Opinion | Why Switzerland’s Nemo is Already the People’s Winner

Following PrePartyES 2024, Madrid’s yearly Eurovision pre-party, Switzerland’s entrant Nemo has shot up to first place in the betting odds—an overtake from Croatia, the previous first-ranked for over a month. With a stunning, technically difficult performance, it’s easy to see why Switzerland has been viewed as a strong contender to take the trophy this year: But why does the act speak to people as well as it does?

Partially, the act’s strength derives from the artist themself. Nemo, age 24, who hails from Biel, Switzerland, brings a powerful and personal song to the stage in Malmö. Nemo, who is non-binary, describes their difficult journey to self-realization in their track, “The Code.” In Nemo’s own words, “The core of ‘The Code’ is self-acceptance. Accepting yourself the way you are and being proud, showing that to the world.” 

For a passion community like Eurovision has, this message rings strong and clear. 

Nemo, who understands the intensely-diverse fandom, thinks of it this way: “[The Eurovision community] is very broad, but in the center there’s this super-curiosity and interest. People really take time to listen to music and analyze everything… [There is] so much love for details.” 

It’s obvious that Nemo has already emerged as a fan-favorite, engaging and interacting with the fanbase on a deeper level. Whether it’s laughing over suitcase-losing shenanigans on the train, or recommending cafe spots in Berlin, a safe-space has formed thanks to the artist. It is actions like these that make a Eurovision contestant not just a potential winner of the juries or televote, but also of something much more important—the love and trust of the fanbase which supports them. 

The Eurovision fandom, proud in its diversity, boasts a strong population of queer fans. For non-binary Eurofans especially, seeing Nemo emerge as such a powerful force of self-acceptance is euphoric. It’s an honor that Nemo themself carries in their heart. “It’s the biggest privilege,” Nemo says, “to go to Eurovision the way I am and to let people see that, and let them know that the way they are is so good and so right. No matter what anyone tells them, they’re perfect the way they are.” 

For long-time Eurovision fans, seeing Nemo’s wonderful friendships and connections with other artists is only an added bonus. The blossoming camaraderie with artists such as Lithuania’s Silvester Belt and Ukraine’s Jerry Heil and Alyona Alyona, only further serves to bridge the gap between both countries and fans alike. Not to mention, fans of Austria’s 2023 entry are delighted at the quickly-sparked friendship with Austria’s Teya.

It is reasons like these that make Nemo the perfect candidate to bring the Contest to Switzerland in 2025. Talented, congenial, and with a bilingual discography to boast, their appeal as a winner is impossible to ignore. With a potential Swiss win, not only would a musically-diverse, powerful song prevail, but adding Nemo to the history-books of Eurovision winners would prove an important ideal: That the fans are seen, heard, and valued as they are. 

“There’s an unspoken Eurovision rule of ‘Come as you are, you’re accepted,’” Nemo stated, when asked their favorite thing thus far about being a contestant. While they acknowledged the often rocky fan climate often-unavoidable in such a large group, they were firm on one thing: “Good people find each other. There’s always great communities and bubbles forming, and [Nemo is] grateful to be in one.” 

Many fans as well, much of whom are in said safe-bubbles, chimed in to explain just what it is that makes the singer such a perfect fit to win.

Discord-user Covfefe Boss, from the United States, gives a concise description of why Nemo is their number one: “​​I love how ‘The Code’ blends several genres. It's pop, opera, rap, Bond music, and Broadway all rolled into one. Nemo's vocal range is incredible and I love the section before the final chorus. It's so dramatic and powerful.” 

They’re not the only one with such thoughts. Hearing firsthand from the fans who support Nemo for the Eurovision crown, it becomes clear why “The Code” resonates with people in the way it does.

Therefore, it’s only right to hear from the fans themselves.

From the United Kingdom, user allama comments on the unique magnetism of “The Code” as a track. “When the code released I was drawn to listen to it. I have no idea why, but my brain said it knew the song would be good so I gave it a listen and it blew me away— in an instant I could see that song on the Eurovision stage doing so well.” 

Furthermore, “The Code,” to allama, encapsulates exactly why they love Eurovision in the first place. “I always want unique songs to do well, it’s why I love Eurovision so much. I want to find music that’s different and stands out and that’s certainly what ‘The Code’ does for me.”

“[The Code has] meaningful lyrics that are unique and interesting,” Mayo (@_mayo_arts_ on Instagram), a Eurofan from Sweden, agrees. “[There’s a] good mix of different genres… Their performance on Swiss television sounds vocally good, both skill-wise and with an emotional delivery. For me, it just ticks all the right boxes! I’m super excited for the staging, I have faith that Nemo will come up with something great together with the people involved.” 

Mayo isn’t the only fan with a great love for the singer’s emotion-heavy performance. “Their song is unique; There are so many genres and everything harmonizes perfectly with each other… This song lifts my spirits,” user ButterflyUniverse on Discord says.

Even non-Eurovision fans to whom I’ve shown the entry, all express amazement and joy at the track. “Every time I hear ‘The Code’ I want to cry,” a classmate says. “In a good way.” 

Furthermore, I’d like to highlight some personal, deep responses to “The Code.” Members of Nemo’s Discord community, Nova and Gioia, both give their reactions to the entry, and truly show an example of how Nemo’s song has an innate ability to connect with the listeners. 

Nova (@a_star_arts on Twitter), a Canadian fan of the act, gives a strikingly poignant explanation of what a Swiss victory this year would mean to them. “Nemo winning, as a non binary person, would be so significant for the trans/nonbinary community— The same way so many queer icons have won Eurovision, being their true authentic selves despite criticism to fit within the ‘traditional’ mold.” 

As a musical theatre fan themself, Nova mentions how the operatic and theatrical energy of the song truly struck a chord with them as a person. “... The song itself is extremely artistic, blending so many genres without it sounding forced, a multifaceted representation of Nemo as a person. From a musical standpoint, the ever so subtle reference to the magic flute play and/or queen of the night aria adds to the storytelling of the song, going from panic to freedom and acceptance, emotions that Nemo clearly represents in their song… Many individuals, even outside the queer community are able, and have deeply connected to this, and many theatre fans will love this entry.”

Gioia (@itzawin_win on Twitter) provides a wonderful example of how “The Code” gives a feeling of being seen and understood. “‘The Code’ means something significant to me: As an autistic person, I have always felt ‘out of place.’ When I was a child I was oblivious of what others thought of me, but after I started growing up, I realized everyone considered me weird and embarrassing…  I didn't know who to trust, who to give importance and value, who to avoid, how to handle my emotions, what to hide, what to show. Throughout the years I finally found the strength to do my research and work on my flaws, but also distinguish what I could and couldn't change about the way I function.”

For Gioia, Nemo’s journey “to Hell and back” to find oneself is a message that hits close to home. “I now feel comfortable in my own body and I'm aware of what I feel. It feels liberating to not sell myself anymore to people who want to abuse my fragility, and instead choose my real friends wisely,” she says. “‘The Code’ is obviously my Eurovision winner because of how I'm emotionally connected to it.”

Personally, from this author’s perspective as an American Eurovision fan myself, Nemo is already accomplishing what I believe to be the most important part of the Eurovision Song Contest itself. It’s in the very motto: “United by Music.” For queer or autistic people around the entire world, fans of fashion, theater, opera, drum-and-bass, or even just people who appreciate diversity and the art of making music: Nemo’s performance is a source of joy, understanding, and sharing community even across borders and oceans. 

When listening to “The Code,” a magical performance in and of itself, there is a distinct feeling of love put into the song. This year’s Swiss entry encapsulates every reason why people loveEurovision and its community. With their self-reflective song, Nemo has in turn held up a mirror for people to see themselves and each other in.