Former UK entry Mae Muller slams Eurovision for not protecting artists’ mental health-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Mae Muller represented the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2023 (Picture: AP)

Mae Muller is distancing herself from the Eurovision Song Contest this year, despite representing the United Kingdom in Liverpool in 2023.

The pop star sang for the UK last year as the annual contest made its way to the north due to the ongoing war, preventing Ukraine from hosting.

So, as the UK took on hosting duties on behalf of 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra, expectations were high.

Alas, Mae’s tune I Wrote A Song finished in 25th place out of 26 contestants with a weary 24 points.

This year, Olly Alexander takes the reigns, representing the UK in Malmo, Sweden with Dizzy – but while millions tune in to the Grand Final, Mae is steering clear.

Taking to X just one day before we find out who our winner is, the 26-year-old quoted a video of Greece’s entrant, Marina Satti.

In the clip, the performer fake yawned and appeared to fall asleep during a press conference as Israeli singer Eden Golan spoke.

Mae responded with: ‘i’ve not been keeping up with EV at all this year for my own mental health but i will be voting for this queen x’.

A fan then replied to her: ‘Why do you find it difficult to engage with ESC related stuff queen? Was it cos the whole process was stressful? Xx’

Spilling the tea, Mae wrote back: ‘the pressure is just too much, its a shame cos i luv performing and i luv music but the fans were the only thing that made it enjoyable.’

She added: ‘more needs to be done to protect the artist’s mental health because it’s not actually normal what they go through’.

I Wrote A Song finished second to bottom of the board with just 24 points (Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Mae has brushed off criticism of her performance in the past (Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

Her posts received thousands of interactions, with fans flocking to the replies to heap praise on her for speaking out.

X user ESCjoanna wrote: ‘I really enjoyed your entry and still listen to it. I’m sorry you got put through so much. You and all the other artists deserve better. The EBU and delegations need to take duty of care to artists much more seriously’.

‘I agree, I can see the strain on Olly. Think it’s going to put a lot of UK artists off’, remarked Hoiskiez.

‘More than one artist has said this and tbh it is shocking that artists continue to receive little to no support on a platform of that size’, wrote ShoulderCatClub.

PeteJLewis acknowledged: ‘From an artists perspective it must feel absurd the amount of time, effort, pressure and critique that goes into a 3 minute performance. Then suddenly it’s all over, and a fair few will leave the experience with disappointment or the same loss us fans have post #Eurovision’.

She previously worried that her career would be affected severely (Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

Mae has expressed concern for the mental health of other Eurovision acts (Picture: PA)

Previously, Mae opened up about flopping at Eurovision and how it affected her career.

Speaking ahead of her debut album’s release last summer, Mae told audience members at an intimate gig attended by Metro.co.uk: ‘I gave myself a day to think my f***ing life was over, my career was over.

‘And then I was like, “Wrap it up.” The second I started owning it and having fun with it, I was like, “Oh, it’s actually fine and it’s fun and it’s camp and it was a moment”.’

Mae added: ‘In that setting, it was so foreign to me and there was so many different things. I felt like, “Whoa, this is a lot.”

‘When we did the full dress rehearsal where we mocked up the set, I saw the stairs and I cried because I knew I was going to be in heels.

Fans are boycotting this year due to Israel’s involvement (Picture: AP)

‘I’d never performed in heels on stage. I’m not a heels girl yet but I had a minute to freak out over it and then I moved on and that’s how I dealt with it at the end as well.’

In public, Mae has continued to hold her head high and brush off any criticism of her performance in last year’s final.

Posting to X, she penned in the aftermath: ‘Not gonna lie, anyone who tries to drag me for my vocals at Eurovision is wasting their time cos I already know they were trash.’

Continuing, she admitted that she ‘got nervous’ and explained to her followers that ‘ya girl didn’t give her best performance vocally.’

But despite backlash to her vocals, she had some kind words for her appearance on the night, saying that her ‘t**s looked good’ on stage.

Meanwhile, Eurovision 2024 has been shrouded by controversy, mainly due to the participation of Israel, whose entry song Hurricane was renamed from the politically charged title October Rain.

Olly Alexander represents the UK this time with his track Dizzy (Picture: AP)

Eurovision has been under major pressure from the beginning to exclude Israel due to the country’s ongoing assault against Hamas in Gaza since October, which has led to 35,000 deaths and counting.

Many long-time fans have boycotted this year, while the arena in Malmo erupts into boos when she takes the stage.

Golan was asked personally during a press conference: ‘Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and public?’

She told the journalist: ‘I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here (if not).’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More