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

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

Their dramatic performance of their alternative song Doomsday Blue at the semi-finals on Tuesday won one of the coveted places in the final.

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

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

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

A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political 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 by rapture applause and shouts of congratulations.

Draped in the tricolour, the artist, joined by dancer and choreographer Matt Williams, was elated throughout the conference and seen sharing jokes with Lithuanian representative, Silvester Belt.

In a question from online fans, Bambie Thug was asked what they thought “makes them special?”.

The Cork artist replied, “You know what makes me special? “I’m a queer.” Which was again met by loud cheers from the room.

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

Bambie Thug said: “I’m super proud. Our team is very small and I’m an independent artist. It’s incredible that we reached here.”

“See you Saturday!”

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

The other qualifying songs were from Cyprus, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg.

It’s now full steam ahead for Team Ireland towards Saturday night, and beyond that… could we be bringing Eurovision back to Milstreet for 2025?

Tributes

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

Simon Harris expressed his delight in a post on the social media platform

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

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

I posted on X: “Great to see such a unique & talented performer fly the flag for Ireland & Cork in this year’s competition.” Cork College of FET described their past students as “pure talent”.

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