Singer Olavi Uusivirta Explains Pre-Planned Urheilugaala Stunt

Finnish singer Olavi Uusivirta has clarified that his spontaneous-looking actions during a major televised sports gala were fully choreographed and agreed upon with production. Uusivirta performed his hit song 'Jumalat juhlivat öisin' at the Urheilugaala event held at Helsinki's Veikkaus-areena. During the performance, he walked into the audience, hugged athletes including Alisa Vainio and Ella Mikkola, and took a sip from a wine glass on a table. The act sparked immediate debate across Finnish social media and news outlets, with viewers questioning the appropriateness of the stunt at a formal sports awards ceremony. In an interview with Iltalehti, Uusivirta provided a detailed explanation. 'Everything was agreed in advance, that something like this could suit this song and the finale,' the singer stated. He emphasized that the choreography, including the specific table he approached, was pre-arranged with the event's production team and director. The clarification from the artist aims to settle the public discussion that followed the live broadcast, highlighting the planned nature of what many perceived as an impromptu moment. The incident underscores the fine line performers walk between planned spectacle and perceived impropriety at high-profile national events. Uusivirta's direct quote to the Finnish newspaper serves as the primary account of the event's staging.