A now-deleted TikTok has apparently revealed the moment Irish Eurovision entry Bambie Thug was forced to remove their pro-Palestinian message from their costume.
Originally, Bambie was supposed to wear body paint in Ogham script – an old Medieval alphabet – which had the words ‘ceasefire’ and ‘freedom for Palestine’ written in the script. The words were written in honour of their pro-Palestine stance. However, on May 8, it was revealed that they were forced to remove the words, as it “contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event” according to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Thug said of the change at the time: “It was very important for me because I’m pro-justice and pro-peace. Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to ‘crown the witch’ only (which was an) order from the EBU.”
In a now-deleted TikTok, footage of the moment they were asked to remove the words has been captured. Posted to X/Twitter, the TikTok shows Bambie Thug being told they had to remove the word ‘ceasefire’ from their face, or else they wouldn’t be let on stage, with the contestant responding: “fuck”.
After a clip of their makeup artist removing the Ogham script from their face, Bambie told the camera: “It’s fucked up”.
Cassyette, who helped co-write Bambie’s Eurovision song ‘Doomsday Blue’, can be seen later in the clip saying: “The fact that they’ve silenced you is fucked. You say it straight after”, to which Bambie responded: “I’m just gonna go and do a three minute stellar performance with my best friend. For the world, for family, to change the fucking scene, to stir the fucking pot. I’m just gonna enjoy it.” Watch the moment below:
Bambie Thug’s deleted TikTok, was up for less than a minute #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/p7q4x66imB
— Azra (@AzraXXVII) May 11, 2024
Bambie elaborated on the removal of their Ogham script in a lengthy Instagram post on May 9 whilst sharing a cover of The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’.
The caption read: “After my first dress rehearsal I was asked to remove both free Palestine and ceasefire in Ogham from my outfit. My delegation and I fought against this and the EBU eventually agreed to letting ceasefire remain. About an hour before my call time I was informed that they had an internal meeting and ceasefire was no longer acceptable, and if I didn’t remove this I would not be allowed on stage.
“I am pro-justice and pro-peace and this will never change, I only hope with a platform I can reach more peoples ears. My heart and prayers are with the people of Palestine #eyesonrafah and to be clear being pro-Palestinian does not mean I am antisemitic, it means I am anti-war, anti-occupation, anti-oppression and anti-killing of innocent civilians and children!!”
They recently spoke to NME about navigating this year’s controversial competition: “It’s a lot when I know that my heart is in the right place and when it’s not my decision. I have had to take a break from social media because it is weighing on me. A lot of stuff is completely nasty and uncalled for.
“As artists, we’re easy targets, but at the end of the day, I have said that I don’t think they made the right decision,” they continued. “I still stand by that. But people should be coming for the EBU and for the broadcasters, not us as artists. I stand by my statement and I am completely for Palestine, and I think it’s ridiculous that it’s gone on for so long. I think the world is quite removed from its heart and its consciousness right now.”
Later on in the chat, they added: “I’m going to continue to use my voice, as I said, and do everything I can with what I can do.”
Recently, it was reported that Bambie raised a complaint with the Eurovision organisers due to Israeli broadcaster KAN’s commentary on their performance. The comments, which told viewers to “prepare your curses” and claim Bambie’s performance was “the most scary” of the night, were labelled “in breach of the rules” of the EBU.
Bambie added: “I hope the EBU will address it correctly.”
In other news, Bambie has called on Eurovision organisers to “show some humanity” over the political issues impacting the contest.
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