With only days before the first semi-final of Eurovision 2014, the BeNeLux voting bloc is mired in conflict. Dutch contestant Waylon Jennings has insulted Belgian contestant Axel Hirsoux in the Dutch press. Dutchies now fear that the Belgians will turn their backs on the Netherlands—and keep their votes to themselves.
Waylon, the male part of the duo ‘The Common Linnets’, told Dutch newspaper ‘Algemeen Dagblad‘ that Axel is ‘a second hand Paul Potts (the overweight opera singer who came to fame on Britain’s Got Talent). He also had harsh words for Denmark’s Basim, calling him ‘a copy of Bruno Mars‘. But he didn’t reserve his nasty for those too. He added that ‘it seems like some artists got their inspiration on Youtube’.
Dutch paper ‘De Telegraaf’ was just plain pissed. ‘Waylon is spilling precious points, with Belgium in the same semifinal’. ‘People will remember this, and commentators around Europe will refer to it during the broadcast of the semifinal’. Belgian ‘Nieuwsblad‘ ran with the headline: ‘Dutch Eurosong-candidate insults Axel’.
Waylon soon retracted his comments on the Dutch TV Show RTL Boulevard:
‘I might have made some clumsy comments regarding the Youtube-movies. But I really have the feeling that I have seen some of these things before’.
(You can watch the interview with RTL Boulevard here).
The Common Linnets already have some cracks in their reputation, so the last thing they need is a silent conflict with friendly neighbour Belgium. Earlier, they cancelled their promo tour through Europe and Waylon had to retract the comment that ‘the success of our album is more important than ESC‘.
Will Belgium take all this seriously? Will they leave the Netherlands with 0 points in the semifinal for the first time in recent history?
Daphne Dee contributed this report from Belgium. Follow her on Twitter @JacinthaD1. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page
I think other songs are better than either the Dutch and the Belgian song. I liked the Norwegian and the Finnish song very much. And I think Waylon just wanted to heat up the competition.
Waylon Jennings sings country….hmmmm….and nobody ever heard of ANOTHER country singer named Waylon Jennings? He spent his whole career imitating somebody else! Talk about the ultimate copy! People in glass houses…..
Hahaha
Ahaa I see some interesting comments about us.
Between do not take this dude seriously .He is not that huge here.Half of people in Holland do not like their song.I guess he understood that they have no chance anyways that’s why they cancelled tour and whatever .We have pretty good singers as well I do not know that my country thinks .Many people indeed do not take ESC serious ,but I guess it is because we hardly get to final.Last year we were i guess final so almost everybody here watched it XD
Renske, how was Jan being rude when saying Axel sang out of tune most of the time. It’s completely true lol..
Belgium should beat the Netherlands hands down, Axel has a heart warming song, full of emotion while the Common Linnets just have a boring second rate country/folk tune !!
@Timselvision yea I know that you are not enemy xD Thanks God .But jokes that you do is indeed funny : P
And yea I have seen Dutch and Belgian people arguing whom Dutch language belongs to hahaha xD It’s like Duduk-“Balaban” argument xD so sometimes having same language creats controversy between you .But well life would be too boring without controversy xD
Good luck to both Belgian and Dutch contestants !! ; ) And of course have fun and say hello to your King hahaha xD His wife is beautiful xD : P
@Bogdan: lol, suprised and nice to hear ^_^
@Armenian Guy: lol, indeed. There is a lotsa party here in the streets, so I fled into my house. And indeed, Dutch and Belgians make fun of each other, but we share the same language and Some programms are “Netherlands VS Dutch”, which is funny to see XD But at the end, we are no enemies. 😀 I have also friends in Belgium and we had at a forum a poll about whose song would be higher in the final… “Love kills” won, which was actually funny XD
@ Armenian guy
It’s indeed Kingsday for the Dutchies! And taking a look at the TV-broadcast, they are having a great celebration. You are right about the Dutchies and the Belgians. You seem to be very well informed!
Actually Dutch and Belgian people are not always nice to each other.
It’s bit “European version” of Armenia and Azerbaijan or Ukraine and Russia and Georgia or FYR Macedonia and Greece , Albania and Montenegro ..etc.
And also, Dutch people are direct ,they say whatever they think “without thinking ” xD.This is about older generation , new young generation is quite quiet , friendly guys.
Between ‘Nederlanders ‘ have fun today .I believe today is your King’s day right ? .Good luck !
We have nothing against the Netherlands, @Timselvision, on the contrary. First, two of our Wiwibloggers are Dutch and, more importantly, Anouk was first in our Wiwijury last year. We love the Netherlands and we want the country to well in Eurovision, but this year Waylon is not really helping.
@Renske: so true, I can remember Jan saying “This can’t go wrong anymore!” back in 2011 xD
And I’ve got the feeling that the people of WiWi are kinda against the Netherlands. There is a kinda ironisch tune or something XD Don’t mind anyway, I’m a big fan of sarcasm and irony, but I find it remarkable (and am I wrong or does Wiwi didn’t interviewed the Common Linnets at Eurovision in Concert?)
Nanda says “if you don’t have anything nice to say, just shut the f* up.”
Then why did you say that ? It’s not very nice.
Waylon isn’t very loved in the Netherlands, because a lot people didn’t even know his name before he and Ilse became “the Common Linnets”. And Waylon is not the only one in the Dutch delegation who said something rude about Axel. One of the Dutch commentators: Jan Smit (who does not know anything about Eurovision, but because he’s famous, he has been given a place in the commentary of the Netherlands, alongside with Cornald Maas, who is much better than Jan.) said that he didn’t know why the Belgians chose Axel, because Jan thought he sang the whole song out… Read more »
The tone of the initial article is also very “The Sun”-esque. It is even written by a Belgian. Hence the neutrality of it all. What kind of news is it actually?
Sjee, are we fans that easily offended :-)? Are we really…”pussies”? I kind of know Waylon, and the reason he’s saying this is quite simple: Belgium and Denmark are, according to him, the biggest contenders to win the contest.
And because it’s a contest….why not “stirring” and “teasing” the competition a little bit :-)? Only good exposure for both entries.
He’s right. Actually fans should support Waylon. There are stars that are created by the major label only for the ESC. They have idiotic profiles – and usually cannot much. In the rules fraud is anchored, the polls are untrustworthy. Conclusion: For professional musicians the ESC is shit.
I think his experience at Eurovision In Concert will not have pleased him. Stars who are insult by gays. Fans who give more applause for political reasons than for musical reasons…
I don’t think he was very far off, at least when it comes to Basim. But it was really disrespectful towards all ESC fans and the other contestants, who give a damn, with that comment about the album’s performance being more important than the contest. Then f**king stay at home and leave us alone!!! It’s a shame really, I was really rooting for the Netherlands this year to make the final, as I am one of those (apparently very few) who love the song, as misplaced at ESC as it might be… I’m still rooting, at least for Ilse’s sake,… Read more »
Some people are just…..My favourite is Spain, if Ruth would say anything bad about another contestant i would like her a bit less i think, but i still would support her song 100% because in the end its about the song (well the total package, and saying thiings like that doesnt make one a bad singer lol). We are all entitled to have a opinion, what Waylon said was just ‘not that clever’ but reading reactions like ‘omg, did he said that? i hope they fail now’ shows what kind of supporter you are, its weak imo and well you… Read more »
People are making this bigger than it really is. Waylon loves eurovision, he has been trying to represent the netherlands for years! Also, since when is a country obligated to participate in a eurovision tour? If they don’t want to, it is their choice. People need to stop trying to find little flaws and just listen to the songs. It is a song contest, not a i think you are a nice person so i am going to give you 12 points contest.
As we say in Brazil: if you don’t have anyhing nice to say, just shut the f* up.
Isle seems to be a nice woman, but this guy makes me hope for their failure. It is the second year in a row that the Netherlands have a singer that thinks too much of themselves. I don’t believe Dutch people are like this, I know some very nice Dutches, but Waylon and Anouk put the country on a bad strike
Timselvision, don’t even bother saying that it’s “the dutch mentality”. We aren’t full of ourselves. Only Anouk and Waylon seem to be this. A lot of people have responded negative on his reactions here in The Netherlands and they got every right to. Who the heck does Waylon think he is? He never (or maybe once) charted in NL. His song is a blunt copy of The Police’s song of Every breath I take. And Country has NOTHING to do with NL at all. I am getting so sick of these “A stars” that we keep sending, and of which… Read more »
I surprised that he even thought of Paul Potts, a man who is more famous in the UK for his reality TV “journey” than anything he’s done since
Im surprised because Waylon is not a super star in the Netherlands while Ilse is a huge star selling thousands of copies but she’s humble. I still believe that Belgium will give a lot of points to the Netherlands and Denmark as well. Basim looks and sounds like Bruno Mars, that’s not an insult. And Axel looks like that opera guy, he’s right. However, it’s awkward when you say that your album is more important than ESC. Then, why are u going to ESC?
Yeah, thanks Waylie :’)
I’m from the Netherlands, and yeah. Belgium and Denmark were the hopes for me in semi 1… But this bevahiour… Makes it kinda though. XD At least Ilse is a nice girl who said she liked Carl Espen xD
And yeah, Waylon is very full of himself… But, I’ve got to admit that, that’s something of the Dutch mentality. XD
I still hope Belgians and Denes will vote for us. Good luck to ourself… XD
People! He didn’t say anything insulting. Media blew things up. And so does this Wiwiblogg of Daphne. Yesterday he made appologies and explained everything. So, can we go on now?
Dont think it will matter if their neighbours Belgium give them 0 or 12 the Dutch will be going home on Friday morning. Awful entry !
@Julian
At least Aram has his devoted, loud Armenian “Army of Fans.” This guy is not going to get any help, since everything was televised and out in the open. Aram’s rumors and misinterpretations and twisted mistranslations had not enough evidence and were not proudly televised. At least This guy shouldn’t have made fun of Axel. Axel is a respectful, and humble guy.
If he wanted a gain from controversy he should’ve taken on the big names like Aram, Conchita or, as so kindly was emphasized here, on UK’s plagiarism. Instead he’s just hunting hummingbirds. So much for the “calm after the storm” brand.
That’s what you get when you talk “big” (i.e. well-known) (i.e. in your country) (period) acts into taking a chance at ESC. Ditto when they know nothing of it, and to make things worse acting like they are there because the general public wanted them to.
Nobody needs to be a strategist to realise. But you know… egos.
Bad idea. My first and second evaluation of this year’s entries both have them on thin ice on my scorecards. Waylon can’t afford to upset or enrage the countries the Dutch can usually count on for big points. And I have Axel qualifying a bit more comfortably than the Linnets.
Lol. Waylon is clearly an idiot. And he has little chance if making the final. I hope Belgium beats Holland!!!
People will vote for song, not for messages which Waylon gave. Its not possible that it’ll have so big mention for result NL. And just stop compare song by Molly to Paradise..its the same and boring situation like with Zeljko 2012. It has no sense a few days before Eurovision.
@Alex
True, but he must be very dumb to say this things weeks before ESC
It’s not as though this guy has the most original song in the world, either.
No no @Reality “Paradise” and “Children of the universe” are different .Maybe there are some similarities but they are not exactly the same .Apparently ,they were inspired by Paradise but it’s not the same.Paradise is one of may fav songs so I know ; )
@Reality
really? now every song is a copy of paradise? lol -.-
He’s just saying what everybody thinks. It might not be diplomatic, but considering his low chances in the contest, he can afford it.
@Reality Yeah I’ve heard Paradise, people said the same about Nije Ljubav Stvar 2 years ago, being honest, I don’t hear many similarities with Children of the Universe, at least not enough to say they sound EXACTLY the same.
He dissed on the whole contest by saying he doesn’t care about ESC. What a buffoon. Withdraw then and let the Netherlands put in somebody who actually wants to compete (I realize that it’s too late). I am always a fan of NL and have been very frustrated by their repeated failure to make it out of the semi’s but I’m not cheering for them this year.
He’s not very humble, usually I don’t like that type of person. And it’s a bit ironic saying that the others copy other artits I think….
This guy sounds like he’s very full of himself. That generally hurts an artist at ESC.
… and he’s from the netherlands yet play country (USA), that’s super original
I am kinda surprised that people act like ,whatever he said was normal. So if Belgian singer is straight ,people can call him whatever they want ? Huh weird .
I see he wants to creat a controversy,so that people will notice him or his group .
Should Belgian and Danish people Booo him? : ) hmmmm maybe
@Thiefo,
Oh goodness! I was waiting so impatiently and I knew one of those contestants was going to attack Axel someday, somehow. Just knew it!
Who are we kidding though?? Denmark’s contestant does look and sound like Bruno Mars. But Axel? Poor guy, just because he sings opera, doesn’t mean he sounds like some other opera singer. Opera is a genre. It’s not a person. 🙂
What about UK’s song? It sounds EXACTLY like Coldplay’s – Paradise. Check it out please.
Storm in a teacup. Daphne and your follow Belgians.. don’t make more of it.
Also, the guy could smile once in a while….
Alright, of course everybody is entitled to have an opinion and to express it, but when you’re in the middle of a competition you need to be extra careful when making statements like these, because they can backfire and damage your image and ultimately, cost you some precious points, no matter if you later apologise, the damage is done and people don’t forget, precisely for what Jacob said, the media loves these kind of things and people make a big deal out of it. Into the issue, this Waylon sounds like a douche to me, and since the last article… Read more »
I find it ironic and in terribly bad taste that a singer who is trying to copy another to the point of adopting his name (Waylon Jennings) is making these ridiculous statements. It’s one thing to be a blunt Dutchie (we loved Anouk for that), but it’s quite another to be a stupid one…
He’s completely right about Basim, and half right about Axel. Basim is a carbon copy of Bruno Mars. While Axel is a poor singer, he’s not copying Paul Potts. just because it’s opera doesnt mean he’s copying.
Nevertheless, it was still a terribly stupid thing to do. He’s risking neighbour points that they desperately need, considering they’re a borderline qualifier.
He has right to say your opinion and media encourage something what shouldn’t be a problem and make controversy. BEL and NET will give points yourself for sure. I support him because DK or BEL contestants cheat idea imagine from another artists and they can defeat. Everyone should create original personality and music, find your way and follow by own soul. In my opinion Belgium will stay in semi final. NL more deserves it. I count on good European choice.