Nemo, at Eurovision: “I am certain that it will work tonight”

This Thursday evening, Nemo, 24 years old and a child from Bienne, will enter the Malmö Arena, in Sweden, with the aim of qualifying for the Eurovision final on Saturday. A first step towards, perhaps, achieving victory. Switzerland is, in fact, still one of the favorites (behind Croatia).

At 10:30 a.m., the delegation summoned the national press to take stock. With a big smile and lots of excitement, Nemo answered our questions.

How do you feel a few hours before the semi-final?

I really want to enjoy what’s happening to me. When I woke up this morning, I realized how big this all is, and how beautiful it is to be able to participate in Eurovision. Tonight, I’m going to go on stage with this very strong feeling. And I am certain that it will work.

Alright. Already yesterday, for the dress rehearsal, it was really good. I only have to perform my song twice a day, it’s not like I’m doing an hour and a half concert. Everything is more than perfect.

You changed your costume before the semi-final. Who made this decision?

Me! I did this for several reasons. I wanted to feel freer, the costume imprisoned me a little. Also, it was important that it didn’t sound funny, but that it reflected my song, which is my story. It was very important that it was sincere. The costume is really awesome now, it’s totally Nemo.

What does your staging mean, with this platform that rotates on itself?

It’s a top. The idea is that the scene is a binary world, black and white, with nothing in between. The top, as it turns, ends up giving space to something else. This is where I am. It’s my story, that of someone who searches for his place in this binary world and ends up creating his own.

You risk falling each time, even though you should already be able to perform your song perfectly. Why are you putting yourself through extra difficulty?

I love danger! (Laughs.) It’s very important for me to tell my story and not just stand on stage and sing for three minutes without any emotion. My piece is risky, I wanted that to also be reflected through the staging. We rehearsed many times. And we planned everything, even a fall. If I fall, I fall. And I get up.

Two people are on stage spinning the top, is that right?

Three, in fact. One person is responsible for turning the mechanism and two help adjust the top. They don’t appear on screen, but viewers will see them.

Wednesday evening, during the rehearsal, which was public, we could hear quite a few whistles before and after Israel’s performance. What do you think?

On March 29, I signed a platform with several Eurovision candidates (editor’s note: she calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages still held by Hamas). I have nothing else to add on this subject.