Olly Alexander admits he was shocked by the “drama and scandal” surrounding ‘Eurovision’.
The 34-year-old singer-and-actor represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with his song ‘Dizzy’, which finished in 18th place, and he has admitted he had no idea just how “political” the show, which claims to be “apolitical”, was.
Speaking on this week’s episode of BBC Sounds podcast ‘Sidetracked’, for which he stepped in for co-host Annie Mac, Olly said: “There was so much drama and scandal in the week leading up to it, it was just really mad.”
Asked by host Nick Grimshaw if the politics made it less fun, he replied: “That definitely took the focus. To be honest, Eurovision tries to be apolitical, but it’s actually been political for a long time, maybe always.
“And maybe trying to be apolitical is itself a political act. I don’t know. No one could have expected that, but I definitely had not realised how political Eurovision was and how political it has always been.”
A series of protests took place after Israel was allowed compete despite the country’s ongoing war on Gaza.
Ireland’s act Bambie Thug was forced to remove the words “freedom for Palestine” and “ceasefire” from their costume.
Israel, who were represented by Eden Golan, were also forced to make changes to their song’s lyrics, and the title was changed to ‘Hurricane’.
The singer was also booed during the Grand Final.
What’s more, Netherlands act Joost was disqualified after an allegation of intimidation was made to the police by a female member of production crew following a rehearsal.
Despite the contest being drowned in controversy, Olly admits it was a “life-changing” experience that he is still “processing”.
He added: “It was still the most life-changing amazing experience, it really, really was. All the stuff I learned. It’s just mad, I will still be processing it for a while.”
Listen to the latest episode of ‘Sidetracked’ on BBC Sounds now.