Four acts graced the Melodi Grand Prix 2020 stage during the third semi-final of Norway’s Eurovision selection. And in the end it was Kristin Husøy who won the ticket to Trondheim — which happens to be her hometown — with the song “Pray for Me”.

Following a stellar vocal performance prayers weren’t needed for this 18-year-old. She delivered just the right amount of sass and attitude as she sang about what happens when you know a relationship isn’t quite right, but stay in it anyway. It mixed soul with pop and a tinge of country, creating major atmosphere that showcased her talent and presence.

Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2020 Results

Tonight’s semi-final was the third out of five. It focused on artists whose origins lie in Central Norway.

It saw Alexandru, Kristin Husøy, Sie Gubba and Thomas Løseth battle for a final spot, while automatic qualifier Akuvi performed her upbeat entry “Som du er” for the first time.

In each semi-final, only one act can qualify for the MGP 2020 final. In the coming weeks, twenty artists will sing for five tickets to the grand final, where they will meet five automatic qualifiers.

To earn that ticket for the final, each of the semi-finalists has to battle another semi-finalist first. The two winners of the battles proceed to the “Gullduel” (“Golden duel”), and the winner wins the right perform in Trondheim during the Melodi Grand Prix final. Unlike previous years, the winner is determined by online voting through the Norwegian broadcaster’s website.

MGP 2020 Semi-final three duels

First duel: Alexandru vs Sie Gubba

The first duel of the night was Alexandru against Sie Gubba. Sie Gubba — a popular dansband with a large following in small cities — came out on top. That meant former Suite 16 boy band member Alexandru had to say au revoir.

Alexandru with “Pink Jacket” at Melodi Grand Prix 2020

Sie Gubba with “Kjære du” at Melodi Grand Prix 2020

Second duel: Thomas Løseth vs Kristin Husøy

In the evening’s second duel, we saw Thomas Løseth battle it out with Kristin Husøy. Kristin Husøy went on to the next round. A quick scroll through social media suggest her vocals impressed you guys a lot more.

Thomas Løseth with “Vertigo” at Melodi Grand Prix 2020

Kristin Husøy with “Pray for Me” at Melodi Grand Prix 2020

Gullduel: Sie Gubba vs Kristin Husøy

Having both won their respective duels earlier that night, Sie Gubba and Kristin Husøy progressed to the Gullduel. There could only be one winner, and tonight that was Kristin. We’ll see her again at the grand final.

Akuvi with “Som du er” at Melodi Grand Prix 2020

The second of five pre-qualified acts also performed — songstress Akuvi with “Som du er”.

Melodi Grand Prix 2020 semi-final three scoreboard

1. Kristin Husøy with “Pray for Me” – advanced to the final
2. Sie Gubba with “Kjære du” – eliminated
3/4. Alexandru with “Pink Jacket” – eliminated
3/4. Thomas Løseth with “Vertigo” – eliminated

Are you happy that with tonight’s result? Should someone else have made the final instead? Let us know in the comments.

Follow all of our Norway Eurovision 2020 news.

Picture credit: NRK

60 Comments
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Bart
Bart
4 years ago

Very decent song! But… Where are the LEDs??????

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
4 years ago

I really like this, but still Rein Alexander for me. Shoot me, but I actually like Didrik and Emil’s song, too.

Stian F
Stian F
4 years ago

By far the best package won this semi. Great song, radio friendly and good vocally. Kristin should need a bit more confidence and a hotter more stylish suit and then it’s all perfect. Maybe a slight revamp to make the chorus oomph a bit more would help as well. VERTIGO was absolutely beautiful. But the guy looked very strained in his facial expressions to start off with. Also the lack of connection bwæetween the two singers didn’t help.. Also I feel its a bit rude to leave out the female name of the presentation of the song as it IS… Read more »

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

For me, the best song of the season, so far. I am on cloud 7 that she won.

Kris
Kris
4 years ago
Reply to  NickC

What’s cloud 7? Like a cloud 9 but not as good ?

NickC
NickC
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Its the cloud for musical orgasm. Haha

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  NickC

It’s a bit like a catch 21 situation

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

I didn’t find that winner that special, to be honest.
Personally, Vertigo was the best of this selection and I even liked Sie Gubba’s song, too!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago

Som du er is so far my favorite of the pre qualifiers, and pray for me was the right choice for this semi final, but I am not gonna lie. I am overall underwhelmed by Norway this year. Regardless what song is chosen (even with my favs), I am concerned Norway might not make it to the Eurovision final.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

YESSSSS finally the right choice in MGP (besides Raylee)

Jake
Jake
4 years ago

Pray for Me is like Zibbz meets Dark Smoke. Quite repetitive If those didn’t do it—I’m not quite sure why this would.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Perfect description. I was thinking the same. It is one of the best acts in MGP so far though.

Sun
Sun
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

True. These types of songs always flop in Eurovision. Repetitive melody with some heavy beats.

Nina
Nina
4 years ago

Well, so far Raylee is winning by a mile. If nothing powerful happen in the next semi, it will be so obvious that organizers made a huge mistake by putting the fav in the very first semi lol Let’s wait and see

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

Given that Ulrikke has Morland writing her song, and Tone Damli’s status in the Norwegian music industry, it looks like those two prequalified acts would be the favourites.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

Sorry, Raylee never wins. It´s simply too cheap.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

It’s perfectly fine for MGP but it’s not as good as the ESC songs it evokes (Fuego being the most obvious). What’s concerning to me is her voice.

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

shame basic public likes cheap songs

best choices could be Ulrikke, Tone (if they got good entries) or Rein with his viking bop

Stian F
Stian F
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

Rein is the cheapest song of them all though ?

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

One Last Time combines a lot of kitsch genres organically and the song enjoys a broad appeal as a result, and his voice is the impressive bridge that connects those genres well. Wild is a good bop but no where near as inventive as a song (and it’s not like One Last Time itself is a musical innovation) and Raylee doesn’t have the strongest voice.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

I have so much hopes about Ulrikke and Tone.

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

Raylee is just a random fuego copy, very dull

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
4 years ago

She needs better staging, but otherwise this performance was flawless. This could elevate to a great entry, maybe if she doesn’t stand still all the time.

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

I find it really weird though ? Not only this year but for the last two years the act performing 2nd in the duel have been winning the duel in Norway

Hanna
Hanna
4 years ago

I absolutely LOVED Kristin’s performance! That guy in the pink jacket was cool as well, but Kristin definitely deserved to win tonight. Congratulations!

evvvity
evvvity
4 years ago

I liked pink jacket but the staging needed to elevate it for the final minute (or even 90 seconds) but it just didnt lift it so it was repetitive, I see why sie hubba won there, it was a bop. I don’t really like pray for me but I can see why it won. She needs a more wild look for it to work I think, messy hair, much less sleek office clothes, as it fell flat for me. Akuvi was fine, not sure how theyd make the vocals work at eurovision though (i have the same problem with raylee).… Read more »

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  evvvity

Akuvi gives me Joelle Ursull vibes….

EProduc
EProduc
4 years ago

Great vocals but very boring if you’d ask me. Potential non-qualifier and definitely not a top 10 song. It’s the type of song Germany would get last with. Raylee and Rein Alexander were much more outstanding and unique.

Veggam
Veggam
4 years ago
Reply to  EProduc

Haha, I literally just read this exact comment on a youtube video of Kristin Husøy’s performance. I liked this performance a lot tho, but I agree that Raylee and Rein Alexander are the best ones so far 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

I watched this one. Awkward for me. My favourite, song-wise, was with Sie Gubba, but Thomas Løseth really won me over with his voice and performance. I was sad Thomas was knocked out. Congratulations to Kristin though; I have not much to say about her entry except that it falls into the “middling” zone for me. All the technique is there, but there is lacking charisma, and perhaps life experience to make the song work. I don’t need to “pray” for her as the song suggests, which is why there is a disconnect for me. As for Alexandru, he doesn’t… Read more »

emeej
emeej
4 years ago

Kristin won me over with her flawless performance

Hanna
Hanna
4 years ago

Quite generic. Good, but heard it 1000 times before

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  Hanna

Everything that doesn’t replicate Fuego cause after all Fuego has become the biblic music format fans want to have every year.. although I believe Hanna meant boring and not generic in this case … the same way Trump ignores global warming, hardcore uptempo ESC fans deny the existence of the word “generic” in uptempo pop music.

Norwegian esc lover
Norwegian esc lover
4 years ago

I watched it live and I screamed so loud when Kristin and Akuvi performed! Absolutely loved them!<3

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago

Akuvi is the first pre qualifier that I actually like.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

Sie Gubba would have been a better winner for me, it was just let down by some cheesy staging.
The lady definitely needs someone to pray for her because her song is really boring – she has a lot to do if she wants to make any impact in the final.

Rijad
Rijad
4 years ago

Kristin is my winner of MGP 2020 so far, Raylee is a close second, I hope we get more good songs in the next two semis!

emeej
emeej
4 years ago
Reply to  Rijad

Same top 2

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Rijad

My winner is Akuvi and then with a certain distance Kristin.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

I was pleased with this semi. Kristin and Akuvi became my personal frontrunners and I wish “Vertigo” could be in the final too. Still hoping to find something more out of the box in MGP, but I feel this Saturday was a improvement already.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

I wanted Alexandru to win, he serving into the camera but i like Kristin as well, thanks god the band did not won …next Hasse Andersson

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Alexandru. winning…. With another song maybe

Nils
Nils
4 years ago

Song is generic. There should not be high chances in final for this one.
It is a song Germany had over the years many times.
Vertigo wouldhave been more unique.

Nils
Nils
4 years ago
Reply to  Nils

2015-2017. Black Smoke

AndersP
AndersP
4 years ago
Reply to  Nils

I can see that. Also getting major ZiBBZ vibes

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Nils

Google generic.

Vesely
Vesely
4 years ago

EWW WHERE IS THE ALEXANDRU ??

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Vesely

Under a pink blanket? Maybe he didn’t pray hard enough.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Vesely

As long he has his pink jacket, he’ll be fine. The camera loves him (I bet we’ll see him again in MGP), but I felt the performance got repetitive too fast.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Vesely

No offense but i think only super gay fans would vote for him

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

Really liked Som du er
I thought , Thomas and Erika have a good performance and when Kristin defeated em it was certain to me that she’s gonna win !!

Well this may be confidence but till now all the duels have been won by the act performing 2nd in the duel !!

Kris
Kris
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

* co-incidence

filipko54
filipko54
4 years ago

semifinal one, really? 🙂 😀

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

I’m praying for the next song reveals. Need something new on my playlist. Rasmus from Estonia is the only one on there out of Eurovision 2020.

Oy oy
Oy oy
4 years ago

Relax, Western Norway next Saturday, we are the best (we have got most of the oil and gas,waterfalls, most of the tourists come here, “Norway” refers to the Western coast, the real Viking orginated frok here). Both the Bobbysocks of 1985 and the singer from 1995 originated from here) Again relax, Western Norway WILL deliver;)

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Oy oy

The West is the best. 😉 I always wanted my first husband to be a Norwegian oil heir.

Oy oy
Oy oy
4 years ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Strange that pre-qualified Ulrikke (of Eastern Norway) will perfrom in the Western Norwegian semifinal next Saturday while Tone Damli (of Western Norway) will perform in the final of Northern Norway?! May be indicating that Tone Damli is NRK`s favorite of the pre-qualified entries?.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Interesting – but everything would be better than Raylee…

Stian F
Stian F
4 years ago

I feel sorry for you that u have such a narrow mind when coming to music then…. There are many great songs in the national finals already. Both in Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Czech Republic and also a few in Portugal and Lithuania as well. I have no problem finding good songs ?

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

You seem to have considerable problems ending sentences with the right punctuation, though.