Eurovision: Chatting With The Entrants - Loreen

Loreen is an icon. It is as simple as that.

Not only did she win Eurovision in 2012 with Euphoria, but she took that song and turned it into a global hit that has more than stood the test of time. Although she has previously attempted to return to Eurovision, 2023 proved the year that the stars aligned as she enters the final of the contest as the bookies favourite. We caught up with her to learn more.

Who is Loreen?

Good question, I ask myself that all the time, haha. If you ask my friends, they would say she's a hardworking, sexy, fashionable lady that is the greatest singer in the world. This is at least what I hope they think about me, haha. But if you ask me, I would say I'm a pretty spiritual, calm and nature loving creator.

When did you first discover your passion for music?

As a child, I grew up in a very big family with a lot of things happening. It was my sanctuary, so I usually found space for me to create music. With that I mean, just singing for myself in the bathroom or just finding spaces like the church down in the village. Spaces where I could be alone. But I never thought that I was going to be an artist. I think it was one teacher who heard me after everybody went from school. She told me “maybe you should share that”. And my grandmother told me that, too. “That thing that you're doing all by yourself, maybe it's for sharing”. And it was at that point I realized that maybe it is, maybe I should.

How do you feel about representing Sweden again in Eurovision Song Contest?

I never imagined that Eurovision was going to be my path again. But when the song was sent to me, just the embryo, the demo, I instantly intuitively felt like I'm going to do something with this song. And then they popped the question about Melodifestivalen and I was a back and forth and back and forth. But eventually I felt like whenever I say I'm going to, there is a really positive energy flowing.

So,, it was the song, but it was also the people around me that made me feel like my life was really pointing very clearly at one direction. And now I'm here at Eurovision feeling happier than ever. Which is crazy because I never thought that I would be here again.



What inspired you to enter the competition again?

You. I would say my biggest inspiration is the people. Because I felt people got so happy around me when I said that I might do this again. And that response just became my purpose. I'm like, okay, this is what I'm going to do, and it feels crazy good.

How was it winning Melodifestivalen with Tattoo?

To win with Tattoo in Sweden was overwhelming because it says a little bit about us. You know because my performance with the song has certain values. There's a certain energy that I am sending out. And my performance is all about self-encouragement, hope, positivity, joy, and all these things that balance up. And when it resonates with people, it's just because those feelings exist within them. So, for me, winning in Sweden was overwhelming. I can't describe it with words because it just says everything. It just made me feel so happy to see that the world is not such a shitty place after all.

How was it working with the songwriters behind Tattoo?

The process of making Tattoo was pretty simple. It's funny, cause when you're at the right place, it is simple. I’ve worked with the songwriters many times and they know me very well. So, they know that if they want something really good to happen, they just sit back and relax and let whatever happens, happens. So, I went into the studio and the relationship between me and the song became even stronger. It just flowed. One or two hours later it was done. And it's pretty magical. You know, when you don't let the mind interrupt, you just sing and suddenly you see pictures and everything. It's pretty amazing.