Céline Dion Misses Eurovision but Sends Heartfelt Message as Sweden's KAJ Shines

In a notable moment at the Eurovision Song Contest's first semi-final held in Switzerland, Céline Dion addressed fans through a pre-recorded message, reflecting on her past win in 1988 while Sweden's entry, KAJ, emerged as a favorite to claim the title.

Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, delivering a heartfelt pre-recorded message as the contest returned to Switzerland for the first time since her victory in 1988. In her video, Dion expressed her deep connection to the country, which launched her career, and lamented her absence from the event, stating, "I'd love nothing more than to be with you."

The semi-final featured 15 performances, with 10 acts qualifying for the upcoming grand finale, notably including Swedish group KAJ. Their song, "Bara Bada Bastu" (translated as "Let's Take a Sauna"), is gaining substantial traction, being heavily favored to win, with bookmakers estimating a 40% chance. If successful, it would mark Sweden's eighth Eurovision title, placing them ahead of Ireland’s current cumulative wins, as both are tied at seven.

The event took place in Basel’s St Jakobshalle and saw Belgium’s entry, Red Sebastian, fall short of expectations, which surprised many considering it was anticipated to place in the top five. Other eliminated countries included Azerbaijan, Cyprus, and Croatia, meaning we will see new contenders in the grand final.

Dion's appearance came during the interval, as former contestants performed her iconic winning track from the past. While she has been facing health issues due to stiff-person syndrome recently, her message echoed positivity and nostalgia, reminiscing about how winning Eurovision was transformative for her as an artist.

In addition, the semi-final stage was alive with diverse performances ranging from emotional ballads to quirky anthems. For instance, Polish performer Justyna Steczkowska took to the air with an extravagant performance, while Estonia's Tommy Cash faced an unexpected "stage invader."

Throughout, KAJ’s performance especially stood out, showcasing a playful take on sauna culture, which resonated strongly with the audience. As the countdown to Saturday’s grand finale approaches, KAJ's upbeat energy positions them as a leading contender, with expectations set high amid the backdrop of a legendary competition.