On the eve of the big Melodifestivalen announcement, more names are being reported as likely acts. Making the list is UMK 2017 host Krista Siegfrids, who is reportedly making a return, and Polish star Margaret looks likely for a Melfest debut.
Aftonbladet reports that Krista will be returning to Melfest, along with newcomers Benjamin Ingrosso and Adrijana, and the first Melfest appearance of Swedish entertainment legend Owe Thörnqvist. It’s also looking very likely that Polish star Margaret will be making her Melodifestivalen debut.
Krista Siegfrids
Krista first represented her own country, Finland, at Eurovision 2013, where “Marry Me” placed 24th. She made her Melodifestivalen debut in 2016, with the schlagertastic “Faller”. It placed fifth in its semi-final, narrowly missing out on qualifying for Andra Chansen.
Earlier this YLE revealed that Krista would be returning as the host of Finnish national final UMK. Last year her hosting duties and Melfest appearance meant Krista has to miss out hosting on UMK semi-final. However, the sole UMK show is scheduled for one week before Melodifestivalen begins. So this year you’ve got yourself a girl who can do both.
Margaret
She might not have won the 2016 Polish national final, but Margaret’s scorching hot Swedish-written song “Cool Me Down” was a fan favourite. The Polish it-girl has since gone on to launch her pop career in Sweden, and a Melodifestivalen appearance will only strengthen that. Fans have noted that Margaret is currently in Sweden, perfect timing for the Melfest announcement.
Benjamin Ingrosso
Benjamin is an upcoming pop singer who will be making his Melodifestivalen debut. In 2006 he won Lilla Melodifestivalen with the funky “Hej, Sofia!”. Benjamin is of Melfest royalty – his mum is five-time Melfest entrant Pernilla Wahlgren, while his ex-auntie is Eurovision winner and rumoured 2017 returning star Charlotte Perrelli.
Aftonbladet reports that Benjamin had several meetings with SVT before committing to Melodifestivalen. Earlier this year he released the soul song “Love You Again”.
Owe Thörnqvist
At the age of 87, Owe Thörnqvist will be the oldest ever Melodifestivalen participant. He’s a Swedish entertainment legend, having worked as a performer for over 60 years. Thörnqvist has been described as a “Swedish troubadour” and is known for his love of different genres and ability to use humour in his songs. He has written songs for other Melodifestivalen acts (1962, 1963 and 1965), but this will be his first time as a performer.
Also rumoured to be making their Melodifestivalen debuts is 19-year-old Vaxjö rapper Adrijana, dancehall artist Etzia, 18-year-old up-and-coming singer Anton Hagman and R&B singer Nano Omar.
Krista Siegfrids, Margaret, Benjamin Ingrosso and Owe Thörnqvist will join Adrijana, Nano Omar, Etzia, Anton Hagman, Charlotte Perrelli, Jon Henrik Fjällgren, De Vet Du, Alice Svensson, Robin Bengtsson, Ace Wilder, Boris René, Wiktoria Johansson, Mariette Hansson, Axel Schylström, John Lundvik, The Fooo Conspiracy, Lisa Ajax, Elisa Lindström, Ida LaFontaine and Les Gordons for Melodifestivalen 2017. The national selection will have a total of 28 competitors.
SVT will announce the confirmed lineup for Melodifestivalen 2017 at a press conference tomorrow, Wednesday 30 November, at 9:30 CET. Wiwibloggs will be there, bringing you full coverage.
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I’m Polish and all but I would find it absolutely hilarious if Margaret entered for Sweden and actually won.
I’m still convinced Poland made the biggest mistake by not choosing her for last years’ contest.
On the other hand I can’t imagine her actually going through with it. That would be the end of her career in Poland. Also, as mentioned, she already made it clear, she was not interested in Eurovision anymore. She is too popular for that now, anyway 😉
Margaret have said no to ESC since the polish national final, so it is no surprice that she isn’t competing
She can sing better than most Melfest entrants, so why not? Eric Saade and Anna Bergendahl went to Eurovision and they can’t sing.
@denis: are you ageist or something?
ummm… not really keen to see these ladies participating in melodifestivalen unless krista will come back with a stronger song and margaret come equipped with some vocal lessons since last year.
Face it Margaret lovers: She ain’t that great! She got lucky with a decent Swedish written song, that was badly executed.
She is a studio artist, whatever song she sings will sound better recorded than live.
IF she gets chosen to participate.
And her song flopped in both Poland and Sweden!
Also, who the F is Owe Thörnquist and why are they choosing octogenarians to compete? or has been like Perreli?
Oh nooo!! I cannot stand Benjamin Ingrosso! ????????????
I hope the Margaret rumor is true, since Poland didn’t want her representing them it’d be funny if we chose her. People can say she’s overrated however much they want, but the facts are that Cool Me Down has like 33mil plays on youtube, more than most other ESC acts do, and she didn’t even compete.
Not only am I here to consider this whole “Margaret at MelFest” thing a good idea, but I’m also hoping for a few former Swedish Junior Eurovision stars to appear:
* Either of the Sandén sisters: Molly (2006), Frida (2007), or Mimmi (2009)
* Josefine Ridell (2010)
* Eliias (2013)
* Julia Kedhammar (2014)
They’re already over the age of 16, so let’s find out! 😉
I personally think it’s a great idea for Margaret to participate at MelFest. That way she’ll be able to make new friends during the contest! 🙂
Melfest is a great place for Margaret. They allow pre-recorded backing vocals so she can practice the harmonies on repeat.
@mocosuburbian FYI, Margaret’s live vocals are actually pretty good. 🙂 @Adam Rihanna and Margaret actually have neutral live singing skills. 🙂 @jjajaj If someone claims to be a fan Margaret, they stay part of her fanbase for good. The only way fans can become sick of the BS is when the corresponding artist’s future recordings start having poor production values or explicit content. Also, Margaret isn’t even close to being a bad singer. Furthermore, I think it’s a great idea for her to try her hand at representing other countries. She’ll be able to make new friends, and have new… Read more »
God no, Margaret is overrated! I can’t see her representing Sweden!
I don’t think Margaret wants to represent Sweden, she’s just introducing herself to the Swedish market
she really can’t sing that well 🙁 i want to like her and then that sommarkrysset clip just yikes
Margaret please don’t do that for Poland 🙁 🙁 people will hate you forever
Margaret is literally the Polish Rihanna: makes fun, energetic pop songs you’d love to get down to in a club with your friends, but can’t sing or perform well live. Just like Rihanna 🙂
I FREAKING LOVE MARGARET
Margaret representing Sweden – that’d be something. hahaha