Why Did Celine Dion Represent Switzerland in Eurovision?

Celine Dion Earned a Eurovision Win for Switzerland in 1988, however She's French-Canadian

Celine Dion represented Switzerland in Eurovision again in 1988, even if she's French-Canadian. Is that allowed?

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May 13 2024, Published 10:Forty nine a.m. ET

Source: Getty Images

In early May 2024, the yearly Eurovision Contest was held amid a historic string of controversies. The event was once placed below much scrutiny because of several problematic factors. These include but aren't restricted to, Israel's participation all over the Israel-Gaza conflict; allegations of sexual harassment; and a ban over the appearance of a non-binary flag used by this 12 months's winner. Nevertheless, the competition moved ahead with out much incident and a winner was in the end declared.

After a number of rounds of balloting, Swiss rapper Nemo (they/them) earned the win with their tune, "The Code." Nemo's win was once historical for a number of causes. For one, they are the first non-binary winner of Eurovision, which due to this fact resulted in the aforementioned controversy over the non-binary flag. Nemo also earned Switzerland's third-ever Eurovision win. The nation had in the past gained again in 1988 and was represented by means of... Celine Dion. Her past victory has some lovers questioning why she represented a country she wasn't born in. Here's what we all know.

Source: Getty Images

Celine Dion, a French-Canadian singer, won Eurovision for Switzerland back in 1988.

As the "Queen of the Power Ballads," Celine infrequently needs an creation. Born in Canada, the long-time singer has received such a lot of awards and shattered so many records in the music trade that her list of awards and her achievements in track each have their very own separate entries on Wikipedia. Several outlets and business pros have named her some of the a hit musicians of all time and he or she has countless accomplishments under her belt as her profession continues to at the moment.

One of those accomplishments comprises successful Eurovision again in 1988. Celine's tune, "Ne partez pas sans moi" (Don't Leave Without Me), won via a unmarried vote over the United Kingdom on the time for her to take home the win for Switzerland. But because she was once born in Canada, many are actually questioning why she even represented Switzerland in the first place, especially after a Swiss musician received for Switzerland more just lately in 2024.

You might be surprised to understand that at the time, Celine puzzled the same factor. In a 2013 interview on The Jonathan Ross Show, Celine revealed that she have been approached by means of the rustic of Switzerland for her to represent them in 1988. Celine had no concept why she, as a quite unknown French-Canadian singer at the time, used to be being asked to represent a rustic she wasn't born in. She used to be even sure that exact Swiss citizens would have taken offense to an intruder making a song for them at Eurovision.

Source: Getty Images

As it turns out, there have never been any rules indicating that a singer needed to be born in or have citizenship in the country that they're representing in Eurovision. At the time time, Switzerland merely found a singer they liked and gave her a chance.

Celine's win in 1988 made her a loved Swiss icon, propelled her to international recognition, and helped her turn out to be the world-renowned track sensation whom we all know these days.

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