to Ukraine’s national selection. In a new interview, she explains why she chose to compete solo, without her band Go_A. One of the most exciting and talked-about surprises this year came with the release of the participant list for Ukraine’s Eurovision national selection, “Vidbir 2026.” In a complete surprise, beloved singer Monokate (Kateryna Pavlenko) was revealed as one of the contestants for the 2026 selection. The announcement sparked major excitement and anticipation among Eurovision fans across Europe and beyond. Now, Monokate opens up in a candid interview about why she decided to return this year on her own, without her band. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “This Is the Place Where I Can Be Myself” According to Pavlenko, the decision to compete as Monokate rather than as part of Go_A stems from an artistic desire to explore new creative territories that were not possible within the band framework. “Go_A is a...

Spain: RTVE humiliates Melody on live TV

January 6, 2026January 12, 2026 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain's RTVE mocks Eurovision representative Melody on live TV with satirical subtitles. Singer responds by embracing competitor network amid ongoing broadcaster conflict. In Spain, Eurovision may last only one week, but the drama that follows can persist far longer. Singer Melody, who represented Spain at Eurovision 2025 and finished in a disappointing 24th place, has spent recent months embroiled in a media storm with Spain's national broadcaster, RTVE. This week, during New Year's Eve celebrations, the conflict exploded once again before the entire nation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The "me, me, me" that irritated Spain Since returning from Basel with a low score, Melody has adopted a consistent narrative: "They didn't let me do what I wanted." In press conferences and interviews, she repeatedly emphasized that the screens weren't what she requested, decisions were made over her head, and delivered her now-famous line on the talk show "El Hormiguero": "I would rather finish 24th with my own mistakes than with someone else's mistakes." This self-focused approach, where...

Eurovision 2026: Semi-Final Draw Reveals 30 Countries Grouped by Voting Patterns

January 6, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU reveals Eurovision semi-final allocation draw, grouping 30 countries by voting patterns to limit bloc voting and enhance competition drama. As every year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) conducts an allocation draw to determine the semi-final participation of the competing countries. This year, following the withdrawal of the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, and Iceland, 30 countries are expected to compete in the two semi-finals and were divided into five different pots (with the sixth pot consisting of countries automatically qualified for the Grand Final). The allocation is based on historical voting patterns between countries over the years and is intended to reduce neighbor and diaspora voting in order to increase suspense around the show, according to the official statement released. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Voting Patterns and Allocation Logic Each of the six pots contains countries that share a common pattern of mutual voting at the Eurovision Song Contest or close geographical proximity. Each pot...

Drama in Norway: Will the Eurovision Winner Return to the Competition?

January 6, 2026 by Rachel Geron Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The violinist who took Eurovision by storm is back? The Norwegian Eurovision winner has sparked a wave of rumors following an Instagram post shared just ahead of the reveal of the participants in the national selection for Eurovision 2026. Former Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak shared a New Year’s post on his Instagram account, mentioning a date that led European fans to suspect that the artist, who has represented Norway twice and won Eurovision 2009 by a landslide, is planning a return to the competition, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the post, Rybak wrote that he is celebrating the New Year with a new album set to be released, added the words “Get ready for 2026,” and mentioned the date January 19. הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎🎻 ALEXANDER RYBAK 🎻‎‏ (@‏‎rybakofficial‎‏)‎‏ Fans were quick to connect the dots and discovered that the date coincides with the announcement of the contestants for the...

Ukraine: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 Will Be Chosen on February 7th!

January 6, 2026January 6, 2026 by Rachel Geron Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine's national broadcaster reveals that the final of the national selection “Vidbir 2026” will take place on February 7th. The winner of the selection will represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026, set to be held in Vienna, Austria. In recent hours, the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne announced that February 7th has been set as the date for the final of the national selection “Vidbir 2026”, during which Ukraine’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, will be chosen. Ten contestants will compete in the selection, which will take place in about a month. The winner will be determined through a combination of public voting (50%) and jury voting (50), and will go on to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Susplilne officially confirmed the news today in a post published on its Instagram account, announcing that the grand final of “Vidbir 2026” will be held on February 7th. הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Євробачення Україна‎‏ (@‏‎suspilne.eurovision‎‏)‎‏ It...

Austria: Conchita Wurst Confirms Eurovision 2026 Return in Vienna?

January 6, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Conchita Wurst confirms her return to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna? Sparking speculations over whether she will host, appear as a guest, or take another prominent role. The race to select hosts for Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria, is heating up. Many fans are still hoping that Conchita Wurst, Austria’s Eurovision 2014 winner with "Rise Like A Phoenix", will take on the role. Yesterday (Monday), Conchita spoke to the German magazine BUNTE and officially confirmed her return to the Eurovision stage but left open the question of her exact role. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Conchita Wurst and the Full-Circle Moment Despite confirming her participation, Conchita tempered expectations regarding a lead hosting position. When asked in the interview what her role would be, she replied candidly: “What exactly will I be doing there? I don’t even know myself yet”. That statement leaves several scenarios open: Full hosting role: Negotiations may still be ongoing behind the scenes,...

Poland: Viki Gabor’s “Wedding” Ceremony Sparks Controversy

January 6, 2026January 6, 2026 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Polish media rushed to declare the marriage of 18-year-old Junior Eurovision 2019 winner Viki Gabor and her partner. Now, the singer responds to the rumors. Viki Gabor, winner of the 2019 Junior Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Superhero”, is currently at the center of a media storm during a time that was supposed to be one of the happiest in her life. What began as mysterious clips on social media showing a traditional Romani ceremony with her partner soon turned into a nationwide discussion about the 18-year-old star’s future - and speculation that she might leave Poland for a new life in the UK. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Ceremony That Ignited Social Media At the end of December 2025, videos emerged showing Gabor alongside her boyfriend, Giovanni Trojanek, celebrating in a lavish Romani-style ceremony. The footage, shared by none other than Giovanni’s grandfather, well-known Romani musician Bogdan Trojanek, quickly went viral. However, a flood of online criticism soon followed, with many...

Xannova Xan Responds: “Hatred Toward an Entire Nation Is Always Wrong”

January 5, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greek singer Xannova Xan reacts angrily to the disqualification of her and Keren Peles’ song from "Sing for Greece 2026", condemning hate directed at the Israeli songwriting team. Greek singer Xannova Xan, who was scheduled to perform a song written by Keren Peles, has responded to the dramatic disqualification of their entry from the Greek selection for Eurovision 2026. In a message posted directly to her Instagram fans, she described profound disappointment and emotional distress over the decision. “First, I want to thank my fans and supporters for your loving messages, [...] Your sweet words make me want to continue after such a huge disappointment. It’s hard to find words to express how I feel right now”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Condemning Racism: “Hatred Toward an Entire Nation Is Wrong” The singer shared that ever since her collaboration with Keren Peles became public, she received both excitement and the most intense hatred she has ever experienced — allegedly only...

Greece at Eurovision: Poseidonas Giannopoulos Criticizes the Disqualification of Keren Peles’ Song

January 5, 2026January 5, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After revealing that Keren Peles’ song for “Sing for Greece 2026” was disqualified following a dispute, Poseidonas Giannopoulos reacts publicly for the first time. Poseidonas Giannopoulos takes responsibility: the song he submitted together with Israeli creators Keren Peles and Tomer Biran for “Sing for Greece 2026” was disqualified due to his involvement. In an interview aired today on the To Priono show on the ANT1 channel, Giannopoulos openly admitted he understood from the start that his name was the problem and said he was not surprised by the disqualification. Poseidonas Giannopoulos explained that he had anticipated the outcome: “As early as November 2nd I told myself – ‘Once they see my name at ERT, there’ll be a problem’”. He said in the interview. This marks the first time he acknowledges in his own voice that he accepts responsibility and suspects the decision was not purely musical. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Collaboration with Israelis May Have Been a Factor During the interview, Giannopoulos revealed that the invitation to...