Finland is more than ready to compete in Eurovision 2025 next May in Basel, and they are as bold as ever, with Erika Vikman representing the country with “Ich Komme” at the 69th edition of the show. They promise a sizzling performance next spring, so stay tuned!
Erika competed in Finland’s national selection, UMK, against five other contestants. She received 68 points from the juries, making her their second favorite. However, the public vote turned the tables — Erika earned 362 points, more than 100 points ahead of the runner-up. Just like that, the public’s favorite was crowned the UMK winner.
Finland has won Eurovision once, back in 2006, when the rock band Lordi competed with “Hard Rock Hallelujah.” Now, with Erika being a fan favorite, there’s growing hope that Finland might secure their second victory this year.
Finland at Eurovision 2025: 10 Facts about Erika Vikman
1. She is from Tampere
Erika was born on February 20th in Tampere, a popular city in Finland. She later moved with her family, growing up in Lempäälä — close to her birthplace — and later in Pori.
2. Her mother was a singer too
Her mother, Saija Vikman, was also a Finnish tango singer. This music genre blends traditional Finnish sounds with the Argentine tango. Saija participated in Tangomarkkinat, Finland’s renowned tango competition.
3. She started her career as a tango singer
Now a pop icon, Erika initially followed in her mother’s footsteps, starting her career as a tango singer. As a teenager, she won the girls’ division of the Junior Tango Competition in 2008 and later competed in the Tampere Springboard Competition in 2010. Erika gained more recognition when she finished 7th in the seventh season of the Finnish version of Idols. However, her breakthrough came in 2016 when she won Tangomarkkinat, earning the title of Tango Queen. Following her victory, she signed with Sony Music.
4. Her sister is also a singer
Music seems to run in the Vikman family. Erika’s sister, Jennika Vikman, has also followed in their mother’s and sister’s footsteps, pursuing a career as a singer. In 2024, she competed in the televised show Tähdet, Tähdet and recently she collaborated with James-J on his song “Pehosii.”
5. She is a militant for mental health
Erika has battled anxiety and panic disorder, struggles that became especially difficult around the time of her debut album release, when she moved to Helsinki. The issue was so severe that she experienced panic attacks even while performing on stage. This disorder affected her both in her daily life but also in her career. In an interview with Aamulehti, Erika revealed that her anxiety was so overwhelming she would often order food rather than go to the grocery store. Paradoxically, the pandemic turned out to be a beneficial period for her, offering time to slow down, set boundaries, and prioritize her mental health. Now, Erika says she is the happiest and strongest version of herself — able to fully enjoy her music and performances once again.
6. She is bisexual
Erika identifies as bisexual, a fact she shared publicly in 2020 after ending her four-year relationship with 51-year-old Finnish singer Danny.
7. She loves fashion
Erika is a fashion enthusiast known for her cool, unique, and glamorous style. She has had numerous collaborations, including a jewelry collection with Kultajousi, a fashion partnership with REVOEL, and many others
8. She’s a dog lover
Erika loves pets and is definitely a dog person. She has spoken about how, during her struggles with anxiety and panic disorder, her French bulldog, Peppi, was a constant source of comfort. Living alone at the time, Peppi not only kept her company but also motivated her to get outside and surrounded her with unconditional love.
9. She competed in UMK Before
Erika is no stranger to UMK. She participated in 2020 with ‘Cicciolina,’ a track inspired by the life of Hungarian-Italian actress Ilona Staller, known as Cicciolina. Although she finished as the runner-up, the song gained massive popularity among Eurofans, becoming a true radio hit.
10. She is a friend of Käärijä
Erika and Finland’s 2023 Eurovision contestant, Käärijä, collaborated on the track ‘Ruoska.’ However, their friendship goes beyond just music — they are also close friends in real life. Erika was a guest on Käärijä’s show, sharing the stage with him and Joost Klein (the Netherlands’ 2024 representative), who is also a mutual friend. During this UMK season, Käärijä publicly expressed his support for Erika across all his social media platforms, showing his enthusiasm for her victory.
Come back for more exciting stories and facts about Erika Vikman as national final season continues and we head towards pre-parties and Basel 2025 itself.
