As some of you might remember, last November Knut Anders Sørum (Norway 2004), won the title of Norway’s Ultimate Entertainer. He won this title after going all the way in the tv-show “Battle of the Stars”. One of the songs he performed on his way to victory was Loreen’s “Euphoria”.
Knut Anders performing “Nessun Dorma”
Battle of the Stars
In Battle of the Stars well known singers compete in various musical genres. The winner of the show is the one who handles most of the genres the best. Today NRK revealed the names of this year’s participants, and to the Eurovision/MGP insider there are quite a few familiar names.
Eurovision artists
No less than three former Eurovision artists are taking part; Aleksander Walmann, Didrik Solli Tangen and Benedicte Adrian. Aleksander gave Norway a top 10 finish just three weeks ago, performing “Grab the Moment” with JOWST in Kyiv. Didrik represented Norway with “My Heart is Yours”, finishing in a very disappointing 20th place on home ground in 2010. And who can forget “Lenge leve livet”, the Norwegian entry from 1984? Benedicte is the blond half of Dollie de Luxe, who gave Norway a 17th place, while “skiing” on stage. She also tried her luck in MGP 2012. She performed “Little Bobbi” as part of United, failing to qualify for the final.
Melodi Grand Prix entrants
In addition to the three former Eurovision participants, there are also a handful of Melodi Grand Prix entrants taking part. Gaute Ormåsen participated with “Synk eller svøm” in 2010, but didn’t make it to the final. In 2013 he tried his luck with “Awake”; qualifying for the final, but missing out on Gullfinalen. Erlend Bratland finished second in 2015, his “Thunderstruck” only beaten by Mørland&Debrah Scarlet. In 2016 Makeda performed “Stand Up”, but she didn’t go through to Gullfinalen. Hilde Lyrån was part of the trio Madam Medusa that finished 4th in 1994 with “Casanova”.
MGP related
Ida Maria hasn’t taken part in MGP as a singer, but she co-wrote Ella’s “Mamma Boy” from MGP 2017. Lisa Børud hasn’t participated in MGP herself, but her family has. Lisa is granddaughter of Arnold and Anne-Marie Børud, and her parents are Thomas and Elin Børud. Along with other members of their family they took part in Melodi Grand Prix three times. Their best result came in 1995, when they finished 2nd with “La oss feire livet”, behind Secret Garden’s “Nocturne”. And we all know how that went… The year after they tried their luck wth “Din smittende glede”, finishing 6th. Their latest participation came in 2000, when they finished 7th with “When I Am Looking”.
The only participant in Battle of the Stars who is not in any way connected to MGP/Eurovision is Adam Douglas. Originally from Oklahoma, he has released several albums, and now lives in Oslo with his Norwegian wife.
So, which of these singers do you think is the most likely to win this season of Battle of the Stars and become Norway’s Ultimate Entertainer 2017?
Knut Anders’ winning performance from Battle of the Stars 2016
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