Eurovision organizers ‘ordered’ Bambie Thug to change pro-Palestinian body markings

The Cork-born artist, 31, became the first Irish artist to qualify for the grand final since 2018.

Their dramatic performance of their alternative song Doomsday Blue in Tuesday’s semi-finals earned them one of the coveted places in the final.

Shortly after Ireland qualified for the grand final, the artist revealed that all three brands were now saying “Crown the Witch” ahead of their performance in Saturday night’s final.

At the semi-final winner’s press conference, they said: “Unfortunately, today I had to change those messages to ‘crown the witch’ only (which was an) EBU order.”

When asked why they included those “hidden” messages in their performance, they said it was important to them since they are “for justice” and “for peace.”

A spokeswoman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules which are designed to protect the apolitical nature of the event.

“After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show.”

Bambie also noted that they are very proud to be the first non-binary person to represent Ireland in a Eurovision grand final. This comment was met with enthusiastic applause and shouts of congratulations.

Wrapped in the tricolor, the artist, accompanied by dancer and choreographer Matt Williams, was euphoric throughout the conference and was seen sharing jokes with the Lithuanian representative, Silvester Belt.

In an online fan question, Bambie Thug was asked what they thought “makes them special.”

The Cork artist responded: “Do you know what makes me special? “I’m a faggot.” Which again was received with loud applause in the room.

This is the first time Ireland has qualified for a Eurovision final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy performed. Together in 2018.

Bambie Thug said: “I’m so proud. Our team is very small and I am a freelance artist. It is incredible that we have come this far.”

“See you on saturday!”

Of the 15 participating countries, Ireland was one of ten to gain enough votes from professional juries and the public to advance to Saturday night’s grand final.

The other classified songs came from Cyprus, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg.

Now Team Ireland is full steam ahead towards Saturday night, and beyond that… could we bring Eurovision back to Milstreet for 2025?

Tributes

The Taoiseach praised Bambie Thug and said it is “time to bring Eurovision back to Ireland”.

Simon Harris expressed his joy in a post on social media platform X.

“Congratulations to Bambie Thug who has qualified for the Eurovision final tonight,” he wrote.

“Bambie will become the first Irish act in the Eurovision final since 2018. It’s time to bring Eurovision back to Ireland and Bambie is the act to do it!” Earlier, Tánaiste Micheal Martin, who represents a Cork constituency, expressed his pride.

Posting on Cork College of FET described its former student as “pure talent”.

They posted: “Congratulations to our former student Bambi Thug for an explosive and extraordinarily powerful performance tonight at Eurovision. Pure talent.”