Today SVT revealed who will be hosting Eurovision in Malmö. And we are ready for an extraordinary Eurovision experience, as the 68th Eurovision Song Contest is set to be steered by none other than the iconic duo of Hollywood star Malin Åkerman and the fabulous Eurovision-veteran Petra Mede!
Brace yourselves for the thrill as they take the stage to lead the live broadcasts from the vibrant city of Malmö on 7, 9, and 11 May.
Petra Mede, Sweden’s cherished television host and comedian extraordinaire, is no stranger to the spotlight. With a remarkable hosting record that includes Melodifestivalen, the QX-gala, Guldbaggegalan, and her own Petra Mede Show on TV3, she’s all set to bring her unparalleled charm to the Eurovision stage once again.
Petra previously stole hearts as the host of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, earning international acclaim for her stellar performance. In 2016, she made a triumphant return alongside Måns Zelmerlöw, treating us to the uproarious and unforgettable interval act, Love, Love, Peace, Peace.
Imagine getting the chance to host Eurovision once again! It’s such an incredible honor. After first hosting it alone and then together with the delightful Måns Zelmerlöw by my side, I am now really looking forward to working with Malin. We don’t know each other from before, but we have met a couple of times now, and I’m already completely sold. It’s going to be a joy to work with her!
Petra Mede, host of Eurovision 2024
Malin Åkerman, the Swedish actress who has risen to fame in Hollywood, is used to performing on both stage and screen. Though Eurovision will be a whole new scene for her:
I can’t really describe my feelings about this. I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way. I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true. Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I’ve ever met.
Malin Åkerman, host of Eurovision 2024
Malin has acted alongside big names like Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and the Rock, and she has appeared in TV series and movies like Entourage and Watchmen.
We’re bubbling with anticipation to witness the magic, that Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede will conjure up for us in Malmö! Get ready for a spectacle like never before!
Are you excited about the hosts this year? What do you think we’ll have in store for the Eurovision shows? Let us know in the comments below.
I love Petra <3
Am I the only one not getting the big whoop about Petra?
Not that she’s a bad host, I just can’t see what’s so exceptional about her. My biggest problem with her is her inability to go off script, which is relevant when hosting a live show. Her interaction with the spokespeople was quite unpleasant in 2013 and 2016 due to her stiff disposition.
Yes, you are.
Petra Mede is:
-Funny
-Drop dead gorgeous
-Fluent in both English AND French
-Elegant
-Knowledgeable about Eurovision
-A well know and respected name
Do I need to keep going, or do you see why we like her?
As far as her interactions with the spokespeople, please name ANY host who made it look organic and natural.
Totally agree with you Maya, as you’ll see from my comment below, I really really like her but she is SO scripted. IMO, there’s been far better presenters and much more natural.
She’s a comedian. She made sassy comments covered up in politeness. Very funny. Maybe you didn’t realise. She had so many sarcastic comments talking with spokespeople.
Zero sass detected.
if Måns doesn’t show up in any way. The world will end
Here we go again
First, I love that two women will host Eurovision
Second, Petra was my first choice
Third, I’m not gonna lie…I would like Petra-Loreen duo. Loreen is so good with live audience, she has charisma. I hope Malin is comfartable with live audience
Loreen is weird as hell
It’ s called an introvert. Many of us are
Good on SVT for giving us our dose of Petra Mede. I hope she’ll be nearly as good as 2016.
I loved Petra in 2013 but less so in 2016 where I think she let the attention inflate her ego slightly too much.
I had hoped for Gina who was great in MelFest a few years ago.
Can we please somehow get Lill Lindfors back on the stage. Probably the most iconic Eurovision presenter of all time and still going strong in her 80s. Still performing and looking great. A guest appearance maybe?
I agree Davie. There’s always such a hype around Petra, and rarely do we hear the fans mention Lill. I’m my opinion, Lill was FAR superior to Petra : she is the original hosting icon!
Lill and Petra are fantastic, each one in their own ways.
I do agree that it would be awesome to have Lill on stage once again! Hope SVT does it.
Last night at the QX Gala in Stockholm they had 3 of the female Eurovision presenters out on stage at the same time: Karin Falck (1975), Lill Lindfors (1985) and Petra. Oh and Måns was also there, but as a singer 🙂
Malin isn’t really known for her Swedish skills, as her family moved to Canada when she was 3. Odd choice.
She doesn’t need to speak Swedish to host. Any ESC fan would know that.
But she speaks it, seeing how she just acted in a Swedish movie.
And her dad lives outside Malmö
She has been in two films in Swedish!!!
Petra is becoming the Katie Boyle of our time;-)
Again?
Why?
Why???
Because she is f*****g iconic, a queen, best host ever and many fans want her back.
Do we need further reasons?
Periot
I honestly really lived Petra in 2013 & 2016, but I think she sounded so very scripted both times. Yes she was funny, warm and charming but she was far from my favourite host. Mind you I’ve been a fan since the late 70’s and my favourite presenters came from the bygone years. My very favourite is Lill Lindfors closely followed by Denise Fabre, Viktor Lazlo & Mary Kennedy – Lill was hilarious and Denise, Viktor & Mary just so classy – mind you the presenters role was so very different back then. 1985 was the game changer in my… Read more »
Loved not lived – typo, soz! X
1985? Seems Sweden knows how to host
They sure do : this will be their 7th hosting. I think they’ve done a Sterling job each time except 1992 : those presenters were dreadful : especially Harald, he looked as if he’d rather be elsewhere. Did he actually smile during the show?
I didn’t think we would get Petra back, but I’m proven wrong. Hopefully she’s just as good as the last two times.
Same producer, script writer and now Petra returning? An entirely fresh team would have been more interesting. But obviously in the minority on thinking that judging by the reaction.
Why change a winning team? I loved both 2013 and 2016 and dont mind another repeat of the same high quality. Looking at Melodifestivalen where they keep chanting presenters every year there is huge variation from one year to the next… not all are great at all… so sticking to one that we know is fantastic is just a great idea. And EBU loves familiarity obviously and I am sure that having Petra Mede for a 3rd time is greatly welcommed.
Things have moved on in eight years, please not another song and dance interval or self-indulgent jokes.
Normally I would agree with the idea of having a new production team but ESC 2016 seemed so perfect to me that I will never complain of having such an experimented team again.
I would love to see Gina Dirawi to co-host with Petra Mede, but I guess her palestinian roots would be too much to handle for EBU.
It’s not very common for people to have hosted both the semifinal allocation draw and Eurovision. Other than the Dutch Hosts, I can’t think of any other occasion where we had the same hosts for both events.
Youre confusing Gina Dirawi with Farah Abadi.
Tel Aviv
Lisbon 2018 and Tel Aviv 2019 were also hosted by the upcoming ESC hosts (after they were already declared).
She WAS probably in the talks to co-host, it was probably decided that she and Petra was going to host BUT the dilemma SVT got into is that Gina is Palestinian…that would make the choice VERY controversial even though Gina is professional and would not make any political statements on ESC, SVT don’t want to take that risk probably…
And it is very sad because Gina would do a Petra all over again, she is an incredible host. Farrah is not as good to be honest so glad they did not choose her.
That’s discrimination, and I doubt that’s how it played out.
How convenient to just assume it’s because she’s Palestinian… Give me a break
This generation always goes back to those things instead of all other possible reasons
She is not a host anymore. She left the business a few years ago.
As for her roots, no one would have a problem with it
Well maybe one country….
Well thats their problem then..
The country to which you’re alluding would have no problem with it unless it affects her conduct as a host.
It is good news, and you know they are going to come up with something great again, to follow Swedish Smorgasbord & Love Love Peace Peace
Feels like a trilogy thats finally going to be completed now. SVT is for sure doing a better job than James Cameron with his Avatar movies and George RR Martin and his Game of Thrones books. LOL!!!
This is the best possible news. Petra is iconic, Malin is new and exciting and, most importantly, no Måns!
I would’ve wanted someone new, rather than Petra. Sure she does it well, but wouldn’t be better to give a chance for other upcoming hosts too? Seems like it’s 2013/2016 again.
Downvote me all you want, but I’m disappointed by this news. Petra is a great presenter, absolutely no question about that, but to see a fresh face would have been nice. Plus, diminishing returns, it just gets boring if you see the same person host every couple of years.
Oh, and the last time a US-based actress hosted was when Maria Menounos hosted in 2006, and she was terrible, one of the worst presenters of the 21st century. Hopefully Malin will do much better.
I also feel for various Swedish presenters, who must be wondering if they’ll ever get their chance to host the big show.
Don’t forget Daniela Ruah! From Boston. Star of NCIS Los Angeles.
She wasn’t too bad, but it really should have been Filomena at the forefront.
Duh! How could I have forgotten her…I thought she was very good. 2018 should just have been Daniela and Filomena…Catarina and Silvia were superfluous.
Almost every eurofan wanted her back. When you do such a good job , why not to come back. Also SVT knows what is doing don’t worry , they wouldn’t choose Malin if she wasn’t good
Their dream would’ve been one of the Skarsgård brothers though if they were looking for a Hollywood star that is…
I doubt SVT signed Petra because “almost every euro fan wanted her back.” They decided she was the most suitable person for the role. Host broadcasters don’t make decisions to please the fans.
Sure. But fans played a role for sure. Just look how the esc social media team has handled the announcement.
Eurovision turning into “Groundhog Day”.
Petra is a powerhouse. I would really love to see Farah Abadi next to Petra, she is so talented and they would be an amazing duo. I feel though that Farah will be in the Green Room of ESC. Vad kul!
Måns is a good host, so I wouldn’t mind if he was also featured in the show. All I care for is that he wouldn’t sing his bland song “Heroes”.
Petra should host every year
I’M SO HAPPY!!! YEAHI PETRA!!!
The best hosts have all been female: Petra, Chantal and Hannah. The worst ones have all been female too: the 2015 trio and the Aliyev one in 2012. If ever there will be a Eurovision game of thrones, it should be presented by Petra, Chantal and Hannah.
Anke too
4 is too much.
Hannah has to go in that case
I liked Hannah better than Anke. What they have in common is that they were better than their co-hosts. Judith was just boring imo.
Hannah was under-utilized. She’s a musical theatre star, but never sang. She could have done a better Love Love Peace Peace than Petra. Look at what she did when she hosted the Olivier Awards, some of that would have been nice. https://youtu.be/vkul44BkVMU?si=IMpobM6ribEqn5O1
PS. Judith who? I genuinely forgot she existed.
my point exactly.
That wasn’t on her, though. They felt like they needed to add a Ukrainian (who hopefully did Jamala proud with her “Ukrainian English”, whatever she meant by that) and then they felt like they needed to add Graham. They could have just skipped him and then Hannah would’ve had plenty of time.
Maybe next time, Glasgow 2025
We can only hope. Glasgows my nearest city!
I’m lucky enough to have seen Hannah sing on the West End stage…”it was long ago”, well, 2007. At that point, she was already a West End star but unknown outside of theatre circles. Considering how she only came to many people’s attention in 2023, she really is the definition of “It takes years to become an overnight success”
I hope to see her someday!
Chantal? I genuinely wonder what makes you like her. Please do explain. I think she’s one of the worst presenters, in and out of Eurovision, ever. Boring, unspontaneous, full of herself.
Happy that Petra Mede is back, definitely my favourite Eurovision host!
I thought the lads were pretty good in 2014, 2017 and 2019. Especially Assi Azar. You could tell he had the contest in his heart.
2014 and 2017 I liked as well. I don’t like predators though, no matter what they have in their heart. Terrible choice. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-01-06/ty-article/israeli-tv-star-and-eurovision-co-host-assi-azar-accused-of-sexual-assault/0000017f-f5f0-d460-afff-fff6391a0000
You liked Chantal? I thought she was as stiff as a board with the personality of a postage stamp! One of the worst hosts this century
Yyyaaaaaayyy!!!!! Petra is back!!!!!!!! She’s pretty much the only good and not boring host!!!! With filomena cautela… For me those two are the only iconic ones…. I was hoping for that since the Victory anouncement last year!!
Nikki Tutorials is also up there as one of the most vibrant and charismatic hosts of recent editions. Chantal Janzen of the same year also really held her own.
Oh and Hannah Waddingham and Graham of course. So to say most of them were boring is quite false lol. But Petra remains iconic indeed.
Graham wasn’t really THAT good. He showed up for the final, and was mostly overshadowed by the others.
And he ostensibly hated the crowd cheering for Finland.
Norton doesn’t know how to work a crowd. Hannah who was the one who managed to stop the resistance.
Hated crowd. How come??
He seemed busy doing two separate jobs which was a logistic nightmare if I say so myself. One eye commentating for the UK and another eye on everyone else!
Hannah’s good but even in the UK a large number of people hate Mr Norton
Is that true? I’ve never heard a lot of hate for Norton.
I doubt it is true, except for maybe hardcore conservative types
And Barry Gibb
Petra: Icon, legend, queen! She’s the best thing about Sweden winning Eurovision, Already prepared for Petra in Stockholm 2029 and Gothenburg 2033
I don’t care if sweden gets disqualified or not, aslong as Petra is the host i am happy haha she should be the one popping up each year in all the other ESC host cities and not Måns haha
What a great news! Petra is back and it’s definitely a sign that I will enjoy the show whatever the level of this year will be.
?
I don’t know much about Malin Åkerman but I remember her from the TV show Suburgatory. I loved this show, it was so absurd. But she appears like 3 times in it.
Off topic, how wonderful to see the 1988 winner make a triumphant return at the Grammys last night.
Ah ah ah lol took me a few seconds to do the matching… Yes indeed.
I was expecting Petra, I was not expecting Malin. With Christer and Edward back offscreen, it was fairly obvious that the 2013/16 formula was making a return. I’m happy, because I love Ms. Mede, but also sad because it would have been nice to give someone else this big chance.
Well, they did give someone else a chance aka Malin Åkerman, while at the same times listening to the MANY fans request of Petra Mede returning.
Which should make everyone satisfied…Party for everybody 🙂
I meant an actual professional television presenter, not an American actor.
Swedish actor
Swedish actor AND American actor. She has dual citizenship.
She is actually Canadian
Raised there, but never got Canadian citizenship. She has US citizenship. I believe.
Source, Wiki
Well yes, but you only mentioned American. She has Swedish citizenship since birth (being born in Sweden to Swedish parents) and American citizenship since 2018. Feels weird to just call her American then
Couldn’t agree more…so many Swedish television personalities, like Farah, must be wondering if they’ll ever get a chance.
I say this again and again, but the fans who demand Petra hosts every year (regardless of location) would be bored of her by year 3.
I really thought it wouldn’t be Petra this time…she is no longer with SVT (admittedly not a major factor but something to consider), but she has back issues and had a baby fairly recently.
She had a baby shortly before thee 2013 contest.
True, but having a baby at 51 would take quite a toll I imagine. Like us all, she was much younger in 2013.
I am glad it’s her again but without him. I don’t know the Hollywood star but nothing can really go wrong with Petra there.
OMG, this made my day! I cant wait now!
The Romanian Television not participate this year in Eurovision Song Contest: “To Not let Gays Get Outside The Country. Again!”, President TVR!!!!
92 days til the final!
Petra Mede IS Eurovision.
That’s wrong, she is actually a human. Eurovision is a song contest in Europe.
LOL
Ferrari Fish: Oh, come on, it was a way to say it -don’t take it literally, don’t be that serious…
Lol Don t know if she d be happy to learn she d be born in 1956 but…… She definitly is lol (eurovision that is)
Is Malin Akerman a household name in Sweden? Her not being one doesn’t mean she won’t be a great host I’m just wondering if she’s big, as some might recognise her in the US or pin her to something like 27 Dresses or The Heartbreak Kid, but she’s by no means a household name.
Of Course we swedish people know our hollywood stars like Dolph Lundgren, all the Skarsgårds (father and sons), Rebecka Ferguson, Alicia Vikander etc and Malin. She is on swedish cinema movies once in a while. Right now with this movie on the cinemas https://youtu.be/aX7pSQJix0k?si=7uyGuJhJZHAJOKty
A movie written by Edward af Sillen – Who also is a friend. So not a huge surprise 🙂
She is known but not super famous.
She was raised in Canada, and is a US citizen, where she is based. Her Swedish heritage is kinda unimportant.
Her first Swedish speaking part was in 2019, in a jukebox musical of Tomas Ledin… who represented Sweden in 1980. I’ll take that as a credential.
How is not important?
What heritage? She is Swedish through and through. She visit Sweden every summer and her father lives just outside Malmö
I just mean unimportant in terms of her abilities to do the job. If you’re good, you’re good!
What blood you have should not matter. I don’t care how Swedish she is or isn’t, I’d just prefer someone who has paid their dues in the local industry. It kinda seems like she is skipping the queue over people like Farah because she happens to be friends with Edward af Sillén.
Although I suppose it’s fair if he is the one writing the script he is a good judge of who it would suit and who would be suited to it.
“It’s not WHAT you know, it’s WHO you know”
She is not skipping, she was asked to do it and said yes. Maybe Farah did not want to do it, who knows
Point is she has something that SVT is willing to work with. She might not have hosting experience, that’s perhaps why Petra was brought in to help. But maybe she has a natural charm that works in her favour
I glad it isn’t Farah. I feel like she is everywhere on SVT atm. I like her but she has been used by SVT as a presenter in a lot of shows the last few years. I happy that Petra is back because she is experienced and funny. And I’m glad that we get a new face that I haven’t seen in every SVT production the last couple of years. What I have heard about Malin is really positive.
Petra!!!
Nice 🙂
Really pleased it’s Petra she was a brilliant host the last twice, although I thought she was much funnier on her own the first time playing with the audience. She is up there with Hannah Waddingham as my faves
Two good news!
Petra is back and Mans is not back!
YES TO ONLY WOMEN HOSTING
A Dream!!! Petra Mede Is Hands Down The Best ESC Host Of All Time! Can’t Wait!
Here’s a wild thought – why not have Will Ferrell do a recorded video-sketch as an interval act?
He’s not Swedish, but his wife is, and they spend the summer in Sweden every year. Plus he’s already proven his love for Eurovision…
I think his wife patents live near Malmö actually!
That would be very funny! I hope they do!
She has made the best hosts during the last decade.
Absolutely!
YEES for Petra! Thank you SVT for this wonderful choice! Måns would’ve been a nice addition as well, but we’ve seen him so much throughout the years that I’m kinda happy he’s not hosting. Still extremely happy for Petra 😀
As someone who’s been following Malin for so many years I’m so excited for this!!! Well played SVT!
Boring I Would Rather A New Host Or Swedish To Just WithDraw , They Are Not Welcome To The Eurowisjie With Their Crap Any More .
Too good for you?
Putin, is that you?
Can you speak properly?
You aren’t the majority of the contest. Stop saying they are not welcomed, because it’s a lie
yeah who cares about irrelevant mediocre Malin Akerman, and unfunny Petra Mede
Petra is the best host ever!
“This is the way”(lol)…
I’m mostly glad we’re finally back to 2 hosts
3-4 was just too much… At least personally, I’d make it to the grand final without knowing their names
Best of luck for both of them 🙂
Yeah, especially when they shout a lot “à la JESC”. Petra knows how to do it!!!
So pleased to see Petra back. Good choice.
PETRA! YAAASSSSSS!
What’s the record for the most amount of times one person has hosted Eurovision?
4 Katie Boyle UK 1960, 1963, 1968, 1974 year ABBA won.
So Petra will have that record beaten before 2030 😉
Petra is the new Katie!!!
I just calculated that since Sweden’s first win in 1974 we have had on average around 8 years between wins. So if that continues the next win will be around 2031 and the one after that in 2039. So, no I don’t think Petra will beat Katie Boyle’s record.