Eurovision 2022: Who made it through the first semi-final
There were 17 nations in contention in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, but only 10 made the cut. SEE WHO THEY ARE.
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From the political to the ridiculous, the first 10 countries to make the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest grand final were revealed in Turin.
There were 17 nations in contention in the first semi-final, with Switzerland, Armenia, Iceland, Lithuania, Portugal, Norway, Greece, Ukraine, Moldova and Netherlands scoring the top combined jury and public votes.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra was among the most popular winners – and favourites to win this year’s singing Olympics – with their song Stefania.
The hip hop meets traditional Ukrainian folk piece is not only one of the strongest entries but has become an anthem for their homeland in the grip of the Russian invasion.
The Pala Olimpico venue erupted during their performance while hundreds of media in the press centre supported the country’s media representatives Vitalii Lirnyk and Iryna Shafinska, who wore suits which featured the names of besieged cities in the yellow and blue national colours.
After the Covid-interrupted 2020 event and last year’s scaled-back contest in Rotterdam, the more upbeat pop numbers, many in native languages rather than English, resonated with the fans in the first semi.
Moldova’s Zdob si Zdub and Advahov Brothers with their irresistibly catchy Trenuletul were an overwhelming favourite with the audience and press centre.
And then there's the totally nuts Norway. The “alien” band Subwoolfer, who remain in character even when not on stage, exemplify the kitsch madness Australians have always loved about Eurovision with their performance of Give That Wolf A Banana.
A surprising addition to the trio of hosts of the Italian broadcast was Lebanese born, England-raised pop star Mika; the Grace Kelly singer has a huge following in Italy where he has appeared on their X Factor.
Australia’s legion of Eurovision diehards will have to wait until Friday to exercise their voting power in the second semi-final which features our representative Sheldon Riley singing his epic emotional song Not The Same. The bad news is you can’t vote for your own country.
Another 10 countries will be selected from that semi to join the Big 5 who automatically qualify – host country Italy, Germany, Spain, France and UK.
UK entry and TikTok star Sam Ryder is their strongest artist in years with the British fans desperate to not finish at the bottom of the ladder for the third year in a row.
Italy’s dynamic duo Mahmood and Blanco are also among the hotly tipped contestants to take the title, which would make them the first country to win in consecutive years since Ireland in 1992, 1993 and 1994.
MEGHAN MARKLE INSPIRES EUROVISION SONG
Meghan Markle’s luscious locks have inspired the Serbian song at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.
Artist Konstrakta’s entry In Corpore Sano, which translates as A Healthy Body, opens with the lyric “What’s the secret to Meghan Markle’s healthy hair?”
The singer, who delivers the song in the second semi-final on Friday in her native language, decides the key to maintaining the controversial celebrity’s crowning glory is staying hydrated.
“What’s the secret? I think it’s about deep hydration,” she sings.
In Corpore Sano then goes on to list troubling signs which might indicate ill-health, including dark circles under the eyes pointing to liver problems and stains around the lips suggesting the possibility of an enlarged spleen.
But the bizarre lyrics mask the song’s overarching message attacking the cult of beauty and the health insurance industry.
One of Serbia’s rivals for the most WTF lyrics of this year’s competition in Turin, Italy come from Latvian act Citi Zeni and their song Eat Your Salad.
The catchy tune, which extols the virtues of vegetarianism, has a shocking opening line which is censored in the official program.
“Instead of meat I eat veggies and p … y, I like them both fresh, like them both juicy,” they sing.
But the winner for the most truly bonkers song at Eurovision 2022 comes from Norway, who are costumed as aliens as they perform Give That Wolf A Banana.
“And before that wolf eats my grandma, give that wolf a banana.”
SBS broadcasts the second semi live from 5am on Friday and is repeated on Saturday at 8.30pm.
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Originally published as Eurovision 2022: Who made it through the first semi-final
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