Eurovision semi-final disrupted by ‘stage invader’ during Estonia’s controversial entry as BBC viewers ask ‘Was it staged?’
Eurovision viewers were left stunned on Tuesday evening as a woman rushed onto the stage during Estonia’s semi-final performance.
Tommy Cash, representing Estonia with his controversial song Espresso Macchiato, was mid-performance when the incident occurred.
The woman, wearing jeans and a white top with “I love Tommy Cash” emblazoned across it, made a direct approach towards the Estonian rapper.
The unexpected interruption added another layer of drama to Cash’s already contentious Eurovision entry.
Initially, security guards who were part of the dance routine attempted to stop the woman. Cash, however, waved her through and even scooped her into his arms.
He continued performing whilst carrying her before setting her back down on stage. The woman remained close to Cash, touching him until he gave her a reassuring nod.
What followed appeared to be a coordinated dance routine, suggesting the apparent security breach may have been choreographed as part of the performance.
Viewers at home remained divided over whether the interruption was genuine or planned.
“The stage invader got me,” confessed one viewer on social media. Another questioned online: “Huh, what was that fan going on stage part of the act?”
On Instagram, someone else wondered: “Was the stage invader towards the end legit or staged?”
Another replied: “Staged. I thought it wasn’t for a second tbh,” while someone else added: “so that girl running up stage wasn’t real??? #estonia #eurovision pls im so lost.”
“Bad vocals from tommy the stage invader got me i feel like estonia could’ve done more with this i don’t see this getting as much points from the televote as i used to #Eurovision #Eurovision2025 #ESC2025,” another shared.
Someone else remarked: “I’m personally not a huge fan of Estonia‘s song, but I have to admit that the fake stage invader part of the performance was quite clever. #Eurovision.” (sic)
The confusion added to the already significant attention surrounding Estonia’s entry.
Cash’s Espresso Macchiato has been one of this year’s most controversial Eurovision entries, featuring a feigned Italian accent and lyrics some consider offensive to Italian culture.
The song has sparked significant backlash in Italy, with Senate Vice-President Gian Marco Centinaio publicly voicing his disapproval.
“He should come to Italy and see how decent people really work before daring to write such a stupid and stereotypical song,” Centinaio stated on Instagram.
Italian consumer protection association CODACONS has even appealed to the European Broadcasting Union for the song’s disqualification.
Despite the controversy, Cash has previously addressed accusations of mocking Eurovision.
“She told me that half of the fanbase loved me and the other half couldn’t stomach me, because they feel I’m mocking Eurovision and just treating it as some big joke,” he told the BBC.
“That’s just not entirely true. If this were all some big joke for me, I wouldn’t be putting all this work into it. I’d just stand at the back of the stage, drink coffee, and wait for the lights to come back on.”
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals will continue on Thursday night at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.