Eurovision fans blast former ITV Love Island star over surprise semi-final performance: 'Disgrace to Cyprus!'

WATCH HERE: Eurovision superfan reacts to UK entry Look Mum No Computer

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GB NEWS

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 15/05/2026

- 10:38

Viewers might recognise the singer-songwriter from Love Island 2022

Eurovision viewers have blasted Cyprus's entry after former Love Island star Antigoni Buxton took to the stage to represent the country during Thursday night's semi-final.

Despite the huge online backlash, however, Ms Buxton has landed Cyprus a place in the grand final on Saturday.


The Greek-English Cypriot, 30, performed her son Jalla at host city Vienna last night, prompting a wave of critical responses on X.

The singer-songwriter entered the famous ITV Love Island villa in 2022, joining as a bombshell on day 17.

Antigoni Buxton

Love Island star Antigoni Buxton performed her son Jalla for Cyprus

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GETTY

Unfortunately, Ms Buxton left the villa 10 days into her stint without finding a significant other.

Her performance at Thursday's Eurovision semi-finals, though, has seen Cyprus join Albania, Australia, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Malta, Norway, Romania and Ukraine in making it through to the all-important weekend final.

The seemingly unanimous take from social media users, though, was that the performer failed to impress.

One penned on X: "I'm sorry Cyprus but what the heck were these vocals? My ears are bleeding."

Antigoni Buxton

Antigoni Buxton took part in Love Island in 2022

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ITV

"Cyprus still qualified even when: a wardrobe malfunction, insane vocals, my girl being out of breath while sitting, off beat, off key, out of tune, dancing on a gigantic table," another complained.

A third added: "I never understand how a country can mess up this bad. You have the perfect song, perfect staging but you chose someone who can't sing to perform it?

"Do you like ever make them perform the song for you before you select them? Oh Cyprus… #Eurovision."

"This is a disgrace to Cyprus #Eurovision," another fumed. (sic)

Antigoni Buxton

Antigoni Buxton prompted social media complaints

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GETTY

Someone else wrote: "I'm sorry but Cyprus qualifying over Switzerland is such a shame with these horrendous vocals. Which jury voted for this? It just proves the point that Eurovision is only about the show and that vocal talent does not count anymore."

One more admitted: "Antigoni girl, I'm SCARED for tomorrow." (sic)

Despite the flood of negative responses, others were happy to see Cyprus making it through to Saturday's show.

"I'm so happy for; Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Denmark! #Eurovision," one shared.

"I voted 220 times for Cyprus!! 20 from international.180 from UK. 20 from Latvia. Yes I have credit cards from three different countries. #Eurovision," another posted. (sic)

The UK is among the "Big Four" that automatically make it through to the final without being included in the previous vote.

Previously the Big Five, these nations make it through every year because they provide the largest financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the event.

As well as the UK, these include France, Italy, and Germany. Spain is normally included in the list, but the country has pulled out of the competition this year due to Israel's participation.