As we get closer to the start of Melodifestivalen, SVT has made an announcement that another artist will be joining the hosting line-up. Swedish singer and actress Pernilla Wahlgren will host the fourth Semi-Final of Melodifestivalen with Per Andersson.
Some news for ya’ll! The hosts still had one more surprise for you. You didn’t think we would release them all at once did you 🙊 Pernilla Wahlgren is joining Per Andersson in show no 4! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2NFt6C4LwJ
— Melodifestivalen (en) (@melfest_en) January 11, 2021
Taken part in numerous editions of Melodifestivalen
Pernilla has taken part in the competition a total of five times. She made her first appearance in the competition in 1985 with the song ‘Piccadilly Circus’ which placed fourth overall. Since then, she has appeared in 1991, 2003, and 2010.
Her latest Melodifestivalen appearance was in 2013, as part of ‘Swedish House Wives’ with the song ‘On Top Of The World’, which placed sixth in its Semi-Final.
Melodifestivalen 2021
This year’s Melodifestivalen is due to commence shortly, with all shows to take place in Stockholm. Christer Bjorkman will be hosting the show, alongside numerous artists.
- February 6 – Semi-Final 1
- February 13 – Semi-Final 2
- February 20 – Semi-Final 3
- February 27 – Semi-Final 4
- March 6 – Second Chance
- March 13 – Final
The 28 artists competing in this year’s edition has been revealed, with previous Eurovision and Melodifestivalen artists taking part. SVT is due to reveal the Semi-Final line-up on Wednesday.
Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest
Sweden has participated in the contest 59 times since its debut in 1958. They have missed only three contests since their debut (1964, 1970 and 1976). Since 1959, the Swedish entry has been chosen through Melodifestivalen. In 1997, Sweden was one of the first five countries to adopt televoting, and have continued to innovate the technology behind the contest whenever they host.
Sweden is one of the most successful countries at the contest, winning six contests so far. Notably, their wins span their participation history; their victories span five decades with ABBA (1974), Herreys (1984), Carola (1991), Charlotte Nilsson (1999), Loreen (2012) and Måns Zelmerlöw (2015). They currently have the second-highest number of wins, behind Ireland’s seven.
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