Eurovision legends return for 70th show – where Lordi, Verka Serduchka and more are now
Oh Eurovision. You tacky, wonderful creation. It comes back every year and with it, another moment of cheesy brilliance - as well as the occasional genuine banger.
While everyone tries their best to avoid zero points, to mark the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) organisers have brought back eight legends of the competition for the grand final on Saturday (16 May).
Reported last week, the EBU confirmed Miriana Conte, Erika Vikman, Verka Serduchka, Alexander Rybak, Lordi, Kristian Kostov, Max Mutzke, and Ruslana would be returning for the 70th year. For those hoping to see Conchita Wurst return, you'll be disappointed for a long while after she turned her back on her Eurovision story, seemingly for good.
All have had unique journeys since appearing on the show, with careers taking different paths along the way, as we detail below.
Verka Serduchka
If you watched it at the time, you will never forget ol' Verka. To this day he remains one of Eurovision’s most iconic novelty acts after finishing as the 2007 runner-up.
Advert
Even now, he performs regularly across European events - especially for Ukrainian diaspora events since the Russian invasion of their sovereign territory.
Serduchka place in Ukrainian society saw him become a cultural symbol of Ukrainian since the war, where he using performances to combine camp comedy with defiant anti-war messages
His hit Eurovision song 'Dancing Lasha Tumbai' regularly becomes a viral meme, and acted as a way to united his countryfolk in the online viral world in an era of wartime solidarity.
Alexander Rybak
Rybak did one better than Verka Serduchka, winning Eurovision in 2009 with what was then a record-breaking score with 387 points.
The now 40-year-old returned to Eurovision in 2018, where he represented Norway once again. That time, he finished 15th overall.
To this day, he works as a violinist, composer, and musical theatre performer. And during more recent years, Rybak has been open about mental health struggles and recovery, gaining public support for going public.
Max Mutzke
Mutzke, now 44, finished 8th at Eurovision in 2024. His musical career has seen him established as a long-term and respected soul and jazz artist in his native Germany.
With eight studio albums to his name, he has enjoyed domestic chart success as well as appear on national television.
His most notable recent appearance was on The Masked Singer Germany, where he went as far as winning the competition in 2019.
To this day he tours consistently with a loyal fanbase in German-speaking countries.
Lordi
The likes of Abba aside, it doesn't get much bigger than Lordi, with the Finnish rock band winning Eurovision back in 2006 with their song 'Hard Rock Hallelujah'.
A bit like a more PG Skipknot in style, every band member wears monster masks with soft horror elements - and not a stage show goes by without pyrotechnics.
The last few decades have seen the five-piece continue to release new music while being a permanent mainstay on the European rock and festival circuits as a cult act.
Miriana Conte
Conte went viral after representing Malta at Eurovision 2025 with her song 'SERVING'; significantly boosting her international profile for the controversial lyrics.
To some, the chorus line 'serving kant' could have been mis-interpreted as a very NSFW four-letter word amongst English speakers. We'll let you figure out the rest.
Since then, Conte has grown a loyal TikTok and Instagram fanbase, consistently performing and covering other popular songs.
She's now become a regularly at European festivals and Pride events, positioning herself as one of Malta’s key modern pop exports.
Erika Vikman
Vikman went viral in 2020 for her song 'Cicciolina', with her appearing at Eurovision some five years later with the song 'Ich komme'.
The Finnish act caused controversy with her German song title, translated as 'I am coming'. The double entendre doesn't need explaining, I don't think.
Since then she has continued to be a regular on TV and tours across Finland.
Kristian Kostov
Kostov finished 2nd at Eurovision 2017 with his song 'Beautiful Mess', making him the youngest runner-up ever at the time.
His career in music hasn't been consistent, with the sing er taking breaks from music to focus on personal growth and education
Given his age, he has successfully built a strong online following, especially among Gen Z fans.
Ruslana
The Ukrainian singer won Eurovision 2004 with 'Wild Dances', with her victory placing her among the top political and cultural figure in Ukraine.
How 52, she has been actively involved in the Orange Revolution and later political movements.
To this day she continues to release music blending folk and modern styles, and is an nternational ambassador for Ukrainian culture and activism.
Topics: Eurovision, Music, Nostalgia, TV, Viral
Tom Earnshaw