The second semi-final of the music competition starts on Thursday at 9 p.m. in the arena in the Swedish port city of Malmö, in which the 29-year-old, starting in sixth place, has to win one of ten final tickets once morest the competition. And Kaleen is confident that “We Will Rave” will win.
The Upper Austrian native spoke to the APA in Malmö regarding the ESC paint box, her 37 favorites and the question of what you get in the ESC bubble.
APA: You have already been involved in various functions at several ESCs. How does this year’s Malmö compare?
Kaleen: For me it is of course very special, which is why it is difficult to compare it to the previous ones. Because it has never been so emotional for me. But once more this year it’s incredibly nice to see how many people from all over the world come together in one place “just” to celebrate music. And it’s great to be even closer than in previous years and to feel their love.
APA: So as a participant you are not so isolated that you no longer notice anything from the fans?
Kaleen: No! I think fan interaction is incredibly important. It gives me so much energy when I hear what my song has done to someone else’s life. That’s always a huge compliment. It’s not regarding someone saying I’m their favorite, but when someone whispers to me: “Thank you for being at the ESC this year with this song,” that’s wonderful.
APA: There is a lot of discussion surrounding this year’s ESC in view of Israel’s entry and the Gaza war. Do you notice them in the bubble of the competition?
Kaleen: You actually don’t notice any of that in the bubble. There is a friendly family feeling that doesn’t feel like competition at all. The mood is more like: We’re all just celebrating a nice concert together. The ESC motto “United by Music” just fits perfectly. That’s exactly what you feel when you enter the ESC universe.
APA: And at the same time, the ESC is of course also a competition. How did you follow yesterday’s first semi-final?
Kaleen: It was exciting for me to see how the others used the stage – knowing how my act had changed there. You have a certain set of colors and everyone paints a different picture with them. At the same time, I know that everything is possible at the ESC – positive and negative. So I just let everything happen. I don’t have any real favorites this year, as I’ve been able to get to know almost all the artists and their personalities.
Photo gallery: Eurovision Song Contest: These were the performances in the first semi-final
SWEDEN-MUSIC-AWARD-EUROVISION (Foto: JESSICA GOW/TT (TT News Agency)) Bild 1/18
View gallery
APA: That might lead to some people no longer keeping their fingers crossed…
Kaleen: You might think so! (laughs) But the effect is exactly the opposite. I have 37 favorites included with my song.
APA: What are you most looking forward to tomorrow?
Kaleen: The moment on stage – and everything that comes following is a bonus. It will come as it fits. We still want to win! And I’m looking forward to saying the famous words “Thank you Europe” or whatever comes to mind following my number.
APA: You didn’t prepare your final statement at all?
Kaleen: The beauty of something like this is when it comes from deep within. And who knows how I feel at that moment? Maybe I want to say something, maybe not? I’ll probably just be extremely grateful and beaming from ear to ear. Hmm. Maybe I should think regarding it? (laughs)
