Openly queer artist Akylas has won selection for Greece and is an early favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
With Eurovision 2026 only months away, countries across Europe are selecting their representatives for the annual song contest.
With over half of the artists competing selected, one openly queer artist has already emerged as an early favourite.
Greek singer Akylas Mytilinaios won the Greek national final show Sing for Greece on Monday with his song Ferto.
The 27-year-old swept both the jury vote and the public televote after earlier going viral across Europe.
He won over fans with not only his fun and quirky song, but also his infectious personality and unique style.
Despite the song appearing to be a little ‘novelty’, it actually contains a strong message.
He has explained that Ferto explores themes of consumerism and pressure to provide, saying that at its core, the song reflects wanting to give his mother everything.
When his win was announced, Akylas ran into the crowd to embrace his mother in a moment that quickly went viral across Greek media.
Following his selection, bookmakers quickly reacted to his, placing Greece second in the betting odds to win Eurovision 2026.
He is only just behind Finland, which has yet to select its artist.
Aklyas’s queer identity
Akylas is openly queer and has spoken about the importance of being visible in Greek popular culture.
After winning the selection, he took to social media and quoted Lady Gaga.
“Always be proud of who you are, because you were born this way,” he posted.
“Love yourself. Embrace yourself even more. Don’t let anyone take away your shine. Everything is possible.”
In interviews following his win, he has described the support he has received as overwhelming.
“The love I received this past month has been surreal,” he said.
“It affirmed me and I hope it sends a message to any child watching that they too can express themselves and be accepted.
Past homophobic abuse
He has also been candid about homophobic bullying he experienced as a child and abuse as an adul.
He recounted one incident of being confronted in the street in the city of Thessaloniki.
“They pushed us, grabbed our shirts,” he said.
“We ran to escape and afterwards, we couldn’t even walk down that street. It stays with you,”
His focus is on the present and how he can inspire others.
“Helping a child say ‘yes, I can too’ is so important,” he said.
“Our country is modern, supportive, and celebrates diversity.”
Aussie fans are getting behind Greece
For many viewers, his emphatic victory, particularly winning the public vote, represents a significant cultural moment for LGBTQ visibility in Greece.
Kyriakos Tsinivits from the Australian Eurovision site Aussievision said the result resonated beyond the music.
“Seeing a Greek queer artist with a Greek national final is something I never thought would happen,” he said.
“Especially winning the vote from the public and embracing someone like that with such an emphatic way is deeply meaningful,” he said.
His personality and out-there style have won him fans, and it’s something Kyriakos is happy to see will stay.
“He has been asked in interviews whether he should pull it back, and he’s like ‘no, I’m going to keep being who I am.’”
Greece last won Eurovision in 2005 and will be hoping Akylas can give them their first victory in over two decades.
What’s happening with Australia?
Australia has yet to announce its artist for Eurovision, but it will be selected internally by SBS.
In an interview earlier this month, a representative stated it would be revealed “very soon.”
In 2025, Go-Jo was announced on 26 February, so we may only be days away.
Eurovision 2026 will take place in Vienna on 12, 14 and 16 May after queer artist JJ won the 2025 contest with Wasted Love.
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