The third heat of this year’s Melodifestivalen takes place tomorrow in Västerås. One of the contestants is Annika Wickihalder, who kindly answered a few questions we asked from her.

Annika Wickihalder is a 24-year-old Swedish singer. She was born in Switzerland and lived also in Spain in her early years, before settling down in Söderhamn, where she grew up. Wickihalder came to the public knowledge in 2021, when she finished third in the Swedish Idol. Her debut-EP ”Hollow” was released in May 2023. The EP mixes the elements of soul, gospel and pop.

Wickihalder made her Melodifestivalen debut last year with her song ”Light”, finishing eighth in the final. Now this very talented young artist is going back to Melodifestivalen stage with the song ”Life Again”, which she has written together with Herman Gardarfye and Patric Jean.

This is what Annika Wickihalder told us about her relationship to Eurovision, her song ”Life Again” and some other things as well:

Hello Annika Wickihalder and thank you for giving me this interview! At first I’d like to ask what is your relationship to Eurovision? Do you usually watch the contest and what are your favorite Eurovision songs?

Hey, Thank you for having me! My relationship with Eurovision is that I usually watch it every year and that it is a huge part of the Melfest in Sweden!  I think my favorite must be ”Saudade, saudade” with MARO from Portugal, they give me the goosebumps every time.

Could you tell us a little bit something about your musical background? How long have you been singing and do you play any instruments?

Unfortunately, I don’t play any instrument, but I would love to learn piano! I started to sing when I was very little and I really loved it. When I came to Sweden I joined a childchoir and learned the language, I loved it there because I could express myself in music and dancing. And when I got older, I joined a gospel choir and started to take me as a singer more seriously. 2021 I was in the Swedish Idol and came third and there my music career started. 

This is not your first time in Melodifestivalen, since you did your debut in the contest last year. How was your experience last year and does it feel different to enter the contest for the second time?

My experience last year was very mixed. I had so much fun even though my mental health was not at its best. I would say that Melfest helped me take the step outside my comfort zone, after a long time I have closed myself because I had a lot of anxiety. I am so grateful for Melfest and for myself who dared. Thanks to me daring, my anxiety has gotten a lot better and I’m so looking forward to this year’s Melfest! I feel stronger now.

How was your song “Life Again” born and how would you describe the song and the message of it?

”Life again” was made after I joined last year! When I started to feel better, I started to hear birds again, I started to see colors stronger and smell stronger and it gave me hope! It gave me hope that one day I will live my life alive. The message to the song I would say is that even if you are going through a hard time or a depression, there will come a day where everything will feel easier. I want the song to give people hope.

What kind of stage show can we expect from you in Melodifestivalen 2025?

Hmm… If you look you will see 😉

What do you think is the biggest achievement in your career so far?

Good question! Hmm…. Maybe that I continue to dare to challenge myself!

Who are your musical rolemodels?

My sister for sure, there is no one I look up to as much as her! But if you think musically, it’s Cynthia Erivo, love her!

What do you do when you don’t do music?

I love spending time with nature and animals.

What would it mean to you to win Melodifestivalen and represent Sweden in Eurovision 2025?

It would feel completely crazy to represent Sweden in Eurovision, in a very good way! I was born in Switzerland so it feels very tempting to go there and represent Sweden.

What would you like to say to our readers and your fans from all over the world?

If I may send a message I would say, be kind to yourself, to others and to our planet. It’s your first time in this life so be patient with yourself and others. Kindness gets you far! Thank you for allowing me to participate in this interview! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you very much for the interview and the best of luck to Melodifestivalen!

You can listen to the song ”Life Again” by Annika Wickihalder here: