Eurovision favorite Joost Klein: – It required many years of therapy

MALMØ (Dagbladet): Dutch Joost Klein (26) is among the big favorites to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and in the run-up to the competition has remained stable in the top tier of the odds.

– Trying to put pressure on us

On stage, he performs the song “Europapa”, which at first listen sounds like a silly humorous feature.

But when Dagbladet meets the 26-year-old during the grand opening ceremony, he can tell that the story is far more bleak and sad.

Klein lost both his parents as a child, just one year apart.

– For me, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions and things I’ve gone through. As a child I was orphaned. Eventually I decided to travel the world to escape from myself. Hoping to get the thoughts out of his head. But then it turned out that all I had to do was go inside myself.

The stars are pouring in

In the song, which is performed in Dutch, Klein sings, among other things, the following:

“I’m in Germany, but I feel alone. I am in Italy but still feel the pain. I run away from myself, cry for help all day long. Yes, I help people with money, but there is no one there to help me”.

The song is about how, despite having traveled around Europe, he never found a place where he felt “at home”.

– The song has several layers, like an onion. It is like an onion. No, it’s actually very serious, I just like to joke around like that, he says before seriousness takes over his smiling face:

– It took several years of therapy to be able to do something like this, because it has been very difficult and is still very difficult. But I’m not afraid to cry, I’m not ashamed. I also have an important message, he smiles.

At the end of the music video for the song, you can see a picture of him with his parents burning. The photo was taken outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, where they were on holiday.

Optional security tender

Faced with the Norwegian press on the turquoise runner on Sunday, he was able to reminisce about the trip with great pleasure. In Trondheim, among other things, he got to test his football skills at the Lerkendal Stadium.

– I have almost forgotten that trip, because I was so small when we were there. I might have to come back, he laughs.

The most ardent fans have probably caught the sneak peek Eurovision has shared of all the entries’ live performances. In the video from Klein’s performance, a very moved 26-year-old can be seen thanking his parents while looking into the camera.

– How does it feel to stand on stage and sing that song in honor of the parents?

– It feels very special, and I feel they are with me. I feel very connected to all the people I have around me. So I hope people can recognize themselves in me too.

– Comes from the abdomen

In conclusion, he comes, with a twinkle in his eye, with a call to all young people out there:

– Wash your hands and listen to what mom says.

Klein and the Netherlands take the stage as the last entry in the second semi-final on Thursday, right after Norway and Gåte have sung for Europe.