Irish Eurovision nominee Bumby Thug said he felt so loved after being selected to represent Ireland on Friday night.
The Cork artist from Macroom will be flying the Irish flag in Malmö, Sweden, performing his song ‘Doomsday Blue’ at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
On Monday, Mr Bunby told Ray D’Arcy on RTE Radio 1 that he did not expect the country to help so much.
read more: Late Eurosong feature: Bumby Thug selected to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2024
They said: “It was crazy. To be honest, I was definitely having a bit of a dissociative moment and had an out-of-body experience throughout. But in the room There was so much love. There was so much.”
The 30-year-old, who is non-binary, said his heart was “filled” by the amount of love and support he received.
“I wanted to say something heartbreaking, but it wasn’t. My heart was full. I never expected the country to support me so much. In fact, it still does. I’m pretty emotional.”
However, Bumby admitted that despite being confident in his performance, he felt “very overwhelmed” after the Euro song and took a short break in his dressing room.
“We went to the dressing room for a little bit and we were so overwhelmed. Then we had to go backstage. Then we went to the Odeon and surprised the fan club there with a little impromptu performance. Then we had to go to the dressing room.” Actually, we just went home and ordered pizza and had some tea. ”
The singer then returned to Cork to continue the celebrations. “Honestly, my wild days are over,” they said with a laugh.
“I went to dinner with my make-up artist Sophie, met my sister at The Raven as she was with friends, then came home again and saw me on the news. It’s crazy. It’s all surreal. “I’ve gained so many followers on iTunes in the last 48 hours. I’ve been meditating a lot more than usual because I need to keep myself grounded. It’s from.”
But they are also keen to point out how they hope to finish in May’s contest.
“I could not be more grateful to Ireland and everyone who gave me this opportunity on this platform. I want to create something that doesn’t exist yet.”
Regarding this song, Bunbee said, “It’s hard to define my music.
“But that’s what I love about this music. I want to take the listener through all aspects of my artistry. I still continue to discover through music. When I was young, my mom would wake us up with classical music, and then the rock music would come on.”I rapped in the car and at home in the afternoon, music being thrown at me from every angle. , I appreciate all kinds of music because I absorbed all of it.
“When I was younger, I was into pop girlies like Britney Spears. I also loved Westlife. In fact, my first five concerts were with Westlife, but my creativity was very much It comes from a combination of things: fantastical things, animation, movies, even my magic is a big part of it. I want to make it.”
Earlier, Ireland’s newly selected Eurovision entrant issued a statement addressing those who were “outraged by my beautiful art” after seeing hateful messages online. Bambi called on the people, “Please don’t forget that I’m a human being too.”
“I have gone through a lot of trauma, but even after all the obstacles and hardships, I still show up with love,” they said. “I have always been a phoenix, so your words and distorted thinking cannot hurt me.”
They criticized the opposition’s anger, saying they were sending “the utmost love” to those who hate them.
“If my artistic expression drives you to hate or anger, it is you I send the most love to. If you don’t want to be part of a house of thugs, join me on this journey. There is no obligation to participate,” they said.
Bumby Thug grew up in Macroom, Co. Cork, with three sisters.
His mother, whom Bunby describes as “my biggest champion,” stayed at home with the family while his Swedish father made metal parts and “didn’t have a memo in her head.”
Bunby said she has always wanted to be in the spotlight since she was a child.
“Growing up in a small place, it was the furthest thing from me to say I was different. I definitely wanted the spotlight. I wanted to make a statement, and the closest I got was wearing brown clothes and pink. She was wearing tights.
“I think it wasn’t until I moved that I really felt in control of myself. I moved to London when I was 20, and that’s when I realized I had become who I was. But within myself… I learned to stand strong.”My resolution this year was to fully support myself and be my own biggest cheerleader.
“This creative world is amazing, but it’s also hard. You have to have thick skin.”