On stage she’s a fearless Finnish singer with a legion of fans the world over. But Finland’s Eurovision 2018 star Saara Aalto has revealed that behind the scenes she too struggles with monsters of her own.

In an interview with UK tabloid The Sun, the “Monsters” hitmaker said that she’s staring anxiety and depression in the face.

“It’s been a very long and very tough journey for me,” Saara says. “I came second on The Voice of Finland, my career exploded and I had 300 gigs a year. But labels in Finland wouldn’t help my international career.”

“The labels said, ‘If you’re in Finland, you just have to sing in Finnish.’ I was lonely, doing gigs all the time, and would go on stage crying. But I’d still try to sing.”

She still battles anxiety and depression today. That led her to cancel her scheduled appearance at Israel Calling this weekend in Tel Aviv.

“This is the first time ever in my life that I’ve actually cancelled some things,” she says. Some artists would be overcome by their monsters, but Saara Aalto tackles them head on.

Our girl has hired a life coach, who’s providing much needed mental support, and is putting Saara in the mindset to turn things out on stage in Lisbon.

She also struck an upbeat tone in an interview with wiwibloggs ahead of a killer performance at the London Eurovision Party.

“I came from a town of 9,000 people and thought I’d never find people like me. But that’s not the truth. There are billions of people around the world and you can find your people.”

“I am trying to stay away from social media, but it is great to know that people support me. When you concentrate on a big thing like Eurovision, you easily start to read everything and compare. I want to have my own bubble and concentrate on Eurovision, so that I can enjoy it even more.”

Saara Aalto we salute your brave example and applaud your perseverance. Now go forth and slay like the queen you are!

GET MORE FINLAND EUROVISION NEWS HERE

*Celebrate Finland at the song contest

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Blackquill
Blackquill
5 years ago

To begin with, I’m not a fan of the song. Musically it’s that EDM kind of stuff that I’m a bit allergic to.
BUT. I’m actually glad that Saara spoke out about this. Since the song is about battling monsters (from what I understand), it makes me realize that it’s not just mere words she’s singing, they actually mean something to her on a more personal scale. In a news site I myself work on we also had our reviews and ratings from 0 to 5. I had previously rated it a 1,5 but have in fact raised it afterwards.

Goodnightmoon
Goodnightmoon
5 years ago

As always this comment section is disgusting

R
R
5 years ago

Lot’s of force, Saara! 🙂

(And to the haters: AALTO E PÁRA O BAILE!!!)

Gin
Gin
5 years ago

I think it’s interesting the way some people jump to say Saara is ‘fishing for sympathy votes’ or ‘spreading propaganda’.

You know how pathological liars always assume everyone is lying to them? I think the same goes for these commenters. They accuse Saara of things they themselves would do.

We see what we are.

Jordan
Jordan
5 years ago

I do not like Monsters at all. I think it’s one of the weakest entries of the year but some of the comments on this post have been utterly disgusting! It takes a lot for someone to actually admit they suffer from a mental illness. I myself currently suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder and Ergophobia and it took a lot to finally get help. If you don’t like the song that is fine I don’t either, but that doesn’t give you the right to mock her for explaining why she wasn’t in Israel this week. The artists who sing at… Read more »

Adam
Adam
5 years ago

Sobral and Aalto are both very humble artists, as shown in their interviews, and the televoters, and certainly the juries, will not be sending any ‘sympathy’ votes.
I can’t imagine people sending votes solely because they feel sorry, but based on the package as a whole. Salvador Sobral did not even heavily publicise his heart issues and didn’t make any attempt to draw huge attention to said condition, and neither will Saara Aalto to her respective issues. (P.S. I’m not being biased because I’m wasn’t the biggest fan of Amar Pelos Dois and Monsters ranks rather low for me)

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Ok, I’m speaking as someone who likes Monsters fine but is nowhere near calling it a favorite: does a song’s quality sincerely affect how you view the artist personally? I don’t care if you’re Saara’s biggest fan or think it’s the worst song of the year: mental health issues are serious and you don’t mess around with that. From what I’ve seen, Saara is a genuine enough person that she wouldn’t just bring them right out of thin air for sympathy (and she hasn’t, this is something she’s actually discussed a fair deal). As someone with a mental disorder myself,… Read more »

benzos are poison
benzos are poison
5 years ago

Get yourself some Lamictal and stay away from Xanax or Valium.

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

Everybody needs a message.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Life coaches are swell, I’m sure, but first stop for people struggling with their mental health is their local doctor. Take the meds.

Everybody deals with mental health issues the same way everybody deals with physical health issues. Saara is far from alone.

Isa
Isa
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yes, Saara is far from alone, but that does not mean her issues are less important. Every single human being is important. What she feels also matters and to speak openly about it takes a lot of courage. And helps heal!

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Isa

Absolutely, I never meant to imply otherwise.

Dan
Dan
5 years ago

Hahaha! You are not even a very good spammer if you think the majority of dudes on here will be into your va-jay-jay 😀

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago

SPAMMER! Wiwibloggs, block her.

Isa
Isa
5 years ago

I am happy Saara is talking about her issues openly. But it’s funny how some people who support her have in the past vomited on this space their vile comments about other singers, lyricists and composers with no respect for their work or for them as people… Hypocrisy is an ilness too!…

Andrew
Andrew
5 years ago

GO GO GO Cyprus!
Fuego! Foureira can’t wait to see you burning that stage!!
12 points from Europe to Cyprus

Anita
Anita
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

This is also a spammer

Peter M
Peter M
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

The song and singer from Cyprus is absolute trash. Even Iceland beats it in my opinion.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

Why has talking about illness and being open about it suddenly become a bad thing? Why trash talking Saara for it?
As someone who suffered from depression and suffers from anxiety it is nice to see someone brave enough talking about it. It shows me and others we aren’t alone.
Its nice that the rest of you all all have nice perfect lives and were born with a golden spoon, But mocking and looking down on ill people won’t help your average lives in any way!

Cin
Cin
5 years ago

This songs sounds like Malta and Azerbaijan (a standard electro disco shouty esc song), only it’s the most annoying of the three. I’m sure she’s a great vocalist and all, but this song is just so painful to my ears, and souns so trashy and x-factor-y. Can’t even listen to it

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago

Saara wanted to share her story and tell about her condition to encourage people in the same situation. But those idiots who obviously are born with a golden spoon in their mouths are turning it into something bad and ugly. Shame on you. Saara is a most honest, open and kindest person in the world and you just want to crash her – but luckily, she ain’t scared of you monsters any more.

Zare
Zare
5 years ago

Last year we had winner with heart problem about that problem we have read few day before first rehearsal (many commentators said about Salvador health problem in semi and final., maybe that gave him more many points from televote and juries) which healt problem wili have this year winner maybe anxiety….

Nickc
Nickc
5 years ago

I think it is normal for artists to struggle depression. Because they think, create and feel. Quoting Diane Lockhart, key to happiness is insensitivity.

ed
ed
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

yass the good fight!

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

You had me on “Quoting Diane Lockhart”, Nick!

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
5 years ago

@OFF TOPIC – WOW
Today at early morning hours Saara Aalto has put by herself a music video on social media – Facebook. Saara performs only with a piano and she is singing ‘Monsters’In 34 Languages – those languages from 34 participating Eurovision countries.It’s a very nice gesture from here, but unfortunately it’s too late now, she won’t perform it in Lisbon as this version has a time of 03:50 min/sec, it’s over the maximum ESC limit time of 03:00 min/sec.
To every ESC fan – all I can say ENJOY !
https://youtu.be/L9Y3AxgV1f4

philip
philip
5 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

Tell Saara Aaalto to fire her PR..

Dan
Dan
5 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

The multi-lingual version of Monsters is amazing! Though I think you are mistaken in assuming that the song she uploaded on youtube was intended for ESC. This is just great exposure for the song. And a great way to build up momentum before ESC. She has done the song from Frozen in different languages before.

Azotman
Azotman
5 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

Hallo LEO ESC AUT,
This time this is not off Topic. The multi-language version for sure would have a strong success at the televoting. She may keep about 25 languages to fit with the time 3:00 minutes. I will definitely vote for her if she sings in my language !
After hearing the multi-language version, the only english sounds boring.
Ciao

NKG
NKG
5 years ago

I just love the fact that Saara is so brave as to publicly admit her problems with anxiety and depression. It’s the bravest thing to do in the present time of narcissism, impeccable outer appearance, and seemingly everlasting omnipotence and lack of vulnerability. Getting to know and admitting one’s vulnerable sides are the bravest thing to do. As for those who stupidly accuse Saara of trying to attract sympathy votes, they’d better concentrate on their own anxious and depressed sides. Her courage deserves my vote.

philip
philip
5 years ago
Reply to  NKG

it is a cheap propaganda..

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  philip

Only people who suffer a lack of empathy thinks it is a cheap propaganda. Saara has always been this way, open for a media but on the other hand, there always are haters like you who apparently have the life all too good and they are not prepared to face troubles in their lives. You’ll get those of your own and well, it was cheap propaganda then, too.

Stop the hate
Stop the hate
5 years ago

I seriously don’t understand people who constantly mock people who open up about their struggles. I’m not referring to only Saara, but literally every single artist in Eurovision who happens to tell something personal is immediately attacked. “OH THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY VOTES!!!!” No, they are not. They are human beings who have emotions and all kinds of things, even bad, happening to them. Informing people about those bad things is not begging for sympathy, so please stop spending your valuable minutes on the internet spreading bad vibes. When you stop being an ass, you’ll feel better about yourself… Read more »

philip
philip
5 years ago

of course she does, i was wondering what took her so long.. i am still waiting to see which one supposedly was a rape victim or a domestic violence victim or some other sort of that… man this is so pathetic… finland, belgium and belarus are going down and down each passing day

Muyi
5 years ago

Am sorry but it seems homegirl is doing too much now for SYMPATHY votes after singing her song in 43 languages now this. Girl focus on how to perform your song in may you have enough fans to put you through to the final

philip
philip
5 years ago
Reply to  Muyi

exactly!

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Muyi

So you think, everyone having mental issues should be quiet and not give a face for f.ex. depression? Be lucky and don’t get any troubles in this world. Cynical b**ch 🙁

Muyi
5 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

You are definitely a troubled person everyone is entitled to his or her opinion mine is and still remains homegirl is doing too much right now.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Muyi

I am not troubled 😀 I’m just so tired of negativity and but you may have your opinion although it is false and prejudiced – and Muyi darling, do it yourself. Try to make a career against all the odds, being a loved artist in Britain despite being a foreigner there, be creative all the time… you call her a home girl. She is a cosmopolitan that just makes you myui’es jelous and that’s fine for me. But go and spread your poisonous mind to some other place. I feel pity for you but wish you all the best.

Saule Riet
Saule Riet
5 years ago

She realise that her song is average, so she need sympathy votes. Ohh, yeahhh, bad trick!!

Muyi
5 years ago
Reply to  Saule Riet

My exact thought

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Saule Riet

TROLOLOLOLOL. The song is far from average, it is one of the best this year. The OGAE-voting use to be a good indicator for what is going to happen and for your harm and annoyment: after 8 countries voted, Saara is steadily on the third place. Butthurt for you, but it is the truth dear.

Madrileño
Madrileño
5 years ago

Saara such a talented artist.
Fabulose the song in all the european lenguajges should be the Winner.

Safiya
Safiya
5 years ago

I’ve been there too and the lyrics of Monsters actually made me think of my struggle. Stay strong, Saara!

Truth hurts
Truth hurts
5 years ago

Anything to get some media coverage, eh? Unterstandable, when you can’t win with your actual song or performance. That life coach will be crucial after she’s crashed and burned in the semi final.

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago
Reply to  Truth hurts

Karma’s a bitch. Stop hating or it’ll get you.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Truth hurts

Oh wow. You really are a pisser.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Truth hurts

DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE THAT MEAN AND RUDE AND CYNICAL!? I think Saara made a wise decision not to read anything on the internet, just cause there are jerks like you out there.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

I know about anxiety and depression. The fact that she has the motivation to go out there and perform while still taking care of herself is admirable and I hope she feels ok.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Oh sorry Joe, I meant that rude-ish comment to “Truth hurts”. Your thoughts are just fine <3

allexo
allexo
5 years ago

Poor her
It’s great that when she has anxiety, she still fights back and give us amazing performances