She was the runner-up last year and placed second with “Bulletproof” by only one point. And on Saturday Dotter will compete in the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2021 with her song “Little Tot”. She’s got her fingers crossed to take home the trophy and to finally nab that ticket to Rotterdam.

Wiwiblogger Tobias caught up with Dotter to find out more about the meaning and the message of her song ”Little Tot”, the staging process and the changes that she plans to make for the final.

Scroll down for a selection of questions from the interview. 

Having competed last year, you are one of a few artists that can compare what a Melodifestivalen tour is like before the pandemic and during the pandemic. What is it like to be back in Melodifestivalen this year? What’s the biggest difference?

— Well the biggest difference is that there is no audience at all. Last year there was like 30,000 people in the audience so it makes a huge difference. But this time you are not as nervous as when there are many people watching you in a full arena. It is also a little bit boring… it’s hard to explain, I mean people are there to support you and everyone are happy and there’s a lot of energy going on but now it’s like… there is almost no one there, only the camera people. I feel a little bit lonely on stage and it doesn’t really feel like it’s for real when there are no people in the audience.

A lot people that work with this year’s production say that having no audience makes it more possible to focus on the staging and the performance. Do you feel this is the case for you? Or would your performance benefit with a live audience?

— I believe it looks a little bit better if there’s not a lot of audience shown in the performance because I really like when you totally focus on the artist and the staging. So for me it’s actually a bit better. I think the whole number looks better and… I mean, I love the people sitting there with their flags and all that, but sometimes it doesn’t really fit in the kind of number you want to do. It depends on what kind of music and performance you do, but for me it feels better to just cut everyone out and focus on the number.

When you wrote “Little Tot”, was it obvious for you that you’d compete with it in Melodifestivalen?

— No not at all, I’ve never written a song just for Melodifestivalen, at least not for myself, maybe for other artists. But this song was just a song that me and my boyfriend Dino wrote and later on my record label asked me… or they told me “You should compete with this in Melodifestivalen” and I was like…yeah maybe…maybe that could be a good thing, and in the end it just felt right, so I said yes.

Speaking about your song, who is “Little Tot”? Is it a representation of yourself as a child?

— Haha no, actually it’s my… I don’t have any children, but it’s more about my future children and also for the kids growing up right now. I am like talking to them and I am telling them to don’t be like us in the future. Because we are very self-centred and very much focused on ourselves. We need to think a little bit further and think about the whole environment and what we are doing, because we are really hurting ourselves and our future children.

Will your performance and staging change compared to what we saw in semi-final two?

— Yes, actually a lot. I haven’t really seen it all yet but there will be some changes with the lighting. We weren’t really finished with the number actually [read semi-final two]. I think there is going to be some more lighting over me, in the end of the performance. I felt like it didn’t really pop the way I wanted it to do. And we have also added some…  I don’t want to spoil the whole thing. But you know what, I have never used LED lights before. But I’m not going to use LED the common way. Instead we are going to use some sort of moveable LED lights.

Dotter also gave us a her thoughts about who she thinks will end up in the top 3 on Saturday. Watch the full interview to find out more.

Dotter’s previous Melodifestivalen songs

“Little Tot” marks Dotter’s third Melodifestivalen appearance since debuting in 2018 with “Cry”. Dotter has been involved in the writing process of both her previous Melodifestivalen entries. This year is no exception — Dotter joined forces with fiancé Dino Medanhodzic to pen “Little Tot”. Medanhodzic also co-wrote Dotter’s Melodifestivalen entry last year — “Bulletproof”.

Do you think 2021 is the year for Dotter to take the trophy home? Let us know in the comments below!

29 Comments
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Jay
Jay
3 years ago

It’s a reasonable song but no way an ESC winner

Dani
3 years ago

I need #Dotterdam to happen for my soul’s well being

Samuel
Samuel
3 years ago

Dotter or Klara please!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago

I’m actually surprised Clara is rising in the charts because I didn’t think a Swedish language song would be a popular choice to send for Eurovision. It would be a nice change of pace for Sweden to send something in Swedish, but I’m afraid this song could get lost in the semi finals. I still think the winning song will be in English, but then again, Denmark is sending something in Danish for the first time in 24 years, so maybe we’ll be surprised. Whoever wins tomorrow, I wish them all good luck

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I think the juries are the most likely thing to stop a Swedish song, not the people.

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Agreed. The song itself is lovely (I listen to it a fair bit on Spotify) but the presentation itself isn’t anything special so I suspect that it may get lost in the jury vote in favour of acts that have more unique or cool staging.

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

If you think it stands a chance I as a Swede tell you it doesn’t. It’s that high in charts because that’s how Swedish songs currently sounds. But in no way does it stand a chance of winning.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
3 years ago

I really hope she will slay tomorrow night. I really want her to win. Tusse would be a nice choice too but pleeease, not Eric. The staging can’t save everything. His lyrics are crap and his voice is never on point.

Jonny
Jonny
3 years ago

I don’t know what did you watch but his voice is on point

Miloš
Miloš
3 years ago

After last years Bulletproof, I am sure that she can bring inovative ideas to the stage and I can’t wait to see it tomorrow!

sTommie
sTommie
3 years ago

As usual in MF far too much attention to things like staging, while the essence should be the song.

Brötchen
Brötchen
3 years ago
Reply to  sTommie

It’s a TV show not a spotify concert. Visuals matter.

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
3 years ago

I’m still “Team Dotter”, but i would be also very pleased if Eric wins… Tusse is a big NO for me, and the Mamas are a hugeeee No for me

Milla
Milla
3 years ago

The presentation is equally important. In eurovision a good song can fail without a proper staging. And average songs get elevated and you can sell the song better.

Milla
Milla
3 years ago
Reply to  Milla

Oh, the comment was for sTommie.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Milla

The presentation has to to be carried by the artist tho. The artist is who can elevate or not a song.

Milla
Milla
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Yes of course. An artist can have zero charisma then no staging in the world will help.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

Anyone but Tusse.. even Danny, Clara ot The Mamas again. It all lies in the hands of international juries

Fred
Fred
3 years ago

Twitch Thot

Zander25
Zander25
3 years ago

I’m wishing for all Good Luck for you tomorrow.

Milla
Milla
3 years ago

I know what the changes are. It’s a cool effect that elevates the performance a bit.

Jonny
Jonny
3 years ago
Reply to  Milla

And whereI did you get the information?

EProduc
EProduc
3 years ago

Dotter, The mamas, Tusse and Eric Saade. They’re all neck and neck to me. No real standout and they’re all so different. I’m excited to see who’ll win but Dotter definitely deserves it. I adored Bulletproof and I think Little Tot is even better.

Last edited 3 years ago by EProduc
Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago
Reply to  EProduc

Likewise, cheers to Dotter!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  EProduc

Those are my four top contenders as well for Sweden. I will be honest, I’m not expecting the mamas to win again. I think it might come down to dottir, Eric, and tusse. But we could be surprised. I don’t know. I know the fandom is hankering for a dotter because we want to create the pun Dotterdam, but whoever wins tomorrow, let’s try our best to respect the winner even if They are not our first choice. I’ve seen this fandom throw temper tantrum’s when the favorite didn’t win this year and in the past. You don’t have to… Read more »

Bella
Bella
3 years ago

I really like Dotter and I want her to win tomorrow!
But it’s very difficult, Eric has a huge fan base, The Mama’s are last year winner and the song of Dotter isn’t so strong (like Bulletproof last year)
Nevertheless, good luck Dotter and I wish you the best!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago

Let’s hope these changes are for the better, and not a factor in sinking her song

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago

This is awesome!! I can’t to see her improved staging! Still holding out hope for her to win Melo.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

I’m surprised to see changes—but I’m glad. Dotter’s staging needed something more.