Earlier this month, singer Renaida shared the good news that a cancerous tumour in her neck had been successfully removed. Now fans of the “All the Feels” singer will have even more to celebrate, with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reporting that Renaida will return to Melodifestivalen 2020. Also on the list are returning acts Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron and debuting rap group OVÖ.
Renaida
Renaida Braun came to fame on the 2016 series of Swedish Idol, where she placed sixth. She made her Melodifestivalen debut in 2018 with the dance-pop song “All the Feels”. The song was a fan favourite going into the grand final, where it placed ninth.
Earlier this year Renaida shared with fans that she’d been treated for a malignant tumour in her neck. The operation to remove the tumour was a success and Renaida celebrated that she wouldn’t need any further treatment. It seems that returning to Melodifestivalen is now just what the doctor ordered!
Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron
Both Ellen and Simon have competed at Melfest before, but this is the first time they’ll be performing as a duet.
Ellen Benediktson got her break in 2013 when a stand-in rehearsal video of her singing France’s Eurovision entry “L’enfer et moi” went viral. She made her Mello debut the following year with “Songbird” and followed up in 2015 with “Insomnia”.
Simon Peyron made his Mello debut in the same era. In 2014, he performed as the frontman of the the metal band Outtrigger. Their song “Echo” was written by the team behind the future Eurovision hit “Heroes”. It made it to the andra chansen round before being eliminated.
But with the performers having previously delivered performances in such different solo styles, it’s leaving fans wondering what they would deliver as a duo.
OVÖ
Also reported for the Mello 2020 lineup is the rap duo OVÖ. The group’s name is short for Om Vi Överlever (If we survive) and they are made up of Jaouli “Finess” Akofely and Nickie “Ivory” Osenius. The duo is known for their 2018 single “Zara Larsson”, their ode to the Swedish pop star.
Aftonbladet‘s source notes that hip hop is a huge genre at the moment and the Melodifestivalen team has worked hard to secure a rap act.
Renaida, Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron and OVÖ will be joined at Melodifestivalen by Thorsten Flinck, Anna Bergendahl, Robin Bengtsson, Anis don Demina, Drängarna, Linda Bengtzing, Frida Öhrn, Paul Rey, Albin, Suzi P, The Mamas, Victor Crone, Hanna Ferm, Jakob Karlberg and P4 Nästa wildcard winner Amanda Aasa. Eric Saade and Carola are two acts still being chased by the broadcaster.
SVT is expected to reveal the lucky 28 competing acts of Melodifestivalen 2020 sometime later this month.
What do you think? Are you happy for Renaida? Who else would you like to see in the 2020 lineup? Tell us your thoughts below!
Do you guys even remember Ellen Benediktson post-“Songbird”? “Insomnia” was not anything like that song and she said that style was not her own style but the style they told her to perform in. All of her other releases outside of Melodifestivalen have also been very dark, electronic, and edgy. She will have no problem collaborating with someone like Simon and it seems like a very natural pairing to me. Definitely looking forward to this duo.
renaida needs a disco song to really sizzle on the stage
Renaida is one to watch. I quite don’t understand how she got ranked so low 2 years ago, All the feels was a really good song and the staging was okay. She has an amazing voice and presence ! So excited by these news 🙂
People had all the feels from the her song
Outtrigger were robbed in 2014, that chorus and performance deserved top 5 in the final at least. Ellen was also robbed with Songbird so that duo is by far the most interesting act so far along with Thorsten Flinck and maybe Hanna Ferm
Outtrigger fought against Helena Paparizou in Andra chansen. So they didn’t have a chance there. If they would’ve been against anyone else in Andra chansen, they would’ve got to the final.
Ellen’s Insomnia was robbed! It was amazing and i’m still listening to it <3
Ellen and Simon are giving me winner vibes.
Ellen and Simon is so random that I look forward to it. These kind of bizarre genre mixing duos are always fun to watch!
As for hip hop.. They couldnt get Asmé or Hov1 so they went for the 4th best option:)
Zaena, Panetoz, Mendez, Linus Svenning, Isa, Malou, Sanna Nielsen pls !!
Simon and Ellen are the most random pairing I’ve seen yet. I cannot see where this is going, but I think I am going to like it.
Is there a name Aftonbladet left behind? I have a feeling that half of the list is false. the names coming up this time don’t get me excited.
I heard that only 26.12 they will tell the artist of Mello..but i don’t think so …
now i got time for that ! can’t wait to see her perform again
Outtrigger Simon and Ellen, I will cheer for the victory of this duet. This summer i was thinking about Outtrigger and Magnus, a dream come true
Not exactly a lot of “new talent” this year. Out of the rumoured returnees, I’m not seeing any names that would suggest an entry to be truly excited about could be in the works.
….Hope I’m wrong!
I hope her staff won’t force her to play “cancer card” to get better results. She can do great without tricks
No Ace Wilder and Malou?
Yassss Renaida you go girl! Excited for Ellen Benediktson too, Insomnia was a bop
Exactly