From an opera singer to an activist, which singer will you be rooting for?
It’s been a winning streak for LGBTQ+ artists at Eurovision. In 2023, bisexual Swedish songstress Loreen won with Tattoo, followed by non-binary Swiss singer Nemo for their song The Code.
This year, six LGBTQ+ artists are hoping to continue that streak and win the glass microphone trophy at the song contest. First, they’ll need to compete in either semifinal #1 (May 13) or #2 (May 15) for a chance to advance to the Eurovision Grand Final on May 17.
Here is a glimpse of the artists and songs selected to represent their countries. Which will you be adding to your playlist?
ADONXS
Country: Czechia | Song: Kiss Kiss Goodbye | Pronouns: he/him | Performance: Semi-Final #2
After winning SuperStar (Czechia and Slovakia’s version of Idol) in 2021, ADONXS has made a name for himself as a singer, model and activist. He will head to Basel with the song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, which he says is “the story of a flawed, wounded hero who, at a crucial moment, is willing to sacrifice a great leap for humanity in the hope of healing a painful wound in his heart. It’s about how love drives and shapes us—but so does its absence.”
As an activist, ADONXS has worked to increase queer visability in Slovakia where same-sex marriage is illegal. He was also the face of a campaign to change the definition of the word “love” in the Slovakian dictionary, which considers affection to be between two people of opposite genders only.
Erika Vikman
Country: Finland | Song: Ich komme | Pronouns: she/her | Performance: Semi-Final #2
Erika Vikman has been called one of Finland’s brightest stars and boundary-pushing musicians. She’s entering the contest with the song Ich komme, or “I am coming” in English. Combining “Finnish disco with electronic music,” the song’s progression builds up in tension for an orgasmic finish – kind of perfect for Eurovision 69.
Vikman’s performance from the national final was considered so sexually charged, the European Broadcasting Union told her that it expected an adapted version for the song contest – or in other words, tone it down.
JJ
Country: Austria | Song: Wasted Love | Pronouns: he/him | Performance: Semi-Final #2
Austria’s JJ is regarded as a rare vocal talent, who according to Eurovision odds-makers could place second. His song Wasted Love is an opera-pop fusion that builds up to a thrilling conclusion.
When asked about the song, the artist explained how it perfectly captures his experience with unreciprocated love. “There’s a unique kind of heartbreak in having so much love to give but nowhere for it to land…And yet, there’s something undeniably beautiful in that naïve devotion. Because, in the end, simply being able to love – no matter how wasted – is a beautiful thing in itself.”
JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, currently performs at the Vienna State Opera as a countertenor and male soprano. The artist recently did a duet with Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst mashing up their two entries.
Marko Bošnjak
Country: Croatia | Song: Poison Cake | Pronouns: he/him | Performance: Semi-Final #1
Get your antinodes ready because Marko Bošnjak is about to poison us. The artist says his song, which gives Alice in Wonderland vibes, is about “standing up for yourself,” something he’s no stranger to.
In an interview with Eurovision World, the artist said he is the “first openly gay musician” in Croatia. “It’s kind of crazy that I have to be the first one who comes out as gay,” he said, noting he was subject to homophobia after his win at Croatia’s national final.
Bošnjak says he loves exploring different genres of music and breaking stereotypes. He also revealed he’d want Timothée Chalamet to play him in a biopic – we kind of see it.
Miriana Conte
Country: Malta | Song: Serving | Pronouns: she/her | Performance: Semi-Final #2
After winning Malta’s national final with her infectious song Kant, local news outlets reported that the BBC lodged a complaint noting the usage of the Maltese word “Kant” resembled a certain “C-word.” Conte explained to BBC Newsnight that she wasn’t trying to offend anyone with the word, which is “singing” in English, and that it was meant to be interpreted as “I’m serving singing.” In the end, the artist re-titled the song to Serving and removed the word “Kant” from the lyrics.
Her appearance at Eurovision has been years in the making after competing in the 2018 and 2022 national final. The artist has been singing since the age of five and is known for her fun, bubbly and quirky personality.
Red Sebastian
Country: Belgium | Song: Strobe Lights | Pronouns: he/him | Performance: Semi-Final #1
Seppe Herreman created his alter ego Red Sebastian, inspired by the crab from The Little Mermaid, when he was studying at the Conservatory of Ghent. He rose to fame in his home country as a finalist on Belgium’s Got Talent.
His electro-pop song dominated Belgium’s national final garnering 423 points from the jury and public – the runner up only received 144 points. His song was considered the frontrunner earlier this year, but has dropped to eighth among odds-makers.
The Eurovision Grand Final will air on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Canadians can tune in at 3:00 p.m. EST (12:00 p.m. PST) on Eurovision’s YouTube Channel.
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