In February Viktor and Samir went straight to the Melodifestivalen final from semifinal two in Gothenburg. And since then the duo have been riding a wave of momentum in Sweden, with their dance track “Shuffla” topping the “Sweden Top 50” Spotify list. Their YouTube video is currently the second-most viewed of all Melfest acts on YouTube with 1.2 million views. That’s behind only Margaret and “In My Cabana”, which has 1.8 million views and no doubt benefits from viewership in her native Poland.

With only two days remaining before the big final in Friends Arena, Viktor says that he doesn’t want to win. Representing Sweden at Eurovision simply won’t fit in to his already tight schedule.

That’s right. His statement comes following yesterday’s news that he’ll compete on Let’s Dance, the wildly popular show from broadcaster TV4. It premieres on March 23, only two weeks after the Melodifestivalen final. Doing his “Shuffla” at Eurovision — and on the show — would be a lot to handle.

Viktor tells the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that if they win, his schedule would be impossible to cope with. “We hope that we don’t win” he says.

Straight after the press meeting with TV4 Viktor headed to Friends Arena to rehearse for the final on Saturday.

“It’s very hectic. We are so tired, I have just been at the press meeting and now I’m here at Friends Arena. I sleep very deeply — it has become very easy for me to fall asleep I can tell you. I get back home sleep, wake up, go to dance rehearsal and then rehearse for the final on Saturday. I don’t even see the sun.”

Viktor isn’t just participating in two of Sweden’s biggest TV shows. He also says that he and Samir will do the world’s biggest tour next week. Regardless of their result at Melfest, they will do 11 performances in 11 different cities over three days.

Viktor also says that the double booking of the two shows has affected his preparations for the Melodifestivalen final. “I’ve done everything we have been booked for, we still attend our song lessons, but not as much as we should have,” he says.

What if Viktor and Samir win Melodifestivalen?

“If we were to win I don’t think I could compete in Let’s Dance, it would never work”.

What would happen then?

“What could happen? I could be sued and fined a million Swedish kronor.”

Anika Beclijevski, executive producer on TV4 tells Aftonbladet they would “try to find the best solution.”

Jon Henrik Fjällgren, a Melfest star of 2015 and 2017, will also compete in the show.

SPOTIFY SWEDEN TOP 50 CHART POSITIONS (MARCH 8)

Felix Sandman (#2)
Mendez (#4)
Viktor & Samir (#5)
Benjamin Ingrosso (#7)
Margaret (#10)
Liamoo (#12)
Rolandz (#15)
Mariette (#19)
John Lundvik (#24)
Jessica Andersson (#30)
Reneida (#33)
Martin Almgren (#43)

UPDATE: 11.50 CET

Viktor has since clarified matters on Instagram.

He suggests that Aftonbladet mischaracterised his comments, though he doesn’t deny that he made them.

Perhaps he misspoke. Now it seems his responses are being guided by pr…

“I feel great! You should not believe everything you read in newspapers and the media. I will be ready for both Melodifestivalen and Lets Dance. Understand that the media want to angle and make it sound like I’m completely endangered and straight ahead into the wall haha .. But I’ve learned that with the right diet, sleep and good friends around it you can do everything! I have always been a warrior and I have decided that it’s going to go, it’s going to be! Then, of course, I and Samir want to go to Eurovision! But because our song is in Swedish, I think the international jury is voting another song for winners, but of course we will win for you!”

Read more Melodifestivalen news

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Jose
Jose
6 years ago

This song is better than the previous years but not for eurovision, for MF is ok, and if they don’t want to win… =/
I would prefer Mariette, Jessica or liamoo to win, mendez too because I am from chile like him hehe xD good song but unfortunately his live vocals aren’t very good.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

Then why did they bother to submit a song for MF?

Seems like the chances of S&V finishing DEAD LAST AGAIN have gone WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY UP, now that Viktor has opened up his big mouth!

They got no jury points the last time they competed (2016). What are the chances that the public will not give them enough votes to earn a single point in the televote column? They should withdraw and not waste everybody’s time.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

I know they’re just being humble but seriously a lot of ppl voted for them in Melfest…

Sokratis Lakrindis
Sokratis Lakrindis
6 years ago

Please… he’s highly aware they’d never survive the jury vote. It’s an empty threat. A good top 5 placing for them is as high as they can expect

Ffs
Ffs
6 years ago

Cupid Stunt queen

Nyko
Nyko
6 years ago

Only in Sweden their National Selection is bigger than the Song Contest itself. I mean, I have a feeling most of the artist want rather win MelFest than to represent Sweden at ESC. Margaret f.ex. said that she doesn’t want to win Melfest because she does not want to sing for Eurovision ever again. She just competes to step into the Swedish music market.

Even the final of Melodifestivalen is in a bigger arena than the arenas of Malmö 2013 or Globen arena 2016.

Malin
Malin
6 years ago
Reply to  Nyko

I totaly agree. Some have esc as a goal, but not the majority. A place in the final is a platform and many of the artist who compeet more than one time also do that because of the opportunity to deliver a performance whith help from the best in sweden. Best cameramen, best stage, etc. They are all winners.

Fabio
Fabio
6 years ago
Reply to  Malin

Shame MF doesn’t have the best artists too. It only gets the worst acts all over the country…

eurovision6
eurovision6
6 years ago

Viktor is just being ironic lol even if they are pretty stupid and gullible S&V know themselves that they wont win and this is just a joke

Karl
Karl
6 years ago

This is so so pathetic. Then don’t compete.

Malin
Malin
6 years ago
Reply to  Karl

Well many of the artists participate for other reasons than to win the melfest. Samir och Viktor win in other ways.

guadalupe
guadalupe
6 years ago

It seems the tabloid doesn’t want S&V to win.
I hope they will win, or Felix.

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago

Don’t worry, you will never win this or another year!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Bigger newsflash: Jon Henrik Fjällgren is going to be in Let’s Dance.
How exactly is that going to work? XD

esc1234
esc1234
6 years ago

oh, its more important to dance on a charity show than to be watched by 200 milion people…. what is he smoking? LoL

Ann
Ann
6 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

He said it’s because he can be sued…

Branko
Branko
6 years ago
Reply to  Ann

Didn’t he know before he signed contracts for Dancing show that he also could be in Lisbon, ESC? Does he have a brain or a good manager?

Nick B
Nick B
6 years ago
Reply to  Branko

To be honest, i don’t even know how to get a manager. That’s sad but true.

Isa
Isa
6 years ago

Great song! 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

They aren’t singing in English and they don’t have led screens, the international juries won’t vote for them unfortunately

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Neither will Swedes. At least not top score.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Viktor (and/or management) is perhaps being really smart here. He knew the tabloids would stir something up, and that it would generate more interest in the song. Tick. What’s more, he’s ready to comfort fans on social media. Tick. And even if he doesn’t win MelFest, he has a huge TV deal ahead in Sweden. Tick. That’s what I call “all boxes ticked”. He can’t go wrong, whatever happens.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago

Fake news or not
Tobias is hot
And he should continue to write
Posts here even if thet aren’t right.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

But they wont win or come close to winning so he shouldn’t worry.

diana
diana
6 years ago

Issa joke people! If they do win melfest, I’m pretty sure they will still compete in Eurovision despite him at lets dance.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

Honestly, if that is fake news, this is reflecting badly on wiwibloggs. I was under the impression that I can take the news that are being published as truthful, as the owner of this site seems to be a very good journalist. In Austria, we have a so-called newspaper that invents entire interviews. I would never publish information solely based on articles from such publications. At least add some question marks.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

?????
There ya go. 🙂

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

That’s what I like about you. You’re always so helpful. 😛

Dan
Dan
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

I don’t think its just Aftonbladet at fault. I suspect some of the artists in the final are willingly going along with these “news” articles to stir up some interest. Aftonbladet has an article today about Benjamin Ingrosso where someone “accidentally” uploaded a nude photo of him onto his Instagram account.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan

I love Sweden. 🙂
Cough, I mean, poor Benjamin! That’s an awful thing to do to him.

Jerome
Jerome
6 years ago

As soon as I saw the “A” word, I stopped reading the article.
DON’T BUY INTO SWEDISH TABLOID TOMFOOLERY!!!

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Come on, Viktor! It’s nice to be humble, but sort out your priorities, man! Your song has a good shot at winning Melfest, don’t blow it up!

Milla
Milla
6 years ago

They will find a solution. I’m sure. But he don’t expect to win I think.

John Lundvik is 3rd with the odds right now. Wasn’t Robin Bengtsson 3rd before the final last year?! I hope he doesn’t win! But there are signs..
I’m fine with Benjamin, Liamoo, Felix or S&V. S&V would be just fun without any expectations of a good result in Eurovision though. John would become a new Anna Bergendahl I think.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Milla

It is his turn, right? 😉
His song is nice, even if not a standout. Anna 2.0 is an option, though. Not as locked as it would be if Martin wins, but it is an option, for sure.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago
Reply to  Milla

No
He won’t win. He would come bottom 6 in televote and some of his jury points will go Martin’s way!
But it’s not a null probability.
Except for Mendez, Rolandz, Margaret, Jessica, Martin, Renaida all can possibly win.

So it’s highly likely we will still have a male winner and I’d agree with the odds in saying it’s likely to be one of Benjamin, Felix or liamoo

Aria
Aria
6 years ago
Reply to  Milla

Also lundvik is 4th.

Leah
Leah
6 years ago

Is this clickbaiting or do you just don’t know better? This is what Aftonbladet wrote. Viktor corrected their story on his instagram account (check his story and his latest post). Even though I don’t speak Swedish I got the word “fake news” and that he definitely wants to go to Eurovision with Samir. He just thinks that the juries will not vote for an English song (what we can’t blame him for since it’s what most people here think as well), but they still go for the win. Maybe somebody who speaks Swedish can check his instagram for his full… Read more »

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Leah

In the case, shame on the editor of this article. I suppose that’s what happens when you consider Aftonbladet as journalism.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

* in that case

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Leah

To be fair, Tobias does source Aftonbladet in his article correctly, from a technical perspective. If the Swedish newspaper is publishing “fake news”, that is hardly Tobias’ fault alone. However, if you have a genuine complaint about it, e-mail wiwibloggs.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

But isn’t this tabloid known for inventing things? A serious journalist always checks.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Because my day job away from music is in the media, I know there are differing professional viewpoints for and against the verification of sources. I also know that “fake news” is a really hot topic right now that we won’t be able to solve on a comments board. I’m not saying “give up discussing it”, but I know that this topic is much bigger and complex than it appears, because I work in that industry. You may or may not realise that the founder of this blog, William Lee Adams, is a highly respected journalist outside of the Eurovision… Read more »

Leah
Leah
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

It makes sense, thank you for giving us an insight in the business. I still don’t like this method though. It’s good that at least they have added the instagram statement now, but the headline of the article is still the same even though it is clearly stated as being wrong now. Isn’t that clickbaiting? That being said I know about and highly respect the work of William Lee Adams, and in general I fully enjoy Wiwibloggs. In this case I just can’t agree on their method.

Leah
Leah
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I agree with both of you. Yes, it is Aftonbladet that mainly has to be blamed. Yes, you should definitely check it again, especially when citing a tabloid.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Leah

Indeed. I see both sides as well.

Leah
Leah
6 years ago
Reply to  Leah

* do you just not know better

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Leah

N.B. The article above has since been updated to include the Instagram post.

Leah
Leah
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Yes, that was necessary. In case anyone was wondering why I used the harsh phrase “fake news” even though it’s not in the instagram post: Viktor used it in his instagram “story”, which is available only for 24 hours.

Margaret
Margaret
6 years ago

OMG speaking of Melfest- San Marino’s representative Jenifer stole Margaret’s ‘Cool Me Down’ on her album in late 2016 and palmed it off as her own song- look here!! spread it so everyone/Margaret can see!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeELdhydlkk

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Margaret

We’ve been hearing about a lot of plagiarism accusations so far but this is really, over the top plagiarism. I’m shocked. I guess it wasn’t a very clever move for Jenifer to join Eurovision selections and enter under the radar of many Eurovision fans. There was no way this could stay hidden.

Aaron
Aaron
6 years ago

That is such an an arsey thing to say.

Now my 12th place from the final.

Like it’s ESC SJGNMKGDNKJSDSNJK

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

lol I like him. You gotta get your prioritites straight. 😛 Hypothetically, if they were to win, they could decline going to Eurovision and give the opportunity to the runner-up. Or does it breach the rules of the Swedish national final, if a participant refuses to go to Eurovision?

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

* priorities

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Actually it’s only the song that wins. SVT can change performer if they want to.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Samir & Rolandz when.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

Polyna, I highly appreciatte your idea, LMAO.