Olly Alexander made his first live performance of his Eurovision entry at the Semi Finals in Malmo, Sweden. The Years and Years singer performed his catchy tune, “Dizzy,” alongside shirtless backup dancers. The boxing themed routine featured Olly wearing a distressed vest and red trousers with a coordinating jock strap. The performance included suggestive and raunchy elements, with Olly sensually interacting with his dancers and executing dance moves to the beat. While many fans praised the performance for its staging and visuals, others noted that Olly’s vocals seemed shaky at times.
Despite mixed fan reactions on social media, Olly Alexander appeared to be giving his all in his Eurovision performance, belting out the lyrics and executing dance moves. The majority of the performance was filmed inside the room, with the entourage breaking onto the stage during the final chorus. Fans expressed both pride and concern for Olly, with some praising the staging and enthusiasm, while others were critical of his vocals. Some fans hoped that Olly was saving his voice for Saturday’s final, while others noted that the staging appeared overdone.
Last week, Olly Alexander opened up about the pressure he faced to quit the competition due to Israel’s involvement in Eurovision. Despite calls for him to pull out, Olly decided to continue with his performance. He revealed that he had struggled with a breakdown before a Eurovision pre-party in London. The singer expressed his sadness and distress over the humanitarian crisis in the region but emphasized the positive impact of entertainment in bringing people together.
Prior to his Eurovision showcase, Olly responded to an open letter from Queers for Palestine asking him to boycott the competition. Along with his fellow contestants, Olly stated that their performances would go ahead. He emphasized the importance of solidarity and standing against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia. Olly highlighted the unifying power of music and the hope that his performance would inspire compassion and empathy.
The Eurovision Song Contest final is set to air on Saturday on BBC One. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding his participation, Olly Alexander remains committed to performing and using his platform to promote unity and peace. Fans eagerly await his final performance and continue to show their support for the British act. With his dedication to the competition and the message of solidarity, Olly Alexander is set to leave a lasting impact on this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
