Eurovision Song Contest
The Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest entry has received a slap on the fingers from organizer EBU. During the first rehearsals in Vienna, the performance of singer Jonas Lovv (31) turned out to be a little too ‘spicy’ for the living rooms. The delegation was therefore instructed to tone down the act and make it more family-friendly.
Ielse Broeksteeg
Journalist at HLN
LOOK. Norwegian singer Jonas Lovv at the Songfestvial opening ceremony in Vienna
At the so-called Turquoise Carpet, the official opening of the event, the Norwegian delegation unveiled the remarkable request. “Without beating around the bush: it was just too sexy,” singer Jonas Lovv told Norwegian broadcaster NRK and newspaper ‘VG’. “We can’t go into detail about what exactly the warning was about, but there are a few things we need to tone down.”
Mads Tørklep, the Norwegian head of delegation, confirmed the European Broadcasting Union’s warning. “We have been told that we have to tone down the sex appeal because otherwise the performance is not family-friendly enough, so we will do so,” he explained.
Pushing boundaries
According to Tørklep, the intention was never to shock the audience. “We didn’t intend to overdo it, it’s just your style,” he told the singer. “Because you do it so casually, a certain step or jerky movement quickly becomes extra noticeable.”
The Norwegian delegation has now adjusted the act for the live shows without complaint. “Of course we take such a message very seriously,” Lovv added. “I think they mainly tell us to make sure that we don’t push the boundaries too far. Although we are certainly not the worst!”
Jonas Lovv advanced to the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna after his resounding victory in the Norwegian preliminary round ‘Melodi Grand Prix’. The much-discussed song ‘Ya Ya Ya’ was written by the singer himself. Next week it will become clear whether the modified, more well-behaved act can still sufficiently delight the viewer during the second semi-final.
