Portugal Wins 2017 Eurovision Song Contest

This is the first time the country has won the competition
From: NewNowNext

 The finale of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest was an intense nail-biter, but Portugal officially took home the gold with Salvador Sobral for his emotional song “Amar Pelos Dois”. This was the first time Portugal has won the song contest in the 53 years they have competed.

 The competition featured an eclectic mix of power ballads, bubblegum pop, (lots of) yodeling and even a metal band that captured the attention of viewers with their elaborate costumes and jaw-dropping choreography.

Organized by the European Broadcasting Union, the competition is in its 62nd year, drawing more than 200 million viewers worldwide. The 2017 Grand Final competition had the theme of “Celebrate Diversity,” and was held in Kiev, Ukraine, where acts representing 42 countries battled it out for the coveted trophy and the right to host next year’s contest in their home country.

 The show was going smoothly for most of the evening until towards the end when last year’s winner, Jamala from Ukraine, took the stage to perform and a streaker wrapped in an Australian flag jumped onstage to moon the audience. He was quickly tackled by security and Jamala didn’t miss a beat as she continued performing her number.

This was the second year in a row that Logo broadcast the competition in the U.S. This year Ross Mathews and Michelle Visage were the cable net’s correspondents adding colorful commentary between the performances.

“We live in a world of disposable music, fast food music… Music is not fireworks, music is feeling”, said Sobral, as he accepted the trophy at the end of the night.

Watch Portugal crowned the winner in the video below.