Eurovision semifinal leaks online; Dutch entrant Claude 'feels good' about chances

Recordings of all acts from the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest, including the performance by Dutch entrant Claude, leaked online Monday night via the social media platform X. The footage was captured during a dress rehearsal in Basel attended by a live audience. The source of the leak remains unknown.

Claude, representing the Netherlands with the song C’est La Vie, took the stage Monday evening for his first public performance of the entry. The 21-year-old singer reportedly remained upbeat. “I feel good,” he told ANP reporters outside his hotel before heading to the St. Jakobshalle venue Tuesday. “It’s going well, and I feel good. I woke up feeling great,” he said. “I’m looking forward to tonight. I believe it’s going to go well on stage.”

The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed it was aware of the leaked footage. “We are aware of the leak. It is what it is, however unfortunate that the agreements weren’t respected. C’est la vie,” a spokeswoman said. “By now, we’re used to leaks. What matters most now is tonight’s show.”

The leaked video featured Claude’s full performance, during which he sang in tune and received an enthusiastic response from the audience. While the second rehearsal—also known as the jury rehearsal—was once crucial due to the role of international juries in scoring, those points are no longer used to determine finalists. The outcome of the semifinals is now determined entirely by the public vote, with jury scores only consulted in the event of technical issues.

Claude’s performance carried emotional weight. During Monday’s rehearsal, he reportedly appeared visibly moved at the end of the act. “That happens to me a lot,” he said afterward. “It’s been an emotionally intense week. The act itself is quite emotionally charged for me.”

He described the emotional moment in the final lines of the song, when he looks at a representation of his younger self in a mirror. “Then I just think, oh right, I used to watch this as a kid, and now I’m here on stage telling a story.” He added, “I hope the viewer feels that emotion too.” When asked if he was going to give a powerful performance, Claude responded: “Definitely!”

This is not the first time C’est La Vie has surfaced online ahead of schedule. The track was originally scheduled for official release in late February, but it was leaked on social media one day early.