Famous singers are generally not allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest because the rules stipulate that all participants must be amateurs. Specifically, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the contest, states that performers must not have signed a recording contract that has been released commercially, and they must not have been a lead vocalist in a commercially released track that has charted in the top 50 of their country's music charts. This rule is meant to ensure that the contest is fair and gives emerging artists the opportunity to gain exposure and recognition.