As the excitement builds for the Eurovision Song Festival, the Dutch entry Claude has been making headlines following the release of rehearsal footage from his performance in Basel. AvroTros unveiled the first rehearsal clips on May 7, 2025, showcasing the 21-year-old singer's rendition of his song "C'est la vie." However, the initial reactions have been mixed, with some critics noting that Claude's performance was off-key.
Lara Zevenberg, a Eurovision reporter for Nu.nl, commented on the situation during a segment on NPO 1's "Goedemorgen Nederland." She expressed enthusiasm for Claude's participation, stating, "It's incredibly exciting that we have someone who truly believes this performance at the Eurovision Song Festival is the best thing ever." Nevertheless, she also acknowledged the concerns about his vocal delivery, remarking, "He's clearly overenthusiastic—so much so that he's overshadowing himself. When he dances and jumps, his voice often falters."
The rehearsal footage sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many viewers echoing concerns about the singer's vocal accuracy. Zevenberg pointed out that this is not an uncommon occurrence, recalling similar critiques faced by last year's contestant Joost Klein, who ultimately performed well in the semi-finals despite initial doubts. "We had the same feeling with Joost's rehearsal footage last year. There were doubts about his performance, but he did excellently in the semi-final," she noted.
New footage from Claude's performance is expected to be released on May 12, 2025, just a day before he takes the stage for the first semi-final. Zevenberg remains optimistic, predicting that Claude will deliver a stronger performance during the jury show, where a live audience will be present. "Claude thrives on live audiences. We've seen him perform exceptionally well in front of crowds before," she added.
Despite the criticism, bookmakers still maintain a favorable outlook for Claude, predicting he will finish in the top ten during the grand final on May 17, 2025. Currently, he ranks fifth in the betting odds, having dropped one percentage point after the rehearsal. The Netherlands is positioned behind Israel, France, Austria, and the frontrunner, Sweden, whose entry, KAJ, has amassed an impressive 9.3 million views on YouTube for their song "Bara Bada Bastu." In comparison, Claude's song has garnered 4.3 million views.
According to Zevenberg, Sweden's KAJ has a 30% chance of winning the contest, having triumphed in the national song festival of Sweden. Interestingly, while the song is represented as a Swedish entry, the performers are actually Finnish. This marks a notable moment in Eurovision history, as it is the first time in the 21st century that Sweden has submitted a song with Finnish singers, although there is at least one Swedish composer involved in the production.
On the same day, additional footage of Claude's second rehearsal was shared on TikTok, revealing a polished performance in a striking burgundy-red suit designed by Ilona Simons, complemented by patent leather shoes and a pearl necklace. Surrounded by dancers and violinists, Claude's stage presence was described as vibrant, although the vocal performance received a mix of feedback.
The second rehearsal saw Claude drop from third to fifth place in the bookmakers' predictions, indicating that the mixed reviews may have impacted his standing. "It's a small dip, but we remain hopeful. We know he has a golden voice, and hopefully, Europe will recognize that dancing while singing is no easy feat," one commentator noted.
AVROTROS, the broadcasting network, responded to the critiques by emphasizing that the rehearsal day was intended for fine-tuning all aspects of the act. In their statement, they expressed excitement for the upcoming performances, stating, "As known, yesterday was a rehearsal day where all components of the act are being fine-tuned. This is an ongoing process, and we are on our way to a fantastic performance in the first semi-final. We can't wait to work towards that and share the entire act with Europe."
As the Eurovision Song Festival approaches, Claude's performance is set for May 13, 2025, during the first semi-final, with the grand final taking place on May 17. The anticipation is palpable, and fans are eager to see how Claude will respond to the pressure of live performance.
In the latest betting odds, Sweden leads the pack with a 36% chance of winning, followed by Austria, France, and Israel, with Claude currently fighting for fifth place. The competition is fierce, and as the event draws near, all eyes will be on Claude to see if he can reclaim his position among the frontrunners.
As the countdown continues, the Eurovision community remains hopeful that Claude can deliver a memorable performance that captures the hearts of viewers across Europe. With his charm and talent, there's still a chance for a triumphant outcome in this year's contest.
