Israel has agreed to revise the lyrics of its potential submission to the Eurovision Song Contest after the contest organizers raised concerns about verses that seemed to reference a Hamas attack. The leading Israeli submission, "October Rain", includes lines that allude to the attack, prompting the broadcaster Kan to request the songwriters to revise the lyrics while preserving their artistic freedom. The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, has yet to comment on Kan's decision. The move to revise the lyrics came following a request from Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, emphasizing the need for Israel to proudly raise its flag on the world stage, especially in the face of attempts to boycott the country.
Israel has revised the lyrics of its Eurovision song entry for 2024, changing the title from 'October Rain' to 'Hurricane,' after the original version was rejected by the European Broadcasting Union for being too political. The decision came after Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the revision to ensure Israel's participation in the international song contest.
Over 400 entertainment industry leaders, including Gene Simmons and David Draiman, have signed an open letter in support of Israel's participation in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, rejecting attempts to bar the country from the event. The letter emphasizes the unifying power of music and criticizes calls to exclude Israel, citing the country's history in Eurovision and the event's role in cultural exchange and unity. The signatories express their support for all contestants and urge Eurovision to stand firm against the boycott attempt.
Gene Simmons, Sharon Osbourne, and Boy George are among the celebrities who have signed an open letter supporting Israel's inclusion in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in response to calls from some artists to exclude Israel due to its military action in Gaza. The letter, penned by the nonprofit organization "Creative Community for Peace," includes signatures from various celebrities and emphasizes the unifying power of music, while condemning the targeting of Israeli artists. The European Broadcasting Union is committed to including Israel in the contest, which takes place in Sweden this year.
The Sanremo Festival in Italy, typically focused on selecting a Eurovision Song Contest representative, became contentious as a pro-Palestinian rapper's message sparked accusations of genocide against Israel, raising concerns about potential anti-Israel sentiment at the upcoming Eurovision event in Sweden.
An airstrike in Damascus reportedly killed two senior Iranian advisers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, calls to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest are growing amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has seen increased attacks in Gaza. European Union diplomat Josep Borrell accused Israel of creating and financing Hamas to weaken the two-state solution, further complicating the already tense situation in the region.
Russia has added Ukrainian singer Susana Jamaladinova, who won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest under the stage name Jamala, to its wanted list. She is charged with violating a law that bans spreading fake information about the Russian military and the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. Jamala, who is of Crimean Tatar descent, won the contest with the song "1944," which refers to the year the Soviet Union deported Crimean Tatars en masse. Russia had protested the song's inclusion in the competition, but it made no specific criticism of Russia or the Soviet Union.
Malmö, Sweden, has been chosen as the host city for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, following Sweden's win at this year's event. The contest will take place at the Malmö Arena on May 11, with the semi-finals happening earlier in the same week. Malmö previously hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992 and 2013. Loreen's historic second win at the 67th Eurovision in Liverpool made her the first woman to win the competition twice and tied Sweden with Ireland for the most wins. Eurovision's popularity has been growing, with strong ratings worldwide, and Malmö was selected for its venues, infrastructure, and ability to accommodate thousands of people.
Kate Middleton showcased her musical talent by playing last year's winning entry on the piano in the opening sequence of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Grand Final. The Princess of Wales performed a short instrumental piano performance of Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra's hip hop and folk song, "Stefania," arranged by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel. The competition was held in Liverpool, England, on behalf of Ukraine, which was deemed unsafe to host due to the ongoing Russian invasion. Sweden's Loreen won the competition with her ballad "Tattoo," marking her second win in the competition.
Cyclone Mocha hits Myanmar's west coast with winds equivalent to a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane, while Lori Vallow Daybell is found guilty of killing her two children and conspiring in the murder of her husband's first wife. Sweden's Loreen wins the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time, and President Joe Biden is scheduled to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. In this week's "One Thing" podcast, CNN's Gabe Cohen explains why advocates fear a recent legal fight over a homeless encampment in Phoenix could provide a blueprint for other cities dealing with the issue.
Kate Middleton surprised viewers with a pre-recorded piano performance at the opening of the Eurovision Song Contest final, playing an instrumental version of last year's winning song by the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra. She wore a blue one-shouldered chiffon Jenny Packham dress and a pair of earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Middleton learned to play piano from the age of around 10 or 11 until 13, according to her former instructor Peter Nicholls. King Charles and Queen Camilla also made cameos in the film "Welcome to Liverpool" which was screened ahead of the semi-finals.
The Eurovision Song Contest final took place in Liverpool, with Sweden's Loreen and Finland's Käärijä among the favorites to win. The contest was hosted by Britain on behalf of Ukraine, which won last year but couldn't hold the event due to the ongoing war. The show featured live performances from Ukrainian acts and paid tribute to the country's resilience. The winner will be decided by a complex system of jury and public votes, with each act hoping to avoid getting "nul points." Eurovision has launched the careers of breakout stars like ABBA and Celine Dion, and is once again seen as a platform for launching new talent.
The 67th Eurovision Song Contest, hosted by the UK on behalf of last year's winner, Ukraine, will feature contestants from 26 countries, including Ukraine's electronic music duo Tvorchi, who were selected from an underground bomb shelter. The competition between Sweden and Finland reflects a broader tension in the contest, with voting split between national juries of industry professionals and the public. The event, watched by over 160 million people worldwide, is known for its kitsch and extreme silliness, but also features soulful ballads and powerful stage shows.
English actress Hannah Waddingham, known for her roles in Game of Thrones, Ted Lasso, and Sex Education, has become a fan favorite as co-host of the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals alongside Alesha Dixon and Julia Salina. Waddingham's energetic and fun-loving personality, language skills, and stage presence have earned her rave reviews and A-list status. Despite a decade of hit TV shows, Waddingham says global fame came relatively late, and she credits the Universe for bringing her the role in Ted Lasso that won her an Emmy, Critics' Choice Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award.
The Eurovision Song Contest, a nearly-seven-decade program of music, dance, and showmanship, will begin its semifinals next week with entrants from 37 countries competing for the most showstopping performance. The performances will air live on Peacock Premium, with the first semifinal on May 9, the second on May 11, and the grand final on May 13. Viewers can prepare by watching a supercut of this year's entries or reading up on the show's most memorable performances.
