Irish singer Samantha Mumba has taken issue with the judging panel at Ireland’s Eurosong competition after her song My Way finished second to Laika Party by Norwegian artist EMMY.
The win means EMMY will represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
Mumba, known for her early 2000s hit Gotta Tell You, accused the judges of lacking the necessary “credentials” and being “unnecessarily rude” in their critiques of the finalists.
Her comments were directed at all the judges except Bambie Thug, who represented Ireland at last year’s Eurovision.
Judges’ Critiques and Controversy
The judging panel for the competition featured a diverse mix of personalities, including:
- Arthur Gourounlian, a choreographer and judge on Irish Dancing with the Stars
- Laura Fox, a 2FM broadcaster
- Donal Skehan, a chef and TV presenter with a background in music
- Bambie Thug, a former Eurovision contestant
Gourounlian criticized Mumba’s song for feeling disjointed: “It felt like 10 different demos put together in one song.”
Donal Skehan praised Mumba’s performance but suggested a revamp could help her chances at Eurovision.
Broadcaster Laura Fox echoed similar sentiments, noting that the song might be “a little too slow” for Eurovision.
Mumba later expressed her frustrations on Instagram, thanking her supporters and standing by her work: “Those that got it, GOT IT… and those that didn’t, that’s OK too. It’s my art, and I stand by it.”
Donal Skehan Responds
In an Instagram post, Skehan defended the judges and rejected Mumba’s claims that they were unqualified.
He explained that the panel had been chosen for their “experience, insights, and passion for Eurovision.”
Addressing his own qualifications, Skehan noted that while he’s now best known as a TV chef, he started his career in music: “I’ve had two number-one singles in Ireland with my band, Industry, supported acts like JLS and The Pussycat Dolls, and competed in Eurosong in 2008.”
Skehan added that his comments were never personal: “They were about what would give Ireland the best chance of success on the Eurovision stage.”
RTÉ and Public Support for the Panel
In response to the controversy, RTÉ defended the panel’s participation.
A spokesperson praised the judges for their “professionalism, insight, integrity, and good humour” during the competition.
They emphasized that the panel’s role was to provide honest feedback on the performances, aligning with the public vote that ultimately chose the winner.
“It’s never easy to offer a personal opinion, as not everyone will agree,” the spokesperson said. “Our panel did that with the utmost care, and we wish to extend our thanks to them for the excellent job they did on Friday night.”
As of now, the other judges—Arthur Gourounlian, Laura Fox, and Bambie Thug—have not publicly responded to Mumba’s remarks.
Despite the controversy, EMMY is preparing to represent Ireland at Eurovision with Laika Party, a song inspired by Laika, the first living creature sent into space by the Soviet Union in 1957.
Also read: DJ Khaled Net Worth
