The members of the Belgrade-based group "Lavina" revealed upon their return from the competition that their performance at Eurovision was under a cloud of uncertainty until the last moment. They nearly abstained from stepping onto the stage due to unpleasant comments and actions from the organizers.
During the rehearsals, the band members did not face any difficulties, but the situation drastically changed just before the competition began. The organizers visited them in the dressing room and informed them that they would not fulfill a small technical requirement that had been smoothly carried out in all previous rehearsals. This led the band members to seriously consider pulling out of the competition.
"Just to point out that we questioned whether we would even step onto the stage on the day of our semi-final performance. This happened on that very day, when we were in uncertainty up to the last moment whether we would go on that stage because we received very, very worrying comments from other Eurovision and EBU representatives," they said during their appearance on RTS.
Issues with the "Seventh Member" and the Coat
The dispute with the EBU and organizers arose over a seemingly trivial stage solution. The organizers found it "technically ungracious" to remove the coat from the stage during the performance as they had done in previous rehearsals.
"The coat was supposed to be removed, but it remained on the stage. We had eight tech runs where everything went as it should, and they came to our dressing room during our preparations to inform us they wouldn't do it because we have a seventh member on stage who wasn't supposed to be there," the "Lavina" members explained. This seventh member was solely responsible for removing the coat and appeared in frames, which disrupted the Eurovision presentation.
Public Support Improved the Mood
Despite the immense stress, uncertainties, and drama in the dressing room, the band ultimately performed their set. Positive reactions to their performance helped ease the bitter taste of what had happened behind the scenes.
Speaking about the public's reaction after everything they had gone through, the band members were succinct and emotional: "We are very grateful for that."
This is just unacceptable! The organizers should be held accountable for putting the band through such stress. How can Eurovision claim to promote unity and diversity when they treat performers like this? What's next, making contestants do push-ups to prove their worth?