Céline Dion Shares Touching Message at Eurovision Semi-Final as Sweden Advances

In a heartfelt video message, Céline Dion greets fans at the Eurovision Song Contest's semi-final, as Sweden's comedic trio KAJ secures a spot in the grand finale with their unique sauna anthem.

 

Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which returned to Switzerland for the first time since her iconic win in 1988. In a brief, pre-recorded message, she expressed her love for the country, stating, "I'd love nothing more than to be with you. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart." Regrettably, she ruled out any in-person attendance.

The semi-final held in Basel’s St Jakobshalle saw ten acts qualify for Saturday's grand finale. Among them is the Swedish group KAJ, who rose as the favorite with their catchy and humorous entry, "Bara Bada Bastu" ("Let's take a sauna"). Bookmakers give them a 40% chance of winning the entire contest, which would mark Sweden's eighth title, making them the most victorious nation in Eurovision history.

The lineup featured fifteen acts, and those qualifying included:

- Norway: Kyle Alessandro – "Lighter"
- Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – "Zjerm"
- Sweden: KAJ – "Bara Bada Bastu"
- Iceland: VÆB – "RÓA"
- Netherlands: Claude – "C'est La Vie"
- Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – "GAJA"
- San Marino: Gabry Ponte – "Tutta L'Italia"
- Estonia: Tommy Cash – "Espresso Macchiato"
- Portugal: NAPA – "Deslocado"
- Ukraine: Ziferblat – "Bird of Pray"

However, the dreams of Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia for 2025 were dashed, with Belgium's Red Sebastian, whose rave anthem "Strobe Lights" was forecasted to do well, being notably excluded on his 26th birthday.

The anticipation builds as ten more acts will vie for their chance to reach the finals following Thursday's second semi-final. The "Big Five" nations—France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and Italy—qualify automatically, alongside last year's champions, Switzerland.

Dion’s message played during the ceremony’s interval while votes were cast, bringing a significant moment for Eurovision organizers, especially given her recent health challenges tied to stiff-person syndrome (SPS). Although she hasn't been in the limelight, her emotional comeback at last summer's Paris Olympics sparked speculation regarding her involvement in Eurovision this year.

In her touching video, Dion reminisced about her own victorious moment in 1988, calling it a "life-changing" experience and expressing gratitude to Switzerland for their support. Following her message in French, former Eurovision contestants performed her winning song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" to honor her legacy.

While she couldn't attend in person, organizers revealed they are still in contact with Dion, hoping she may still make a surprise appearance at the final this weekend.

The semi-final was also filled with dynamic performances, including Polish artist Justyna Steczkowska, who performed from above the stage. Other highlights included Slovenian musician Klemen's emotional ballad dedicated to his wife, as well as KAJ’s energetic crowd-pleaser, which was an unexpected hit at the Swedish national selection contest.

As excitement builds for the grand finale, KAJ promised to enjoy their experience, noting the pressure of being favored: "We are feeling the pressure a bit, but we're going to go out there, have fun, bring the steam, bring the sauna culture, and we'll see how far it goes."