This fall's "Hello Mello" gives young artists who are not yet old enough for Melodifestivalen a chance to perform on SVT.
In the program, 13-15-year-olds compete in 25 different entries for the viewers' votes. The competition spans five qualifying rounds and a final, and the winner gets to perform in Melodifestivalen next year.
It is now clear that artist and Melodifestivalen winner Eric Saade and SVT profile and "Sommarlov" host Malin Olsson will lead the broadcasts.
It feels super fun. The fact that it's about music and young talents makes it even more enjoyable. It's not common for me to accept hosting assignments, says Eric Saade.
Recognizes himself
Eric Saade believes that his own artistic background will come in handy.
I can really recognize myself. I started very young, I got a record contract when I was 15. I hope I can have a role model.
Saade thinks that the program brings something new, and that it's neither "Lilla Melodifestivalen" nor "Idol".
It's not about finding stars, these young artists are already stars when we start. And it's not about small children writing their own songs. These are incredible artists with newly written songs from some of Sweden's best songwriters.
Malin Olsson agrees.
It's extra special with this competition that everyone goes on stage with their own signature. They shouldn't sing covers and they have the opportunity to create their own touch and their own artistic style, she says.
"Special sparkle"
She hopes that the program will become an established feature on SVT, and that many of the artists will be able to take the step to Melodifestivalen when they get older.
We always need new artists and there's something special about young talents, that they have a special sparkle over them and are so incredibly determined to succeed. It's so awesome to see a young person's dream come true.
"Hello Mello" is broadcast live on Sunday evenings with a premiere on October 27.
In the program, 25 solo artists, duos, and groups aged 13-15 compete. The music spans several different genres and the entries are written for the artists by established songwriters.
Over 1,500 people applied to the program.
"Hello Mello" is shown in five live qualifying rounds with five entries each. It's up to the viewers to decide who moves on by voting in SVT's Mello app. Ten entries make it to the final and the winner gets to perform in Melodifestivalen next year.
Source: SVT
