This year’s Eurovision became the most political and dramatic yet, with as slew of controversies and shocks throughout the contest.
But amongst the outlandish performances and backstage contentions, fans also couldn’t stop talking about the show hosts.
Swedish actress and presenter Petra Mede was joined by movie star Malin Akerman to present the semi-finals and grand final in in Malmö, Sweden.
But several viewers were shocked to see Malin, 45, hosting as they remembered her from many popular films and TV shows.
Along with her breakout roles in The Heartbreak Kid and Watchmen, Malin’s Hollywood resume also includes the likes of such films as The Utopian Society (2003), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004) and 27 Dresses (2008).
Swedish actress and presenter Petra Mede was joined by movie star Malin Akerman to present the semi-finals and grand final in in Malmö, Sweden (pictured)
But several viewers were shocked to see Malin, 45, hosting as they remembered her from many popular films and TV shows
Along with her breakout roles in The Heartbreak Kid and Watchmen, Malin’s Hollywood resume also includes the likes of such films as The Utopian Society (2003), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004) and 27 Dresses (2008) (pictured alongside Edward Burns 27 Dresses)
She also starred in Couples Retreat (2009), Wanderlust (2012), Chick Fight (2020) and opposite Tom Cruise in Rock Of Ages (2012).
The star had a four-season run on the hit drama series Billions (2016-2019) as the wife of lead actor Damian Lewis, had a lead role on sitcom Trophy Wife (2013–2014) and a recurring role for two seasons on the comedy series Dollface (2019-2022).
However, some fans were left baffled as they recognised the actress’ face, but couldn’t place where she was from.
Taking to X, they shared their surprise as they finally clocked why they knew her and voiced their surprise.
They wrote: ‘Wait a minute…is that MALIN AKERMAN?!!! TROPHY WIFE’S MALIN AKERMAN?!!!’; Me, 2 hours later, realising Malin Akerman played Tess in the movie 27 Dresses’.
‘OMG is that her that plays Juna Milken from gay cult classic The Comeback presenting Eurovision with Petra!?!?!?! IT IS; My husband: that woman kinda looks like Malin Akerman.’
‘How are you all forgetting Malin Akerman was in 27 Dresses and The Proposal?!; What is Bobby Ayelrod‘s wife @MalinAkerman doing at the #ESC2024?’
‘I thought this presenter was Malin Akerman out of Watchmen and Billions. I can’t get over it!; Malin Akerman was Bobby Axelrod’s missus in Billons, wasn’t she?; Are we all frantically Googling MALIN AKERMAN because we recognise her but can’t think from where?’
The star had a four-season run on the hit drama series Billions (2016-2019) as the wife of lead actor Damian Lewis (pictured together)
She also starred in Couples Retreat (2009), Wanderlust (2012), Chick Fight (2020) and opposite Tom Cruise in Rock Of Ages (2012) (pictured in Couple’s Retreat with Vince Vaughn)
However, some fans were left baffled as they recognised the actress’ face, but couldn’t place where she was from (pictured in Watchmen 2009)
‘WAIT IS THAT MALIN AKERMAN; She was one of the main characters in The Comeback with Lisa Kudrow, the Watchmen movie, The Proposal, Billions… it’s Malin Akerman’.
‘Did not expect to see @MalinAkerman presenting the Eurovision! Moment of silence for the underrated show that was Trophy Wife, deserving of far more seasons and better promotion that @ABCNetwork deigned to give it’.
‘Been trying to work out where I’d seen Malin Akerman before… she’s the sister in 27 Dresses..; I love @MalinAkerman in The Final Girls and she’s hosting #Eurovision2024 – I’m having a bit of a fangirl moment’.
‘I missed the start and only just realised that’s Malin Akerman hosting #Eurovision2024. Hoping for an appearance by Tom Cruise for a showstopping recreation of the singing at body parts duet from Rock of Ages.’
‘Me: “Wow, the Swedish co-host of Eurovision speaks English really well, and she looks vaguely familiar.” Me, seeing the chyron identifying her: “Oh! It’s Trophy Wife legend Malin Akerman!!”’
Malin was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada, and then moved to Los Angeles, with many fans forgetting about her Swedish background.
Speaking about presenting Eurovision ahead of the contest, Malin said: ‘I can’t really describe my feelings about this. I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way.
‘I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true.
Taking to X, they shared their surprise as they finally clocked why they knew her and voiced their surprise
‘Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I’ve ever met.’
Swiss act Nemo walked away victorious on Saturday night, becoming the competition’s first non-binary winner.
They scored 365 points with the juries and 226 from the public for a total of 591 with their song The Code, sweeping past Croatian entry Baby Lasagna’s score of 547.
Nemo announced they are non-binary in November and revealed The Code is a nod to their identity, while they also detailed their pride over representing anyone out there who is non-binary, gender-fluid, transgender
Collecting the trophy from Sweden’s 2023 winner Loreen, a tearful Nemo said: ‘I want to say thank you so much.
‘I hope this contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person in this world.’
But Britain’s Olly Alexander, whose high-octane performance of Dizzy appeared to be marred by sound issues, scored only 46 points from the juries and ‘nul points’ from the public.
While controversial Israeli act Eden Golan failed to win over the juries, scoring just 52 points from the professional judges.
Malin was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada , and then moved to Los Angeles , with many fans forgetting about her Swedish background (pictured in 2019)
Speaking about presenting Eurovision ahead of the contest, Malin said: ‘I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true.’
There has been huge anger at Israel’s presence in the contest amid its war with Hamas.
Eden’s song was changed after being deemed too political, removing what were thought to be allusions to the October 7 attacks – renamed from October Rain to Hurricane.
The occasionally tense live event came after Dutch rapper Joost Klein was given the boot from the competition by European Broadcasting Union (EBU) bosses after allegedly threatening a member of Eurovision crew.
It prompted an angry response from Dutch broadcasting bosses who curtly told reporters: ‘F*** the EBU.’
Several acts appeared to make anti-war statements – Ireland’s Bambie Thug shouting ‘love will always triumph hate’, Portugal’s Iolanda telling the crowd ‘Peace will prevail’ and France‘s Slimane shouting: ‘United by music for love and for peace.’
And event chief Martin Osterdahl was met with a chorus of boos as he made the traditional ‘good to go’ announcement.
He was then booed again giving results on behalf of the Netherlands, which quit the contest in protest of its act being axed.
Swiss act Nemo walked away victorious on Saturday night, becoming the competition’s first non-binary winner (pictured)
The contest has been marred in controversy amid Israel’s presence while it wars against Hamas in Gaza – with pro-Palestinian protesters descending on Malmo (above)
The contest took place at the Malmo Arena in Sweden, which pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to storm as they clashed with police while rallying against Israel‘s presence in the contest.
Dozens of protesters locked arms and lay on the ground outside the venue draped in Palestine flags – and struggled with Swedish riot police who tried to remove them, yelling at ticket-holders walking into the arena: ‘Shame on you’.
The chaotic scenes come amid the withdrawal of two points announcers, the expulsion of a finalist over an alleged altercation with a camerawoman and several performers missing rehearsals in the most chaotic contest since it began in 1956.
