The performance of musician Olavi Uusivirta culminated the Sports Gala. However, some viewers were upset about it.
Olavi Uusivirta responds to the controversy that arose from his performance. Jenni Gästgivar
Musician Olavi Uusivirtan appearing in the closing number of the Sports Gala has sparked discussion. He moved The gods celebrate at night -song from the stage into the audience and visited the table of track and field athletes, where he wrapped his arms around an endurance runner Alisa Vainio on the shoulder.
After taking a brisk sip from someone else’s wine glass, Uusivirta also hugged Vainio’s coach during the performance Jarmo Viskariaseptuagenarian Saga of Vannia high jumper Ella Mikkolaa and a mortar thrower Silja from Koso. On social media, a lively discussion arose from the performance, where some viewers interpreted that the athletes were troubled and that Uusivirta had licked them.
Iltalehti caught up with Olavi Uusivirra, who says that the choreography seen on TV2 channel had been agreed in advance with the production and director of the Sports Gala.
So you had agreed that you would be on the public side and the athletes knew that too?
– Yes, we had checked in advance that this table number 8 would be the best table for that. Even the camera crew knew that such a visit might come to that table. I don’t know how precisely the production has informed anyone, but the plan was made with the production, and they suggested this table to me, Uusivirta says.
And did you talk with the production that you might hug the gala guests in the show?
– Yes, exactly like this, he answers.
– Everything was agreed in advance that something like this could fit into this song and the final number. Most of the time, these kinds of galas are raucous in nature, and breaking the ice is good for that sometimes. As a performer, it’s quite sensitive that you can sense it if someone absolutely does not want to be in contact.
The musician says that he received only positive feedback from his performance.
– Including Alisa Vainio, who was sitting at the table. He sent a message right in the morning that it was a great show, that it was a shame that the gig was so short, he would have liked it to last longer, Uusivirta laughs.
He doesn’t think the athletes at the table were traumatized by the hugs.
– If anyone has seen my gigs before, they know that I don’t feel very comfortable on stage. I think that my task as a performer is specifically to break the interface between the audience and the performer. It has been my life’s mission for more than 20 years, he explains.
What would you say to viewers who thought your behavior was medical?
– I think that if I hug someone, or if someone hugs me, I don’t consider it inappropriate behavior. That’s a bit of an overreaction. Everyone can watch that situation on video and draw their own conclusions. I promise I won’t stay on stage in the future either!
The singer says that he often broke the ramp at his concerts by jumping “surfing in the audience”.
– If I were to fart on stage in my supreme loneliness, it wouldn’t necessarily be a terribly good performance. It has become something of a trademark. We have a big tour starting in March, and I can promise that the ramp will be broken at every gig!