Eurovision AXES UK's Olly Alexander conference after Dutch act banned and investigation launched
A media conference featuring the UK’s Olly Alexander and other acts has been cancelled by the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Olly and other acts who did not need to compete in the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest were due to speak to the media ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, but will no longer be doing so. It comes after the Netherlands’ Joost Klein was told he was not allowed to rehearse as an investigation was launched.
An email from the organisers read: “Please note that the big five and Sweden media conference originally scheduled for 18.30 (5.30pm BST) has been cancelled because all artists want to focus on rehearsals.”
Italy, Spain, Germany and France are also in the big five.
Klein has been stopped from rehearsing by organisers earlier on Friday over an unexplained “incident”. The Dutch singer did not perform in the show’s penultimate dress rehearsal in Malmo, Sweden on Friday, where he had been due to perform in fifth place ahead of Israel.
Joost Klein with an attention grabbing hairstyle
The EBU said in a statement: “We are currently investigating an incident that was reported to us involving the Dutch artist. He will not be rehearsing until further notice. We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.”
Klein had been part of the flag parade at the start of the rehearsal, walking around the stage in full costume, but did not come out on stage for his scheduled performance around 30 minutes later. During a press conference on Thursday, Klein told Israel’s Eden Golan she should answer a question on whether she is comprising the safety of other Eurovision contestants by taking part.
A journalist from Polish radio outlet Newsletter asked Golan: “Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and public?” When Golan was told by the moderator, Swedish presenter Jovan Radomir, that she did not have to answer the question, Klein chimed in, saying: “Why not?”
Golan replied: “I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here (if not).”
Earlier in the conference, when Klein was asked if his song can unite people by music, he replied: “I think that’s a good question for the EBU.” It has been reported by local media that he faced censure following another issue on Thursday.
Olly has struggled this week after beingt at the centre of criticism
Meanwhile Olly himself has struggled this week after suffering a torrent of abuse following his performance at the contest. He received a lot of criticism after viewers at home watched his performance at the semi-final and slammed his ‘poor singing’. He later revealed his microphone pack fell off during his performance. In a new video shared on his Instagram page, he proved his awkward performance was a one-off with an acoustic version of his song Dizzy.
He has since fired back at critics after admitting he fealt “tired” as he discussed acts having not qualified for the upcoming final. Olly explained: “Eurovision updates. Semi-final one was last night. I performed – it was … it was good. I had a slight … well, my mic pack fell out halfway through the performance so I had to catch it and … just … it kind of threw me off.
“There were elements of the routine I couldn’t really do as well as I’d have liked. I was quite stressed that my pack was gonna fall off entirely and my in-eyes were gonna … anyway, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. That is the thrill of live music, live television – anything can happen,” he continued.
Olly added: “But the show was amazing. So many amazing contestants and they all did so well and it’s so heartbreaking that anyone had to go home cause they worked so hard like … the preparation, the months of rehearsal and everything that goes into it. So it was sad that anybody had to go but they did so well. Everyone was so good.”
He went to discuss how he was feeling and told followers: “I’m just quite tired, really. Tired in a deep emotional, and spiritual level. And today I’m just doing bits of press.”
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