October 24th 2024.
Joost Klein, the Eurovision hopeful from the Netherlands, has just announced that he will not be participating in next year's Song Contest. In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, the 25-year-old singer shared that he doesn't feel comfortable returning to the competition after the events of this year.
During the 2024 Eurovision competition, Joost was disqualified just hours before the Grand Final. The Swiss act Nemo went on to win with their song "The Code." The disqualification was due to an alleged backstage incident, where Joost was accused of making verbal threats to a female production worker. However, after a thorough investigation, the police did not press charges.
At the time, Dutch broadcasters stood by Joost and criticized the decision to disqualify him, stating that it was disproportionate and that his request to not be filmed was not respected. Despite the investigation being dropped, Joost has made the decision to not participate in next year's Song Contest. He stated that he still needs time to heal from the events of this year.
In his statement, Joost expressed his gratitude for the love and support he has received from fans around the world. He also reflected on his dream of participating in Eurovision and how he achieved that dream, but now needs to focus on his healing process. He also mentioned that the experience of Eurovision brought people together and that this story is not just about him, but about everyone involved.
Joost also shared his belief that one of his purposes in life is to use music and art to connect people. He encouraged others to trust the process and join him on his journey. Despite the challenges he has faced, Joost is excited to share new music on his upcoming sold-out tours in Europe and the USA.
The investigation into the backstage incident was recently closed by the Swedish prosecution authority, citing lack of evidence. Joost expressed his relief over this news and urged everyone to support each other. He also questioned why it took so long for the truth to come out and called for unity and support among everyone.
Joost's discomfort with the situation was evident during a press conference where he questioned why Israel was included in the competition amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. This controversy has led to some fans threatening to boycott the competition and urging other artists, such as Olly Alexander and Bambie Thug, to do the same.
Despite the challenges and controversies, the Eurovision Song Contest will return next year, and the EBU Deputy Director General and Director of Media have addressed the situation, stating that they do not tolerate inappropriate behavior and stand by their decision to disqualify Joost.
As Joost looks towards the future, he remains grateful for the support and love he has received and believes that love will always prevail. He ends his statement by saying, "This life is crazy, but just know...I'm still standing."
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