Alicja Szemplińska’s viral interview after Eurovision semi‑final

Polish singer Alicja Szemplińska qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final with her performance of the song “Pray” during the first semi‑final on May 12. She later performed the same track at Eurovision Village, where fans and online commentators praised her vocal improvement and stage presence.

A backstage interview clip went viral after a reporter asked her for a message to Israeli fans. Szemplińska looked thoughtful, thanked the journalist, then walked away from the microphone. The short video spread quickly on X and other platforms, prompting debate over whether she was avoiding a political statement amid protests related to Israel’s participation in the contest. Some users praised her neutrality, while others interpreted the walk‑out as deliberate distancing from the controversy.