Eurovision: Chatting With The Entrants - Alessandra Mele

2022 was a big year for 20-year-old Alessandra Mele. The Norwegian-Italian singer entered The Voice– Norges beste stemme. While she didn't win the competition, it set her on a journey that led to Eurovision. On 4 January 2023, she was announced as one of twenty-one artists appearing on Melodi Grand Prix 2023, where she soared to victory with the anthemic Queen of Kings. Since then, she has turned heads on the international stage with her big voice and pop prowess. Tipped for success in Liverpool, we caught up with her to see how preparations are going.

2023 is turning into a big year for you. Do you have a highlight to date?

For now, it's winning MGP. I knew it could happen; you are only in the final if you could win. I wasn't sure it would happen, but I worked hard for it.

Did you write Queen of Kings with Eurovision in mind?

It was written for MGP. It was part of a songwriting camp at the beginning of September. On the second day of three, we wrote Queen of Kings.

I remember the producer coming up with the melody on the piano and we were writing the lyrics to it. I had this image in my head of an unperfect Goddess with raven hair and raven clothes running in the woods away from the wolves. Then she just became Queen of Kings. I think we managed to represent that image well in the song.

Does the success of the song, add pressure in terms of Eurovision?

I'm just enjoying it. I am an artist working towards being established. I don't find pressure in people liking what I do. That's what I am doing it for.

Queen of Kings has already proven a hit internationally. Has that altered your ambitions?

More than changing my ambition, which has always been to work hard to be an artist, it has just reinforced my hopes for it. I've always worked hard, but now that I've seen what is possible, I have an awareness that I am able to do it.

Who do you see as your biggest competition?

I would say Loreen and Käärijä are the biggest competitors of this year. Eurovision is a competition, but I love them all. We wouldn't ever treat each other as competitors, as we are all just having so much fun being supportive of each other. But if you look at it objectively, those are the biggest competitors.

Have you always been a big fan of Eurovision?

I've never been a hardcore fan. I have always enjoyed watching it and finding out about the best acts. I'd go on YouTube looking for them. But in the village I am from, it is not as normal as here in Norway with MGP. It is like San Remo is bigger than Eurovision where I am from.

Do you have an all-time favourite Eurovision entry?

It's a classic, but I'd say ABBA. They have a special place in my heart. I used to sing ABBA Karaoke on my brother's Playstation. I used have to fight with him to have my turn on his Playstation.



You are one of the fan favourites, are you in it to win it?

I'm working to win, of course. I'm doing what I can do. I am being myself. My ambition is to just spread the message of the song. The message of love, confidence and power. I'm working to win, but I'm humble enough to know that there are others who deserve to. I would be sad if it didn't happen, but I'd be calm in myself, knowing that others do deserve it too.

What can we expect from you on the stage in Liverpool?

In Liverpool you can expect more power. It will be very modern. The costume designer had an image of Queen Elizabeth I modernised into 2023. It's so cool. It's royalty mixed with warrior.

Eurovision aside, what does 2023 have in store for you?

I'm planning on getting out lots of music and making lots of music. I want to maybe tour in the next year. We will see what happens. I just have to see what life has in store for me and my music. I am very calm when it comes to thinking of the future. I can work hard for what I want, but life may have something else in store that is even better.

If you could work with one of the other entrants of Eurovision 2023, who would you choose?

I would work with Marco Mengoni. I'd love to see what would happen. I think we could do something really cool together.