Sweden’s Loreen has emerged victorious once again in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, after beating out fierce competition from Finland and Israel. The closely-fought final featured special guest appearances from Queen drummer Roger Taylor and, in a pre-recorded video, the late Princess of Wales.
You're stuck on me like a tattoo-hoo-hooooo! 🇸🇪 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/3hs0zFfZm7
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 13, 2023
The annual event, held on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, took place in Liverpool, England, and saw 26 acts competing for the coveted title. Loreen, whose real name is Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui, was the fans and bookmakers’ frontrunner going into the Grand Final. Her song “Tattoo,” a bombastic electro-pop ballad, placed first with 583 points.
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest had the tag-line “United By Music,” referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The home city of Ukraine’s Eurovision act, Tvorchi, was hit by Russian missiles moments before the act took to the stage in Liverpool, according to reports. Two people were injured in the attack in Ternopil, Western Ukraine, the chief of the regional state administration, Volodymyr Trush, said.
In spite of the tragedy, the show must go on, and the Eurovision Grand Final was a characteristically flamboyant mix of kitsch Euro pop, overwrought ballads, elaborate PVC costumes, and soaring rock songs. It was interspersed with a jolt of head-banging glam metal courtesy of Germany’s Lord of the Lost.
Finnish rapper Käärijä, one of the breakout stars of this year’s Eurovision thanks to his song “Cha Cha Cha” and eye-catching costume of spikey black trousers paired with green bolero sleeves, came in second with 526 points. Israel’s Noa Kirel, one of the country’s biggest pop stars, was one of the strongest female solo acts with her bombastic track “Unicorn,” complete with an energetic 30-second dance breakdown.
The rest of the top five was made up of Israel (362 points), Italy (350 points), and Norway (268 points). The United Kingdom, hosting the event on behalf of Ukraine, finished second-to-last with Mae Muller’s track “I Wrote a Song,” picking up just 24 points.
Sweden’s victory marks the seventh for the country in the contest’s 67-year history, equalling Ireland as the country with the most Eurovision wins. The first Swedish act to take home the crown was ABBA in 1974 with “Waterloo.” Prior to Loreen, Sweden’s most recent win came in 2015 with Måns Zelmerlöw’s “Heroes.”
Loreen’s win is particularly significant as she is now the first woman to win the competition twice. Speaking to reporters after the show, the singer said, “The only thing I feel right now is so much love. Not in my wildest dreams did I think this was going to happen.”
In addition to Loreen’s triumph, the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was also notable for its guest appearances. Queen drummer Roger Taylor wowed the audience with his performance, while the late Princess of Wales appeared in a pre-recorded video. The princess, who learned to play the piano as a child, recorded her contribution at Windsor Castle earlier this month, said organizers after the segment aired.
It was a night of celebration, music, and unity in the face of adversity. As Ukraine’s Tvorchi said after their performance, “Europe, unite against evil for the sake of peace.”
