Men are favorites – despite female dominance

For the first time since 2009, there are more female than male finalists in Melodifestivalen. Despite this, three men are tipped as favourites. We should send a woman on International Women's Day, says Maja Ivarsson.

» Published: March 06 2025

Men are favorites – despite female dominance
Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

Twelve entries are competing in Saturday's final. Seven of them are performed by female artists, five by men.

However, according to the betting companies' lists of who is tipped to win the competition, veteran Måns Zelmerlöw is at the top, followed by sauna gang Kaj, who in turn is followed by Greczula.

A little change is due, says Maja Ivarsson.

She thinks that Sweden has sent too many polished pop numbers to Eurovision and that the audience is ready to see something new.

It should be me, Meira or Scarlet who goes to Basel. It's time we send a different type of artist. And we should send a woman, on International Women's Day.

At 45 years old, she is also the oldest finalist, something she sees as an advantage.

I only get better with age, like a red wine. And I don't get as nervous, like many others do, she says.

"Perfect in Eurovision"

Scarlet themselves also think that their own number belongs in Eurovision.

We stand out in Melodifestivalen, but the entry fits perfectly in Eurovision. It's our greatest strength.

Scarlet participated in the last qualifying round and feels that it can be positive, despite having had little time to polish their performance before Saturday.

The fact that we've had a short time has probably been good. We never lost focus, we're still in the feeling from last week.

One who has had more time to polish their performance is Klara Hammarström. Time she has spent on updating her stage clothes.

If it's the final, then it is. I've polished all the details I can, including the clothes.

Breaking the pattern

She has been a finalist twice before and landed in sixth place both times. Now she hopes to break the pattern.

I always want to do better. Now I'm aiming as high as I can and hope it goes well, she says.

She describes the competition as tough, considering that the entries are so different.

The biggest threat may be the one you don't expect to be a threat. There are several numbers that aren't talked about as much that could surprise, she says.

When Meira Omar participated in the qualifying round in Luleå, a cameraman accidentally fell off the stage, which affected the TV images of her performance.

It's clear that SVT has taken measures to ensure it doesn't happen again. We've moved the number back a bit on the stage so there's more margin. Now I feel like we have control.

John Lundvik – "Voice of the silent"

Dolly Style – "Yihaa"

Greczula – "Believe me"

Klara Hammarström – "On and on and on"

Scarlet – "Sweet n' psycho"

Erik Segerstedt – "Show me what love is"

Maja Ivarsson – "Kamikaze life"

Meira Omar – "Hush hush"

Måns Zelmerlöw – "Revolution"

Saga Ludvigsson – "Hate you so much"

Annika Wickihalder – "Life again"

Kaj – "Bara bada bastu"

Tags

TT News AgencyT
By TT News Agency - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT News Agency

More news

Tarik Saleh's "Eagles of the
3 MIN READ

Tarik Saleh's "Eagles of the Republic" Competes for Cannes' Top Prize

Celebrated Swedish Author Carl-Göran Ekerwald
1 MIN READ

Celebrated Swedish Author Carl-Göran Ekerwald Dies at 101

Patti Smith's New Memoir Angels'
1 MIN READ

Patti Smith's New Memoir Angels' Bread Explores Her Formative Years

Watch Live: Historic Relocation of
1 MIN READ

Watch Live: Historic Relocation of Sweden's Most Beautiful Church

Director James Toback Ordered to
1 MIN READ

Director James Toback Ordered to Pay 16 Billion in Assault Case

Rami Malek Embraces Outsider Roles
3 MIN READ

Rami Malek Embraces Outsider Roles in New Thriller The Amateur

Johan Persson Wins 2025 Slangbellan
1 MIN READ

Johan Persson Wins 2025 Slangbellan for Children's Literature

Damn Guys Takes the Stage:
1 MIN READ

Damn Guys Takes the Stage: Shanti Roney Stars in Stockholm Monologue

The Last of Us Renewed
1 MIN READ

The Last of Us Renewed for Season 3 Ahead of Season 2 Premiere

Miss Snusk Replaced by New
1 MIN READ

Miss Snusk Replaced by New Artist at Grebbestad Live Festival

Swedish Ministry Not Involved in
1 MIN READ

Swedish Ministry Not Involved in Maryam Moghaddam's Legal Case

Thomas Pynchon Returns with New
1 MIN READ

Thomas Pynchon Returns with New Novel After 12-Year Hiatus

Library Association Sues Trump Administration
1 MIN READ

Library Association Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Cuts

Ernst Billgren Reimagines Karl XII
3 MIN READ

Ernst Billgren Reimagines Karl XII at Stockholm's National Museum

Gustav Lindh Stars in Hamlet
3 MIN READ

Gustav Lindh Stars in Hamlet as Dramaten Faces Stage Closure

Europe and Rival Sons Rock
1 MIN READ

Europe and Rival Sons Rock Gärdet in Stockholm This June

Falstaff Scholarship Prize Boosts to
1 MIN READ

Falstaff Scholarship Prize Boosts to 500,000 Kronor for Directors

Michael Moore Collects Over 1000
1 MIN READ

Michael Moore Collects Over 1000 Trump Portraits for Art Exhibition

Anette Alsing Reflects on Husband
2 MIN READ

Anette Alsing Reflects on Husband Adam's Final Days and Her Journey Forward

Sanna Nielsen and Robin Paulsson
1 MIN READ

Sanna Nielsen and Robin Paulsson Reunite for Festive Christmas Show

New Crime Thrillers and More:
3 MIN READ

New Crime Thrillers and More: This Week's Must-See Films and Series

TV Personality Nassim Al Fakir
1 MIN READ

TV Personality Nassim Al Fakir Revives Beloved Gnuttarna at Gröna Lund

Arcade Fire's New Album Pink
1 MIN READ

Arcade Fire's New Album Pink Elephant Drops This May

Solvej Balle Advances to Final
1 MIN READ

Solvej Balle Advances to Final Round for International Booker Prize

Werner Herzog Honored with Golden
1 MIN READ

Werner Herzog Honored with Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival

Kids Choose Their Favorite Books
1 MIN READ

Kids Choose Their Favorite Books in Sweden's Great Book Vote

Hotel Årjäng Cancels New Fröken
2 MIN READ

Hotel Årjäng Cancels New Fröken Snusk Concert Over Authenticity Concerns

Tom Cruise Brings Mission Impossible
1 MIN READ

Tom Cruise Brings Mission Impossible Premiere to Cannes Film Festival

Pete Best, Former Beatles Drummer,
1 MIN READ

Pete Best, Former Beatles Drummer, Retires from Music at 83

Sweden's Museum of Technology Wins
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Museum of Technology Wins Prestigious 2025 Award

Oslo Unveils New Memorial Honoring
1 MIN READ

Oslo Unveils New Memorial Honoring Victims of 2011 Attacks

Robbie Williams Reveals Scurvy Battle
2 MIN READ

Robbie Williams Reveals Scurvy Battle After Extreme Dieting

Paul Schrader Denies Harassment Allegations
2 MIN READ

Paul Schrader Denies Harassment Allegations in Open Letter

Renovation Duo Returns to Sicily
1 MIN READ

Renovation Duo Returns to Sicily for New TV Series on Kanal 5

Marianne Jean-Baptiste Reunites with Mike
3 MIN READ

Marianne Jean-Baptiste Reunites with Mike Leigh in Hard Truths

Alex Schulman Directs First Film
1 MIN READ

Alex Schulman Directs First Film Arkipelag with Star-Studded Cast

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Podcast Trio Launches New Book on Swedish Military History

Stephen King's Lida Thrills on
4 MIN READ

Stephen King's Lida Thrills on Stage This Fall at Riksteatern

Madonna and Elton John Reconcile
2 MIN READ

Madonna and Elton John Reconcile After Longstanding Feud

Festival Drops New Miss Snusk
1 MIN READ

Festival Drops New Miss Snusk Over Concerns of Authenticity