Joost Klein Disqualified Hours Before Eurovision Final

MAY 15 2024 · 12:45

Joost Klein (disqualified) · "Europapa" · Netherlands · 2024 Language: Dutch, English · Composers: Joost Klein, Dan Nikolovski, Bram van den Berg · Venue: Malmö Arena · Host: Malmö, Sweden · Type: disqualification · Broadcast: streaming era Joost Klein — Dutch pop-rap performer whose father had died when he was 12 — had been a pre-contest favorite with 'Europapa', a high-energy tribute to his late father's European dream. Hours before the grand final, Joost is disqualified after an altercation with a Swedish camerawoman. EBU statement describes 'a threatening and intimidating act'. Swedish police investigation is opened. The Netherlands is removed from competition. Swedish police later drop charges. Context The camerawoman had allegedly filmed Joost in a reserved area he had asked not to be filmed in. His father's death had been an ongoing emotional context. AVROTROS protested the disqualification strongly. The EBU maintained its decision was procedural rather than political. Joost was the first grand-final-eligible artist disqualified so close to the broadcast. Legacy Joost Klein continued his Netherlands musical career; his 'Europapa' became a cult streaming hit despite never being performed at Eurovision. The 2024 DQ became a standard reference for Eurovision backstage-conduct enforcement. Swedish police eventually declined to prosecute; the EBU's decision was criticized in retrospect as possibly hasty. Joost's fans remain convinced his treatment was unfair.