Luna’s Eurovision Journey: Disappointment, Determination, and Defiance

Poland’s Eurovision 2024 Representative Sheds Light on TV Network’s Lack of Ambition, Personal Financial Sacrifices, and Advocacy for the LGBTQ+ Community

Eurovision 2024 wrapped up a month ago, with Poland’s Luna delivering a memorable performance of her song «The Tower.» Despite her efforts, she finished 12th in the semi-finals with 35 points, missing out on the grand final. In a candid interview with viva.pl, Luna reflected on her Eurovision experience, sharing the highs and lows of the journey.

Emotional Turmoil and Unexpected Outcomes

“The feelings will probably never completely settle,” Luna confessed. The 24-year-old singer expressed deep disappointment over not making it to the grand final, a result that shocked many who had high expectations for her. “It was a tough time for me and my team. We expected to be in the final due to the very positive feedback we received during rehearsals. So, naturally, I cried. You can’t prepare for such a moment,” she explained. Despite not considering it a defeat, Luna acknowledged the harsh reactions from Polish audiences, who criticized her appearance and performance.

Online Backlash and the Reality of Eurovision

Discussing the future of Poland in Eurovision, Luna highlighted the importance of sending an artist rather than just a song. “In my opinion, it’s better to send an artist, unless you only want to win,” she remarked. Luna also revealed a surprising sentiment: not all countries are keen on winning. “I don’t know when Poland will win Eurovision. Can Poland even host the contest? It seems Poland doesn’t want to win. When I was chosen, I heard: ‘Just don’t win because Poland will never organize it,'» she shared.

The Cost of Creativity

Luna’s performance was a visual spectacle, intended to be a theatrical journey of self-discovery. Despite discarding ambitious ideas like a burning dress, she was pleased with the final execution. However, the logistics of Eurovision meant that all props and scenery had to be created in the host city, Malmö, resulting in the two iconic towers from her performance being left behind in Sweden.

The financial burden of the performance was significant, covered by the Polish TV network (TVP), her record label, and Luna herself. “I added money from my own pocket to include some elements. I believed this event was worth the investment. Sometimes you have to do that to achieve the desired artistic effect, and you can recoup the costs in other ways after the competition,” she explained.

Advocacy and Adversity

Luna, a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, insisted on waving the Polish flag alongside the pride flag in the green room. During the semi-finals, this led to a tense incident. “We were waving those flags, happy and proud, and suddenly the pride flag was taken away. I looked on, confused, as they replaced it with another Polish flag. The decision came from above. I got angry and started questioning why. From that pressure, I cried. It wasn’t fake—it was a very emotional moment,” she recalled. Thanks to her persistence, the pride flag was restored after a few minutes.

Lasting Friendships and Personal Triumphs

Despite not advancing to the final, Luna feels she won the hearts of fans across Europe. The most valuable outcome of her Eurovision experience, she says, are the new friendships she forged. She remains in touch with Nemo from Switzerland and Bambi Thug from Ireland.

Poland’s Eurovision 2024 Journey

Luna’s song «The Tower» was chosen through an internal selection by the Polish television network and represented Poland in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2024, held on May 7 in Malmö, Sweden. Luna finished in 12th place in the semi-final with 35 points, failing to qualify for the grand final.

Source: Viva.pl