‘Shocked’ Eurovision contestant forced to change lyrics of song because it sounds like one controversial word

A Eurovision contestant has been left 'shocked and disappointed' after event organisers banned her entry over its title's similarity to a controversial word.

From disappointing performances from the Brits to claims the show is a fix, the annual Eurovision Song Contest is never short of drama.

Now, one 2025 contestant has faced problems before the event has even started.

Representing Malta at this year's competition - which is set to take place over five days in Basel, Switzerland in May - is 23-year-old Miriana Conte.

Conte received the honour of representing her country after winning the Maltese Song Contest last month with her song 'Kant.'

But, while kant - which comes from the Latin cantus - means 'singing' in Maltese, the word's close resemblance to the English 'C U next Tuesday' has proven controversial.

The singer also makes a tongue-in-cheek reference to the English word in the song's chorus, crooning about 'serving kant' - a phrase commonly used in queer communities meaning 'to do something undeniably femme and fierce' - as the beat drops.

Miriana Conte has been forced to change her Eurovision entry's title due to its similarity to a controversial word (Eurovision TV)

As a result, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are forcing Miriana to change both the title and lyrics of the song, banning her from using the song in its current form at the competition.

She confirmed the news in an Instagram post earlier this week (5 February).

Mirana wrote: "Currently filming the official 'KANT' music video, literally living my best life. We’ve just been notified that @ebu_hq [European Broadcasting Union] has decided against using the Maltese word 'Kant' in our entry in the Eurovision Song Contest.

"While I’m shocked and disappointed, especially since we have less than a week to submit the song, I promise you this: the show will go on. Diva NOT down."

The EBU was concerned about the singer's use of the phrase 'serving kant' within the song (Instagram/@mirianaconte)

She now has until 10 March to make the necessary changes to her entry before the track has to be officially submitted for use in the contest.

In a statement to the Guardian, the EBU said: "All participating broadcasters have until 10 March to formally submit their entries for the 2025 Eurovision Song contest.

"If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are given the opportunity to modify it, or select a new one, before the deadline as per the rules of the contest."

Last year, Israeli contestant Eden Golan had to amend their entry because the lyrics, "They were all good children, every one of them," were thought to refer to the victims of the 7 October Hamas attacks, breaking Eurovision’s rules on political neutrality.