Netherlands’ Joost Klein Disqualified From Eurovision After ‘Incident’

Fred Bronson
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UPDATE: Dutch singer-rapper Joost Klein has been ejected from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with just hours to go before the annual competition’s grand final in Malmö, Sweden. On Saturday (May 11), less than 24 hours after the European Broadcast Union announced that Klein had been suspended from rehearsals, the EBU released a statement revealing that Klein, competing for the Netherlands, had been booted from Eurovision following “a complaint made by a female member of the production crew” that Swedish police are investigating.

“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest,” reads the EBU statement, which also made clear that Klein’s disqualification — and the accusations against him — “did not involve any other performer or delegation member.”

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Following Klein’s disqualification, points awards to the Netherlands during the dress rehearsals will be revoked, and the Netherlands won’t be able to receive any public votes. The running order will proceed as before, minus the Netherlands.

Read the full statement from the EBU below:

The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.

We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.

The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs.
ESC Communications Team.

Original May 10 article: Joost Klein, the Netherlands’ representative in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, is being investigated by the European Broadcasting Union for an “incident.” No details have been made public yet, but Klein is suspended from rehearsals. It is not known if he will be able to continue in the competition.

The EBU statement did not shine much light on the situation: “We are investigating an incident reported to us concerning the Dutch artist. He will not be rehearsing until further notice. We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.”

The second dress rehearsal for the grand final is now underway at the Malmö Arena in Sweden. The Netherlands is in fifth position. Nothing will seem amiss in the venue. SVT, the Swedish TV broadcaster, will use Klein’s rehearsal from semi-final 2 unless the incident is cleared up in the next few minutes. The EBU is in talks with Dutch broadcaster Avrotros.

The broadcast begins with the traditional “flag parade,” with the artists striding on the stage in performance order. Klein appeared in the ceremony in the first dress rehearsal on Friday (May 10) afternoon. When it was time for him to perform, his stage props were being set up on stage when they were suddenly removed. He was absent from the evening rehearsal flag ceremony. The voiceover announcer proclaimed, “Netherlands,” but no one appeared to show off the nation’s flag.

The dress rehearsal currently underway is an important one; the national juries are watching and will cast their votes tonight.

While details about the incident are not known, Billboard got wind of speculation that there was a backstage incident between Klein and someone working on the show — but cannot confirm anything. There was tension between Klein and Israel’s singer, Eden Golan, at a Thursday (May 9) night press conference for the 10 qualifying countries in semi-final 2. Golan was asked if her presence at the contest presented a security risk.

The moderator told Golan she need not answer, and Klein shouted out, “Why not?” Golan then voluntarily said that the EBU was committed to a safe and inclusive environment for all. The assembled press corps burst into applause.

Israel follows Netherlands in the running order, so it is likely that the two artists were in close proximity during the afternoon rehearsal.

This is a developing story.

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