The Swiss winner of Eurovision 2024 says the song contest may need "a bit of fixing" after claiming they were forced to smuggle in a flag celebrating the non-binary community, in a competition that was filled with controversy amid protests over Israel's inclusion and the shock disqualification of an entrant.
Nemo became the first non-binary winner of Eurovision after securing the most votes in the beloved annual song contest in Malmö, Sweden on Sunday morning AEST.
The performer secured the top spot with 591 points with their song The Code, after final counting. Croatia came second with the song Rim Tim Tagi Dim.
Nemo issued a call for peace after winning the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Credit: aap
In a brief blip, it appeared Nemo chipped the glass winner's trophy after being captured on stage holding just the top of the trophy.
Speaking at a press conference afterwards, they dedicated their win to "everyone out there who's non-binary, gender fluid, transgender".
"Just people, people that are daring to be themselves and people that need to be heard and need to be understood," Nemo said.
"We need more compassion, we need more empathy."
A reporter then asked Nemo about claims of fans being removed after holding up the non-binary flag in support of the performer during the flag parade.
"That is unbelievable," Nemo said.
"I had to smuggle my flag in because Eurovision said no, and I did it anyway, so I hope some other people did that too.
"I broke the code and I broke the trophy. Maybe the trophy can be fixed. Maybe Eurovision needs a little bit of fixing too."
Nemo also said they had also broken their thumb.
SBS News has contacted Eurovision for comment over Nemo's claim they were not allowed to display the non-binary flag.
Croatia's entrant Baby Lasagna came second in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Credit: aap
Israel finishes fifth despite calls for boycott
Ahead of the final, protesters marched towards the contest venue and waved Palestinian flags shouting: "Eurovision united by genocide" — a take on the contest's official slogan "united by music".
Israel's Eden Golan finished fifth in the contest, after emerging as one of the lead contenders once the public vote was added, despite demonstrators' calls for a boycott of the country.
Booing was heard during Golan's performance but also applause, according to a photographer from the Reuters news agency, who was in the auditorium.
Performer Eden Golan waves an Israeli flag before the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Source: AP / AP
Protesters claimed double standards were being applied after Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
Twenty-five countries competed in the final after Dutch artist Joost Klein was expelled due to a complaint filed by a production crew member.
Dutch broadcaster furious after entrant disqualified
In a social media statement on Saturday evening, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said the decision to disqualify performer Klein from Eurovision was "heavy and disproportionate".
The statement acknowledged the inciting incident that occurred on Thursday in which Klein made a "threatening movement" towards a camera woman after a performance.
Some fans expressed their disappointment with the disqualification.
"I think they should have waited until somebody is judged or fined or whatever, until somebody is proven guilty, and then afterwards make the decision with regards to the competition," one fan told SBS News.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg attended a protest against Israel's participation in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden, on Thursday. Credit: Johan Nilsson/EPA
Who is Nemo, the Eurovision 2024 winner?
Nemo, along with Croatia and Israel, was a favourite to win the competition among bookmakers to win the contest watched around the world by millions of lovers of pop sounds — and kitschy shows.
The 24-year-old Swiss rapper's song The Code — a drum-and-bass, opera, rap, and rock song — was about their journey of self-discovery as a non-binary person.
"(It) would be cool if people like my song about banana pudding," Nemo said," told the Associated Press earlier this week.
"But knowing they like a song where I am ... unconditionally myself, and I talk about the journey of finding myself and being non-binary and knowing that it touches them ... it’s really beautiful."
Switzerland's entrant Nemo has become the first non-binary winner of Eurovision Source: Getty / Picture Alliance
Their single, Du, released in 2017 reached fourth spot in the Swiss charts.
How did the countries rank at Eurovision 2024?
Ukraine placed third while Australian Silia Kapsis, who represented Cyprus with her song 'Liar', finished in 15th place with a total of 78 points.
Australia's entrant, the South Australian duo Electric Fields, did not qualify for this year's final. The pair made of One Milkali (One Blood) in the semifinal one earlier this week.
- Switzerland: 591 points
- Croatia: 547 points
- Ukraine: 453 points
- France: 445 points
- Israel: 376 points
- Ireland: 278 points
- Italy: 268 points
- Armenia: 183 points
- Sweden: 174 points
- Portugal: 152 points
- Greece: 126 points
- Germany: 117 points
- Luxembourg: 103 points
- Lithuania: 90 points
- Cyprus: 78 points
- Latvia: 64 points
- Serbia: 64 points
- United Kingdom: 46 points
- Finland: 38 points
- Estonia: 37 points
- Georgia: 34 points
- Spain: 30 points
- Slovenia: 27 points
- Austria: 24 points
- Norway: 16 points
With reporting by Reuters.
