At the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, wartime tributes jostle against kitsch and extreme silliness, but it isn’t that jarring in the context of the biggest, strangest, live music event in the world.
One of the standout performances from the semifinals was not from a contestant, but rather from the “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham. The British actress, who is better known in the U.S. than she is in the U.K., is co-hosting with the Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon.
Many Ukrainians are nonetheless excited, and for many, it’s about uniting through music, the theme of this year’s competition. Halyna Sladz, 35, a Ukrainian refugee based in the U.K., said the contest was “a party, a chance to celebrate.” She was walking in a “discover Ukraine” area along Liverpool’s vibrant waterfront. “I hope one day you will all be able to come to Ukraine to celebrate,” she added.
Speaking to The Washington Post in a makeshift room with a leopard print sofa and golden bathtub filled with plastic bubbles, Wurst said: “In Europe, we have so many different little countries. There are so many different approaches to music, culture, art, fashion, so everyone brings their best game to the table.”
Asked if Eurovision hopefuls seek her advice, she said, “They do sometimes. There’s no recipe. It comes down to authenticity, as it does with anything in life. You have to make it your own.”
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