Eurovision followers are overjoyed as Hollywood star makes her comeback
It wasn’t just the outlandish and entertaining performances which had fans talking after the Eurovision Semi Final on Tuesday night.
Viewers were also delighted as they recognised one of the hosts as a major Hollywood star.
Swedish actress and presenter Petra Mede was joined by her co-host Malin Akerman for the evening and fans were quick to recognise the Swedish actress as being a Hollywood star.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans shared their surprise as they made the links as to where they knew Malin from.
As realisation set in, one wrote: ‘Me, 2 hours later, realising Malin Akerman played Tess in the movie 27 Dresses’.
Eurovision fans were overjoyed as forgotten Hollywood star Malin Akerman made her comeback hosting the song contest for the Semi Final on Tuesday evening
Fans were quick to recognise the Swedish actress as being a Hollywood star known for her role in 27 Dresses (pictured alongside Edward Burns in the 2008 film)
Along with her breakout roles in The Heartbreak Kid and Watchmen, Malin’s Hollywood resume also includes the likes of such films as The Utopian Society (2003), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004) and 27 Dresses (2008).
She also starred in Couples Retreat (2009), Wanderlust (2012) and Rock Of Ages (2012) and Chick Fight (2020).
The star had a four-season run on the hit drama series Billions (2016-2019), and a recurring role for two seasons on the comedy series Dollface (2019-2022).
The movie star was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada, and then moved to Los Angeles, with many fans forgetting about her Swedish background.
Expressing their shock others penned: ‘OMG is that her that plays Juna Milken from gay cult classic The Comeback presenting Eurovision with Petra!?!?!?! IT IS’
‘Wait a minute…is that MALIN AKERMAN?!!! TROPHY WIFE’S MALIN AKERMAN?!!!’; ‘I thought this presenter was Malin Akerman out of Watchmen and Billions. I can’t get over it!’
‘She was one of the main characters in The Comeback with Lisa Kudrow, the Watchmen movie, The Proposal, Billions… it’s Malin Akerman’.
‘#MalinAkerman Co-hosting #Eurovision #Eurovision2024 is a REVELATION!!! Where has she been all this time?!?’; ‘I always liked Malin Akerman as an actress, but do I love her a little bit more now she’s involved in Eurovision? Yes!’
Host Swedish actress and presenter Petra Mede was joined by her co-host Malin for the evening and fans were quick to recognise the Swedish actress as being a Hollywood star
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans shared their surprise as they made the links as to where they knew Malin from
The movie star was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada, and then moved to Los Angeles, with many fans forgetting about her Swedish background (pictured in Watchmen 2009)
Speaking about presenting Eurovision, Malin said: ‘I can’t really describe my feelings about this. I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way.
‘I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true.
‘Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I’ve ever met.’
The first 10 acts were confirmed on Tuesday evening after half the countries representatives took to the stage in Malmo Sweden to fight for a place in the final.
Taking to the stage with an extraordinary performance, Ireland are straight through to the final with many viewers even predicting it could win the contest.
She also starred in Couples Retreat back in 2009 with Vince Vaughn
The star had a four-season run on the hit drama series Billions (2016-2019) (pictured alongside Damian Lewis), and a recurring role for two seasons on the comedy series Dollface (2019-2022)
Bambie Thug, 31, a non-binary artist from County Cork, delivered a showstopping performance of their song Doomsday Blue as they sang while performing a ritual surrounded by candles and were joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup and fake teeth.
Also joining Ireland in the final are Serbia’s TEYA DORA, Portugal’s iolanda, Slovenia’s Raiven and Ukraine’s alyona alyona & Jerry Heil.
As well as Lithuania’s Silvester Belt, Finland’s Windows95man, Cyprus’ Silia Kapsis, Luxembourg’s TALI, and Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, who are also a firm fan favourite.
However, sadly Australia didn’t do enough as their band Electric Fields were axed in a brutal elimination.
The group, comprised of vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and musician Michael Ross, set the stage alight with their song One milkali (One blood), which contains Yankunytjatjara lyrics – the language of the Anangu people.
They were joined on-stage by vocalists Brendan Maclean, Alyson Joyce and Simi Vuata, and didgeridoo player Fred Leone.
Ireland’s Bambie Thug leads the country into the final while Australia exit the competition in shock result
Sadly Australia didn’t do enough as their band Electric Fields were axed in a brutal elimination, despite debuting the first ever Indigenous performance
Olly Alexander set pulses racing as he performed his Eurovision song Dizzy live for the FIRST TIME at the Semi Finals on Tuesday evening
It was the first time Indigenous lyrics have been performed on the Eurovision stage, as well as the first time a contestant has ever played the didgeridoo.
Australia are one of five bands out of 15 who didn’t make the cut, joined by Poland‘s Luna, Iceland’s Hera Björk, Azerbaijan‘s FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov and Moldova’s Natalia Barbu.
A further 10 will then be confirmed on Thursday after the second semi final as 20 countries going through will join the Big Five – UK, Italy, France, Spain and Germany – who automatically have a place in the final, as well as last year’s winners Sweden.
On Thursday the remaining countries Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Norway and the Netherlands will compete for their spot at the second live semi-final.
The Eurovision Song Contest final airs on Saturday at 8pm on BBC One.
