🇲🇪 RTCG investigating “Clickbait” performance prior to September 1, 2024

After holding the first-ever Montesong earlier this week, NeonoeN won the right to represent Montenegro. However, there are reports that NeonoeN performed a different version of the entry before September 1, 2024.

Decision to be made on December 2

It has been reported that NeonoeN performed a different version of their Eurovision 2025 entry “Clickbait” at last year’s Festival Kulture Zabjelo, which is against the contest’s rules. Upon the report, RTCG and UEUI are now verifying the authenticity of the available recording, with a decision on ‘potential disqualification’ being made by RTCG tomorrow, December 2, after consulting the European Broadcasting Union.

This is not the first issue where entries have been performed before September 1. Eurovision entries such as “Breaking My Heart“, and even winning entries such as “1944” and “Arcade”, which were performed two years before its participation, were still able to participate in the contest.

Montenegro’s Eurovision Journey

Before Montenegro announced its return to the Eurovision Song Contest for 2025, they had a scattered appearance at the competition.

There has been a Montenegrin presence at the Eurovision Song Contest as far back as 1983, when the nation was a part of Yugoslavia. Montenegrin entries went on to represent Yugoslavia in 1983 and 1984, placing 4th and 18th respectively. Similarly, the nation also sent an entry as part of Serbia and Montenegro in 2005, placing 7th with No Name’s “Zauvijek moja”.

As an independent nation, Montenegro debuted in 2007 with Steven Faddy’s “Ajde, kroci”. This began a string of non-qualifications, until their first appearance in a Grand Final in 2014. Montenegro’s best result came in 2015 with Knez’s “Adio”, scoring 44 points and placing 13th. Their most recent appearance in the Contest was in 2022, when Vladana finished in 17th place in the semi-final with 33 points with her song “Breathe”.

What do you think of this latest development? Will this affect NeonoeN’s participation in Basel? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all things Montenegro at Eurovision 2025!

News Source: RTCG

Photo Credit: Lazar Kovačević