Margaux Flavet is the big favorite among betting companies to win this year's "Idol". If she wins the final on TV4 next Saturday, the 16-year-old from Stockholm will also become the youngest Swedish "Idol" winner ever.
In Saturday's semifinal, the artists will, among other things, sing a song to their "heroes". Margaux Flavet has chosen to sing to "all the lonely ones".
Those who have been exposed to being different are my heroes. I've been lonely and bullied for a long time. I've been very sad, she says.
Wants to Help Others
Margaux Flavet was diagnosed with autism when she was 12 years old. At the beginning of the fall, she told about it in a video post on social media. It was important for her to do so, to help others.
I haven't seen anyone else talking about it. There are people who have been really mean to me because of it, and I don't want anyone else to feel bad like I did.
She received a lot of positive response to her post.
Many are probably wondering how you can be such a good artist when you have autism?
Anyone can be a skilled artist. Regardless of whether they have a diagnosis or not. I hope everyone understands that, she says, and adds:
But with autism, you get very into special interests. And for me, it's music. So it's something I just want to get better and better at. So maybe it's an advantage.
A Lot of Facetime
Besides Margaux Flavet, Robin Sohlberg from Gunnarskog in Värmland has sailed up as another public favorite in "Idol". His love for country music shines through in all his interpretations in this year's competition.
But it's been a turbulent fall. His girlfriend Freja has had to commute between Värmland and Stockholm with their four-month-old son Elliot
They've come every Saturday and stayed for a few days, so I've still had family time every week. Then there's been a lot of Facetime.
Now he hopes to be able to focus even more on music, even if he doesn't win. Before "Idol", Robin Sohlberg worked as a scaffolder on construction sites. Will he go back to that?
Not directly on Monday, at least, he says with a laugh.
Right now, I'm on leave of absence. I said I'd come back when it was finished. But I never thought I'd get this far.
Five artists are left in the semifinal of "Idol" on Saturday, when the final spots are at stake. The exact number of those who will advance will be revealed during the program.
Joel Nordenberg, 21, Stockholm.
Leo Tekiel, 22, Uppsala/Luleå.
Margaux Flavet, 16, Stockholm.
Minou Nilsson, 18, Stockholm.
Robin Sohlberg, 23, Arvika.
This week's song theme is 1) My Hero and 2) The Audience's Choice.
Idol is broadcast on Saturdays at 8:00 PM on TV4 Play and TV4.
Autism is described by the National Encyclopedia as a "condition characterized by difficulties with mutual social communication and interaction, as well as limited repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities".
People with autism are more sensitive to sensory stimuli and react more strongly to touch, loud noises, and smells. About one percent of the population has some form of autism, which is an increase compared to earlier, something researchers believe is due to increased awareness of the diagnosis.
