Cyprus’ Eleni Foureira whipped her hair back like Beyoncé with a side of Shakira sizzle. Austria’s César Sampson dropped gospel sounds while riding a spaceship. And the UK’s SuRie overcame a stage invader who failed to derail her song of perseverance. But in the end Israel’s Netta Barzilai won Eurovision 2018 with her message of empowerment, which she set to a funky Mizrahi beat.

“Everything is a black blur,” she said at the winner’s press conference shortly after the show. “I remember six anxious men sitting next to me shouting. ‘No, no, Sweden!’ I was just sitting there thinking, ‘What is happening?’ Everyone else knows more about Eurovision than me….I wear glasses but I didn’t have them with me. So he [composer Doron Medalie] was narrating for me.”

What does she have to say to her gay fans? “I cherish them — most of my team, well, some, a great some, hold me up. I am nothing without them. Without the vibe, without the happiness. I will be performing for them for the rest of my life.”

She’s not a fan of competitions, but held her nerve over the past few months by believing in herself. “I always said comparing between musical genres is funny, and comparing between artists is peculiar.”

“I believe that authenticity passes through. I was competing with myself. I was nervous about my performance. How am I reaching through to as many people as I can. Sorry for my English, I just won Eurovision.”

“I think everyone gave an amazing performance tonight, including Eleni. Somebody had to win.”

“I don’t think I have to say much after tonight — the majority chose me. This is the greatest thing happening to people, choosing something different. Choosing something that’s evolved. Choosing 2018. I am proud and honoured to do this. I am proud and honoured to bring this magical event to Israel next year.”

Ahead of Eurovision, Israel came first with the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals.

At the time we wrote:

“My teddy bear’s running away, the Barbie got something to say” — it’s a lyric that sums up Netta’s mission of serving play with a purpose. Her Barbie has sass, attitude and a keen sense of empowerment. She’s busting balls in the name of her sisters while bringing swells, dips, wordplay and a very big note that drives it home. Doused in a gorgeous Mizrahi mix that draws on Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, it balances authenticity with disposable pop perfectly. Take me to the club, take me to the picket line. If Netta is there I’m sold.

Eurovision 2018: Final results

Eurovision 2018: Jury results

Austria: 12 points from United Kingdom, Romania, Iceland, Belgium, Estonia, Bulgaria, Israel, Poland, Lithuania   Sweden: 12 points from Georgia, Latvia, Australia, Serbia, Cyprus, Armenia, Germany, Slovenia   Cyprus: 12 points from Belarus, Cyprus, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Greece Israel:  12 points from San Marino, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Finland Germany: 12 points from The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland   Estonia: 12 points from FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Portugal Albania: 12 points Azerbaijan   Denmark: 12 points from Hungary   France: 12 points from Cyprus,   Italy: 12 points from Albania Lithuania: 12 points from Croatia Norway: 12 points from Italy Serbia: 12 points from Montenegro Moldova:  12 points from Russia

Eurovision 2018: Televoting results

Israel 317

Cyprus 253

Italy 249

Czech Republic 215

Denmark 188

Germany 136

Ukraine 119

Moldova 115

Estonia 102

Lithuania 91

Norway 84

Serbia 75

Austria 71

Bulgaria 66

Hungary 65

Ireland 62

France 59

Albania 58

The Netherlands 32

UK 25

Finland 23

Slovenia 23

Sweden 21

Spain 18

Portugal 18

Australia 9

Get the “I’m not your toy” t-shirt

 

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Esc2018
Esc2018
6 years ago

Ugh why do People fight over Israel and Cyprus? People call one the f”fat chicken” and the other “trashy Beyonce cover”.
Both Songs were great, both Songs deserved to win and both Songs were liked by Juries and the Public. In the end Israel won and Cyprus came second… so what … that’s a great result for both countries and both can be proud.
Also Netta and Eleni show only love and Support for each other so why can’t the fans do the same?

David
David
6 years ago
Reply to  Esc2018

Great reaction
Love love,peace peace?

Stephanie
Stephanie
6 years ago

I want to expression my congratulations to all of Europe for having absolutely no taste what so ever… WTF without any doubt one of the worst winners ever… I am disguised.. But hey next year cows, pigs or goats on stage succes guaranteed…

Niki
Niki
6 years ago

Why has nobody picked up on Netta’s speach about thanking everbody to choose something different? That sounds very arrogant, but noboday seems to care?… Not much different from Salvador’s speech, only subtler…

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
6 years ago

After annoucing the winner, have you seen one of the Israeli guys rudely pushing away Cesar sampson when he wanted to congratulate netta? So rude!

John
John
6 years ago
Reply to  Gtyhygf

That’s Israel in all its splendor!

Kim
Kim
6 years ago

Congrats Israel. Australia is disappointed in the judging and televote but it is what it is .What pisses us off is some Eurovision expert stated that Jessica Malbuoy stated that she was Australia’s Beyonce -no such comment was made and that they hated her dress so she was scored appropriately as Australia has out stayed it’s welcome. OK the return serve : 1. In no article does Jess call herself Australia’s Beyonce she was an opening act for her. 2. Picking on someone because of their chose of clothing if she felt pretty and comfortable in it it is no… Read more »

Efi
Efi
6 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Australia’s this year song was awful !!! not the singer !! she is cute and your country is great. but the song and performance were very bad. jury help you but televoting is very strict and fair. many countries like UK and Italy were under you in Jury Voting and it was not fair. Australia’s this year rank should be 24-26. you were lucky because juries help you every year. Every year you are in Jury higher than in Televoting. Think about it…….also when you have a good song you go well but this year it was awful. sorry.

LawStudent
LawStudent
6 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Just about the dress point – staging is a massive component of doing well in Eurovision. That dress really did not bring the best out of her performance and ESC fans are allowed to criticize it and not vote for the song because of it.

funny girl
funny girl
6 years ago

Do you know in China and chinese speaking country the word ” Chiken ” means “Prostitute” >>>its true.

Alessio
Alessio
6 years ago

Tel Aviv or Jerusaleme ? Sorry Israele is not a good country for host …..

sume
6 years ago

I am with you mate! Eurovision was supposed to be a show which we get a good laugh at but I can no longer do that now since we are part of it

Doctor Who
Doctor Who
6 years ago
Reply to  sume

So you’re happy to laugh at other countries, but we’re not allowed to laugh at yours?
I liked the Australian song pre-contest, unfortunately the performance on stage was poor – she looked excitable, gyrated around and was out of breath.

florinho
florinho
6 years ago

Neta said about Eleni, that the authenticity won. She also said that she was competing against herself only. Just because a girl has a great body like Eleni, that does not mean she isn’t authentic. Neta had a lot of issues with herself, and it’s a shame because her song talks about bullying of the women, and we see Neta doing that to Eleni. Shame on you Neta.?

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  florinho

You are missing the point. Authentic is in this case refers to that netta is making her own music in Israel. Eleni is a product of Swedish music industry and has a greek passport. T

Mobili
Mobili
6 years ago

JUST A POINT :
Portugal, Bulgaria and Ukraine were SO underrated! Portugal last?? Please… SO much better than so many… Sorry but ESC is just a joke

Efi
Efi
6 years ago
Reply to  Mobili

i agree. Italy also. 3rd in televoting! and 2015 stolen victory by Sweden because of Juries.

Pepi
Pepi
6 years ago

Hungary and Bulgaria did amazing performance’s , they are the real winners.

Lion76
Lion76
6 years ago

I am really happy how the televote went through. Especially for Italy ( even if they deserved to be seconds). I can affirm that Eleni is a good singer but about her staging I only appreciate the dance in the contrary I didn’t appreciate the vocals in the end of her live she always had no more voice. I don’t like her song. Netta impressed me with her vocals she can sing. Thanks to all persons who voted for Italy I had my emotional moment.

Bee
Bee
6 years ago
Reply to  Lion76

Italy gave a stunning performance! I am so happy they did extremely well in the televote, no one in the media saw that coming 😛

Rombout
Rombout
6 years ago

Congratulation to Israel!

And the next Best: next years contest Will be out of reach from swedish tvs influence. We needed that!

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Rombout

Lol, you are desperate

NITZAN
NITZAN
6 years ago

“If it’s a song contest than she (Netta) deserves that win”. Well good morning Wiwibloggers I suggest you take a look at the competition’s name Eurovision SONG Contest. I see that disappointment on your faces after you’ve been supporting Netta as an artist, her song, uniqueness and message for so long… how easily you have thrown all that down the drain for some hair flipping and synched choreography. Thankfully the audience did not forget. I loved Eleni she is amazing but Netta is such a deserving winner I think you guys should come to terms with her victory. Thanks for… Read more »

Hilariously Brisbane
Hilariously Brisbane
6 years ago
Reply to  NITZAN

You are so right NITZAN! I was so disappointed by how the wiwibloggers turned their backs on Netta … from “I’m not your TOY!” to “I’m your SEX toy!” In a blink of an eye. My personal favorite was Belgium ( I wish her vocals had been better) But between the woman represented by Netta and the woman represented by Eleni… I’m so happy Netta won!

destroy1234
destroy1234
6 years ago

Poor Saara…She didn’t deserve second to last…

Princess Peregrine
Princess Peregrine
6 years ago
Reply to  destroy1234

I agree. She’s so professional with a great staging. It became my favourite just before the final. Really sad for her but she gave an excellent performance and should be proud.

Maria
Maria
6 years ago
Reply to  destroy1234

I liked the song but didnt appreciate the staging and her gothic appearance. But I agree it deserved much higher ranking.

Aussies
Aussies
6 years ago

As an Australian, I think it is time we withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest forever. Sydney Morning Herald was right – Australia is not a part of Europe and will never win. Europeans just gonna hate us more the longer we stay. What is the point of participating, paying so much money to the Eurovision Broacasting Union when we will never win or get to host. We don’t have neighbours and we get more love from Sweden, Denmark and France than supposedly friendly countries like UK and Ireland. Aussies, don’t you hate the idea of paying for a party… Read more »

Brissy
6 years ago
Reply to  Aussies

I am with you mate! Eurovision was supposed to be a show which we get a good laugh at but I can no longer do that now since we are part of it. I don’t think Aussies should take part. They always say Aussies get favoured by juries when the truth is even juries don’t give us much points these day. Pull out before non qualification!

Matt
Matt
6 years ago
Reply to  Brissy

Saying the juries don’t give you many points anymore is such an entitled thing to say. Australia has literally competed four times, and this is their first time not getting a top five result with the juries, and twelfth is still respectable considering the public very much disagreed. You even won the jury vote two years ago.

Brissy
Brissy
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Look mate, I didn’t say Australia is entitled to get points from juries or the public. However, it is not hard to see Australia is at a severe disadvantage here. Last year, Australia was out of top 5 already and the ranking is going down. I think there are some opposition in Australia by Aussies in participating in the contest and really I can see why. When our effort in putting forward a song is being said as juries giving us favour unjustly, I really don’t see the point in participating anymore. We don’t have diaspora, we are not in… Read more »

A person
A person
6 years ago
Reply to  Brissy

Here in Portugal we waited 50 years for a victory and when it happened we also had our fair share of criticism. It happens to all. I hope Australia stays.

Pepi
Pepi
6 years ago
Reply to  Aussies

Europe doesn’t hate Australia. The televote just didn’t like your last two entries , Germany where almost 3 years in a row dead last , now they got 4th. Australia has tons of talent and a public selection should be the way to go. And get rid of Sasha , she totally destroyed Bulgaria and Australia entries.

Efi
Efi
6 years ago
Reply to  Aussies

No way! you are the most favored country in ESC. Of course Sweden also. The only 2 countries which have so much Jury help….. When you a have good song you get a good position. This year you were awful with this bad song. Europe loves you but you should make better choices. Many Europeans countries have 50 years in ESC without Victory ! Why you?? Portugal made the 1st victory in 2016 after so many years at the bottom! But it deserved it! You should find a good song and a very good performance. It’s very very difficult to… Read more »

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

I had two favourites and they faced each other for the win. Well done! It’s a party and we don’t need dull songs.

Sweden, however, is the best music exporter today. Cyprus, Denmark and Austria had Swedeish entries. Still remember how Denmark picked up this entry which was a Melodicestivalen reject.

Germany was a bad copycat of Lukas Graham’s 7 years old and plagiarism….

Angelo
Angelo
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

I think youre wrong about germany, it was genuine. About sweden I would say they are the worst music exporter. Its all plastic like the coat mr ingrosso was wearing.

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Angelo

My hope is that not so many countries would not use the Swedish music industry. Then we will have our plastic to ourselveses in Sweden. How much Cypriot was Cyprus anyway? Like 0 . When other countries sees that it works using Swedish music industry they continue doing so; Denmark, Russia, Bulgaria, Ajerbadjan, Cyprus often do it and now Austria. There are some that never do it; Portugal ( However used a lot of Swedish help for the show this year), France, Serbia, Israel, Italy, the UK, and Belgium (there are more). I am thankful to them.

Maria
Maria
6 years ago
Reply to  Helene

I think you arguing wrong. Why is it an advantage that swedish tv helps runding the Show. To me it isnt helpful that you decide the runding order and controls what is happening behind. It was condescending how you helped Ukraine in kiyev with swedish interval acts. When i heard the swedish delegation complain, what they always do that its so much better and proffesional in Stockholm its annoying. Its childish how swedish tv promote cyprus because its has swedish producer. Its cultural imperialisme(self promotion) ikea style and I wouldnt mind a little less sweden, thank you. 🙂

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Maria

Maria I think you misunderstood. I think Swedish Eurovision industry should stay out of being involved in the competition in other countries just as well as the running order. However I do not think “Sweden” decides the running order. That must be the national Broadcaster who take the final desition. I do not mind that Swedish professionals help other countries running the show in general but your comment prooves why the should not; The conspiracy thinking and negstive attitudes towards Swedish fans and songs etc.

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Maria

The cypriot song was written in Sweden, the dansers were Swedish, the coreography Swedish etc. It is a fact not imperialism. This kind of insuinations of Swedish people makes me sad. Love from Sweden.

Caliope
Caliope
6 years ago
Reply to  Helene

Thank you for your help organizing this year contest. Let’s go with the “no Swedish help” is really a valid option. Bjorkman, Ola and friends are all hired every year because of their “professionalism” and do NOT favor any country. Sure, I also believe there is no money involved, they do it for the love they have for ESC and that Sweden bops are the best music Europe can offer. Btw that was sarcasm Expressen made a piece on this topic, but here you are trying to brainwash the forum how this ESC is not a business. A very lucrative… Read more »

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Caliope

Well if those countries had advanced tecnology and money instead of having nothing they wouldnt need Sweden to bail them out as usual. But they don’t. So deal wiithit
Maybe if other countries for once had enough talent in thier own countries to send something local they wouldn’t need Sweden to bail them out. But they don’t. So deal with it
Sweden will continue to dominate the Contest. And there is nothing miserable bitter old PMS hags such as yourself can do about it.

Maria
Maria
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

You must be a very cultivated person. How many years of school is mandatory in sweden?

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Maria

Sweden ruled ESC this year. Cyprus was completely Swedisg except the singer. Austria was Swedish except for the singer….

You people are jealousof Swedens success….

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

I come from Armenia and I a adore Swedish music. Not everyone hates it. People simply don’t like when others are better. They were happy to eliminate lots of successful countries from semis this year and it made them happy. Just ignore them.

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Caliope

Sorry but I don’t understand if Kaliopes is commentingcon my wish for national broadcasters to do their own work not hiering Björkman and use Swedish music industry anymore or just trying to spread more negativity towards Swedish people in general. The Swedish music industry cannot force themself upon anyone. They are hired. It is the people hiring then that should stop doing it. Out the blame on the right side. Your insinuations are just proving my point. I am not trying to say that Benjamin should have any more points. if he wasn’t liked by the audience I am fiber… Read more »

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Helene

I mean fine with that. My Swedish auto correction is horrible.

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Helene

Of course you wish…. But your own country could start sending good songs to ESC to compete with Sweden

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Angelo

So much jealousy

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

So much fascism from you

Esc2018
Esc2018
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Germany was not a bad copycat and plagiarism. It was a genuine song about his father’s death and had nothing to do with Lukas Graham’s 7 years old. Don’t be bitter that Germany got a great result for once

Pal
Pal
6 years ago

People complain that Israel isnt part of Europe… Well duh… Eurovision isnt based on Europe.. Countries like Egypt, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordania could all participate IF they wanted to.

Mate
Mate
6 years ago

In 1999 Israel organized a horrible show. Not a good record. And interesting to see if they are organizing a competition for hosting cities… That was a rethorical question…

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Mate

Because nothing has happened in 19 years..

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

It was pretty bad even for the standards of those years. So hope they will live up to today’s standards.

Princess Peregrine
Princess Peregrine
6 years ago
Reply to  Mate

Denmark also put on a terrible show in 2001 but then gave us one of the best ever stagings in 2014 so I’m hopeful Israel will do the same. 🙂

Mate
Mate
6 years ago

That much is true

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago

We don’t need your pity, Eurovision is what it is thanks to all the diversity of the music. So, stop that snobbish attitude.

Pollaski
Pollaski
6 years ago

The only thing I hope is that people voted for it because it was an enjoyable performance (I liked it, although I found the cats kinda creepy), and not because of some social justice stand they felt needed to be taken.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

I’m defending the split system: juries and televoters balance each other out, and in spite of the disparity of some of the votes (Sweden and Austria killing it with the juries and sinking like a stone with the public), I think it makes for a much more exciting voting sequence and a more balanced result. We aren’t just getting jury-friendly new age music or goofy televote-friendly music, we get a nice balance of both and an interesting table of results. I think the EBU will stick with this system; it’s much better than one or the other. Also: yay Netta!… Read more »

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Also, holy crap did my top ten take a beating this year. While I’m pleased that a handful did wind up finishing well (Israel, Italy, Estonia, and Czech Republic all made the top ten! Yay!), three of them didn’t qualify (Belgium, Greece, and Macedonia), two of them missed the top ten (France by a little, Spain by a lot), and my very favorite (Portugal) finished last.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

My top 10 before the contest were (from 1st to 10th) France, Estonia, Italy, Georgia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Albania, Israel, Serbia and Portugal (Austria 11th, Spain 12th, Greece 13th, Lithuania 14th). Georgia failed, France, Bulgaria, Albania finished 11th to 15th, Serbia 19th and Portugal last. The formula that worked for Portugal didn’t work again. Austria had a song worthy of the top 10 (I scored Cesar just barely outside my top 10 in the final), but I didn’t think the jury would go absolutely all-in. Fortunate we had jurors and voters who recognized and understood the concept of COMEDY in music.… Read more »

Dan
Dan
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

I would disagree with classifying Toy as “comedy”. Moldova and Serduchka definitely had comedic, fun elements but Toy had substance and a message.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan

You can have a message, have substance AND make the performance funny at the same time. It goes on in comedy more frequently than people realize.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I’m in agreement that the 50-50-split system needs to stay. If it weren’t for juries, a lot of pure songs, like AUT and GER, and song-driven performances (as opposed to stage-driven performances) would hardly get a fair shake. ITA is a paradox, because that, too, is a song-driven performance and they ended up with a lot of blank jury scorecards.

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Sweden did great!

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

LOL Yes great! Really big favorite of the public… And kissed top 5 good buy….

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Mate

Butthurt mate?

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

No honey. Because I come from a country that did much better and with much better quality. Sweden, prepare your slow death, your stupid boy…

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Mate

Cry me a river

Euphoric
Euphoric
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

Yes! 23rd place was the greatest moment of the evening! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Euphoric

You stupid buy/girl/ creature. You don’t even know where I come from so shut up. And maybe we can talk about he remain in 24th place of the televote. Assh@le

Maria
Maria
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Perhaps they should expand the juries to a lager size so they are more representative and more difficult to influence.

Anita
Anita
6 years ago

I think we should recognize that Netta carried her song with her strong vocals. This song depends entirely on her vocals and sounds she makes. No “message” can win Eurovision, it is always a song and a performance and how people feel and react to it. And than journalists asks a lot of questions about a message and every song has a message – the message is in the lyrics and in the music. I don’t think that the jury votes put Netta in third place for any political reasons. Please let us become real again. Netta won and because… Read more »

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago

Strangest thing is that Israel was only 4th in televoting on Tuesday and it was juries who helped Netta to win her SF. What happened during these four days ? Why did televoters immediately fall in love with Netta and why did juries start to hate it ? Also I don’t think there was a year with so imbalanced semi-finals like it was this year. Just look at the left side of the scoreboard – there are 7 acts from SF1 and only 3 acts from SF2. There were so many acts that juries didn’t like on Tuesday but fell… Read more »

Shijie
Shijie
6 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

because a lot of people only watch the final

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
6 years ago
Reply to  Shijie

People, but the juries?

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

Maybe the bulk of her televote cane from sf2?

Davve
Davve
6 years ago

LOL. people bitch and moan about Sweden. Both Cyprus and Austria entries was completely Swedish except the singers. Sweden rule this competition, whether you like it or not.

Caliope
Caliope
6 years ago
Reply to  Davve

Last night, we clearly said we don’t like it or were you sleeping during the televote?
Benjamin: I just wanna dan-dan-dan-ce you off
Europe: Err… I am not your toy!

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Caliope

He said that Sweden rules the competition which is true. Cyprus song was Swedish in everything but name. So yeah people do seem to want Swedish songs in the contest.
Same with Austria. So though for you but I don’t see Swedes getting less prominent

Ido
Ido
6 years ago
Reply to  Davve

It makes me sick the way you talk about your country. I love Sweden but the way you defend it and troll everyone is pure fascism. You should be banned.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
6 years ago
Reply to  Ido

He’s right. Sweden rules the game.

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Davve

There were Bulgarians also in the team so don’t be so f@ucking cocky moron!

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Mate

Mate, take a pill

Angelo
Angelo
6 years ago
Reply to  Davve

You posted the same comment many times. Yes we understand you love sweden. The televoters didnt.

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Angelo

Angelo, and still here you are… Moaning

Mate
Mate
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

And still you are being a Nordic fascist. Maybe you should treat yours PED with a Naz! get together

eric
eric
6 years ago

Is it just me, or are anyone else tired of the political messages in the winners and winning songs of ESC in later years. 2016, 2017 and now 2018 have all had more or less political messages. This year we have a fat-positive, metoo-pokemon who wants to be accepted for being fat. Netta, no one will ever force you not to be fat. But being fat is dangerous and not good for the body at all. You can accept and be happy with yourself all you like, but you WILL DIE early if you continue on being that obese.

eric
eric
6 years ago
Reply to  eric

I just think Netta should not promote being fat and accepting it. I also think that the song itself and the metoo message is a kind of cheap trick. I like Toy but would have prefered a non-political message. Netta not all men har creeps, and if you hang out with creeps then change your company.

I hope for 2019 that we can just get a pure music winner…. like in 2015.

Caliopecaliope
Caliopecaliope
6 years ago
Reply to  eric

Really guys? Italy was the real winner of 2015. A pure music winner when he won because of staging (great staging btw) ? Not the best example

eric
eric
6 years ago
Reply to  Caliopecaliope

Italys song that year was not great

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  eric

What was the political message of Amar pelos dois?…

Dan
Dan
6 years ago
Reply to  eric

For f*ck sake, what is wrong with you?

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
6 years ago

Look how many downvotes Netta got on youtube (official eurovision channel – various videos from the grand final, bbc channel).

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
6 years ago
Reply to  Gtyhygf

Yeah, pure jealousy. Lot of love for Netta from Belgium! My top 3 is and will stay Cyprus, Israel and Czech Republic.

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago

I guess you are from sweden where everone wants the state/elite to make every decision no matter if its about culture. In my country they are all flopping. Its a contest for the people. Not 5 random people in a jury.

eric
eric
6 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

What country I am fromfor instance is irrelevant. I am simply stating facts. You who want to go back to 100% televote wants winners like Marie N. All performance no substance… And I agree with the thread starter

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago
Reply to  eric

Just my point. Sweden was all performance and no substance. Sadly only the televoters saw that.

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago
Reply to  eric

In basic communication the sender is highly relevant. If you are 7 year old swedish school girl it gives context to the reciever and they might want to give less significanse to your statement.

Davve
Davve
6 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

Pierre, my tip to you is…. stop being butthurt

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

Pierre Sweden is a vibrant democracy. We need to respect one another. The juries that gave Sweden high points were random. I think many professional musicians in the juries are in favour of the Swedish main stream music industry. Maybe it is that simple. But that didn’t make Sweden win. it was far away. So why keep on this obsession with negativity towards Sweden?. Others were also favored by the juries and not the people and no one cares about them. In Sweden the jury voted for Cyprus. the people voted for Denmark and Israel. Love from Sweden

Angelo
Angelo
6 years ago
Reply to  Helene

I think he may be triggered by the tone of your countrymen sara and davve who basically has writted 20 times+ that sweden are great when people pointed out they didnt like yours song. Their remarks have been highly offensive.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

What a night!!!! I’m happy for Israel, I’m happy that we stay south and sunny. I liked the song, not my favourite, the message played a significant role in the outcome in my opinion. I can see why Netta won and I’m fine with it as the public wanted it to be so. Congrats to Cyprus! For a moment I thought Eleni would win, but she made an achievement! She made her dream come true, she gave her 100% and also Cyprus’s best result ever, 2nd place! She put this island noone cared about before on the Eurovision map! And… Read more »

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  AngieP

You are right – for me it is much about the message and the person. Just look at those two women and than you read those dispicable comments about Netta’s figur etc. Like Netta herself said, if she as a young girl had seen somebody like her win Eurovision it would had given her hope and strength. Somebody like Eleni being successful we see everywhere and everyday – playing the sex card, long legs, beautiful long hair, perfect body seize, beauty and fulfilling all those images we are conditioned with from early on… A lot of women with talent don’t… Read more »

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  Anita

To me it is all about the music and the artist. I would not have chosen Israel to win and Cyprus not either. My comment referred to the choice between Israel and Cyprus since they were the songs that the masses chose.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

It’s funny how every 2nd year, the winner has had some social/political context to the song. It seems every other year, we get a deserving song winning. I’m starting to notice a trend here. – Austria 2014 (Gay Rights context) – Sweden 2015 (deserving) – Ukraine 2016 (Crimea context) – Portugal 2017 (deserving) – Israel 2018 (Me Too/Feminist context) Not sure if this is a good direction for the contest to head. It ruins it. I don’t remember it being as political and contextual as it is these past 4-5 years. I’d rather we go back to the first few… Read more »

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I hope you always get what you “deserve”.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  Anita

How very kind and not at all bitchy of you. Hopefully I do. Hopefully we all do #TheDream

Bee
Bee
6 years ago

I see your point, HOWEVER this is too big of a competition to have juries. 200 million people voting for fun, sharing this fun experience and TV show. Why bother with juries? Ukraine 2004 is still widely appreciated where I’m from. Also the song by Lordi was a big hit here after it won. Why shouldn’t people get to decide?

Silvia
Silvia
6 years ago

Israel was nothing but an exploitation of the #metoo trend, with a singer whose looks are in-tune with the body positivity movement that is so on the rise nowadays. I am all for diversity and acceptance, but not when it’s done like this. It’s as if we had to vote for Netta simply because she is an overweight woman who enjoys herself, not because the song had any real value. Nothing wrong with fun and fireworks, but it’s grilling to see so many people praising this song as empowering, song with a “message”. Dozens of other songs had a far… Read more »

Doctor Who
Doctor Who
6 years ago
Reply to  Silvia

I agree entirely. The song had very little to offer musically; she is clearly talented at what she chooses to do however.
The message behind the song (overcoming society’s stereotypes) is admirable enough. We shouldn’t be obsessed with body image and conventional norms of beauty, however Netta is obese and will likely develop the various health problems associated with it; this isn’t something to celebrate or promote.
Fans forget that Eurovision is a ‘song’ contest, not a talent show. This is why the juries often vote very differently to the general public.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago
Reply to  Silvia

You couldn’t find better words to describe it. I feel exactly the same way! I’m all for diversity, I appreciate the song has a message and Netta as an arist. However, we can’t pick the winner to showcase we accept diversity. To do that, we have to do it every day in our lives. If such a song wins every year, then let’s all send songs with a message. It doesn’t work like that. Then why didn’t France or Italy win?

waitwhat
waitwhat
6 years ago
Reply to  Silvia

well… facts are facts. italy’s song had a mesage. no 3 on the televotes

Aaron
Aaron
6 years ago

people only like the 100% televote or 100% jury when it suits their faves.

Marios
Marios
6 years ago

1. We live in the era that context is more powerful than the actual song and performance in Eurovision. Supposed social messages (#metoo Hollywood nonsense etc), national dramas, personal stories . It’s like we HAVE to vote for somone because he/she is gay or overweight or had a difficult life, and not for the actual talent, song, performance. 4 winners in 5 years in that cadre. There is a problem here imo. 2. Yeah, the juries vote in a different way than people. And I’m glad about that, that’ s their role. The other view. 3. Yeah, Sweden is usually… Read more »

Bruce Evilis
Bruce Evilis
6 years ago
Reply to  Marios

I agree with the dual vote system but jury shall be competent ! Some country juries were not competent nor honest. the result: if even juries give high points for cheap/superficial/generic songs, the next year most of countries will arrive with the same kind of songs. This year, a good number of native language songs, due to Salvador’s victory last year. It was pleasant. I think a lot of people just want a real professional evaluation, not based on the song country and/or the current odds/the actual hype (e.g. press, including wiwi, that suddenly loved Cyprus mainly because it is… Read more »

Mike
Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Bruce Evilis

I am so fed up with people complaining about bloc voting between specific countries. As if it makes a big difference anyways – the winner is always ahead by a big margin, so it doesn’t make a difference! Also, juries are supposed to vote for songs they find to be commercially successful, aesthetically pleasing and professional. How do you expect a juror from Cyprus, for instance, to not vote for a Greek entry, when the two countries share the exact same music industry? A Greek entry is destined to be a top hit in Cyprus and the opposite, as a… Read more »

Bruce Evilis
Bruce Evilis
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike

So each year, Greek song is the best one for the for Cyprus and vice versa ? Don’t be so naive ! I agree that bloc vote doesn’t make the winner when one song is really good. But for the other places: if every time a country finishes in the left part or the bottom of the scoreboard because the middle points are reserved for friends and not relative to the song quality, is it really pleasant ? For me: not. You think that you have a good song but some unfair decisions made you last. Competition is cheated for… Read more »

okdr
okdr
6 years ago

at least that cheap meaningless from Cyprus lost.

Baloo
Baloo
6 years ago
Reply to  okdr

Something that came 5th for the juries and 2nd for the audience cannot be that “meaningless” now, can it?

Marios
Marios
6 years ago
Reply to  okdr

And the cheap meaningless from Israel won.

LawStudent
LawStudent
6 years ago

Netta is a powerhouse. She has four different international record labels knocking at her door, according to current reports. She is going to be an international superstar.

LLilah
LLilah
6 years ago
Reply to  LawStudent

Law student..Ignor the hate comments about Netta..they just poor liitle pepole who cant lose with respect.

Hörnchen
Hörnchen
6 years ago

Austria = I hate the fact, that our media had such low expectations ab Cesar and his PR was a catastrophe! The same with Conchita! If the ORF Team had gone ALL-IN like they do with idiotic acts like Zoe, then Cesar would have won 🙁 Albania did so bad with the televoters, because their strongest asset in the televoting is their diaspora. The diaspora was somehow allured to vote for Ermal Meta (Italy – maybe contributing to their 3rd placment from televoters) or Eleni Foureira, since their odds were better, and somehow the albanian media was always mentioning the… Read more »

Apple
Apple
6 years ago

Nettta isn’t the government ffs chill.

Burger
Burger
6 years ago

All the people whining Cyprus didn’t win or that it was really Swedish or that it was robbed, you have missed the point. The public clearly favoured Israel over Cyprus FULL STOP and I wasn’t a fan of Israel’s entry it is almost the same debate as whether Australia deserved to win in 2016 rather than Ukraine. Furthermore enough jury votes still preferred Israel over Cyprus, get over it your argument is lost either way.

M a
M a
6 years ago

An Australian here.
While I read these comments and see you all create conspiracies as to why your favourite didn’t win (or why Israel won) I think you all just have to remember it’s a song contest created to promote unity. And I know y’all hate us and that’s cool and if we aren’t invited back or withdraw next year (yes we’re getting the message you don’t like us (or at least don’t like us in this contest)) we still got love for this contest!
Cheers!

LawStudent
LawStudent
6 years ago
Reply to  M a

We love Australia so much and desperately want you to say. You bring so much fun to the show and amazing entries. Love Jess and voted for her!

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  M a

I’d say Australia will be back next year. This is only their first poor result since they joined, and even then, it was hardly disastrous. I’d say Australia will probably continue to participate atleast until the Eurovision Asia Song Contest gets off the ground (If it ever does), or until they start NQing at the semis.

Doctor Who
Doctor Who
6 years ago
Reply to  M a

You Australians are making the same mistake the U.K. has been making for the last few years – taking your poor results personally. Nobody hates Australia or resents your presence here; your last few songs have just been poor. When you send a good song you get a good result.

Bucka
Bucka
6 years ago
Reply to  M a

Same as israel…i see the comments here and im fascinating…how much hate…”u r not a part of europe” bla bla bucka bucka….but if u want or not we here with 4 wins and will host the esc in jerusalem (out of europe yehh)..if u retire it makes u a looser…one day europe will get it…israel is here to stay and also austarlia…?australia from israel

's all good
's all good
6 years ago

I know, isn’t it awful that Ireland showed “the gay thing”? and don’t get me started on Lithuania and Moldova trying the hetero thing….. disgusting, shouldn’t be allowed! Oh Mary, pass me the smelling salts…….. lol.

ROZ
ROZ
6 years ago

I’m just gonna put this out there that actually whilst watching Eurovision last night there was such a high quality of songs, in fact only 2 or 3 of them I wasn’t a fan of. It’s easy to get into a state over which country won what with the juries and televote but overall they all did so well, from Sweden which was classy and great vocals to Israel which was so much fun and so unique, I think people need to step beyond whether their favourite won and realise that all of the contestants were incredible

Solo
Solo
6 years ago
Reply to  ROZ

The professionals should not appreciate what they liked or did not like. The Swedish song is poor, the vocal is not good. The televoters correctly rated and gave the right place- 21 points and 23 place.

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

Stfu Solo. You are talentless

Well well
Well well
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

Sara you have become the new Efi, and what for? Show’s over!

eric
eric
6 years ago
Reply to  Well well

exactly. move on.. sara is right

Esc2018
Esc2018
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

Witch please why do you always attack People if there is only a slight hint that they didn’t like sweden?

ROZ
ROZ
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

All I’m saying is that people are allowed to like who they like regardless of their final position

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

Dont mess with swedes. They are rather nasty on this board.

AAA
AAA
6 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

Where are these nasty swedes? The only Sweden-related things I see around are the endless negative comments about Benjamin and his song.

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago
Reply to  AAA

Well for instance
Lovely Sara: stfu
Master Davve: uneducated bs

shark
shark
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

Solo,
Once again – that’s your opinion, not the ultimate truth

Solo
Solo
6 years ago

Why the juries gave so many points to Austria with a song plagiarized and without any show. Why the juries gave so many points for the Swedish soap, which has been since the 1980’s or 1970’s. Have they been asked to vote for Austria and Sweden?

Sara
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

Juries voted for the top quality songs

Markus
Markus
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

U keep saying that. Have a look at the composition of these small groups.

Solo
Solo
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

The juries, it’s professionals should not judge songs, but should appreciate singing and choreography. Members of juries usually have a narrow understanding of the songs, so they are not suitable for song evaluation. And the songs and music are to be appreciated only by televoters.

Solo
Solo
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

We see that juries are very “professional”, gave the highest points for copies of old songs 🙂

eric
eric
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

Solo, you need to wake up

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

And how do you know that. Who appoint them? There is no special requirements. You are the uneducated one and rather gullable. As mrs Merkels says, lets drain the swamp.

Esc2018
Esc2018
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

So those “Professionals” are not biased? Witch please. You can’t tell me that the Armenian and Azerbaijani Songs are always the worst of the year so that those countries always rank each other dead last

Hörnchen AT
Hörnchen AT
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

which song did Austria plagiarize from?

Solo
Solo
6 years ago
Reply to  Hörnchen AT

About plagiarism
youtube.com/watch?v=sCBAGmDjNlg

Pierre
Pierre
6 years ago
Reply to  Solo

We all know that

baltic/ukraine juries are directed not to vote for russia
Armenia & Azerbadjan have to vote for russia.
Swedish juries have to vote for swedish produced songs
Balkan juries are a mess of lots of rules
And on and on.

And then there is all the indirect coercion from state sponsored tv like the swedish.

Its ridiculous to pretend they are proffesional without bias.

Markus
Markus
6 years ago

Lucky and lucky. It was a well carried out strategy by the Swedish television towards juries and blogs. Let’s drop the juries and put Sweden back in their natural spot in the bottom. Top result? you must be brainwashed by Swedish media.

eric
eric
6 years ago
Reply to  Markus

I bet you would. so your country can send crap songs that will not even place on the charts.. lol.

dream on buddy

Apple
Apple
6 years ago

People keep talking about if this is a step backwards or forwards for Eurovision… But I think this is keeping Eurovision moving in the same direction as Jamala and Salvador. With Ukraine 2016 and Portugal 2017, you couldn’t imagine those songs coming from other artists, and Netta’ s song this year is definitely unique to her and her sound. Lately, Eurovision has been rewarding uniqueness and authenticity to oneself. Isn’t that what we should all want the contest to celebrate?

Toni
Toni
6 years ago
Reply to  Apple

Europe voted her with over 100 points than Cyprus. It’s pretty obvious who they preferred. What you’re seeing now is people who did not like the winner whining, while those (the majority) who are pleased, are celebrating or moving onto next topic, now that we’ve got our winner. The same arguments against the winner come every single year.

Aags
Aags
6 years ago
Reply to  Toni

Do you want to compare the final score of Salvador last year with the very poor score of Netta?

Toni
Toni
6 years ago
Reply to  Aags

What would be the point of that exactly? It’s a beautiful song, there is no denying that. Too bad the singer is full of hate but kept it under wraps until he won. But what does that have to do with this subject? Nothing.

Bucka
Bucka
6 years ago
Reply to  Aags

I prefer to win with poor points but with big optimic and nicely netta…and not to win with huge amount of points but with a small person like salvador

Caliope
Caliope
6 years ago
Reply to  Bucka

You are also being very gracious there. *sarcasm *
I actually prefer the Eastern countries attitude, they name call you in your face and you know what they are really thinking. All this fake diplomacy gets on my nerves.

Toni
Toni
6 years ago
Reply to  Apple

As to the step back argument, the true step back was when Portugal won. Eurovision was created to unite people after the war, Portugal has divided people into “real music vs fireworks” arguments while giving a voice to someone who is truly hateful towards any other genre of music than his own (Salvador). The principle of all genres being equal and acceptance of all art forms won this year, which was shocking but extremely pleasant surprise. People loved Loreen as long as she kept performing Euphoria. The minute she changed and started singing about something more meaningful the casual fans… Read more »

Jim
Jim
6 years ago

poor wiwibloggs their persistent attempts to promote cyprus and sabatoge netta failed.

Toni
Toni
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

They are sore as hell, especially William. But it’s all good. There’s always the same bs arguments after the winner is chosen, and even Loreen faced the same hatred as Netta is facing now. They just want to forget all about that, after Euphoria became a classic.

The loudest are always the negative. Europe has spoken and Netta won with a huge difference to Cyprus, so all that’s left to do is celebrate and continue the good work. Let the dogs bark.. that’s what they’re best at.

perrs
perrs
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim

wiwibloggs almost every year promote so hard some countries and sabotage some countries. And we had many video about some countries (inteview , many videos in eurovision pre parties) and some countries have 10 % of that attention). Serbia almost every year had that sabotage status.

Nadors
Nadors
6 years ago

From now on we promise not to like what we like but what you tell us to like.

Well well
Well well
6 years ago

Toy and Fuego are both fun, uptempo, part-ethnic pop songs, no need to pretend one is more serious and layered than the other. And let’s not pit women against each other, empowerment can come in many forms. The lioness and the wonderwoman are not enemies.

Raven
Raven
6 years ago

My teddy bear’s running away
The Barbie got something to say, hey hey hey
Hey, my Simon says leave me alone
I’m taking my Pikachu home

Lyrics of the winning song. Sigh…

LawStudent
LawStudent
6 years ago
Reply to  Raven

After two years of serious songs with deep lyrics – we are allowed to have one year with more up-tempo and fun. Come on. Relax.

Raven
Raven
6 years ago
Reply to  LawStudent

I have nothing against up-temp and fun. Doesn’t mean lyrics have to be stupid though.

Baloo
Baloo
6 years ago

Just to be clear “Toy” was my third favorite after Fuego and La Forza, so nothing against it winning and no bitter feelings. However, I have to say for the first time ever I got targeted not once but twice with display ads urging me to vote for Netta this weekend, which somehow made me start wondering how real or bought the televoting result was for Israel. Especially considering Israelis are celebrating 70 years if statehood, 20 years since their latest ESC win and are trying through the USA to get Jerusalem to be recognised as their capital by the… Read more »

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
6 years ago
Reply to  Baloo

Plus weird things happeningin the voting – differences between public and jury votes for somany countries : Sweden, Italy, Czech Rep, Denmark, Austria.. all of them could have won if they got both public and jury votes high.its weird for it to happen to so many countries this year. I’m not saying Toy is a bad song but there was alotof good songs this year

LawStudent
LawStudent
6 years ago
Reply to  Baloo

So you think Israel bought those 40MIL views on youtube too?

Bucka
Bucka
6 years ago
Reply to  Baloo

Come on.. most of the voters do not know what happenes on youtube..they just vote to the song they like the most…but…if u wanna hear something interesting..gal gadot the real wonderwoman posted on instegram to vote netta