Netherlands’ Joost Klein Barred By Eurovision After ‘Incident’

UPDATE: Dutch singer-rapper Joost Klein has been ejected from the 2024 Eurovision Music Contest with simply hours to go earlier than the annual competitors’s grand ultimate in Malmö, Sweden. On Saturday (Might 11), lower than 24 hours after the European Broadcast Union introduced that Klein had been suspended from rehearsals, the EBU launched a press release revealing that Klein, competing for the Netherlands, had been booted from Eurovision following “a grievance made by a feminine member of the manufacturing crew” that Swedish police are investigating.

“Whereas the authorized course of takes its course, it might not be acceptable for him to proceed within the Contest,” reads the EBU assertion, which additionally made clear that Klein’s disqualification — and the accusations in opposition to him — “didn’t contain some other performer or delegation member.”

Following Klein’s disqualification, factors awards to the Netherlands in the course of the gown rehearsals shall be revoked, and the Netherlands received’t be capable of obtain any public votes. The operating order will proceed as earlier than, minus the Netherlands.

Learn the complete assertion from the EBU under:

The Dutch artist Joost Klein won’t be competing within the Grand Last of this yr’s Eurovision Music Contest.

Swedish police have investigated a grievance made by a feminine member of the manufacturing crew after an incident following his efficiency in Thursday evening’s Semi Last. Whereas the authorized course of takes its course, it might not be acceptable for him to proceed within the Contest.

We wish to make it clear that, opposite to some media stories and social media hypothesis, this incident didn’t contain some other performer or delegation member.

We preserve a zero-tolerance coverage in direction of inappropriate behaviour at our occasion and are dedicated to offering a secure and safe working surroundings for all employees on the Contest. In gentle of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour in direction of a workforce member is deemed in breach of Contest guidelines.

The Grand Last of the 68th Eurovision Music Contest will now proceed with 25 taking part songs.
ESC Communications Staff.

Authentic Might 10 article: Joost Klein, the Netherlands’ consultant within the 2024 Eurovision Music Contest, is being investigated by the European Broadcasting Union for an “incident.” No particulars have been made public but, however Klein is suspended from rehearsals. It’s not identified if he’ll be capable of proceed within the competitors.

The EBU assertion didn’t shine a lot gentle on the state of affairs: “We’re investigating an incident reported to us regarding the Dutch artist. He won’t be rehearsing till additional discover. We’ve got no additional remark at the moment and can replace in the end.”

The second gown rehearsal for the grand ultimate is now underway on the Malmö Area in Sweden. The Netherlands is in fifth place. Nothing will appear amiss within the venue. SVT, the Swedish TV broadcaster, will use Klein’s rehearsal from semi-final 2 except the incident is cleared up within the subsequent couple of minutes. The EBU is in talks with Dutch broadcaster Avrotros.

The printed begins with the normal “flag parade,” with the artists striding on the stage in efficiency order. Klein appeared within the ceremony within the first gown rehearsal on Friday (Might 10) afternoon. When it was time for him to carry out, his stage props had been being arrange on stage after they had been all of a sudden eliminated. He was absent from the night rehearsal flag ceremony. The voiceover announcer proclaimed, “Netherlands,” however nobody appeared to point out off the nation’s flag.

The gown rehearsal presently underway is a crucial one; the nationwide juries are watching and can solid their votes tonight.

Whereas particulars in regards to the incident should not identified, Billboard received wind of hypothesis that there was a backstage incident between Klein and somebody engaged on the present — however can not verify something. There was stress between Klein and Israel’s singer, Eden Golan, at a Thursday (Might 9) evening press convention for the ten qualifying nations in semi-final 2. Golan was requested if her presence on the contest introduced a safety threat.

The moderator instructed Golan she needn’t reply, and Klein shouted out, “Why not?” Golan then voluntarily stated that the EBU was dedicated to a secure and inclusive surroundings for all. The assembled press corps burst into applause.

Israel follows Netherlands within the operating order, so it’s possible that the 2 artists had been in shut proximity in the course of the afternoon rehearsal.

This can be a growing story.