Eurovision winner rejects Russian award because she’ll be busy marching at Pride
The Eurovision Song Contest winner has rejected the chance to pick up an award in Russia – because she’s marching in Pride instead.
Israel’s Netta Barzilai gave a show-stopping performance of “Toy” on May 12, complete with feminist lyrics and a catchy beat that gave her country its first win since 1998.
The singer was however accused of appropriating Asian culture during her set, and sparked confusion with her comment of “Next time Jerusalem” – a celebratory remark which some thought was an announcement of next year’s Eurovision venue.
(FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty)
Netta, 25, picked up OUTtv’s OUTmusic Award after winning the vote among LGBT fans before the contest, and was invited to accept another honour following her win.
According to Russian news outlet Super, Muz-TV – a channel which was modelled after MTV – wanted to award Netta its Transformation award.
But the star wasn’t about to receive an honour in Russia, a country which has seen hate crimes against LGBT people double since its government created a law banning gay “propaganda”.
(GIDEON MARKOWICZ/AFP/Getty)
Netta responded that she won’t be able to attend the June 8 event because she’ll be marching in Tel Aviv Pride, a rally which she said was “much more important” to her.
She also voiced her concerns that a Pride march like one in the Tel Aviv wouldn’t be allowed in Russia.
SuRie, who came third from the bottom at Eurovision, appeared on ITV’s This Morning on Monday to speak about her Eurovision experience.
(FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty)
She revealed that she suffered bruises on her hand and her shoulder after political activist Dr ACactivism rushed the stage.
During Saturday’s show, SuRie had her microphone snatched from her for about 15 seconds by the man.
“It was a night of surprises,” SuRie told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
The singer said she didn’t feel frightened when the activist appeared on stage, however.
(FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty)
“There wasn’t any time to feel fear. He was suddenly there, security was on him as quick as he was on me,” she explained.
“The music was still going. I was clapping and cheering with the crowd. I turned back and the microphone was on the floor and I was like, ‘This is mine.'”
(ITV)
SuRie was hurt during the brief altercation and said, she has “bruises on [my] hand where I was holding the mic and on my shoulder.”
But after security detained the activist, SuRie continued her performance and felt that the “the lyrics took on a new meaning: ‘Hold your head up, don’t give up.'”
