Romania’s Eurovision entry Choke Me is criticised by campaigners over strangulation lyrics
The song, performed by former The Voice winner Alexandra Căpitănescu, has prompted debate among Eurovision fans online
By Callum Wells
Romania’s entry for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest has drawn criticism from campaigners who say its lyrics reference a dangerous sexual practice.
The song, Choke Me, is performed by Alexandra Căpitănescu, who previously won the country’s version of The Voice. The track was selected to represent Romania at Eurovision after winning the national selection competition earlier this year.
The three-minute song repeats the phrase “choke me” 30 times and includes lines such as “It’s hard to breathe in”, “I want you to choke me” and “make my lungs explode”. Critics say the wording appears to reference sexual strangulation, a practice associated with serious health risks.
“The song represents a reckless normalisation of a dangerous practice” – Clare McGlynn, Durham University
Clare McGlynn, a professor of law at Durham University and author of Exposed: The Rise of Extreme Porn and How We Fight Back, criticised the track’s message.
“The song – and its choice by Romania/Eurovision, and promotion by those organisations – represents a reckless normalisation of a dangerous practice,” she told the Guardian. “It’s playing fast and loose with young women’s lives. The emerging medical evidence is that frequent sexual strangulation is giving young women brain damage.”
McGlynn also said the repeated sexualised “choke me” message “shows an alarming disregard for young women’s health and wellbeing”.
The song has prompted debate among Eurovision fans online, with some calling for organisers to review the lyrics or disqualify the entry. Eurovision rules allow the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to request lyric changes if it considers content inappropriate. In previous years the contest has required songs to remove explicit language.
Choke Me by Alexandra Căpitănescu remains Romania’s confirmed entry for Eurovision 2026
Căpitănescu has defended the track, saying the imagery should be understood metaphorically. She said the lyrics refer to the feeling of being overwhelmed by emotion and “being suffocated by self-doubt”.
Medical researchers say choking or strangulation during sex can restrict oxygen to the brain and cause symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation or loss of consciousness, with possible long-term neurological effects.
In November, pornography depicting the practice became illegal in the UK, with online platforms legally required to stop users from accessing it.
Choke Me remains Romania’s confirmed entry for Eurovision 2026.
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