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Cerindion filmed the message to return to Switzerland for the first time since winning the 1988 contest
Céline Dion made an unusual appearance in the first semifinals of the Eurovision Song contest with a simple, pre-recorded message.
The star won the Swiss contest in 1988, but it was rumored to be on stage this year when the ceremony returned to the country.
“I don’t want anything other than being with you,” she said in the video. “Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is a country that has given me the opportunity to believe in me and become a part of something so extraordinary.”
In the semi-finals, we saw 10 acts eligible for Saturday’s grand finale, including Swedish attendee Kazi.
Sarah Louise Bennett
Kaj – His first name is Kevin, Axel and Jacob – Favorite to win the 2025 contest
According to the bookmaker, their song, an accordion-led comedy number whose title is translated to “Let’s Takeaway,” could potentially win a 40% chance.
If the forecast comes true, it will be Sweden’s eighth Eurovision title and the most won country in the history of the contest (they are currently tied with Ireland with seven wins each).
Fifteen acts were performed in Tuesday’s semi-finals at St. Jacobshar in Basel. These are cuts.
Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Writer Albania: Skodra Electronics – Zjermsweden: Kaj – Bara Bada Bastuiceland: Væb – Róanethlands: Claude – C’est La Viepoland: Jastyna Steczkowska – Gajasan Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutttoni MacKiatoportugal: napa – Deslocadoukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
In other words, the dream of Eurovision means that Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia all ended in 2025.
Of these, the biggest surprise was Belgian red Sebastian, whose rave reviews of the national anthem was predicted to finish in the top five.
His disqualification came on his 26th birthday.
After the second semi-finals on Thursday, 10 more acts will advance to the main contest.
As with Switzerland, the winners of last year, the “Big Five” countries (France, Germany, Spain, UK, Italy) that contribute the most financially to the competition are automatically qualified.
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Celine Dion represented Switzerland in the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where she defeated British contestant Scott Fitzgerald one point
Dion’s video message came during the ceremony as votes were being held during the ceremony.
She couldn’t be there in person, but it was a coup for the organizers. Singer has escaped the spotlight in recent years due to health issues related to rigidity syndrome (SPS), a neurological condition that causes muscle convulsions and makes her difficult to walk.
After a four-year break, she made an emotional comeback at the Parisio Games last summer, singing the classic hymn of Edith Piaf at Eiffel Tower.
Since Swiss singer Nemo won the 2024 contest, speculation has been growing about the potential appearance of Eurovision.
In her video, Dion said it was “beautiful and emotional” to watch the young singer lift the trophy, recalling that her victory in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me.
“I would like to thank the people of Switzerland for your love,” she continued. “This night belongs to you. I hope you’ll be as proud as I do.”
After repeating her message in French, a former Eurovision contestant appeared on stage to cover Dion’s victory song from 1988’s Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don’t Leave Without Me).
However, organizers said they didn’t give up hope for the star who will appear in this weekend’s final.
“We are still in close contact with her,” they said in a statement.
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Polish star Justina Stetzkowska floated on stage during her performance
The semi-finals on Tuesday opened with Icelandic group Væb, two brothers with unregulated energy from former Irish participants Jedward.
It was followed by Polish star Justina Stetzkowska. He was hanging unsteady on the stage with two ropes.
The acrobatics followed Slovenian musician Clemen.
The song is a homage to his wife, and although he recently recovered from cancer, his emotional performance wasn’t enough to win him in the finals.
It was Tommy Cash of Estonia who took a light note. That quirky national anthem Espresso Macchiato was interrupted by a dancer who recreated the “Stage Invader,” a dancer who recreated the dance moves that covered the noodles.
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Tommy Cash danced with “Stage Invaders” fans before the security guard pulled her away
The arena was flooded with Ukrainian flags for Ziferblat. That Prog-Pop Anthem Bird is a message of hope and resilience for a family separated by the ongoing war with Russia.
Italian Lucio Corsi brought 70’s Grammarock vibes to the truck Volevo Esse Un Duro.
Bosnian singer Marco Bo Boschunjack was all black eyeliner and ominous energy for his murderous anthem poison cake, but Dutch singer Claude was actively hilarious through the bright performance of C’est La Vie.
And Swiss singer Zoe May made a voyage, a modest and rather beautiful plea for kindness and understanding, and was soaked in the sea of mobile phone lighting.
Sarah Louise Bennett
Italian Lucio Corsi (left) recreated David Bowie’s iconic top of the pop performance with Mick Ronson in his song “Vervo Essele un Duro.”
But Kaj was a beat shop – the entire audience stomps into the goofy sauna anthem (“Damn, raise the heat!”)
Performed in the Vörå dialect, the song is a fundamental departure from a formula tested from the Swedish smooth pop anthem formula.
He was a surprise winner for Melodifestivalen, selecting the country’s Eurovision entry and went to the top of the Swedish pop charts for 11 weeks.
Speaking to the BBC, bands that actually came from the Swedish-speaking part of Finland said it was strange to take part in the contest as their presumed favorite.
“We’re feeling a little pressure,” they admitted.
