Eurovision is underway and, as always, it’s filled with wild performances to remember. But one in particular is sticking out for its ultra-queerness.
Achille Lauro, whose real name is Laura De Marinis, took to the stage during the semi-finals with a fiery rendition of his song “Stripper.” Dressed as a cowboy, he represented the hell out of San Marino in his 11th year at Eurovision, possibly even outdoing all of his past outrageous and well-loved performances.
But the real memorable moment for many fans of the singer came when he grabbed his guitarist, Boss Doms, and brought him in for a kiss.
\u201cRecap of Achille Lauro's Jury performance for San Marino:\n- His cowboy hat fell off while he was riding the bull\n- PYRO GUITAR IS BACK\n- THERES A KISS BETWEEN HIM AND THE GUITARIST\n- This is so good\n#EUROVISION\u201d— charley (@charley) 1652298277
\u201cIL BACIO DI ACHILLE LAURO E BOSS DOMS IN MONDOVISIONE STO ASCENDENDO\n#Eurovision #ESCita\u201d— V\u00e5le\ud83d\udc0d; Campioni d'italia \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 (@V\u00e5le\ud83d\udc0d; Campioni d'italia \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9) 1652384660
\u201cHe's a stripper, a cowboy and everything he wants to be! It's ACHILLE LAURO! \ud83d\ude09 \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf2 #Eurovision #ESC2022\u201d— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision Song Contest) 1652384365
It isn’t the first time the two have smooched on stage, and fans were thrilled to see Boss Doms joining the singer during his performance — and, of course, to see where things went.
\u201cWhatever, Europe, here some more Achille Lauro and Boss Doms PDA sessions (they\u2019re both straight but we don\u2019t care):\n#Eurovision #ESC2022\u201d— frannie\u2019s debut era (@frannie\u2019s debut era) 1652384817
\u201cno thoughts just ACHILLE LAURO and BOSS DOMS\n\n#Eurovision #ESC2022 #escita\u201d— miriana\ud83e\udddb\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f (@miriana\ud83e\udddb\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f) 1652385298
As many pointed out, Eurovision has always been for the gays, in a sense — the aesthetics and theatrics are always rather queer — but the competition hasn’t always been willing to be so explicitly accepting.
Unfortunately, while Achille Lauro’s performance sent viewers into a frenzy, he ultimately didn’t move to the next round. But it was good while it lasted, and it seems pretty likely we’ll be seeing him compete for a 12th year soon — hopefully with Boss Doms in tow once again.
\u201cm\u00e5neskin didn't win for yall to rob our king achille lauro a year later\u201d— amandine \ud83c\udf3b (@amandine \ud83c\udf3b) 1652391285
\u201cachille lauro said i don't care about the meaning of eurovision i just want to go on stage in my underwear and ride on mechanical bull \n#Eurovision\u201d— bella stronza (@bella stronza) 1652081621
\u201che didn't win eurovision but eurovision won by having achille lauro on that stage he's a true star and an artist and he will always be famous #eurovision\u201d— dieci \ud83d\udc90 (@dieci \ud83d\udc90) 1652390207
