Whilst the controversy regarding what BARBIE has/has not been nominated for continues, Bambie has enjoyed some success.  Last night in Ireland it was announced that BAMBIE THUG had won the competition to represent the country at the year’s EUROVISION contest.  This may not seem like headline news in the US but in Europe, Eurovision is the continent’s most watched event. Especially amongst the LGBTQ+ community.  Last year some 163 Million people tuned in to watch it on TV

Part of its attraction has always been the fact it features some of the most cheesy songs ever (like Save All Your Kisses For Me).  But what cemented it into a must-see event for queer people was when the bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst from Austria won the contest in 2014.

Bambie Thug aka Cuntry Ray Robinson is an Irish singer /songwriter who identifies as nonbinary. They have stated on numerous occasions their experiences of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community and being LGBTQ+ in the music industry. In an interview with Gay Times, Robinson stated, “I like being part of a cool queer rising scene. I also didn’t have that growing up so it’s important to have people you can relate to and have music that speaks to you and allows you more freedom to be yourself – more queer voices is what the world fucking needs.”

They used the term “ouija-pop” to describe their music,  and stated that they coined the term due to a reluctance to be “put in a box”, instead of combining numerous genres.

Bambie Thug won a contest on Iteland’s The Late Late Show Eurovision Special on RTÉ , and will now travel to Malmö, Sweden in May, where Ireland will compete in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, bidding to qualify for the grand final on Saturday, May 11th.