POP superstar Boy George has hit the Eurovision stage for the first time this year in the first look at him representing San Marino.
The Culture Club singer — whose given name is George O’Dowd — attended the first dress rehearsal for the song Superstar alongside Italian singer Senhit.
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Boy George is performing at Eurovision this year Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
He is representing San Marino alongside singer Senhit Credit: x.com/@superTV247
While it is her third time representing San Marino at Eurovision, it will be Boy George’s first time competing in the famed song contest.
He co-wrote the song and provided previously uncredited vocals for Superstar, but surprised many with his appearance at the dress rehearsal.
Rocking his trademark flamboyant stage getup including a blazer and large blue, mirrored hat, Boy George completed his look with an iridescent body harness and a pleated, silver maxi skirt.
He grooved alongside Senhit as she belted out the song’s chorus before singing some of the backing vocals as they sashayed up the Eurovision stage runway.
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The pair performed their song Superstar at Eurovision party in London last month Credit: Getty
A clip of their rehearsal was shared to X by pop culture page SuperTV247 and people were divided over Boy George’s performance.
“Boy George is giving absolutely nothing,” wrote one person.
“Boy George doesn’t know where he is,” added another.
And a third wrote: “Oh they are so not qualifying.”
Boy George co-wrote the song and it will be his first time performing at Eurovision Credit: Getty
San Marino is competing in the first semi-final on May 12 with the hopes of being voted into the grand final. The top 10 countries from each semi-final will make into the grand final on May 16 to compete alongside the ‘Big Four’ countries — Italy, UK, Germany and France — who automatically qualify.
Austria also get an automatic qualification into the final after winning the contest last year.
Boy George is one of the artists who supports Israel’s ongoing participation in the Eurovision Song Contest after calls for it to be banned over its ongoing occupation and war actions in Gaza.
The singer has defended Israel’s right to participate in the song contest Credit: Getty
In protest of Israel’s inclusion in the 2026 competition, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland have withdrawn from the contest.
The calls to ban Israel followed the country’s retaliation to the October 7 terrorist attacks by the military arm of the Palestinian group Hamas in 2023 which killed around 1,200 people and kidnaped approximately 251 people.
As of this month, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 1.9 million displaced as a result of Israeli military strikes in the territory.
In 2024, Boy George was one of 400 artists and public figures who put their name to an open letter in support of Israel’s involvement in Eurovision.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Boy George and Senhit, who will represent San Marino at the Eurovision song contest perform during the London Eurovision Party 2026 at Outernet London on April 19, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Case/Getty Images) Credit: Getty
This year he clarified his position on the matter, saying he would not “turn my back on my Jewish friends.”
“Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It’s not going to happen, it’s never going to happen,” he told Jattvibe.
“From the beginning of my career I wore a Jewish star. Go back and look at pictures of Culture Club. I am so affiliated with Jewish people.
He added: “I am not necessarily affiliated with Israel. I don’t really have an opinion on that.”
Boy George said he hoped that the people of Ireland would not be mad at him for performing at Eurovision.
“Ireland is my mother’s home country. I hope they’re not too angry. But if they are, that’s out of my control,” he told Sky.
