UK Eurovision star calls out contest for “double standard” after signing open letter

by

Singer Mae Muller, who represented the UK at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, has explained her decision to sign a letter asking organizers to exclude Israel from future events. The letter, signed by over 70 past Eurovision participants including Muller, urged the European Broadcasting Union to prevent Israel’s broadcaster from competing due to the current conflict in the Middle East, with a focus on the 2026 contest.

Muller participated in the Eurovision Song Contest when it was hosted in Liverpool, representing Ukraine after Russia’s exclusion. Speaking on Bimini’s podcast, The Pieces, she argued that it’s naive to think music and art aren’t political, and suggested there’s been an inconsistent approach to applying that principle since then.

The host asked her about signing an open letter criticizing Israel’s participation in Eurovision, and how she felt about doing so.

“It was the easiest thing ever,” she said. “I was like, ‘why is this a conversation? Hello?'”

She explained that music and art can’t help but be political – it’s simply part of their nature. She recalled hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, describing it as a wonderful experience filled with Ukrainian flags and a strong sense of togetherness.

What to Read Next

Looking back, it really hit me the following year. It just felt so unfair – a clear double standard – and honestly, it didn’t sit right with me at all.

A new rule took effect at the end of 2025 to prevent unfair promotion of entries by governments or outside groups – something KAN had been accused of doing. A planned vote on whether Israel could participate was cancelled, which led to several other countries withdrawing in protest.

Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia won’t be participating in or showing the competition this year, and the Netherlands and Iceland didn’t enter. Nemo, the winner of the 2024 competition for Switzerland with the song ‘The Code’, has returned their winning trophy.

Muller was the last UK artist to reach the Top 10 of the country’s singles chart with her song ‘I Wrote A Song,’ which peaked at number 9. She released a new EP called My Island in 2025, and recently released a new single, ‘Tell You That’.

Okay, so the BBC just announced who’s hosting Eurovision 2026 – it’s happening later this month! And get this, the UK act is Look Mum No Computer. I’m actually pretty hyped to see what they bring to the stage!

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be broadcast live on Saturday, May 16th. The Semi-Finals will take place on Tuesday, May 12th, and Thursday, May 14th. You can watch it on BBC One and iPlayer, and listen on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available! This special 100-page, full-color magazine celebrates the life and work of Sir David Attenborough. You can find it at newsstands or order it online.

Read More

2026-05-01 20:49