Boy George has addressed his brief appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest, admitting he was 'sad' to have left the competition before the grand final. The Culture Club singer, 64, represented San Marino alongside Italian singer Senhit, performing the song 'Superstar' in Vienna on Tuesday night. However, the duo failed to secure a place in Saturday's final.
Social Media Reaction
Taking to social media, Boy George wrote on X: 'If you voted for us, thank you so much, I was sad we didn't get through to the final but my @eurovision experience has been fabulous. I wouldn't take a minute of it back. Thanks to @senhitofficial and the entire San Marino delegation. What a fun bunch. We will perform together in Milan in July. At the @RealCultureClub show.'
Fans quickly rallied in support. One wrote: 'I love the song Superstar so much. You and Senhit are a beautiful team. What an uplifting song! I'm so glad you are reuniting in July. Every experience brings us new beginnings and joy.' Another added: 'You're a winner no matter what!!! Lucky Milan, what a concert they will see in July!'
A third fan commented: 'I voted on several phones from Germany. It's a pity that you didn't come through. Some years ago I've stopped watching ESC. Now I remember why. It's a game… like competition dancing. I loved to see you today. You were fabulous.'
Former X Factor duo Jedward, who represented Ireland in 2011 and 2012, also weighed in, tweeting: 'Can't believe that didn't qualify!'
Qualifiers and Boycotts
Following a public vote, Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Israel, Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland secured places in the final, joining Germany and Italy, which as part of the 'big four' alongside France and the UK, have guaranteed spots. In 2025, the European Broadcasting Union allowed Israel to compete despite concerns over the war in Gaza, prompting Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland to boycott the competition in protest.
Boy George Defends Participation
Ahead of the London Eurovision Party, Boy George defended his decision to take part, stating: 'I have many, many Jewish friends that I've had since I was 15 or 16 years old. Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It's not going to happen, it's never going to happen. From the beginning of my career I wore a Jewish star. Go back and look at pictures of Culture Club. I am so affiliated with Jewish people. I am not necessarily affiliated with Israel. I don't really have an opinion on that. But the job of music is to unite people. Ireland is my mother's home country. I hope they're not too angry. But if they are, that's out of my control!'
Countries have previously been expelled from the competition, with Russia excluded in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine went on to win that year, and the 2023 contest was hosted in the UK, runner-up Sam Ryder's country.
