In her video, Dion reminisces about her Eurovision victory while KAJ impresses audiences with a playful track, aiming for Sweden's eighth title at Eurovision.
Céline Dion Celebrates Eurovision's Return to Switzerland; Sweden's KAJ Moves to Final
Céline Dion Celebrates Eurovision's Return to Switzerland; Sweden's KAJ Moves to Final
Céline Dion shares a heartfelt message as Sweden's KAJ qualifies for the Eurovision finale with their catchy sauna anthem.
Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, delivering a pre-recorded message that resonated deeply with the audience. Celebrating the contest's return to Switzerland for the first time since her win in 1988, Dion expressed her love for Switzerland, stating, "It's the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary." Despite rumors of her performing live, she confirmed she could not attend but sent her heartfelt wishes.
As the Eurovision semi-final unfolded at Basel's St Jakobshalle, ten acts progressed to Saturday's grand finale, prominently featuring Swedish trio KAJ, whose humorous song "Bara Bada Bastu," translating to "let's take a sauna," stole the spotlight. According to bookmakers, they lead the competition with a 40% chance of winning, which would secure Sweden's eighth Eurovision title and place them ahead of Ireland in the contest's history.
Fifteen acts took the stage, with Norway, Albania, Iceland, the Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Estonia, Portugal, and Ukraine joining KAJ in the final, while Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia faced disappointment after not qualifying. Belgium's entry, Red Sebastian, notably surprised audiences as it had been predicted to perform well.
Dion's video played during the ceremony's interval while audiences placed their votes. As she reflected on her first win, she called it a "life-changing moment" and thanked the Swiss people for their support. Former Eurovision contestants then performed her 1988 winning song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi," creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Despite her health battles with stiff-person syndrome, Dion's presence remotely was a significant highlight for Eurovision's organizers. They conveyed their hopes for her appearance at the final, maintaining that they were still in close contact with the singer.
The semi-final showcased an array of performances, including jaw-dropping stunts from artists like Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, who entertained while suspended in the air, and Serbia's Klemen, performing inverted. Each act brought unique energy, highlighted by KAJ's fun sauna anthem, which has reigned atop Swedish pop charts, much to the trio's surprise as they acknowledged the pressure of being favorites.
With anticipation building for the grand finale, KAJ aims to represent a refreshing shift from traditional pop, promising an exciting performance filled with fun and cultural nods to sauna traditions. The audience is sure to be treated to an unforgettable showdown this weekend at Eurovision.
