Maja Ivarsson has been one of the favorites in what is The Sounds front figure's debut in Melodifestivalen. And she held up to the pressure in the first qualifying round in Luleå when she took one of the direct spots to the final.
Maja Ivarsson has several times emphasized that she is a competitive person. And she doesn't hide that she would have been disappointed if she hadn't made it to the final.
Yes, extremely disappointed, really – I would have been pissed off, she says to TT.
Maja Ivarsson experienced the prolonged suspense moment at the end of the qualifying round when it was between her and Albin Johnsén featuring Pa ("Upp i luften") when it came to either going to the final – or being eliminated.
Somewhere in my stomach, I actually had a really good feeling. Because I did my best number ever today. It was the best when it mattered, says Maja Ivarsson.
How will you celebrate?
I'll call my son, he's waiting. He's turning a year older in two weeks, says Maja Ivarsson.
Fourth time
For the fourth time, the viewers also voted John Lundvik directly to the final in Melodifestivalen.
"Voice of the silent" was a favorite from the start. The betting odds for John Lundvik to advance in the competition were the lowest of all. And the winner from 2019 became the first contribution to take a final spot.
It's such a relief and an incredible joy. I've had super-love from the media this week. I've been a favorite, and it's been pretty tough. Because it has to be translated into the Swedish people voting – it's not a given, says John Lundvik to TT.
How will you celebrate?
There will be champagne and a late night. Maybe some dancing on the tables. I deserve it.
Meira Omar ("Hush hush") finished in third place, who this year goes to the final qualifying round alone, while those who finish in fourth to sixth places are eliminated. This is a change from previous years, when two contributions went to the final qualifying round.
Gunilla Persson and Fröken Snusk
This year's hosts Edvin Törnblom and Keyyo opened the qualifying round in Luleå in grand style. Both Gunilla Persson and Fröken Snusk participated in an expensive opening number and with a script by, among others, Edward af Sillén, they poked fun at several contemporary phenomena.
The hosts have driven with the disqualified Dutch artist Joost Klein from last year's Eurovision Song Contest, Bianca Ingrosso's makeup brand, and the hatred towards drag queens who read fairy tales to children during the first half of the broadcast.
The interval act during the competition was Gällivare success Hooja and Finland's Eurovision favorite Käärijä. Together, they performed their joint single "San Francisco boy". Inside the arena in Luleå, the audience's cheers were so loud when the artists went on stage that you could hardly hear the hosts' presentation.
Direct to the final:
John Lundvik – "Voice of the silent"
Maja Ivarsson – "Kamikaze life"
To the final qualifying round:
Meira Omar – "Hush hush"
Eliminated:
Albin Johnsén featuring Pa – "Upp i luften"
Adrian Macéus – "Vår första gång"
Linnea Henriksson – "Den känslan"
