Joost Klein, a Dutch artist, has been disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest following a backstage incident. The disqualification stemmed from an allegation of intimidation reported by a female member of the production crew to Swedish police.
Although Klein denied physically touching the camera woman, he expressed discomfort with being filmed, which led to a confrontation.
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros defended Klein, deeming the disqualification disproportionate, emphasizing that he repeatedly expressed his unwillingness to be filmed backstage.
Meanwhile, another disruption surfaced as Ireland’s entrant, Bambie Thug, missed their dress rehearsal, citing an urgent matter that needed the European Broadcasting Union’s attention.
Despite the absence, Bambie Thug aimed to grace the stage for the main event. Their Instagram story shed light on the situation but made no mention of Klein’s disqualification, signaling separate incidents.
Adding to the commotion, Norwegian media reported Allesandra Mele, the Norwegian jury spokesman, withdrawing from her role, citing the “inflamed situation” in Malmo, Sweden, where the contest was held.
Mele’s decision to step back, referencing the tension surrounding the event, hinted at broader challenges beyond individual incidents.
In response to the disqualification, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros expressed shock and dissatisfaction, pledging to address the matter further.
Despite efforts to resolve the issue with the European Broadcasting Union, Klein’s disqualification stood, with organizers citing the ongoing legal process as grounds for his exclusion from the competition.
This turn of events significantly altered the landscape of the Eurovision Song Contest, affecting participants and organizers alike, while the anticipation for the grand event continued amidst the turmoil.
