Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, we had the chance to talk to Loreen from Sweden at Eurovision In Concert in Amsterdam.
We spoke to Loreen about her experience in Melodifestivalen, how she reacted when she first heard “Tattoo”, and even her very long nails. You can watch the full interview here:
Check out our other interviews with the artists of Eurovision 2023 here.
Who is Loreen?
Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui, better known as Loreen, was born on October 16 1983 in Stockholm to Moroccan Berber parents. Early in her life, she moved to Västerås in central Sweden and grew up there.
In 2012, Loreen competed in Melodifestivalen again with “Euphoria”. She qualified directly to the final and eventually won, earning the right to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2012. She went on to win Eurovision 2012 as well, giving Sweden their fifth win overall and first win since 1999.
“Euphoria” broke the record for the most sets of 12 points received under the old voting system, with 18 sets. “Euphoria” also went on to top the charts in numerous countries, including Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland and Switzerland. It also reached number 3 in the United Kingdom, the highest position for any Eurovision song since “Hold Me Now”, the winning entry of Eurovision 1987. In October of that year, Loreen released her debut album “Heal”, which was certified platinum in Sweden.
Image Source: SVT/Alma Bengtsson
Sweden debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contest’s most successful countries. The country has won the contest six times, the most recent being in 2015. Sweden’s first victory came in 1974 when ABBA won the contest in Brighton with “Waterloo”. Since missing out on the final in 2010, Sweden has gone on to finish 3rd twice and has won the contest twice. Only in 2013 and 2021 did the country place outside of the top 10 in the final.
