What was meant to be an unforgettable Eurovision journey for the Netherlands has taken a shocking turn. Dutch representative Joost Klein, who had promised to “do something never seen at Eurovision before,” has indeed lived up to that statement—but not in the way fans had hoped.
The European Broadcasting Union announced this morning that Joost Klein has been disqualified from the competition following an incident involving a camera woman backstage. While details remain limited, the decision was made swiftly, preventing Klein from performing in the Grand Final.
In an official statement, the EBU confirmed:
“Following an incident that took place after his semi-final performance, we have taken the decision to remove Joost Klein from the competition. While we understand this is disappointing for fans, the safety and well-being of all participants, crew, and staff remain our top priority.”
Joost Klein had been one of the fan favorites leading up to the contest, with his song “Europapa” gaining viral popularity for its high-energy, nostalgic sound and emotional tribute to his late parents. His unique performance style and bold persona made him one of the most talked-about contestants of the year.
His qualification from the second semi-final had been widely celebrated, with many predicting that he could secure a strong result in the Grand Final. However, with this unexpected turn of events, the Netherlands’ journey in Eurovision 2024 has come to an abrupt and disappointing end.
As a result of Klein’s disqualification, the Grand Final will proceed with one fewer act, meaning only 25 countries will compete for the Eurovision trophy on Saturday. The EBU has not announced whether the voting system will be adjusted due to the sudden removal of the Dutch entry.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, which selected Joost Klein for Eurovision, has yet to release an official response regarding the incident.
A Eurovision First
While Eurovision has seen controversies and disqualifications in the past, an artist being removed after qualifying for the final is an extremely rare occurrence. Joost Klein had assured fans that his performance would be unlike anything seen before at Eurovision—but few could have predicted it would end this way.
