Nemo, among the many favorites at Eurovision, is discovering acceptance onstage and off

LONDON — Regardless of whether or not Nemo wins the Eurovision Tune Contest this weekend — which might make them the primary nonbinary contestant to take house the crystal microphone — the singer is already successful.

Representing Switzerland with a monitor known as “The Code,” Nemo says there may be now extra understanding and consciousness of their nation about being nonbinary and what it means.

“Folks begin understanding extra and I feel that understanding means the world to me. And simply having the ability to symbolize this neighborhood at Eurovision is wonderful. And I’m so glad that I’m not even the one one this yr. You understand, like that’s even higher as a result of it simply, it simply reveals that it’s wanted.”

Among the many contestants who’ve made it to Thursday’s subsequent semi-final spherical is Eire’s gothic fairy Bambie Thug, who can also be nonbinary and makes use of they/them pronouns.

Nemo’s powerhouse quantity “The Code” is about struggling to search out their place and discovering it “someplace between the zeroes and ones” of a binary system. It’s one of many favorites to win Eurovision, which takes place this week in Malmö, Sweden.

”(It) can be cool if folks like my tune about banana pudding,” Nemo stated.

“However realizing they like a tune the place I’m, like, unconditionally myself, and I speak concerning the journey of discovering myself and being non-binary and realizing that it touches them … it’s actually lovely.”

Up to now in southern Sweden, the environment between acts has been enjoyable and supportive. This isn’t a cutthroat competitors — its slogan is “united by music” — and Nemo jokes that “the twist is, everybody desires one another to win.”

In Malmö, Nemo’s been internet hosting some resort room periods with different artists and would love that to result in future musical collaborations.

The draw back of the resort is the fierce air-conditioning, which isn’t nice for a recording artist who each hits operatic excessive notes and likewise raps at a quick tempo.

Not solely is Nemo singing and rapping, in an enormous pink furry coat, they’re additionally being circled on an enormous spinning high whereas pulling Matrix-style, gravity defying strikes.

“That’s one in every of my favourite elements, truly. That’s a lot enjoyable to do,” they stated. “Folks ask me, do you could have, like, do you could have, magnets in your footwear? After which I used to be like, ‘No, however I ought to have magnets.’”

Switzerland is one in every of 37 counties competing in Eurovision this week, which is being held in Sweden, after Loreen gained final yr’s contest.

The tracks vary from energy ballads to zombie-folk, electro dance and empowerment pop.

Different favorites embrace Child Lasagna’s raucous “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” representing Croatia, Ukrainian duo alyona alyona and Jerry Heil with the melodic “Teresa & Maria” and catchy pop “La Noia” from Italy’s Angelina Mango.

“It’s probably the most versatile music neighborhood ever,” stated Nemo.

“You might have like somebody be into extra like a metallic tune that yr, but in addition in like a bubblegum pop tune, , and love each worlds equally. I feel that’s so lovely, just like the openness of that.”

As for the opportunity of successful Eurovision, Nemo stated that in any case this week’s enjoyable, acceptance and understanding, the highest prize “would imply the world.”