This Saturday, Melodifestivalen continues with the Heat 3 of the selection, where 7 participants will perform. We had the opportunity to talk with Melanie Wehbe about her participation in the contest and her Eurovision experience for Denmark 2019 and Sweden 2020.

Hello Melanie Wehbe and thank you for taking your time for ESCBubble! First of all, how was your reaction when you heard you will be at Melodifestivalen 2023?
Hi ESCBubble and thanks for having this interview with me 🙂 I was so surprised when I found out that I was one of the contestants of Melodifestivalen 2023 and I remember being so so happy but in total chock in the beginning, LOL! I love my song so much and I can’t waaaaait to perform it for you all soon!

We know you as a composer from many Melodifestivalen songs, like “Victorious”, “Tears Run Dry”, “Rich” and of course the winning song from 2020 “Move”. What made you decide to compete this year, but this time with the spotlight on you?
Since I wrote my first song when I was 14 I started developing my character as a performer. For the last 10 years circumstances drove me to be known mostly as a composer but with the release of my debut-EP ”BLOOM” last year it made me realize how much I missed being a storyteller. Last year taught me a lot, especially the importance of prioritizing yourself. The stars aligned, the timing arrived and in three weeks I’m going to tell you my story, ”For The Show”.

This year you’re in a competition with yourself, having two songs in the race, the one you’re performing (“For the Show”) and “All My Life (Where Have You Been)” sung by Wiktoria. How does it feel?
Exciting xD I love both songs!

Your song for Melodifestivalen 2023 is called “For the Show”, could you tell us what it is about, what’s the message behind it?
For The Show – is about self-acceptance, blooming and breaking free from other peoples judgement. Leave behind the facade for the show. The song could definitely be the 7th track on my EP and the viewers will really get to know me as an artist.

We are very excited about your performance in Melodifestivalen, but could you tell us what can we expect from it? What have you prepared?
The only thing I can tell you is that it’s going to be mighty. (!!)

I want to know what the process behind a song looks like, where does your inspiration come from and how do you decide if one of your songs is a good option for a competition?
Every song has a different process to be honest, sometimes I record a melody on my phone, other times it starts with a phrase or a title in my head. My inspiration comes from life itself, the experiences, the good and the bad times I’ve been through in life. Interesting question!! Hmm..I think the answer is, when I can visualize a live performance of a song I know it could work in a competition like Melodifestivalen. I remember when we wrote Move by The Mamas, we immediately knew it was a perfect match, it’s just a gut feeling. Hard to explain you just know it.

You are familiar with the Eurovision, being behind Denmark’s entry from 2019 “Love is Forever” performed by Leonora and “Move ” by the Mamas, who unfortunately didn’t get the chance to go there. Could you tell us how was the experience with both entries and what makes you want to try again to get there?
Two amazing experiences! The special thing about Denmark’s entry was that we actually went to Eurovision compared to 2020 due to the pandemic. Back in 2019 I also did backing vocals for United Kingdom and that was extra fun, being in both delegations with all the great people. The special thing with The Mamas was, I mean first of all it’s my home country and I got to do the journey with my best friends Patrik Jean and Herman Gardarfve. Thankful for that and I mean winning in your country, that moment was just insanely beautiful. Melodifestivalen 2023 feels completely different, now I’m being the storyteller and I’ve handpicked my team, what a bunch of amazing people I have around me. Both Melfest and ESC are two huge platforms to release music on.

We know you released in September your EP “Bloom” but what can we expect from Melanie Wehbe after Melodifestivalen?
You can definitely expect more songs that I have in the pipeline and live gigs! I’m longing to tour with my Ep ’Bloom’ and Melodifestivalen song ’For The Show’. I’m also involved with an exciting TV-show in March/April but I can’t tell you about that yet! Wait and seee 🙂

What are your all-time favorite Eurovision & Melodifestivalen songs?
I wanna say two different songs so instead of putting Loreen’s Euphoria in both categories she will be my Melodifestivalen favorite, and my Eurovision favorite is Greece 2007, I remember dancing around to that song in my teenage years!

In the end, I want to thank you for your time and please, if you have a message for your fans and our readers here on ESCBubble?
Be yourself, be yourself & be yourself 🙂

Until “For the Show” by Melanie Wehbe comes out, you can listen to her EP “Bloom”

Open in Spotify