UMK26: Song 1 – Etta – ‘Million Dollar Smile’

Following the reveal of the artists that will compete in Finland’s upcoming Eurovision 2026 selection, Yle has released the first entry of UMK26. Etta will perform ‘Million Dollar Smile’ on the UMK stage in Tampere.

🇫🇮 Etta releases ‘Million Dollar Smile’

Recently, Yle confirmed the names of the seven artists that will participate in UMK26. Last night, Etta was the first artist to release her competing entry. ‘Million Dollar Smile’ showcases Etta’s love of Pop and R’n’B fusion.

“Million dollar smile. That is the smile my mum taught me. The strength that doesn’t fade even if life hits you hard. I want to give my 10-year-old self the moment in the spotlight she deserves. I’m not afraid anymore. I have only passion. And I want to show all Finns who I really am.”

Etta, real name Emmalotta Kanth, shot to fame at the tender age of 10 in Finland’s Talent Suomi. After finishing education, Etta returned to music, releasing her first single ‘Ballerina’ in 2018. Since then Etta has continued touring and releasing two top 10 album’s until the right opportunity to enter UMK finally came together.

The release schedule for the remaining UMK26 acts is as follows:

January 16 – Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius
January 19 – Komiat
January 20 – Sinikka Monte
January 21 – Antti Paalanen
January 22 – CHACHI
January 23 – KIKI

🇫🇮 Final set for February 28

UMK will once again be held over a single show, on the last day of February, on what will be a very packed Super Saturday of five finals (for Norway, Germany, Bulgaria and Italy, alongside Finland) as well as two qualification shows (the last heat of Melodifestivalen in Sweden, and the second semi-final of Portugal’s Festival da Canção).

The show will be held in Nokia Arena in Tampere, and will be used to select the Finnish representative to Eurovision 2026, with a mix of jury (25%) and public (75%) voting.

Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Making their Eurovision debut in 1961 with the entry ‘Valoa Ikkunassa’ by Laila Kinnunen, Finland has not always found life in the contest easy. Finland didn’t have a smooth start at Eurovision, placing last three times in the 1960s. Marion Rung was Finland’s first success, placing 6th in 1973 with ‘Tom Tom Tom’ – this remained as Finland’s best result until 2006.

Before the turn of the millennium, Finland placed last a further five times while they placed in the top ten on only three occasions. Finally, their fortunes changed in 2006 when Lordi won the contest in Athens with ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ – their only victory to this date. Since the revamp to the UMK format the Nordic nation are on a five-year qualification streak and have achieved two top ten results, including runner-up in Liverpool 2023 for Käärijä with, ‘Cha Cha Cha’.

This year it was the turn of Erika Vikman to represent Finland. During the Basel contest, Erika placed 11th and achieved 196 points with, ‘Ich Komme’.