Eurovision could be set for its first ever non-binary winner as artist Nemo from Switzerland has become the new favourite to win the competition.
The rapper, 24, is representing their country with the song The Code and is the 5-2 favourite to win after a successful performance on Swiss TV.
Nemo said the song is about them realising their own non-binary identity and they hope they can stand up for ‘the entire LGBTQIA+ community’ by enterting the contest.
The artist, whose full name is Nemo Mettler, added that when accepting they didn’t ‘feel like a man or a woman… I had to break a few codes.’
Non-binary is an umbrella term used by those who feel they have a gender identity that is not fully male or female.
Eurovision could be set for its first ever non-binary winner as artist Nemo from Switzerland has become the new favourite to win the competition
The rapper, 24, is representing their country with the song The Code and is the 5-2 favourite to win after a successful performance on Swiss TV
Nemo said the song is about them realising their own non-binary identity and they hope they can stand up for ‘the entire LGBTQIA+ community’ by enterting the contest
According to The Mirror, one Eurovision expert said: ‘The thinking is, if Nemo delivers on all those high notes and showcases all those different styles it will score very highly with the juries – but it’s hard to know what voters at home will make of it as there is no real precedent. It’s a very unique song which sits way outside the box.’
Croatia, Ukraine, Italy Ukraine and the Netherlands round out the top five countries in the odds.
It comes after Eurovision’s UK hopeful Olly Alexander has issued a statement responding to fans’ furious calls that he should boycott the contest over Israel’s inclusion.
The It’s A Sin star is set to represent his home nation with his track Dizzy, but has come under fire from many stars and fans for remaining in the competition.
A group of 450 queer artists, individuals, and organisations, including actor Maxine Peake, signed an open letter asking Olly to withdraw from the contest over Israel’s war with Gaza.
Now, the singer has responded in a lengthy statement, vowing that he will remain in the competion, and he would instead focus on collaborating with other Eurovision contestants on how to ‘use our platform to come together and call for peace.’
The statement, posted on Olly’s Instagram, read: ‘I wholeheartedly support action being taken to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and the safety and security of all civilians in Palestine and Israel.
‘I know some people will choose to boycott this year’s Eurovision and I understand and respect their decision.
Eurovision ‘s UK hopeful Olly Alexander has issued a statement responding to fans’ furious calls that he should boycott the contest over Israel’s inclusion
‘As a participant I’ve taken a lot of time to deliberate over what to do and the options available to me. It is my current belief that removing myself from the contest wouldn’t bring us any closer to our shared goal.’
‘I hope and pray that our calls are answered and there is an end to the atrocities we are seeing taking place in Gaza.
‘I’d like to thank the many signatories of this letter whose work I deeply admire and respect and hope that we can continue to work together in creating a better world for all of us.’
Olly captioned his post: ‘Queers for Palestine sent me their letter asking me to withdraw from the ESC earlier this week and I responded to them directly,
‘I’m sharing my response here alongside this mornings collective artist statement.’
Queers for Palestine said its letter was signed by actors Indya Moore, Brigette Lundy-Paine and Maxine Peake and musician Goat Girl, H Sinno.
It said: ‘We share the vision of queer joy and abundance you’ve offered through your music, and share your belief in collective liberation for all. In this spirit, we ask you to heed the Palestinian call to withdraw from Eurovision.’
The It’s A Sin star is set to represent his home nation with his track Dizzy, but has come under fire from many stars and fans for remaining in the competition
The singer has responded in a lengthy statement, vowing that he will remain in the competion
Olly shared his statement after being part of a collective message signed by multiple Eurovision artists, vowing that they would still be taking part in Eurovision (pictured)
Olly shared his statement after being part of a collective message signed by multiple Eurovision artists, vowing that they would still be taking part in the competition.
It said: ‘We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision.
‘In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent.
‘It it important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages. We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia.’
‘We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections.
‘We feel it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.’
Last year the BBC faced calls to drop Olly as their Eurovision entry, after it emerged he’d signed a letter calling Israel an ‘apartheid regime.’
The statement, which was published on October 20, almost two weeks after Hamas’ October 7 attack, also says that Israel has ‘terrorised’ Palestinian people and there is now a ‘genocide’ taking place ‘in real time’.
The BBC is not planning on taking any action as the singer signed the letter weeks before he was unveiled as the UK’s Eurovision act, the Telegraph reported.
Alexander is set to represent the UK in Sweden in 2024 and has promised to ‘fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible’.
He will take to the stage in Malmo with his song Dizzy, during the final on May 11.
Israel has faced multiple threats of disqualification from this year’s Eurovision, after two proposed songs were reportedly rejected due to their ‘political nature’.
Last year the BBC faced calls to drop Olly as their Eurovision entry, after it emerged he’d signed a letter calling Israel an ‘apartheid regime’
The track supposedly made references to the victims of Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7.
Eventually Israel submitted a new song, titled Hurricane, but reportedly keeps some of the lyrics from October Rain, and it will be performed by Eden Golan.
Speaking to Times of Israel following the reveal of Hurricane, Golan said: ‘I ended up [competing] in a not simple year.
‘But on the other hand, I even more so want to represent the country this year, because of its meaning — it has a totally different significance.
‘And we can bring everything we’re feeling, and everything the country is going through, in those three minutes. To speak through the song to the world.’