Finland's Erika Vikman has emerged as a surprise contender in tonight's Eurovision Song Contest final, with bookmakers now placing her among the top five favourites to win the competition.
The 32-year-old singer has seen her odds improve dramatically following her performance in Thursday's semi-final, with some bookmakers giving her a four percent chance of winning and a 34 percent chance of finishing in the top five.
Vikman will take to the stage in Basel, Switzerland, this evening with her provocative German-titled song ICH KOMME, which has been turning heads and raising eyebrows among Eurovision fans and officials alike.
The meaning behind Vikman's ICH KOMME leaves little to the imagination. The German title translates to "I'm coming" in English, with explicit sexual connotations throughout the Finnish lyrics.
BBC Eurovision: Erika Vikman will represent Finland at this year's contest
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"Nightfall, heart beats, into the trance, the moon rises, the earth arches, the gates open," sings Vikman in the opening verse, before declaring "ICH KOMME, ICH KOMME" in the chorus.
The song has been described as being about sexual climax and release, with lyrics that include references to "uncovered" dancing and lines like "Hit me once again, grab my ass".
The bisexual Finnish music star has created what Eurovision officials reportedly consider a provocative performance that may need toning down for the family-friendly competition.
Vikman is already considered one of Finland's brightest pop artists. She first rose to prominence in 2016 after winning the famous Tangomarkkinat festival, the world's oldest tango festival held annually in Seinäjoki, Finland.
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In 2020, she made waves with her song Cicciolina, which reached the top five of the Finnish singles chart. The following year, her self-titled debut album topped the Finnish charts.
She previously attempted to represent Finland at Eurovision in 2020 with Cicciolina, but came third in the national selection.
Since then, Vikman has released other successful singles in Finland, including Syntisten Pöytä and Ruoska, a collaboration with Käärijä, Finland's 2023 Eurovision finalist.
According to reports, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, has expressed concerns that Vikman's performance of ICH KOMME may be too risqué for the family-friendly competition.
Finnish broadcaster YLE's executive producer Anssi Autio confirmed that discussions have taken place with the EBU, but clarified that they have only provided "preliminary comments" on the performance rather than making direct demands.
Vikman herself has been quoted as saying: "It's not just one thing, it's everything. My clothes, what the song is about, how I move on stage. The EBU has said it's a bit too sexual. They want to cover my butt. I'm wild, I have more to give. I'm sexual on stage."
Finland has been represented at Eurovision 57 times but has only won once, in 2006 with Lordi's hard rock entry Hard Rock Hallelujah. Vikman now has the chance to become only the second Finnish winner in the contest's history.
Her participation has not been without controversy at home. Finnish President Alexander Stubb initially snubbed Vikman's entry in favour of supporting KAJ, who despite being Finnish are representing Sweden. After criticism, Stubb contacted Vikman to apologise, saying he had not wished to offend her and was hoping for a "double victory" for Finland.
BBC Eurovision: Erika Vikman's routine has proved rather controversial
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Among the 26 countries competing, Sweden's KAJ remain the bookmakers' overall favourites with their comedic sauna-themed song Bara Bada Bastu.
Other frontrunners include Austria's JJ with Wasted Love, Israel's Yuval Raphael with New Day Will Rise, and France's Louane with Maman.
BBC Eurovision: Erika Vikman has even been snubbed by Finland's President
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The UK will be represented by girl group Remember Monday with What The Hell Just Happened?, performing eighth in the running order.
The winner will be determined by a combination of jury votes from participating countries and public voting, including a separate "rest of the world" poll.
