The Swedish representative has also turned the tables on the Finnish Kääriji. Loreen appreciates Käärijä’s authenticity.
When Loreen won the Swedish Melodifestivalen in the spring with *Tattoo*, she made headlines after bullying a DJ in the after-party in front of the audience. Swedish music professionals don’t need to be asked which artist is the hardest to work with.
In Liverpool, Loreen has lived a completely different life to the other artists taking part in the competition. She is staying in a hotel far from the city centre.
While the other winners take every opportunity to appear in public, Loreen is not seen on the stages of the pre-celebrations. She makes a point of doing interviews and cancels them at short notice.
Loreen is like the party at the top of the polls before the elections. When you don’t make too much noise about yourself, victory seems certain.
A diva now and then
Loreen won Eurovision in 2012 with the song *Euphoria*. It has been voted the best Eurovision of all time in several votes.
Loreen, who will soon turn 40 years old, has been able to take it easy in Liverpool, because she has already been through the five drum once.
– I am very focused and I have been inside my own bubble. The people are lovely and I feel like I’ve connected with them. It makes me happy. I feel like I’m at home.
In interviews, Loreen likes to talk about how she is spiritual as an artist. He takes journalists by the hand, because he wants to connect with people.
– I am an artist who loves nature. My biggest sources of inspiration are nature and people. Through them I create music.
Loreen doesn’t flinch when asked if she’s a diva.
*–* I don’t think I’m a diva in that way because I respect people. But I am very disciplined and take care of my creativity.
– If I have a vision and it is attacked, I will protect it. I can’t stand it if the person I work with doesn’t respect my creativity, my work and my time. I’m a diva now and then, Loreen laughs.
A good stew with the Wrapper
Competing with a beloved neighboring country reminds me of hockey. Now, however, we are in a new kind of situation, when we are struggling in Sweden’s strength area in pop music.
The competitors themselves do not want to create confrontation. Käärijä and Loreen have been seen in good spirits in joint photos and videos.
However, I remember when Loreen saw Käärijä’s performance on video for the first time, she said sourly, what does she want to say with her performance.
Since then, the wind has turned. He radiated Finnish energy already at the pre-party in London.
– People can see what he is made of. I can see that he is a great person. He is clean, honest and genuine.
– As a creator, he is so genuine, so it comes through even live. He has an exciting way of expressing himself.
Loreen doesn’t want to predict how Saturday’s final will go.
– I’m such a bad competitive person. But it will be fun and all the performers have an important role to play. It’s exciting to see how everyone expresses themselves.