With each passing day, Melodifestivalen 2023 gets that little bit closer. While we wait, SVT is helping satisfy our Melfest craving by drip-feeding new information about next year’s contest. And now the broadcaster has revealed the two hosts who will lead the shows — Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi.
Jesper and Farah will guide viewers over six weeks as Sweden decides who should represent them at Eurovision 2023.
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Meldodifestivalen 2023 hosts
Farah Abadi
Melfest fans will recognise Farah Abadi as the presenter was Oscar Zia’s sidekick for Melodifestivalen 2022. Farah followed the competing artists from the announcement of their participation until the live final, eventually handing Cornelia Jakobs with the winner’s trophy. She will do the same in 2023, giving us an insight into the journey each act goes on.
Farah’s first involvement with Eurovision was in 2016, when she was a reporter for the Swedish pre-show Studio Eurovision. She has since undertaken a number of presenting roles for both TV and radio. Abadi currently features in SVT’s live Friday entertainment show 1 mot Sverige, and can be heard on the Sveriges Radio P4 programme Världens Barn.
“It feels so incredibly fun to be part of Melodifestivalen again. And think that I will have funny, sharp and wonderful Jesper Rönndahl by my side – what an honour. The fact that the whole of Sweden’s party is also rolling out on tour again makes me a little extra expectant. This will be super fun.”, notes Farah in a press release.
Jesper Rönndahl
This will be Jesper Rönndahl’s first Mello experience. But the Swedish audience are well acquainted with the comedian’s TV and radio appearances. Jesper has featured in satirical series Svenska Nyheter, comedy programme Dips, game show På spåret and more.
“This is the biggest TV show I’ve done, and of course it’s thrilling. I haven’t exactly distinguished myself as a music guy, so my role is probably more to keep track of everything – and to be funny. Or, I think they have thought so anyway? In any case, it feels incredibly safe and happy and fun to be allowed to have Farah by my side.”, says Jesper Rönndahl.
Speaking about the choice of Melodifestivalen 2023 hosts, project manager Anders Wistbacka commented:
“As a new project manager for Melodifestivalen, it is wonderful to start with two fantastic presenters. Farah has done it before and will create great security with her warmth and commitment. And Jesper will add humor with his special glimpse and subtle personality. I hope viewers look forward to this hosting duo as much as I do!”
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Melodifestivalen 2023 sees the return of the Melfest tour, where the show is broadcast from a different Swedish city each week. The tour had previously been cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19 safety precautions, with all shows instead held in Stockholm.
Here’s where we can expect next year’s contest to travel to:
- Heat 1: Gothenburg – 4 February 2023
- Heat 2: Linköping – 11 February 2023
- Heat 3: Lidköping – 18 February 2023
- Heat 4: Malmö – 25 February 2023
- Semi-final: Örnsköldsvik – 4 March 2023
- Grand final: Stockholm – 11 March 2023
Are you happy to see Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi as the Melodifestivalen 2023 hosts? Has the announcement got you excited for next year’s contest? Let us know in the comments below.
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Ohhh I love them both as hosts! I love Jesper in “Svenska nyheter” and Farah is fantastic as always. This will be great!
Does anybody know if SVT will finally held a live presentation of the artists again? Like in all the years before 2020 (before covid)?
I asked them about this on Messenger and they replied that it will probably be like how it was before the pandemic
THANK YOU
I love both individually. Together it can only be good. Looking forward now;)
It’s a nice comment all in all, but ending it with a “;)” -smiley gives it such a different vibe