Brian Dowling defended his husband Arthur Gourounlian following Samantha Mumba’s comments slamming the Eurosong judges.
Six hopefuls battled it out earlier this month to be chosen to represent Ireland in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest – including Samantha.
Following a combination of National Jury, International Jury, and Public Vote, EMMY was selected to head to Basel this May.
The judging panel consisted of last year’s Irish Eurovision entry Bambie Thug, as well as Laura Fox, Arthur Gourounlian and Donal Skehan.
After losing out in the Eurosong contest, Samantha took to Instagram to slam the judging panel, who she believes “didn’t have the credentials, experience or professionalism required.”
In a lengthy caption, she wrote: “Special mention to the ‘panel’ (aside from Bambie who I stan) who not only didn’t have the credentials, experience or professionalism required and were unnecessarily rude and vile to all the finalists – my parting gift them is a bag of 🍆 to slowly choke on. (Would have said this in person but they all left the green room before I had the opportunity to) unsurprisingly.”
Now, Brian has defended his husband Arthur, confessing he believed the singer “crossed a line” with her comments.
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Speaking to The Irish Sun, the TV presenter admitted: “Do you know what’s very hard? I feel when someone comes for your husband personally, it’s very different.”
“Of course, she’s entitled to her opinion. Absolutely. I’ve met Samantha before. She was always very lovely to me.”
“Her and Arthur had a lovely reunion before the show. They know numerous people. They’ve met numerous times before.”
“I think it was her comments that were talking about Arthur’s lack of credentials.”
Picture Brian McEvoy
In her Insta post, Samantha specifically said of Arthur: “A dancer with no formal training critiquing a song/songwriting contest is laughable at best.”
Hitting back at this comment, Brian said: “Arthur trained himself. He was living in Armenia. He was a refugee. There was a war going on.”
“There were bigger things to do than learn to dance. So he trained himself.”
“It didn’t stop him touring the world with so many amazing people. And I thought she crossed a line there. Just being really personal.”
“I don’t think she needed to do that. I think it was unfortunate. Arthur has worked with four Eurovision winners.”
“He was on the selection for the Armenian Eurosong. He’s done numerous Eurovision festivals. He was the only panelist invited back from last year’s panel. Arthur knows Eurovision in and out.”
“I just don’t think she needed to be so personal. And I think she really distracted from EMMY winning. I think people kind of forgot.”
The 44-year-old continued: “When I think of Samantha Mumba now, I think bitter lemon and sour grapes. Because I just feel… I’ve always had pleasant encounters with her.”
“I just think it’s really unfortunate because Arthur has such a love for Eurovision. Such a love for Samantha.”
“I’m obsessed with her music from the 90s. It just left me feeling a bit awkward about it all.”
“Some of the stuff she’s saying is not accurate. Everyone was in the green room. Samantha was not there.”
“And I heard she said to someone that she didn’t realise there was going to be a panel. It’s like, well… this is just how the show works. And obviously she’s hurt, which I get.”
“But I think you can handle it one of two ways. And my opinion is when she comes after my husband, it’s just like we just don’t need to go there and make it so personal.”
