Bambie Thug, the self-described ‘ouija-pop’ artist who placed sixth in this year’s Eurovision contest, has criticised the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), claiming that it “does not represent what Eurovision is”. Speaking in a post-contest interview, Thug denounced the atmosphere surrounding the contest as “so hard and so horrible”. They praised Nemo, the winner of this year’s event, as a “non-binary person” and thanked their fellow contestants for their support.
During the competition, Thug faced criticism over their pro-Palestinian stance. The artist was forced to remove the words “ceasefire” and “freedom for Palestine” from their costume due to Eurovision’s political neutrality clause, a decision Thug described as “fucked up”. Thug also lodged a complaint with Eurovision organisers against Israeli broadcaster KAN, whose commentary during the contest they said was in breach of EBU rules.
This year’s Eurovision has been mired in controversy due to the inclusion of Israel against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The EBU’s decision to allow Israel to compete has been criticised by some fans, with musician Jason Kwan calling the contest “inherently and explicitly political”. Thug’s comments have drawn attention to the political controversy that continues to plague Eurovision, despite its reputation as an apolitical celebration of music and dance.
Thug’s criticism of the EBU has garnered attention from fans around the world, many of whom have taken to social media to express their support for the artist’s pro-Palestinian stance. Thug’s sixth-place finish at this year’s contest has made them a rising star in the music world, and their vocal commitment to political causes has cemented their reputation as an artist to watch in the coming years. Eurovision continues to draw criticism from those who argue that the contest’s political neutrality is impossible in the midst of ongoing political conflicts
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