13 of the Biggest Eurovision Stars of All Time

In 2022, Sam Ryder took home second place for the United Kingdom with his track, "Spaceman". Hailed as an uplifting pop-rock track comparable to that of British music legend Elton John, Ryder secured 466 points, the UK's highest score in over 20 years. Not only was the star responsible for the UK's success on the show, but the singer himself went on to peak at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and was even certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry. He may not have won Eurovision, but he's a winner in our hearts!

The four-piece glam-rock band Måneskin broke barriers when they took home the crown for Italy int the 2021 Eurovision. The group became the first Italian entry to win the contest in 31 years with their track "Zitti e buoni". But since their landmark win two years ago, the group — comprising of vocalist Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi, and drummer Ethan Torchio — have got international success, receiving their first Grammy nomination this year for Best New Artist. Despite missing out to Samara Joy, the band have plenty more in the pipeline — including a sold-out show at London's O2 Arena this summer.

Twin brothers John and Edward Grimes may have made their mark on the 2009 series of "The X Factor" (I mean, who could forget the time they served Britney Spears realness with their rendition of "Oops...I did it again" in matching red patent leather suits?), but it was in the "Eurovision Song Contest" that they made history. The singing duo marked the first time that Ireland sent the same act two years in a row, after they performed their track "Lipstick" in 2011, and performed again on the Eurovision stage in 2012 with their song "Waterline". They may not have won, but the pair were given worldwide publicity and are very much still in the public eye with their performances and extremely on-brand elaborate outfits. Oh, and you'll be pleased to know their gravity-defying quiffs are very much back, too.

Russian girl-group duo t.A.T.u. were already launched into international fame status with their 2002 single, "All the Things She Said" before gracing the Eurovision stage the following year with their track "Ne Ver, Ne Boysia, Ne Prosi". The music video for their trademark single was the cause of significant controversy at the time, with the duo portraying an underage LGBTQ+ couple. The music video was banned from ITV's show, "CD:UK" back then, with the producer Tammy Hoyle stating it was "not really suitable for children". Nonetheless, the group - comprised of members Lena Katina and Julia Volkova - finished in third place in the 2003 contest, despite the UK and Ireland not rewarding them with any points.

That's right, everyone's favourite Swedish band had their humble beginnings on Eurovision! In 1974, ABBA was a little-known band representing their home country of Sweden at the annual song contest. Their performance of the future classic, "Waterloo", launched them to victory at the contest and into the stratosphere of international stardom, from hit albums to movie (and Broadway) musicals and more. Without Eurovision, we may have never had tracks like "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!", "Dancing Queen", and "Mamma Mia". Can you imagine what a dire world that would be?