Between giant wood crates and tied-up dancers, Finland’s Käärijä has found his place on Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena’s stage as he prepares to perform “Cha Cha Cha” in Eurovision 2023 semi-final one. After his second rehearsal, we caught up with the fan favourite at the LUSH Liverpool Lounge.
He dished on his Eurovision stage show and the possibilities of Finland hosting Eurovision 2024.
Finland’s Käärijä “Cha Cha Cha” — Interview after Eurovision 2023 second rehearsal
Käärijä met with our very own William Lee Adams to go over his assessment of the rehearsal. Outside of some headpiece issues that his team is fixing, the performer expressed satisfaction with the run.
The singer also expressed his excitement about working on a bigger scale than before, his small set-up from the national final now a large literal crate on the stage he has to climb out and around. It hasn’t been an easy transition, with a dancer getting slightly injured in the routine, but his confidence levels have reached new levels, on and off-stage.
“I want the people to feel freedom, and that I hope people love their own body. All can do that.” He comments about his trademark shirtless looks.
We asked him if he felt the overall energy changing after the overwhelmingly positive reception and talks of a possible victory, to which he replied that his outlook has not changed. “It’s about doing my best.”
Finally, we asked him about where we could go in 2024 if he does end up winning. “Tampere. Helsinki does not have a space right now, and Tampere is really nice.”
What do you think? Could Käärijä cement his status as a frontrunner after the semifinal? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
You will win with a knockout
I love this guy. He is so very positive. I like everything about his personality (except his hair and the costume he wears on stage which makes him look so much like a dwarf). He makes the song what it is. Sung by somebody else the song would not have had such an impact. So if he does win I wouldn’t be disappointed, even though the song on its own merits is nothing really great. But having said that, is Finland trying its utmost to win the contest as other countries have done in the past by some sort of… Read more »
William shouldn’t have asked or speculate these kind of questions about winning!
Words!!!
he cant sing at all and he looks like a clown
you look like a clown with that ratio
He’s a rap artist! You need to go with Your stupid comments to another posts!
Yeah, I hope he wins!
Adorable, I love him
I’m thinking the floor fight for points on both sides of the board is actually going to be between Finland and Spain. Käärijä is my #2 and Blanca is my #1. Watch out for Mimicat (my #3) if she puts on a good show.
Glad to see little prople finally getting exposure on ESC. About freaking time!
loreen talhaoui ukrainian stan i.m
I wouldn’t be mad if Käärijä won, but my heart is with Loreen, La Zarra, and Blanca Paloma.
I’m sure Tampere is really nice, but it’s still no Madrid or Lyon, is it now…
he ain’t winning, this song has no jury appeal at all
Sweden, France, Israel, Italy, and maybe Ukraine who i think will be doing well now
Austria hmmm not hugely impressed by their staging but the song is a bop so could still have top 10 potential but not sure
Australia could also do well
Good luck to Finland. Go for it !!
Oh wow, he’s such a likeable person, I didn’t expect that. Nice, humble and down to earth. Now I like him even more. If Andrew Lambrou acted like a cold and posh superstar in his interview, Käärijä was completely opposite. I love it, you can feel how warm he is.
He will only win if Russia invade Finland next week.
WHAT?!
Stupid!
I am seriously wondering about how and why such commnet gets written…what goes on insode ome’s head. I woukld really like to know.
Clean up your mouth, thank you!
Unfortunately he is not winning
Imagine the comments if Loreen said that she’s gonna win eurovision..
Read the article, he never said that. He only said he’d choose Tampere when being asked where he’d host ESC, should he win.
When did Käärijä say he’s gonna win? At least not in this interview.
Reading with understanding seems to be challenging for some people.
Don’t dare to think, how much hate comments will be?
Why she is in tht competition then? She’d like to win like others too.
If Finland winn ESC this year, i will never see ESC again
Good
Can’t make that promise – BUT I totally AGREE!
And if you also promise to stop littering ESC comment section it will give me extra boost to cheer for Finland 😉
Put the shirt on when off stage, Karijja – that’s my advice!
sorry karen but no
Maybe he likes to free his nipples! Why not I want to say
That’s the main point for the Käärijä -character