Netta - Israel (2018)

With Toy, Netta delivered one of Eurovision’s most instantly recognisable and unconventional winning performances.

Blending looping vocals, playful chicken-inspired choreography, and a bold, self-aware pop aesthetic, she turned the stage into a whirlwind of eccentric energy and empowerment. The performance balanced humour with message, using its surreal staging to underline themes of individuality and defiance.

However, it also sparked wider debate around cultural appropriation and representation, with some viewers questioning the use of visual and musical references drawn from East Asian imagery and stylisation within the performance. While supporters framed it as satire and pop exaggeration, critics argued it leaned on cultural motifs in a way that felt superficial rather than contextual.

Despite the controversy, Toy ultimately became unstoppable, learning 529 points, winning the contest, and redefining what a modern Eurovision pop performance could look like on the global stage.