Love Island's Antigoni Buxton forced to change Eurovision entry after being labelled 'inappropriate'

Love Island star Antigoni Buxton has found herself at the centre of a Eurovision row after her entry for Cyprus sparked backlash.

The singer, who viewers will remember from the ITV2 dating show, is representing Cyprus with her track 'Jalla'. However, it’s not just the song itself that’s drawn attention.

While Eurovision is no stranger to drama, the reaction to Antigoni’s music video has been particularly divided, with some public figures taking issue with the way Cyprus is portrayed in the clip.

Controversy around Cyprus' Eurovision song

The video, which also features Antigoni posing in a red dress beneath a huge 'Jalla' sign, has been criticised by some who claimed it presents ‘an inappropriate image of the country abroad’, according to CyprusMail, which said clips showing youths doing wheelies on mopeds was branded particularly 'problematic'.

Now, scenes from the video have been removed.

The former Love Island star has defended her Eurovision entry (Christian Bruna/Stringer/Getty Images)

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) director-general Thanasis Tsokos confirmed that footage which did not comply with road safety principles had been taken out of the music video, with a revised version set to be reposted by the European Broadcasting Union.

As reported by CyprusMail, the scenes in question reportedly showed youths performing wheelies on mopeds, which critics described as especially ‘problematic’.

Earlier this month, a number of academics, artists, and former officials signed an open letter calling on CyBC to withdraw both the song and its video, describing them as ‘insulting’.

What has Antigoni Buxton said about the backlash?

Antigoni has now addressed the criticism, making it clear she isn’t letting the negative comments get to her.

Speaking on CyBC, she said: “Everyone says really nice things. They love the song and I’m very grateful,” while pointing to online reactions and fan-made dance videos.

Discussing the backlash to the video, she added that she didn’t ‘care about the negative comments because I like it. We answer in the song itself. "Let them talk", that’s it.’

The former TV Islander also explained that showcasing her heritage was a big part of the project, saying: “Before I even went to Eurovision, I always said that if I go, I want to do something Cypriot.”

She continued: “I wanted to show a little bit of the dialect we have here. I’m very happy that it’s going well and that they chose me.”

What has CyBC said?

CyBC has defended the entry, with Tsokos calling Jalla ‘a highly professional production’.

He said: “Some will like the song, and some will not, that is natural… What matters is that Cyprus will appear with a dignified presence.”

He also explained that the selection of both the artist and song followed a structured process involving record companies and an expert committee.

Which Love Island series was Antigoni Buxton in?

Antigoni appeared on Love Island in 2022, entering the villa as a bombshell during the same series that featured Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, Davide Sanclimenti, Gemma Owen, Luca Bish, and Jacques O’Neill.

Despite the Eurovision controversy, Antigoni appears optimistic about both Cyprus and Greece’s chances.

She said: “I think both Greece and Cyprus will do very well…His song has stuck with me. I sing it often.”