Damiano David
Maneskin singer is voluntarily tested for drugs
Maneskin during her appearance at ESC 2021
© imago images / ANP
Maneskin won the ESC. After drug allegations arise, singer Damiano David will volunteer to be tested.
With their song “Zitti e buoni” the Italian rock band Maneskin won the 65th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) on May 22nd. However, there was a stir that some viewers wanted to have watched singer Damiano David (22) allegedly consumed cocaine live during the broadcast. Now the 22-year-old will voluntarily undergo a drug test, as reported by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
One is aware of the speculation, it says in a statement, among other things. The band had denied the allegations “and the singer concerned will take a voluntary drug test when he returns home.” The band themselves asked about the test that night, but the EBU was unable to organize this at such short notice.
“I do not do drugs”
“I don’t do drugs,” David already had during a press conference following the ESC explained in response to a journalist’s question. Please refrain from making such claims. The band expressed itself in an Instagram story likewise to the allegations. He was “really shocked” that some people said the singer was on drugs.
During the live broadcast, David leaned forward. His face was covered, but for some viewers it apparently looked as if the 22-year-old might have consumed coke from a table in the middle of the program. Guitarist Thomas Raggi just broke a glass shortly before, which David leaned down to, the group said during the press conference. The EBU can confirm that shards were found in the appropriate place, it is now said. The recorded material will be looked at further and further news on the matter will be reported in due course.