“Fairytale Over?” Alexander Rybak Accidentally Reveals His Vote — And Eurovision Fans Are Furious
Former Eurovision champion Alexander Rybak has found himself in unexpected controversy after sharing a selfie from the voting booth during Norway’s parliamentary election on Monday night.
The 2009 Eurovision winner took to Instagram to encourage his followers to vote, praising Norway’s democracy and sharing a snapshot to mark the occasion. But there was one small problem: fans spotted his vote.
The “Secret” Vote That Wasn’t
In the photo, Rybak appeared to hide his ballot paper… but eagle-eyed fans zoomed in and noticed the name Kristelig Folkeparti (Christian Democratic Party) faintly visible through the paper.
The Christian Democrats are known for their conservative views, including their opposition to same-sex marriage — a stance that has clashed with many Eurovision fans, given the contest’s huge LGBTQ+ following.
Eurovision Fans React: “Shooting Yourself in the Foot”
The reaction in the comments was immediate — and intense.
“For an artist who lives off the Eurovision audience year after year, with such a large queer fanbase, this feels like shooting yourself in the foot,” one fan wrote.
The post has since sparked heated debate about artists’ political views and their alignment with Eurovision’s values of inclusion and diversity.
Rybak Responds: “It’s About Democracy”
Speaking to Nettavisen via text message, Rybak declined to engage in the controversy directly:
“The only thing I want to say about the election is what I already wrote in my post: a declaration of love for our democracy, where we are all equal and respect each other’s choices. And, of course, an obligatory Instagram reminder to go vote.”
From Eurovision Glory to Instagram Drama
Rybak famously won Eurovision 2009 for Norway with his iconic song “Fairytale”, scoring a record-breaking 387 points. Over a decade later, he still commands a loyal fanbase across Europe — but this incident has clearly stirred tensions among followers.
Whether this will affect his relationship with Eurovision fans remains to be seen… but one thing’s certain: Eurovision drama never sleeps.
Source: BT