Eurovision 2016 may be going smoothly, but there is definitely some behind-the-scenes tension at the headquarters of SVT. Today SVT announced that it would replace Wiktoria, the runner-up from Melodifestivalen 2016, wih Lisa Ajax, another Melfest 2016 contestant.
Wiktoria’s disqualification comes following her appearance on the Swedish television program Inför ESC, hosted by Christer Björkman. She, along with Helena Paparizou, Oscar Zia and Panetoz member Njol Badije, ranked this year’s Eurovision entries each week, offering their candid appraisals of all the songs.
Anette Helenius, project manager for the Swedish Eurovision broadcast, explained it this way:
“There is no doubt that the opinion of some members of that particular jury panel could have been affected by another jury member’s opinion. That is why we decided to replace Wiktoria with Lisa Ajax.”
The “My Heart Wants Me Dead” hitmaker joins an expert panel of judges for the Swedish jury, which also includes Anton Ewald, one of Melodifestivalen’s most recognisable artists.
Helenius and Björkman handpicked the jurors themselves.
Although Wiktoria’s participation in the Eurovision preview show does not violate the EBU’s rules, Helenius wants to avoid any and all speculation about the Swedish jury being overly influenced beforehand.
Lol, of course no one knows what people will vote for. Even people in Sweden vote differently. Not everyone voted for Australia last year just because we gave them 12. Loo can’t possibly know how Sweden will do, nor can I. We can’t know until we see the final voting how Sweden will do. ESC is only speculation, no facts. “Knowing” what Western countries will vote for is impossible. Last year many Western countries voted a lot on Russia and Eastern countries voted a lot on Sweden and Italy. Western countries might vote for France this year but so might… Read more »
Thank God. She is ranking low almost everybody at this show. I mean, b*tch, you have listened to your own crappy song, that whould not be in the MF final without those visuals and then proceed giving Croatia a 3 ???
Gimme a break.
@Darren
I know, I’m trying not to fight but some people here are really annoying!
To be fair though, she only stated her favourites in video.form. She would most likely have changed her opinion once she saw the live staging, that’s what happened. or you think she would go”No, I already stated these as favourites so I keep them as such even though the performance changed everything?”
Also, very interesting use of the word “tension”. There was hardly any drama behind this decision.
@Georgekirkas
Okay, I’m sorry, it just seems that whenever I visit the site, there is people abusing each other and each other’s countries, yet claiming to be true Eurovision fans, but all the hatred is going against what the contest is actually about. It’s annoying now.
@Darren
You don’t understand because you are not Greek. This person insulted me first, so I had to defend myself. There are so many pathetic people! I guess his parents (if they haven’t abandoned him) haven’t taught him that he has to respect other people’s opinion.
@Georgekirkas
Everyone’s music tastes are different, so songs that you might call “masterpieces” may not be somebody else’s idea of a masterpiece. No need to go and insult people’s intelligence by calling them stupid either. People need to relax and stop taking life so seriously on this website. Jeez!
@John Fow-tan (what a stupid name, it reflects your personality)
I’m not going to sink to your level (which is by the way extremely low). I think you need to look up the world “brilliant” in the dictionary. Otherwise, go have some English lessons. Keep on listening to the silly childish song of Amir, while I’m listening to masterpieces. And please, don’t be a crybaby. “Amir’s song is brilliant”. Ha ha, what a joke!
It doesn’t matter which jury member is that Sweden is going to give 24 points to France for sure. (It’s the same what happened last year with Guy Sebastian). Then, it seems they really are going to high for Australia (I still don’t get it.. I guess Swedes and Aussies connect for some reason, but after the amazing song from last year to see SOF.. a big let down) and also they are going to vote Italy, and rightfully so. (Oscar Zia talking about Italy at Infor, so cute) I don’t know about Russia.. jury might not vote for it… Read more »
yeah Wiktoria replaced by Lisa Ajax, a good choice 🙂 , as Wiktoria already had her favourite France
@georgekirkas (aka tzatzikis)
Amir’s song is brilliant. Get over it. Listen to Sakis Rouvas.
@nikki
I don’t know, I just know that France is her favorite.
@georgekirkas
What was Wiktoria’s top??
Would they replace Bjorkman now? Oh, wait…
I find it awkward – he is the one that will make the Final line-up. Wtf? SVT, stupid much? Don’t ever win again!
So glad about this, she gave a 10 to Australia (it seems to like in Sweden and I don’t get that) and only 3 to Netherlands. I Hope Lisa would have better taste.
YEEEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!
@Wiwi
Never mind 🙂 I see Serbia is up now
Will we be getting reactions to Serbia, Ireland and FYR Macedonia’s rehearsal. I gots to know!!! 🙂 x
@Allen
I hope that it’s not her favorite. Sorry, but this song just can’t be the best. It’s the typical happy-clappy song that is supposed to make us smile… And it does. The problem is that it doesn’t go any further, it doesn’t bring anything special to the contest. There is no message, Amir is not a particularly good performer and it is just there to fill in the room left. It is not a winner in any ways and if this wins, then it’s going to be the worst “winner” ever.
Lisa’s favorite can be France as well… Who knows. I believe she will place Australia high though.
@georgekirkas
LOL, and what makes you think France isn’t Lisa’s favourite? It’s by far the best song this year.
Looks like Ace isn’t interested in Eurovision as the came 3rd, probably they invited her she didn’t accept.
Thats much better. I was surprised she was even on the jury in the first place
Thank God, Wiktoria had France as her favorite. I hope that Lisa has better taste.
Where are article about first rehearsal of Serbia, Ireland. Good decision to change the jury members in Sweden. But EBU mucst change 1 jury members in Australia and one in Germany. First wrote lyricks for Greece song in 2009 and composer of that song is composer of Russia song this year. We read article about one jury members from Australia 2015 http://wiwibloggs.com/2015/05/24/australia-jury-breaches-rules/96351/ and second members from Germany was in jury of Voice of Germany where he judge when Iveta from Armenia participated in same Voice of Germany. Wiwibloggs ask Jon Ola Sand about 1 jury members from Australia and 1… Read more »
Not surprising at all as she revealed her favorites already 😛
fikri, yes, I don’t want any spoilers at Eurovision, but she ranked my favourite high.
However, Wiktoria wasn’t the runner up, she came 4th. But the real runner up, Oscar would have neither been a good jury member as you see. Ace Wilder would have been a better jury member, but Mrs Ajax is a better jury member than Wiktoria
are you guys happy now? 🙁