Since winning Selecția Națională 2026 the Romanian entry for Eurovision 2026 ‘Choke Me’ has been the recipient of much debate regarding the song title. Now Alexandra Căpitănescu has responded in a public statement on social media.
🇷🇴 Alexandra Căpitănescu releases statement
Over recent weeks, the Romanian entry for Vienna 2026 has come under scrutiny from national UK media and prominent figures within the fan community. The controversy surrounds the song title itself, ‘Choke Me’ and how appropriate it will be for family audiences. A recent article published by The Guardian, suggested campaigners and research groups believe that the song is, “glamorising sexual strangulation.” In the aftermath of this increased attention and commentary, Romania’s Eurovision 2026 artist Alexandra Căpitănescu responded on social media.
“I’ve read the conversations around “Choke Me” and I want to share with you what this song means to me. I respect every opinion, but I also believe deeply in the freedom to express complex emotions through art. I have a responsibility to the people who listen to my music, come to my concerts or follow me on Social Media.
“Choke Me” is a metaphor for the pressure we sometimes place on ourselves. It speaks about inner fears, self-doubt, and the feeling of being emotionally suffocated by our own expectations. It was never intended to represent anything sexual.
As a songwriter, I often use symbolism to give shape to feelings that are difficult to explain directly. This song reflects the weight of certain emotional struggles and the journey of reclaiming your voice and autonomy.
Music is how I process complicated emotions and make sense of my inner world.
When I stop putting pressure on myself, I reach my maximum potential. The lyrics are about taking back control over anxiety and emotions that are choking you!
I’m grateful to everyone who listens and engages with my music in good faith.”
At the time of writing, there has been no response from the EBU according to The Guardian. The entry and music video is still featured on the official Eurovision YouTube Channel. Last year, multiple broadcasters raised concerns over the Maltese entry, ‘Kant’ which had to be changed to ‘Serving’ due to sounding much like a strong word in the English language.
Do you agree with Alexandra Căpitănescu? Let us know! Keep track of the latest news by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok, subscribing to YouTube and liking our Facebook page! Also, follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts.
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
Absolut,de acord cu Alexandra.Cât despre cei care contestă piesa “Choke me” sau chiar pe artistă,acelora le recomand să meargă la un psihiatru,deoarece aversiunea lor față de piesă și vocalistă este de competența acelui specialist.