LONDON (AP) — Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems — but also some eye-catching fashion.
One of the most memorable competitors in Eurovision history was heavy metal band Lordi, who donned monster prosthetics and won for Finland in 2006 with “Hard Rock Hallelujah.”
FILE – Finnish group Lordi celebrate after their victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, May 21, 2006, at the Indoor Olympic stadium in Athens, Greece. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
“It was a blessed victory on so many levels,” said lead singer Mr. Lordi (aka Tomi Petteri Putaansuu), “and of course it was the first time that some really pretty people won.”
In some cases, the fashion outshines the song: Glam metal outfit Wig Wam, Norway’s entry in 2005, only finished in ninth place, but the band’s lead singer drew much attention in an extremely figure-hugging star spangled jumpsuit.
FILE – Israeli singer Dana International celebrates her victory in the Eurovision Song Contest at the Birmingham Indoor Arena, May 10, 1998, Birmingham England. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Louisa Buller, File)
File – The WIG WAM group of Norway perform during the semi-final dress rehearsal of the Eurovision song contest in Kiev, Ukraine, May 18, 2005. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/ Sergey Ponomarev, File)
Familiar faces and outlandish looks don’t necessarily hold sway with judges. Twin duo Jedward — John and Edward Grimes — represented Ireland in 2011 and the following year. In 2012, they finished sixth at the contest in Baku, Azerbaijan, wearing matching robot outfits with shoulder pads and boots, with their signature huge quiff hairdos.
File – Jedward perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, May 25, 2012. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev, File)
Some other notable looks from recent years:
— Krista Siegfrids from Finland performed “Marry Me” in 2013, wore a tulle wedding dress with a strapless bodice, a train and electric-pink platform heels. Her performance also made history, with the first ever lesbian kiss at the contest.
— Austrian singer and drag queen Conchita Wurst won the competition in 2014 with “Rise Like a Phoenix,” sporting a figure-hugging golden gown, complete with perfectly groomed facial hair.
— Italian band Måneskin, who won Eurovision in 2021, wore custom red leather outfits with silver studs designed by Etro — but couldn’t wait to remove them at a press conference afterward.
The 2023 Eurovision final will be held in Liverpool — the U.K. stepped in to host on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine — on May 13.
File – Krista Siegfrids, of Finland performs her song “Marry Me” during a rehearsal for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden, May 17, 2013. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
File – Singer Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in the B&W Halls in Copenhagen, Denmark, May 10, 2014. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
File – Maneskin from Italy receive the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, May 22, 2021. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
File – Greek singer Eleni Foureira performs during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 18, 2019. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)
File – Elina Nechayeva from Estonia performs the song ‘La Forza’ in Lisbon, Portugal, May 8, 2018 during the first semi-final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has provided catchy tunes, cheesy pop and bombastic anthems – but also some eye-catching fashion. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)
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