MALMÖ / OSLO (Dagbladet): Alessandra Mele was scheduled to award points on behalf of Norway during tonight’s Eurovision Song Contest final. Now, however, Dagbladet has confirmed that she is withdrawing from that task.
Channel host Ingvild Helljesen takes over the task.
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Mele chose to resign from the task due to the inflamed situation following the ESC in Malmö.
– This is in good style with the rest that is happening today, Titanic for Eurovision. A level of stress without equal for everyone, nobody wants this on their CV, even something as innocent as handing out points, shows how fierce and undignified this has become, says Morten Thomassen, president of the Norwegian MGP club to Dagbladet.
Drama: – A situation arose
Former Eurovision commentator Jostein Pedersen tells Dagbladet that it is a great shame that Alessandra is retiring.
– It is very stupid, she is loved by the people and we have taken her in. We are rooting for her, so this is very stupid, he says, adding:
– It is also very stupid if all such missions are to be determined by morality, because that is what we are talking about here. Then it will be terribly difficult, says Pedersen.
SAD: Jostein Pedersen thinks it’s sad that Alessandra Mele is retiring. Photo: John T. Pedersen / Dagbladet Show more
– Alessandra chooses to withdraw just a few hours before the final – what do you think about that?
– First of all, it is far too late. When you say no to a job like that, you have to say it much earlier, and avoid putting everyone in a bind.
Mele herself says on Instagram that she should have distributed the points according to the plan.
– Although I am grateful that I had the opportunity to do this, I have chosen to retire, she says, and continues:
– “United by music”, Eurovision’s motto, is the reason why I make music. But right now they are just empty words. A genocide is taking place. I kindly ask you to open your eyes, and your hearts, and let love show you the way to the truth. Free Palestine.
Shortly after Mele announced her retirement, France chose to interrupt her performance during the very last trials before the final on Saturday night, to offer a plea for peace and for love to win.
Dagbladet’s Eurovision commentator Sigrid Hvidsten believes there will be more to come during the evening.
– This is completely wild. I think Eurovision as we know it is collapsing. The drama behind the scenes in recent days has made it almost impossible for the artists to pretend nothing is happening. I think we can probably expect more of this type of action in the hours leading up to the final, and perhaps also in the broadcast itself tonight.
Dagbladet has tried to get a comment from Alessandra Mele. She has not responded to our inquiries.