Culture

Eurovision 2023: Sweden’s Loreen makes history by taking home title for a second time

By Jordan Robledo

14th May 2023

YouTube: Eurovision Song Contest

LGBTQ+ pop superstar Loreen has made history with her monumental Eurovision 2023 win.

On 13 May, the grand final of the 2023 competition took place at the Liverpool Arena in Liverpool – with Graham Norton, Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina (of The HARDKISS), Emmy Award-winning Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and singer/television presenter/Mis-Teeq alum Alesha Dixon stepping in as hosts.

Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra kicked off the four-hour show with an iconic rendition of their hit track Stefania. 

Their performance also featured showstopping guest appearances from Sam Ryder, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and even Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales – who played a piano solo from the Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. 

Following Kalush Orchestra’s performance, the 26 competing countries hit the stage with jaw-dropping performances full of intricate dance routines, sickening vocals, and larger-than-life set pieces. 

The final lineup of performances consisted of:

1. Austria – Teya and Salena, Who the Hell is Edgar?

2: Portugal – Mimicat, Ai coração

3. Switzerland – Remo Forrer, Watergun

4. Poland – Blanka, Solo

5. Serbia – Luke Black, Samo mi se spava

6. France – La Zarra’s Évidemment 

7. Cyprus – Andrew Lambrou, Break a Broken Heart

8. Spain – Blanca Paloma’s Eaea

9. Sweden – Loreen, Tattoo

10. Albania – Albina and Familja Kelmendi, Duje

11. Italy – Marco Mengoni’s Due vite 

12. Estonia – Alika, Bridges

13. Finland – Käärijä, Cha Cha Cha

14. Czech Republic – Vesna, My Sister’s Crown

15. Australia- Voyager, Promise

16. Belgium – Gustaph, Because of You

17. Armenia – Brunette, Future Lover

18. Moldova – Pasha Parfeni, Soarele si luna

19. Ukraine – Tvorchi with Heart of Steel.

20. Norway – Alessandra, Queen of Kings

21. Germany – Lord of the Lost’s Blood & Glitter

22. Lithuania – Monika Linkytė, Stay

23. Israel – Noa Kirel, Unicorn

24. Slovenia – Joker Out, Carpe Diem

25. Croatia – Let 3, Mama ŠČ!

26. United Kingdom – Mae Muller’s I Wrote a Song

After the talented group of artists delivered their unique performances, the voting lines officially opened for fans. 

While the jury and the public voted for the next winner of Eurovision 2023, fans were treated to a dynamic medley of performances from Mahmood, Sam Ryder, Netta, Cornelia Jacobs, Daði Freyr, and Sonia.

Duncan Lawerence also performed a heartwarming rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, which included an appearance from Ukrainian singer Ruslana singing alongside a youth choir in Kyiv. 

After the second round of incredible performances, Norton and Waddingham announced that the voting polls were closed before the jury points were given to each competing country. 

Throughout the voting process, Sweden (Loreen’s Tattoo), Italy (Marco Mengoni’s Due vite), Israel (Noa Kirel’s Unicorn), Finland (Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha), and the Czech Republic (Vesna’s My Sister’s Crown) held the top five spots. 

However during the public vote section, Finland and Käärijä’s fan-favourite track Cha Cha Cha overtook Sweden by earning 376 points, resulting in the country landing in first place with a total of 526 points.

But Finland’s time in the top spot was short-lived when the public gave Sweden 243 points, resulting in the Scandinavian country taking home the coveted title with a total of 583 points.  

Loreen’s historic win now makes her the second person – after Johnny Logan (who won for Ireland in both 1980 and 1987) – and the first-ever female artist to win twice. 

Sweden is also tied with Ireland for the most Eurovision wins, with a total of seven titles. 

While accepting the coveted Eurovision trophy, Loreen delivered an emotional and heartfelt speech before performing her winning track Tattoo. 

“This is overwhelming! I am so happy, and I am so thankful. Thank you for this. This is for you,” she exclaimed to the crowd. 

Shortly after the festivities concluded, fans took to Twitter to express their excitement over Loreen’s incredible new title. 

One person wrote: “Say hello to the first female artist to win Eurovision twice in the history of the contest, the QUEEN of Eurovision LOREEN!!!”

Another person tweeted: “Nobody can say Loreen didn’t give her all on the stage and she didn’t deserve to win.”

While speaking to reporters after the event, Loreen described her historic win as “surreal.” 

“Like I, I can’t really, you know, I am seriously overwhelmed. This is so beautiful. I, you know, one feeling that I have in my body, it’s like taken over,” she explained. “It’s just gratitude. I feel so thankful to all of you guys. I’m serious.”

Elsewhere in her interview, the Euphoria singer revealed her second Eurovision experience was “effortless” compared to her first 2012 appearance.

@gaytimes This was so special to see 💖💜💙 #eurovision #eurovisionsongcontest #eurovision2023 #eurovisiontiktok #europe #liverpool #loreen #loreentattoo #loreen2023 ♬ original sound – GAY TIMES

Lastly, Loreen shared her opinion on whether former contestants should have a limit on how many times they compete in Eurovision.

“It’s all about creativity. It’s about performing. It’s not… the competition is there and it’s important because it includes everybody but at the end of the day it’s about creativity,” she said.

“It’s about us creators sending something out to you guys. So I don’t think there should be a limit on that.”

 

Check out more colourful fan reactions to Eurovision 2023 below. 

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