Road to Basel: Norway
Road to Basel: Norway
As the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on Norway.
photo: Thor Håkon Ulstadt
Kyle Alessandro
Kyle Alessandro Helgesen Villalobos, known professionally as Kyle Alessandro, is a Norwegian singer-songwriter born in 2006. He first gained national attention at the age of 9, participating in “Norske Talenter,” Norway’s version of “Got Talent,” where he showcased his vocal abilities. Over the years, Kyle has continued to develop his musical career, culminating in his participation in Melodi Grand Prix 2025.
“Lighter” (What does AI say?)
His Eurovision entry, “Lighter,” is an emotive pop song co-written by Kyle Alessandro and Adam Woods. The track showcases Kyle’s vocal range and artistic maturity, delving into themes of hope and resilience. Upon its release, “Lighter” quickly resonated with audiences, leading to its selection as Norway’s representative entry for Eurovision 2025.
Melodi Grand Prix 2025
Norway selected its Eurovision 2025 representative through the national competition Melodi Grand Prix 2025. The final took place on February 15, 2025, at the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, hosted by Markus Neby, Marte Stokstad, and Tete Lidbom. Nine songs competed, with the winner determined by a combination of a public vote (60%) and votes from ten international juries (40%). Kyle Alessandro’s performance of “Lighter” captivated both the jury and the public, securing his victory with a total of 307 points.
- Kyle Alessandro, “Lighter“
- Nataleen, “The Game“
- Bobbysocks, “Joyful“
- Wig Wam, “Human Fire“
- Tone Damli, “Last Song“
- Nora Jabri, “Sulale“
- Sondrey, “Vagabond“
- LLL, “Parasite“
- Ladybug, “Hot as Hell in Paradise“
Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest
Norway has a storied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since 1960. The country boasts three victories: in 1985 with Bobbysocks‘ “La det swinge,” in 1995 with Secret Garden‘s “Nocturne,” and in 2009 with Alexander Rybak‘s “Fairytale.” Despite holding the record for the most last-place finishes, Norway has also achieved numerous top-ten results, reflecting its resilience and commitment to the competition.
Alexander Rybak
A Random Norwegian Entry
Reflecting on Norway’s Eurovision history, random.org selected the entry of 1971, “Lykken er” by Hanne Krogh. Hanne was only 14 years old, but in 1985 she won Eurovision with Bobbysocks. In 1991 she was a member of Just4Fun. And yes, this year Bobbysocks took part in Melodi Grand Prix!
Betting Odds
As of now, Kyle Alessandro’s “Lighter” has a steady 23rd place in the betting odds for winning the contest. To qualify in the 1st semifinal, Norway is in 6th place. So everything must be possible for Kyle Alessandro. Good luck Kyle!
We eagerly await the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and look forward to witnessing Kyle Alessandro’s performance on the grand stage.
Robert Zolles, Wikimedia Commons Voting System Under Review The results of Eurovision 2025 sparked discussion in several countries. In particular, Israel won the public televote by a large margin, which led to concerns about the voting process. Some broadcasters have officially asked the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to investigate. In response, the EBU released a statement. They confirmed that the televoting system worked according to the rules and that they found no irregularities. However, they promised to evaluate the situation and listen to feedback from participating countries. The goal is to keep Eurovision fair and transparent. Debate Over Israel’s Participation Alongside the voting concerns, Israel’s participation itself is a topic of discussion. Several broadcasters have asked the EBU to open talks about whether Israel should continue to take part in Eurovision. The request comes in the wake of political tensions and protests before the 2025 contest. The EBU has not changed its position. It maintains that Eurovision is a non-political event and that all active members have the right to participate. Whether this debate will affect the 2026 lineup is still unclear. The Netherlands and Others Begin 2026 Preparations Broadcasters are already thinking about next year. In the Netherlands, AVROTROS opened its submission process on 19 May. Artists and songwriters can send in their songs until 31 August. The broadcaster expects to make a final decision in December. Denmark and Finland have gone one step further. They have both set dates for their national finals. Denmark’s selection will take place on 14 February 2026, while Finland will choose its act on 28 February 2026. So far, Austria, the Netherlands, and Montenegro have confirmed participation. Andorra has announced it will not return to the contest. Most other countries have not made official statements yet. 