Earlier in the week, it was rumoured that Christer Björkman would host Melodifestivalen 2021 with a selection of guest co-hosts. Now the rumour has been confirmed. SVT have revealed that the Mello boss will host the show joined by Lena Philipsson, Oscar Zia, Anis Don Demina, Jason Diakité, Per Andersson, Shirley Clamp, Måns Zelmerlöw and Shima Niavarani.
The lineup was confirmed today by the Swedish broadcaster.
The wait is over! We are proud to present the hosts of Melfest 2021! ?
Show 1: Lena Philipsson
Show 2: Oscar Zia & Anis Don Demina
Show 3: Jason Diakité
Show 4: Per Andersson
2nd Chance: Shirley Clamp
The Finale: Måns Zelmerlöw & Shima Niavarani
All shows: Christer Björkman pic.twitter.com/eyGVJxnmx7— Melodifestivalen (en) (@melfest_en) January 5, 2021
Björkman will helm all six Melodifestivalen 2021 shows, in honour of the 20th Melodifestivalen under his guidance and the last Melodifestivalen before he steps down from his involvement. He said he was honoured to be asked — and he knows exactly what’s being expected of him:
“It was an incredible honour to get the question so I felt that I just had to say yes. But after 20 years with the project, I also know what it is I have agreed to, so it is with horror mixed with delight and great respect that I step into the program.”
Melodifestivalen 2021 hosts
The hosts of Melodifestivalen 2021 represent a vast range of Swedish talent, with both familiar faces from Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, as well as stars who are new to Mello.
- Semi-final 1: Lena Philipsson
- Semi-final 2: Oscar Zia & Anis Don Demina
- Semi-final 3: Jason Diakité
- Semi-final 4: Per Andersson
- Andra chansen: Shirley Clamp
- Grand final: Måns Zelmerlöw & Shima Niavarani
- All shows: Christer Björkman
The first show will be co-hosted by Lena Philipsson — also known as Lena Ph. The singer already has a place in the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame, having previously competed three times before in the 1980s. She’s also hosted Melodifestivalen three times — in 2000, 2003 and as the solo host in 2006. Ph said, “It will be fun to be a host and I look forward to much-needed glitter and glamour.”
The second semi-final will be co-hosted by Oscar Zia & Anis Don Demina. Oscar Zia will be familiar to Melfest fans for his previous entries, including 2016 runner-up entry “Human”. But he also has experience hosting entertainment shows, having presented the awards show Rockbjörnen in 2015 and 2016. Of his new gig, Oscar said “I am fantastically happy for this assignment, it has always been a dream to host the Melodifestivalen. As a bonus, I got to know Anis as well.”
Anis Don Demina has competed at Melodifestivalen twice before, and made an impact last year with his grand final song “Vem e som oss”. While he has no prior hosting experience, he is enthusiastic about his Mello 2021 role. He said, “Every time I have been to Melodifestivalen, I have always thought ‘Damn, it would be so cool to host Mello’ and now I’m here – AJALLA!”
New to the world of Melodifestivalen, the award-winning Swedish musician and writer Jason Diakité will host semi-final three. He’s also known as Timbuktu and is a successful rap and reggae artist. He said hosting the show, “will be exciting, even if Melodifestivalen for me is completely unknown ground. Glad I don’t have to compete though!”
The fourth semi will be co-hosted by the comedic actor Per Andersson. He’s an established entertainer and has brought comedic interval acts to previous editions of Melodifestivalen. “I have called, I have voted, I have screamed and rejoiced with Melodifestivalen since childhood. I have paused a few times, but to be able to take part in the circus and step right into the middle of the middle ground feels nervous and super fun!”
The andra chansen contest will be co-hosted by Shirley Clamp. The legendary performer has competed at Melodifestivalen many times before, both with others and as as a solo artist. In 2009, she also served as one of the Swedish commentators for Eurovision. She said, “It will be fantastic fun to experience Mello from this direction and extra fun to be able to host andra chansen where everything started for me in 2004. A very honourable assignment.”
Måns Zelmerlzöw and Shima Niavarani will present Melfest grand final
Måns will be very familiar to Eurovision fans, having won Eurovision 2015 and co-hosted Eurovision 2016. He’s also competed in Melodifestivalen three times and co-hosted in 2010. The “Heroes” singer said, “I am so insanely excited about being back in hosting on the Melodifestivalen stage! It felt natural to say yes when it’s Christer’s last year and Shima and I promise to do everything we can to make it a fantastic final!”
Shima Niavarani is another Melfest newcomer. The multitalented actress, presenter, playwright, director, singer and songwriter said, “I am expectant, honoured and nervous about leading the final with Christer and Måns. We will do our utmost to give viewers something that everyone can gather around. A community, a campfire in the form of entertainment. That’s the best I know.”
Melodifestivalen 2021 begins in just over one month, on Saturday 6 February. This year due to Covid precautions, Melfest will be held without a live audience and all six shows will be broadcast from the Annex venue in Stockholm.
What do you think of the Melodifestivalen 2021 hosts line-up? What else would you like to see in the show this year? Tell us your thoughts below!
It’s a lovely send off for him. I hope the shows are a good testament to his legacy. Love or loathe him, he’s been a titan of ESC and especially MelFest.
Christer Björkman….again…. But why????
I love Anis.
Thank god Shirley Clamp is back. She should have represented Sweden in the past. Great choice
yeah she is great, In 2004 she almost won. In 2005 she should have won.
Nanne should have won in 2005.
Aww.. and here was I hoping that Måns and Per would do the grand final together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMz4KIdLOTg&ab_channel=MrNaroj
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rletYAdBndM&ab_channel=Theboxen21
It’ll be nice to se a host with a bit of authority. Like back in the day (2008, 2009, etc.) when the presenter could act as a centerpiece to build a show around, rather than just an afterthought to fit into an already predetermined format. Shima and Måns in the final signals an ambition to aim for credibility. Perhaps fitting in these somewhat somber times.
I actually think all hosts between 2017- 2020 were pale. They sort of just were there to fill the space rather than build a show. As you say when Lena Ph, Luuk and Petra Mede hosted the show was built around their brand. Last time SVT did this was 2012 when the female trio hosted..
That is a line up, well done SVT!
Only issue is Per Andersson. Of all comedians they went with the most hysterical and annoying one.
Timbuktu and Melodifestivalen is a combo I’d never thought would ever happen. Also melfest really fumbled the bag by not letting Per and Måns host together.
Do we get an update information from Mr. Björkman about the American Song Contest? In December 2020 the broadcaster should be announced that will host that show in the U.S. – but no new informations came up on this.
Where were you 2020? maybe you missed the whole pandemic situation…