Celine Dion still a chance to perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest

A video message from Eurovision queen Celine Dion dimmed hopes of her performing in Basel, but the host broadcaster says they are still in talks.

Eurovision queen Celine Dion didn’t rule out a superstar performance at this year’s contest in Switzerland in a video message broadcast during the first semi-final on Wednesday.

Speculation has swirled among Eurovision fans that the Canadian pop legend might head to Basel to celebrate Switzerland hosting the singing Olympics for the first time since she won in 1988.

Dion was 20 years old when she claimed the trophy in Dublin with a soaring performance of “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.”

Celine Dion singing the winning song at the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest. Picture: YouTube

Nemo’s win with “The Code” last year in Malmo, Sweden brought Eurovision back to Switzerland, where the contest began in 1956, for the first time in 37 years.

Dion chose her words carefully in a video message to fans at the first semi-final before a tribute to her winning song.

While she was not in Basel for the semi, she could still make it for Sunday’s grand final.

“I would love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now,” she said.

“Switzerland, you hold a special place in my heart; it’s a country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be a part of something that was so extraordinary.

“It was a life-changing moment for me and I am so thankful to everyone who supported me.

“Now, 37 years later, it’s so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland winning and hosting this incredible event once again.”

Dion made her glorious comeback on the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Olympics. Picture: AFP.

Dion was forced to step back from her singing career after being diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, Stiff Person Syndrome, in 2022.

She made a triumphant and moving comeback to sing “Hymne à l’amour” from the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris last July.

Her cautious re-emergence continued in November when she performed two songs at the 1001 Seasons of ELIE SAAB event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November.

After Dion’s video message aired during the semi-final dress rehearsals, the official Swiss broadcaster of this year's contest cryptically suggested there is still a chance she will be in Basel for the grand final this weekend.

A spokesman for the SRG SSR channel said “there are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion – we are still in close contact with her.”

Sweden’s KAJ celebrate a good sauna and lumberjack fashion. Picture: Sebastien Bozon / AFP.

The first semi-final featured performances of 15 countries vying for 10 slots in the 2025 grand final including the overwhelming favourite Sweden.

The group KAJ, joined by lumberjack dancers, are actually from Finland but represent a Swedish-speaking minority from the Nordic nation. Their hilarious song “Baru Bada Bastu” is all about the joys of sauna culture.

It was no surprise they made it through the semi-final.

The other nine countries through to the 2025 grand final are Norway, Albania, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Estonia, Portugal and Ukraine.

Spanish singer Melody gives Beyonce vibes with Esa Diva. Picture: Sebastien Bozon / AFP.

The first semi-final also featured performances from the host country Switzerland (Zoë Më singing “Voyage”) and two of the Big Five, who automatically qualify for the grand final.

They were Italy’s Lucio Corsi with “Volevo Essere Un Duro” which translates to “I wanted to be a tough guy” and Spain’s Melody, sporting a Beyonce-worthy bedazzled bodysuit singing “ESA DIVA”.

There is a strong contingent of diehard Aussie fans in Switzerland to cheer on our Go-Jo and his pop earworm Milkshake Man, which opens the second semi on Friday.

His SBS team and Eurovision commentators in Basel are quietly confident Go-Jo will get Australia into Sunday’s grand final.

But it would take an effort of Stephen Bradbury proportions for the Aussie pop star and his big blender to sail past the Swedes to win this year’s competition.

The Eurovision Song Contest airs live from May 14 to 18 on SBS and SBS On Demand.

Kathy McCabe travelled to Basel as a guest of SBS.