Music legend Samantha Mumba lets rip at ‘rude and vile’ Eurovision judges
She wasn't happy.
Samantha Mumba has blasted a Eurovision panel and claimed they were ‘rude and vile to all finalists’ on Friday night.
Late last week, the Gotta Tell You hitmaker, 42, was competing in Eurosong 2025 on RTE’s Late Late Show in the hope of representing Ireland when the annual song contest heads to Switzerland in May.
Her tune My Way finished as the runner-up with 26 points, just behind Norwegian singer EMMY and her song Laika Party on 34 points.
She took aim at most of the panel, which was made up of celebrity chef and ex-Eurosong contestant Donal Skehan, 2FM presenter Laura Fox, and Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian, who danced with Sibel during the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest.
Although Samantha had high praise for singer Bambie Thug, who helped Ireland finish sixth last year, she was much more critical of the other panellist.
‘Special mention to the “panel” (aside from Bambie who I stan) who not only didn’t have the credentials, experience or professionalism required and were unnecessarily rude and vile to all the finalists,’ she wrote on Instagram.
The pop star performed her track My Way on the show (Picture: RTÉ Eurosong/Andres Poveda)‘My parting gift them is a bag of ???? to slowly choke on.’
She claimed she didn’t the chance to confront the panel ‘in person’, but she ‘would have said this’ to their face if they hadn’t ‘all left the green room’.
In a statement to the Irish Independent, RTÉ defended the stars and praised their ‘their professionalism, insight, integrity and good humour’.
‘Their role is to give their honest reaction to the performances on the night, offering their thoughts on the likely success of the song and act at the Eurovision Song Contest,’ the broadcaster continued.
She let rip on most of the panel, but praised Bambie Thug (Picture: RTÉ Eurosong/Andres Poveda)To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Previous Page Next Page‘Our panel did this in a thoughtful and considered way.
‘It seems this was in line with the public vote that ultimately made the decision on the artist and song they wished to represent Ireland at this year’s contest. It’s never easy to offer a personal opinion, as not everyone will agree.
‘Our panel did that with the utmost care and we wish to extend our thanks to them for the excellent job they did on Friday night.’
Samantha did heap praise on the Late Late Show’s ‘crew and team’, and threw her support behind EMMY after her win.
She was grateful for her fans and the show’s team (Picture: RTÉ Eurosong/Andres Poveda)‘Huge thank you to @latelaterte who has the absolute best crew and team. It was a joy to see and work with you all again,’ she continued.
‘Most importantly the very best of luck to the sweetest @emmykgk00 please fly the flag and make us proud in Switzerland!!’
And she also thanked her fans for ‘all the incredible messages and love’.
‘I am beyond proud of myself and the team for all the work and dedication we all put into this performance. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. Truly,’ she wrote.
‘Those that got it, GOT IT…..and those that didn’t, that’s ok too. It’s my art and I stand by it.’
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