They’re two of our favourite personalities from the world of Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, and have reminded us all that Sweden’s got talent. So it’s more than appropriate that noted singer and TV personality Sarah Dawn Finer and screenwriter and director Edward af Sillén have joined the judging panel of Talang — the Swedish version of the Got Talent franchise. They’ll join YouTuber and socialite Bianca Ingrosso and comedian David Batra.
Sarah has proven her skills on stage repeatedly, competing at Melfest in 2007 and 2009. Her 2009 song “Moving On” was the most-played song on Swedish radio in 2009. She also famously brought the character Lynda Woodruff to life during Eurovision 2013 and 2016.
“I am very excited to be a part of the Talang family as a new jury member,” she said in the official release from TV4. “As a real entertainment nerd, and practitioner in many parts of the profession, since I was basically a child, it will be so fun to meet, together with my new colleagues, be touched and surprised by Sweden’s unknown talents. There will probably be both tears and laughter and everything in between.”
Edward, who created the Lynda Woodruff character, has worked on Eurovision as a director, commentator and screenwriter. He famously co-wrote and directed the “Love, Love, Peace, Peace” interval, which our readers regard as the best interval of the past decade. But he’s done plenty outside of Melodifestivalen and Eurovision. Among other things, he directed the 2019 film En del av mitt hjärta and the Swedish production of The Witches of Eastwick at Cirkus in Stockholm.
He said: “What I personally love the most is to be entertained and in Talang, all the country’s hidden talents get a chance to show off. I am as curious as I am expectant and I hope to be able to contribute with an experienced directing eye and with enthusiasm for broad entertainment.”
Bianca Ingrosso returns for a third season on the panel. Besides the TV show stage, she has seen plenty of talent walking around her house. Her mother is Pernilla Wahlgren, the iconic Swedish actress who has competed in Melodifestivalen five times. Her most recent effort came in 2013 as part of the Swedish House Wives (alongside Jenny Silver and Hanna Hedlund) with “On Top of the World”. Bianca’s brother is, of course, Eurovision 2018 star Benjamin Ingrosso (“Dance You Off”).
Will you be tuning in to Taleng 2021? Are you excited by the judging line up? Let us know down below!
Ooh, here she is, the spokesperson for the EBU, Lynda Woodruff! ??
Also, Bianca Ingrosso took part in the Swedish NF for jESC in 2006 and finished second, behind Molly Sandén.