Who is Dons? Meet Latvia Eurovision 2024 entry
The multi-award winning singer is representing Latvia this year.
The countdown to the Eurovision 2024 final is upon us, with less than a day to go until fans find out who will be crowned the winner of the singing competition.
Among those in the running on the Grand Final stage is Latvian act Dons.
But will he able to take the spotlight?
Here's everything you need to know about Dons as he prepares to perform at Eurovision 2024.
Who is Latvia's Eurovision 2024 entry Dons?
Age: 40
Instagram: @dons_lv
X/Twitter: @Dons_tviito
Real name Artūrs Šingirejs, Dons is one of the most popular singers in Latvia, and has even won the Latvian Music Recording Awards' Top Radio Hit award eight times!
Over the course of his career, Dons has released eight solo albums - and they haven't been ignored, with the singer having multiple accolades to his name.
How old is Dons?
Dons is 40 years old.
What nationality is Dons?
Dons is Latvian, having been born in Brocēni.
What is Latvia's Eurovision song called?
Dons is representing Latvia with the song Hollow.
You can listen to the full track below.
Where did Latvia come in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest?
Latvia came in 11th place in the first semi-final last year, meaning they did not qualify for the final.
When is Eurovision 2024?
The first of the Eurovision 2024 semi-finals took place on Tuesday 7th May at 8pm, with the second show set to air on Thursday 9th May at 8pm.
The Grand Final will take place on Saturday 11th May at 8pm, taking place at Malmö Arena in Sweden.
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The Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism over its decision to allow Israel to compete in this year’s competition in light of the current situation in Gaza and the Middle East, with some fans and members of the music industry calling for a boycott of the ceremony.
Noel Curran – director general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision – has said in a statement: "We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East. We can’t fail to be moved by the profound suffering of all those caught up in this terrible war.
"However, the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. It is not a contest between governments.
"As a member-led organisation, our governing bodies – the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group and the Executive Board – did review the participants list for the 2024 Contest and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster KAN met all the competition rules for this year and can participate as it has for the past 50 years."
The artists taking part in this year’s contest have also faced backlash for not pulling out of the ceremony, including the UK’s act Olly Alexander, who signed a joint statement alongside other entrants explaining they "do not feel comfortable being silent".
"It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages," the statement read. "We stand united against all forms of hate, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
"We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections. We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy."
The Eurovision 2024 live final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 11th May at 8pm.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Entertainment and Factual Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.