MALMÖ (Dagbladet): The Netherlands’ Joost Klein did not show up for the Eurovision dress rehearsal on Friday. The EBU is investigating an incident linked to the Netherlands’ Eurovision entry, which is currently not taking part in rehearsals.
Klein was supposed to perform as number five, before Israel, but did not appear. However, he was present earlier in the dress rehearsal, when the artists were presented. All the props for the Netherlands’ contribution should also have been wheeled onto the stage, without the contestant appearing.
The Dutch press told Dagbladet’s correspondent that they currently do not know anything more, but that they are working hard to find out what has happened.
The mood was somewhat strained when a Polish journalist asked a somewhat critical question to the Israeli artist. Then the Dutch participant reacts from the sideline. Video: Ørjan Ryland
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AvroTros, responsible for the Dutch delegation, has also commented on the incident:
“An investigation has indeed been launched by the EBU following an incident. We await the outcome of this investigation and do not want to say anything about it until then.”
– We know little about what has happened to the Netherlands, they were supposed to perform as number five, says Håkon Røssum, head of Eurovision Norway, to TV 2.
– I think it may be due to a curse that he has to sing between the two Israeli artists from Luxembourg and Israel, a bit of a dead end you might say, says president Morten Thomassen of the Norwegian Grand Prix club to VG.
Dagbladet’s reporters in Malmö say that there was clearly a tense atmosphere when Israel spoke during the press conference after yesterday’s semi-final.
HIDING: Klein hid under a flag during the press conference. On the right sits Norwegian Gunnhild Sundli, and on the right sits Israeli Eden Golan. Photo: Jonathan Gaathaug Nilsen / Dagbladet
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Klein hid under the Dutch flag and took jabs at Israel when they would not answer a critical question. Then he emerged from the flag and burst out “WHY NOT?”.
The Dutch media Telegraaf writes that the artist has apparently removed several Eurovision tracks on his Instagram account.
“It is striking that Klein has stopped following Eurovision on Instagram since Friday afternoon. The singer has also deleted all his Stories about the Eurovision Song Contest from Thursday evening”.
