After a year of waiting, it’s finally time to get out the fancy dress, put on a party playlist and rustle up some delicious snacks and celebrate this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Taking place on Saturday, 11 May in Malmö, Sweden, the event is set to be one to remember as Olly Alexander hopes to become the UK’s first winner since Katrina and the Waves in 1997.
However, it’s not just Olly who’s got people talking. Contestant Bambie Thug made history earlier this week when they became the first Irish Eurovision Song Contest finalist since 2018.
So, as Bambie Thug gets set to take to the stage this weekend, let’s take a look at what you need to know about the Eurovision star…
Born in Cork, Bambie Thug, real name Bambie Ray Robinson, was born in 1993. In an interview with the the Irish Mail on Sunday, the 31 year old singer revealed how much of their “really lovely” childhood was spent “talking to trees and making potions”.
Meanwhile, Bambie trained as a ballerina at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa and Cork City Ballet but later moved to London for a dance scholarship. However, after breaking their arm they ended up studying musical theatre instead.
After completing their studies, Bambie kickstarted their music career and has since released three EPs.
Bambie, who is Ireland’s first non-binary Eurovision act, makes what they have dubbed “ouija-pop”, which is a combination of hyperpop, rock and metal and will bring their Doomsday blue song to the stage on Saturday night.
Speaking about being part of Eurovision, Bambie has opened up about their desires to reach the top three. “I try not to think of the odds, because odds can always be beaten. But obviously it’s great that we’re in the Top 10 – I want to be in the Top 3!,” they told the Official Charts.
“For Ireland to not have been in the Grand Final since 2018, to then send their little non-binary witch, this weird goth who’s a bit alternative, and for us to be doing so well after years of doing badly, I’m like ‘told you!’ It’s crazy.”
After performing during the semi-finals, Bambie appears to have won over viewers at home and some took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to gush over the elaborate performance.
“IRELAND IS IN THE FINAL AFTER 6 YEARS ! CONGRATULATIONS BAMBIE THUG”, wrote one. “Well done Bambiethug. Best performance we have seen from an Irish act in #Eurovision2024 in a very long time,” another added.
Meanwhile, a third wrote: “The performance was magnificent. IRELAND ARE IN THE FINAL. Now go and win it Bambie Thug.”
Away from their music career, Bambie has also previously opened up about practising neopagan witchcraft and according to the Irish Mirror occasionally used to work as a princess at children’s parties.
