Last Friday all eyes in Lisbon turned to the Trumps Club as Finland’s Eurovision 2018 act Saara Aalto made a special appearance ahead of the Eurovision extravaganza in May.

Ahead of the show the X-Factor UK runner-up invited us backstage to discover what she’d been up to in Portugal and what we can expect from her Eurovision performance.

The Finnish ice queen flew all the way from Helsinki to record her postcard in the beautiful landscapes of the Algarve — a popular tourist destination known for stunning views and an easy-does-it lifestyle. While she isn’t allowed to tell us what she filmed in the South of Portugal, Saara teased that it was a very challenging experience.

“I did something that I’m very, very bad at,” she says with a laugh. “They thought I could do it and I couldn’t and they were like: oh, she actually cannot do it. We had to change the plan a little bit but I think it’s going to be quite funny.”

Biking? Surfing? Riding dolphins? We can’t wait to find out what happened…and what didn’t!

Saara loves entertaining the masses, so naturally she didn’t miss the opportunity to perform for her fans. She turned up and turned out at Trumps Club, reminding us all why she’s a fan favourite.

“Now that I’m here, why not?” she tells us of her performance at the club. “I want to meet all the Portuguese fans and people. The best part of this whole job is meeting new people, singing to them and connecting with them. I think these clubs are the perfect places to really see people. When you perform in Eurovision, everyone is far away. These performances are different. You’re really close to people, I love it.”

Does she have plans to change her “Monsters” staging, which we first saw at Finland’s UMK in March? Yes.

She says: “I’m going to change everything.”

Before heading to the Eurovision stage, Saara Aalto will headline a concert in London. She shared the “Eurovision Wonderland” excitement with us as well.

“It’s the first time I’m going to sing the songs from my new album, so it’s kind of launching my new album and launching this Eurovision journey. It will be a very special evening for me and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I’m glad it’s in the UK, in London. It’s the place where it all kind of happened.”

SAARA AALTO’S ROAD TO EUROVISION

Saara was selected to represent Finland back in November 2017, but her song “Monsters” was only selected a few weeks ago.

In a change to the norm, this year’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu only involved Saara and acted as a selection to decide which song she should sing.

Saara has yet to confirm any appearances at preview parties including Eurovision In Concert and The London Eurovision Party.

In recent years Finnish acts including Norma John and Krista Siegfrids have appeared at Eurovision Preview Parties across the continent.

Finish broadcaster YLE will hope they can make it to the Grand Final this year, after three non-qualifications in a row.

GET MORE FINLAND NEWS HERE

 

34 Comments
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Isa
Isa
5 years ago

I agree. Unfortunately, most people choose to believe something else… I love Saara’s voice (in ballads), so I feel sad she is not using it to its full potential in Eurovision. I predict last place in the semi-final for “Monsters”. I hope I am wrong. But I wish all the best to Saara. 🙂

Jose Abraham
Jose Abraham
5 years ago

SAARA we love your song and we will vote for it is MUCH BETER THAN THE CRAZY CHIKEN FROM ISRAEL……….
FROM SPAIN MUACK

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago

Let’s forget about the NF. Saara is a real pro on stage. For you who don’t believe it, watch this. We are going to have something unforgettable in Lisbon. I’m confident. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_k58eUpNOg

Ben ESC
Ben ESC
5 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

YEEEESS favourite xfactor performance of hers, but she must’ve been nervous at UMK cause the whole thing didn’t work imo, but I think she could smash it in Lisbon, but they will have to get the staging and choreography spot on

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
5 years ago

She needs to make the staging more family friendly and easy to understand. Her wearing a black hood at the beginning gave an eerie vibe. Not attractive to watch at home.

Nitzan
Nitzan
5 years ago

Saara is a great artist and the song is perfect. The potential is there I am sure she will learn the NF lesson and deliver something magnificent.

Opinion
Opinion
5 years ago

Saara is better than Elina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPr0irU_sTM

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
5 years ago

Finland’s song is and will only remain a mediocre radio hit. Any further changes for her live performance at stage in Lisbon will probably bring nothing extraordinary new. Nevertheless, good luck for Saara and the same for Finland!

ESCPojkeSE
ESCPojkeSE
5 years ago

Haters are more active to comment on Saara. The true fans don’t need to take part in this stupid battle – and they are thousands all over Europe. Just watch her X Factor UK clips, you who claims she can’t sing. She didn’t become 2nd in that competition for nothing or without merits.

Yoa
Yoa
5 years ago

I feel really bad for her. All these bad comments about her voice, song, show and persona. She has dreamed about Eurovision since she was a child. She has tried to go to Eurovision at least 3 times in Finland. She has been a backing singer for many artists for years. Now, her dream is coming true and people don’t let her enjoy that. Sad…

Eve
Eve
5 years ago
Reply to  Yoa

Don’t be sad, I’m sure Saara can handle that and doesn’t give a f about comments 🙂

Yoa
Yoa
5 years ago
Reply to  Eve

But i don’t understand the hate. If you hate someone, why should you tell that. I try to focus on positive things in life. And tell how much i like someone or their song. And if i don’t like someone, i just keep it to myself. #positivevibes

Opinion
Opinion
5 years ago

I like the song “Monsters”, like her good performance, the show. Good luck in Eurovision.

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Where are you from?

OKTA
OKTA
5 years ago

Hey haters! If you expect Saara or any other singers to sound like their original studio versions, you better stick to them. Saara is an amazing artist, she clearly enjoys herself to the fullest and connects really well with the audience.
Hearing that crowd singing her song out loud MEANS A LOT.

L
L
5 years ago

Can I be frank?I don’t like Finland’s entry this year. I get it she’s a good singer but I really don’t want Finland to qualify. Because her song is like a filler song or something that lacks.

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

Should change the song as well.

123
123
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo

lol

Non merci
Non merci
5 years ago

It’s hopeless. Saara Flopto won’t qualify.

Jo
Jo
5 years ago
Reply to  Non merci

Saara will qualify!

Erti
Erti
5 years ago

I hope this means there are going to make it more simple. Not over the top-more is more kinda thing.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Erti

@ non merci: She will qualify! Betting sites, polls and almost 1,800,000 views on Youtube show completely the opposite to your s.c. “opinion” which is just a sign of your character, filled with badwill. Calling her Flopto is the most childish thing I’ve ever read on Wiwibloggs. Calling an artist bad names tells a lot about you.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Erti

Sorry Erti, my comment (addressed to non merci) ended up aligned under your comment which is accurate and descent!

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

Uhm… Just a random question, but if Jessika from San Marino was singing this song… you sure you’d still hype anything about this entry?

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Interestingly, I struggle not to hype Jessika’s own entry, since I am a big fan of hers, hyped to see her finally in ESC, yet underwhelmed by the changes Jenifer’s addition brought. The judgment is still on… 🙂

L
L
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

TBH I really don’t like this song. I don’t get the hype. If I were to weigh San Marino and Finland. They’re equal.

Gav
Gav
5 years ago

Changing the performance will make a big difference between qualifying and not! Saara is a crazy finish snowball of positive energy and she oozes fun! I think Saara just needs to sing and keep her performance contained and leave the crazy moves and routine to the dances. We know she can sing. We know she can dance. We know she can perform. Like the song or not I think it’s really good to support the positivity she is bringing, her dedication to wanting to perform at the contest and that she has realeased a song that hit the charts and… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

Algarve is stunning, I hope I can see saome familiar places from when I went there on vacation.

Craig
Craig
5 years ago

Changing everything won’t make up for a song that has no substance what so ever. All it is, is bluster. Plus the first live performance was flat, uncharismatic and cold so Its unlikely she could get worse… Finland are a borderline qualifier at best.

West
West
5 years ago

Good thing she wants to change everything – the umk performance was a mess. Her performance in Lithuanian nf was way better, so I hope the final staging will be closer to that.

Ari
Ari
5 years ago

Not to cast aspersions, but I feel like she gets worse every time she sings it. No doubt she can sing very well, but she can’t seem THAT particular song. Her song.
Maybe it’s just me, though, because the Finnish NF performance made me dismiss the entry altogether.

Ari
Ari
5 years ago
Reply to  Ari

* seem to sing

Emily
Emily
5 years ago
Reply to  Ari

I agree. She sounds much better singing some of her other songs. Parts of the song sound a bit off or weird and not very pleasant. She is no longer considered a bookies favourite due to her recent performances. Probably needs to work on vocals more than over the top staging.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

He really likes pop.
We have different musical styles, but great video.