Back in May she hit the stage during the grand final. And while Madonna‘s Eurovision performance received mixed reviews, it still was the moment everyone was talking about. But now Israel’s broadcaster KAN is suing Madonna’s concert promotor Live Nation over an alleged breach of their agreement.
While controversy surrounding the vocal quality of Madonna’s performance and her decision to include two dancers wearing the Israel and Palestine flags, the legal action relates to who was supposed to have paid for some of the staging costs.
Israeli broadcaster KAN is suing Live Nation and Live National Israel for 1.375 million shekels (350,200 euros), saying that they violated the terms of their agreement for the Eurovision performance.
According to Variety magazine, KAN is claiming that they provided Madonna’s team with “technical and logistical support that went beyond the Eurovision production”. This included things like “projectors, headphones, additional stage assistants, tents, security and other extra staff.” The broadcaster claims that costs for these were supposed to have been covered by Live Nation, but the concert promotor has not yet paid.
A spokesperson from KAN has confirmed to Variety that the legal action is underway, but no further comment has been made.
Madonna at Eurovision 2019
Madonna’s appearance at Eurovision 2019 was controversial from the very start. Just days ahead of the grand final, Jon Ola Sand confirmed that the EBU had not yet confirmed her performance. It was later revealed that the contract was only agreed upon just two days before the grand final.
The performance itself was full of disappointing moments for fans. Just hours before the grand final show, a supposed feed of her vocal rehearsal was leaked. This raised speculation on whether playback was in the mix.
During the performance itself, fans were disappointed by the quality of Madonna’s vocals, which sounded pitchy throughout. When the performance was later uploaded to Madonna’s YouTube channel, her pitch issues had been digitally smoothed out.
Madonna also caused controversy with her staging, including two dancers wearing jackets with the Israeli flag and Palestinian flag.
This led to a right-wing, populist politician in the Netherlands propose a ban on Madonna performing at Eurovision 2020. The proposal was not passed by the Rotterdam city council.
But despite all the controversy, Madonna was happy with her Eurovision performance. She told Dutch media, “I was really happy with my performance and I did exactly what I planned to do. I’m proud of the message I conveyed: peace between Palestinians and Israel. That was what I came to do.”
What do you think about the latest developments? Do you believe that Live Nation should cover the extra expenses? Let us know in the comments section down below!
The good thing is that now everyone in usa know what is eurovision
Next year no Madonnas, thank you
She is awful.
Its really sad to see a once great performer stoop to being like a freak in a sideshow. She is all about image over substance.Parading around with an eye patch and questionable costme is rather pathetic and embarressing.If she was using this performance to launch the single in the UK then it definately backfired, as it bombed here. To be honest, I dont recall it being played on the radio. Still, she had the last laugh because she made a tidy sum out of a short and lacklustre performance.
I still think that Maruv would have been much better interval act than Madonna…
More proof that it wasn’t a good idea to have an act like her (and I do like her) on the Eurovision stage. The worst element is that she got all the headlines on May 19, not Duncan Lawrence. And at Christmas we’ll see all the year-end review programmes mentioning her, not him.
The worst singer of the entire event got the most cash.
I’m not surprised: what do you expect from a contract just signed two days before the gig?
I’m guessing we’ll just be seeing Dutch singers next year then
Drama from ESC 2019 doesnt seem to ever end
Hey should sue the company for such a mediocre show. Sorry but for me, it was the worst interval act in Eurovision’s History
I’m with you. I didn’t even notice the flags. And I didn’t like Justin Timberlake’s performance much more either.
…And this will be the last time American pop singers perform as interval acts at ESC, thanks to Madonna! SMH!
I want to see Kelly Clarkson next year 😀
Probably she doesn’t even know that Europe is not a single country.
What? She has toured Europe extensively and is probably more familiar with its geography than you.
Future Eurovision organizers, avoid hiring Madonna. Not worth the trouble.
This is what KAN deserves for being willing to have big stars. Madonna used them to show the flags, she was mediocre, KAN thought is a good idea to have her…now deal with it.
Yeah! They deserve this for trying to make an above average show! How dare they not to book absolutely bland and forgettable interval acts like 2018? Shame on you KAN.
KAN clearly opened a pandora box in the first place so they are at fault for letting this happen