Jonathan Currinn
Semi-Final 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 took place on Tuesday, 14 May 2019, and what a show it was. Ten acts went through to Saturday’s Grand Final, whilst seven acts were eliminated, but it was the interval act that made our hearts melt completely. Eurovision 1998 winner, Dana International, came on stage and sang a beautiful rendition of Bruno Mars’ song “Just The Way You Are”, whilst the screen behind her displayed a kiss cam.
This year, the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place at the Expo Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel, after their representative, Netta, won the 2018 contest with her female empowerment track, “Toy”. The stage has got us all shook and wishing we were there watching it live.
Dana International became the first trans to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 with the song “Diva”. She’s continued to have an amazing career having released a total of eight studio albums and three compilation albums. She even returned to the contest in 2011 but failed to make it through to the Grand Final. She’s certainly an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and this special performance goes on to prove just that.
Her brilliant vocals showcased a new side to this awesome Bruno Mars song. A camera started to go around the audience as Dana International sang the song, encouraging couples to kiss. It was certainly heartwarming, especially when couples from the LGBTQ+ community was seen kissing and the whole audience cheered them on. It was the sort of unforgettable interval act that we all needed, one that will inspire the young to not be afraid to come out and one to show that love is love, no matter who you are.
Watch Dana International’s Interval Act Where She Sings Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” With A Kiss Cam Here:
This was such a beautiful interval act, and certainly one we will never forget. The second Semi-Final will take place tonight. Why not check out our facts and stats article on all 41 countries and acts that are competing this year. And, if you have your favourites, you should totally vote for them in our reader’s poll. We also suggest that you check out our Semi-Final 1 Lyric Quiz, test your knowledge on the words of all 17 songs that took part in the first Semi-Final. The Grand Final will take place on Saturday 18 May 2019.
Dana International wasn’t the only guest act during Semi-Final 1, Netta returned by opening the show with an energetic performance of her winning song, “Toy”.
