Pop group A-Teens is competing in the first round in Linköping with “Iconic.” The band reunited in Melodifestivalen 2024, when they were the middle act.
It was the first thing we did together in 20 years and it was incredibly fun, says Marie Serneholt.
“Right song”
The quartet has been asked to compete many times before, says Sara Lumholdt:
"For us it was important that it was the right song. When this one came up, it was clear that we couldn't say no," she says.
When Felicia competed in 2024 it was as Miss Snusk, now it will be under her own name. The former Miss will participate in the second round, in Gothenburg, just like last time.
"It feels incredible. I've come out of something I wasn't comfortable with and now I'm really myself, and that makes me really happy," she says.
Singing in the shower
Manoel Marques Lerin has become a "Junior" with the entire Swedish people in recent years. After participating in "Let's dance" and the Vasaloppet challenge "Against all odds", it is now time to become even more popular.
I want to invite myself to the Swedish people and offer warmth, emotion and joy.
Junior's nails are painted blue and yellow and he wears a yellow suit, but in the competition itself, the Swedish colors may be swapped for Brazilian rhythms. The song he is competing with is called "Copacabana Boy".
When I heard the song, I recognized myself and thought, I have to do this, it suits me perfectly. I've mostly sung in the shower and when I'm cooking, and now I'm going to sing on – oh my god! – the biggest stage in Sweden!
Are you a fan of Melodifestivalen yourself?
I watch a bit, but my husband, Lars, is the one who checks in the most. I usually cook, but sometimes I sneak in and ask how things are going.
“No old credentials”
It's hard to find a bigger fan of Melodifestivalen than Sanna Nielsen. She has competed seven times before – the last time she was also the winner with "Undo".
But that was twelve years ago. At the time, I felt like this was a closed chapter, but when I got to perform my medley last year for the Hall of Fame induction, I felt like it was really fun.
Do you feel performance anxiety about standing as a previous winner?
No, you can't live on old achievements your whole life. You also have to dare to jump. Melodifestivalen has meant so much to me so I just want to give back. Plus, I have a real happy pill for a song and come in with good energy.
Sara Haldert/TT
Mikael Forsell/TT
Ann Edliden/TT
Facts: They are competing in Melodifestivalen 2026
TT
Round 1, Linköping 31/1
"Beautiful lie" with Indra
“Drunken Words” with Noll2
"Copacabana boy" with Junior Lerin
"Half of me" with Greczula
"Iconic" with A-Teens
"Woman" with Jacqueline
Round 2, Gothenburg 7/2
"Where the whole world awaits" with Klara Almström
"Glitter" with Arwin
"Honey honey" with Robin Bengtsson
Felicia with "My system"
"Oxygen" with Laila Adèle
"Straight into the fire" with Brandsta City Fire Extinguishers
Round 3, Kristianstad 14/2
"Ain't today" with Saga Ludvigsson
"Dusk till dawn" with Patrik Jean
"Nothing" with Emilia Pantic
"King of rock 'n' roll" with Crossed
"Selfish" with Eva Jumatate
"Long live love" with Medina
Round 4, Malmö 21/2
"Dooset Daram" with Meira Omar
"Eternity" with Cimberly
"From the country" with Erika Jonsson
"Hate that I love you" with Felix Manu
"Hollow" with Smash Into Pieces
"Nothing is after us" with Timo Räisänen
Round 5, Sundsvall 28/2
"Delulu" with Lilla Al-Fadji
"Hearts don't lie" with Vilhelm Buchaus
"Far from everyone else" with Juliett
"Tongue tied" with Alexa
"Waste your love" with Sanna Nielsen
"Who you are" with Bladë
The final will be held in Stockholm on March 7.
