In the grand final of Eurovision 2023, Sweden’s Loreen not only proved her pop prowess but also made history as the first woman to win the annual song contest twice. The event, held on Saturday (13 May), was a resplendent spectacle of Europop and campness, featuring memorable performances and hilarious standout moments.
Hosted by the charismatic Hannah Waddington, the event was jam-packed with meme-worthy moments. Highlights included Croatian punk rockers Let 3 taking a shot at Putin in their number “Mama ŠČ”. However, one word seems to resonate in the Twitterverse in the aftermath of the event – ROBBED.
Finland’s Unexpected Loss Stirs Controversy
Finland’s Käärijä, with his punk-infused, catchy number “Cha Cha Cha,” was a major fan favorite leading up to the event. Despite ranking first in the public vote, he came in fourth in the jury vote with 150 points, leading to an outpouring of disappointment and outrage from his followers.
Käärijä, decked in a flamboyant luminous green shirt and black spiked trousers, delivered a spirited performance complete with headbanging, tongue flicking, and pole action. Backed by four dancers in highlighter pink, the performance was undeniably camp and highly entertaining.
Sweden’s Loreen Secures a Historic Win
Finland and Sweden were both considered top contenders. However, Sweden’s Loreen, a celebrated bisexual pop icon, emerged victorious, garnering a total of 583 points. Finland followed in second place with 526 points and Israel with 362.
Loreen’s win, despite the overwhelming popularity of Käärijä’s performance, has sparked a debate over the role of the jury in determining the final outcome. Many fans feel that “Cha Cha Cha” should have taken the crown, with sentiments of being “robbed” echoing across social media platforms.
Nevertheless, there were voices who called for sportsmanship and congratulated Loreen on her historic double win, indicating that not everyone agreed with the narrative of Finland’s Käärijä being wronged. As the dust settles on Eurovision 2023, the discussions and debates continue to reverberate, making it one of the most memorable editions in recent history.