Madonna performs “Nothing Compares 2 U” during her tribute to Prince at the 2016 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/ Rest easy, Madonna fans, it’s official: The pop icon will sing at the Eurovision Song Contest finals in Tel Aviv.
She signed her contract on Thursday morning, two days before her performance, Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported. Madonna is scheduled to perform two songs on Saturday night.
Though she had yet to make it official, Madonna rehearsed on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the 60-year-old singer was prevented briefly from entering the venue, Expo Tel Aviv, on Thursday because of the unsigned contract.
Madonna arrived in Israel on Tuesday night along with an entourage of 135, a day after her stage set and some of her equipment arrived.
On Tuesday she told Reuters in a statement that supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel would not influence her to cancel her performance at the 42-country music contest.
“I’ll never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be,” she said.
Meanwhile, The Shalva Band, a group of musicians with various disabilities that pulled out of the running to represent Israel over issues of Sabbath observance, are preparing to take the Eurovison stage during Thursday night’s semifinal. Shalva will perform as one of the interval acts while the votes are cast and results are tabulated.
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