Céline Dion, the 1988 Eurovision winner for Switzerland, made a brief, pre-recorded appearance during the contest’s first semi-final.
Speculation had mounted regarding a potential live performance as the event returned to Switzerland this year. However, Dion’s video message indicated otherwise.
“I’d love nothing more than to be with you,” she shared, expressing her regret. “Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary.”
Ten acts advanced from the semi-final to Saturday’s grand finale, notably including Swedish entrants KAJ, whose song “Bara Bada Bastu” (“Let’s take a sauna”) is the bookmakers’ strong favorite to win, with a 40% chance of victory.
A Swedish win would mark their eighth Eurovision title, surpassing Ireland to become the most successful country in the contest’s history.
Fifteen acts competed in Basel’s St Jakobshalle, with Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia eliminated from contention.
The elimination of Belgium’s Red Sebastian, whose song “Strobe Lights” was predicted to perform highly, proved a significant surprise.
A further ten acts will qualify following Thursday’s second semi-final. The “Big Five” (France, Germany, Spain, UK, Italy), plus last year’s winners, Switzerland, automatically progress.
Dion’s video message aired during the voting interval, a significant coup for organizers. Her reduced public appearances in recent years are due to health challenges related to stiff-person syndrome (SPS).
Following a four-year hiatus, she made an emotional comeback at last summer’s Paris Olympics. Speculation about a Eurovision appearance intensified after Switzerland’s victory in 2024.
In her message, Dion described the young Swiss winner’s triumph as “beautiful and emotional,” recalling her 1988 win as a “life-changing moment”. She expressed gratitude to the Swiss people and concluded her message in French.
Former Eurovision contestants performed a cover of Dion’s winning song, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”. Organizers, however, remain hopeful for Dion’s potential appearance at the final.
“We are still in close contact with her,” they stated.
Tuesday’s semi-final showcased diverse performances, from Iceland’s energetic VÆB to Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska’s aerial performance of “Gaja”. Slovenia’s Klemen’s suspended performance, a tribute to his wife’s cancer recovery, was emotionally powerful.
Estonia’s Tommy Cash provided quirky energy with “Espresso Macchiato,” featuring a synchronized dancer, while Ukraine’s Ziferblat offered a powerful message of hope with “Bird Of Pray”.
Italy’s Lucio Corsi channeled 70s glam rock, with visual nods to David Bowie’s “Starman” performance. Bosnia’s Marko Bošnjak contrasted with the Netherlands’ Claude, delivering a positive and upbeat performance.
Switzerland’s Zoë Më’s “Voyage” concluded the performances, while KAJ’s “Bara Bada Bastu” captivated the audience with its unique sauna-themed energy, sung in the Vörå dialect.
The song, a departure from Sweden’s usual pop anthems, topped the Swedish charts for 11 weeks. The band, from the Swedish-speaking region of Finland, acknowledged the pressure of being the frontrunner but expressed excitement for the competition.
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