Close your eyes and take a breather. But when you wake up you may find Aftonbladet has reported eleven new acts for Melodifestivalen 2024.
Such is the case with us. The last time I wrote up a leak back on November 6 the Swedish newspaper was up to 14 confirmed acts, including Maria Sur, Marcus & Martinus and Kim Cesarion.
Well now they’re up to 25, including the most recent leak: “Amazing” hitmaker Danny Saucedo. Let’s take the 11 new acts in turn.
Danny Saucedo
The 37-year-old star has always been a bridesmaid and never the bride. In 2011 he finished as runner-up to Eric Saade with the song “In the Club,” and a year later he finished second again with “Amazing” — this time behind eventual Eurovision winner Loreen.
In 2009 he finished third as part of the band EMD (with “Baby Goodbye”). In 2021 he placed seventh in the final with “Dandi dansa.”
According to Aftonbladet‘s sources, Danny wants to give his career a bit of a boost.
“The shows have gone very well, but the latest songs have not become hits in the same way as a few years ago,” their source says. Another informant makes clear that Danny has gone back and forth with the Mello decision, recognising how it could go wrong.
“He knows that he is gambling by performing in Mello, he has to have a really strong song and make sure to get a hit.”
Elisa Lindström
Elisa Lindström has competed at Melodifestivalen twice before. But both times she crashed out in her heat (with “Casanova” in 2014 and “Den du är” in 2021). She’s currently playing a lead role in a musical called “De’ e’ det här vi kallar kärlek”.
C-Joe
C-Joe — full name Charles Joe Koroma — is among the best known Sierra Leonean artists based in Sweden. He blends reggae dancehall, Afrobeats and R&B in his songs, which include “Friendzone,” “No Other Girl” and “Fire.” His song “Tomato,” which you can play below, is a love song about how far he’ll go for the one he loves.
Gunilla Persson
Gunilla Persson is a 64-year-old former fashion model and TV personality. A few decades ago, she modelled lingerie for La Perla and appeared on the cover of the German edition of Harper’s Bazaar. In the 1980s, she had a small role on the wildly popular soap opera Dallas. Younger Swedes may know her mostly from the reality show Swedish Hollywood Wives and for participating in the celebrity version of The Biggest Loser. You’ll note that she is not known for singing.
According to Aftonbladet, Gunilla will compete with a song about her persona, “The Gunilla”, which has contributed to her cult status on Swedish Hollywood wives.
Her song has reportedly been written by Fredrik Andersson, who wrote Frans’ Eurovision 2016 song “If I Were Sorry”.
Fröken Snusk
Fröken Snusk has a filthy mouth and likes to drop dirty lyrics. So many Swedes are puzzled how she’s landed in a family-friendly show. But the epadunk star has made a big name for herself in recent years with hits like “Ride me as a dala horse” and “Raggarbilar (Warra warra)”. So apparently her star power eclipsed any and all concerns.
She wears a pink balaclava — and plans to do so throughout Melodifestivalen. No one knows who she actually is!
“It will be interesting to see what song she does,” their source says. “SVT are usually sensitive and with her there is usually a lot of sex. At the same time, you want her to do what she is known for, not something half-baked, because the artists who compromise usually don’t succeed.”
“I don’t really know how SVT is going to solve that in a neat way,” another source says. “It will certainly not be uncomplicated.”
Jay Smith
Idol 2010 winner Jay Smith is said to be in the mix. The 42-year-old has stayed out of the limelight since his win, releasing several solo albums and playing with rock bands including Smash Into Pieces. Apparently he wants to leave rock behind him and has re-invented himself as a country music singer
Scarlet
The female hard rock duo was formed in 2018. They toured Europe alongside Smash Into Pieces, who are, of course, said to be in the running at this year’s Melfest.
The newspaper’s source says: “This is something that has never been heard or seen in Mello before, so it will attract attention.”
Albin Tingwall
Albin Tingwall, 20, placed second on Idol’s 18th season.
Jacqline Moss
Jacqline Mossberg Mounkassa — who now goes by Jacqline Moss — also placed second on Idol, back in 2021.
Dear Sara
Sara Nutti, 27, participated on the short-lived X Factor back in 2012.
Chelsea Muco
Chelsea Muco, 26, won the talent competition Next Level and collaborated with acts including Jireel and Gee Dixon.
Melodifestivalen 2024: The reported list so far
- Lasse Stefanz
- Smash Into Pieces
- Dotter
- Liamoo
- Samir & Viktor
- Elecktra
- Cazzi Opeia
- Lisa Ajax
- Marcus & Martinus
- Clara Klingenström
- Adam Woods
- Kim Cesarion
- Medina
- Maria Sur
- Gunilla Persson
- Fröken Snusk
- Jay Smith
- Scarlet
- Albin Tingwall
- Jacqline Moss
- Dear Sara
- Chelsea Muco
- Danny Saucedo
- Elisa Lindström
- C-Joe