Nine artists will compete to sing for Norway in Vienna

Norway's biggest music show returns on Saturday 28 February, when Melodi Grand Prix will select the Norwegian entry to the 70th Eurovision Song Contest.

Nine artists will participate in Norway's annual national final. Eight of them have already been selected while the ninth will be found via a 'Melodi Grand Prix Cup': a series of duels - played out on radio and broadcaster NRK's website - between eight more artists and their songs, the voting for which is open to the public.

The first eight finalists

Mileo, emma, JONAS LOVV, Hedda Mae, STORM, Leonardo Amor, Silke and Alexander Rybak will compete in Melodi Grand Prix 2026. Foto: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK

These are the artists who have already secured their ticket to Lillehammer. The song will be released in full on Monday 26 January, but you can already listen to preview snippets over on NRK's website.

Alexander Rybak - Rise

Music and lyrics: Alexander Rybak

Not a new name in the context of Melodi Grand Prix or the Eurovision Song Contest, as he has won both of them with his song Fairytale!

In recent years, Alexander has been feeling the urge to do something a little different, which led him to projects such as the children's musical Trolle and earning a master's degree in film music from Columbia College in the USA.

He has brought this experience into his new album, Fairytales Too, where pop music meets cinematic orchestra sounds. His Melodi Grand Prix entry Rise features among the eight tracks.

Hedda Mae - Snap Back

Music and lyrics: Hedda Grønhaug, Glen Roberts, Benjamin Giørtz, Dag Holtan-Hartwig, Halvor Folstad

Since Hedda Mae broke onto the music scene in 2020, she has garnered significant attention both nationally and internationally. Over the past few years, she has released several EPs, launched her debut album, and performed at festivals such as Reeperbahn, The Great Escape and the SPOT Festival.

She is heavily influenced by her favourite music from the '90s and '00s, with her music having been described as distinctive, colourful, playful and energetic retro-pop. Hedda unites a winning combination of self-irony and an uncompromising attitude, alongside uninhibited pop.

Hedda has always loved Melodi Grand Prix and has watched the show every year. This year, it finally feels right for her to take the stage herself, with Snap Back — a song about being in a toxic relationship, but also a reminder that even when everything feels like it's falling apart, there is still a strength found deep within.

Mileo – Frankenstein

Music and lyrics: Miles Curtis Sesselmann, Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen, Farida Louise Bolseth Benounis

Mileo is a Norwegian-Australian artist and songwriter returning to the Melodi Grand Prix stage with the song Frankenstein.

After making an impression in 2024 with his track You’re Mine, he now returns with a dark yet powerful message about reclaiming control over one's own identity and embracing the imperfect.

With his international sound, theatrical style, love for anime and emotive stage presence, Mileo wants to demonstrate that even when you feel like a 'monster', there is always beauty in the strange.

emma – Northern Lights

Music and lyrics: Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Andreas Lindberg, Jimmy Joker Thörnfeldt, Emma Gunnarsen

With over 75 million streams and hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, Emma Gunnarsen is building a fanbase that stretches far beyond national borders.

Over the past few years, Emma has performed on some of the country's biggest stages, including Piknik i Parken and VG-Lista Topp 40. She has also sold out Parkteatret and performed at Sentrum Scene, establishing herself as a live artist with major appeal.

In addition to the NRK documentary series Emma, she participated in The Masked Singer Norway in 2025. As the semi-finalist 'The Puppet', she quickly became a favourite among both the audience and judges with her impressive stage shows, fantastic vocals and daring song choices.

The twins who represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Marcus and Martinus, are Emma's older brothers!

STORM – Lullaby

Music and lyrics: Leo Davadi Sundli, Erlend Torheim, Martin Stenstad Selen, Jonas Wesetrud Hansen, Nora Eklo

Don’t let his age fool you... Despite being just 17 years old, STORM has already managed to become one of the most prominent new voices in alternative music, both in Norway and internationally.

In recent years, he has made a name for himself at some of Europe’s biggest festivals, including Download Festival in the United Kingdom and Tons of Rock at home in Norway, where he became the youngest artist ever to take the stage. STORM’s music has also gained widespread traction on the radio, with airplay on stations such as BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, Kerrang! Radio, and NRK P3. In 2025, he was nominated at the Music Publisher Awards in the 'Breakthrough of the Year' category, and later that year, he released his debut album, Join the Storm.

STORM has built a strong and dedicated fanbase, particularly on TikTok, where he has garnered millions of views and a rapidly growing audience far beyond Norway’s borders.

In Melodi Grand Prix, STORM is participating with the song Lullaby, an 'energy bomb' of a track that combines power, melody and intensity. In it, he invites the audience into his musical universe, where the raw and heavy meet the melodic, playful and accessible.

Leonardo Amor – Prayer

Music and lyrics: Adrian Søfteland Midtgard, Leonardo Amorsolo, Lillian Slåbakk, Mathias Nilsen, Ådne Perry Kjellstadli

Leonardo Amor moved from his home country, the Philippines, to Norway, in order to pursue his musical dreams.

As early as 2022, he made his mark internationally by representing Norway in the WCOPA (World Championships of Performing Arts) in Los Angeles, where he won an award in the grand final. The following year, he gained national attention on the show The Voice Norway, where he impressed viewers as part of Ina Wroldsen’s team.

In the summer of 2025, Leonardo graduated from LIMPI, where he immersed himself in songwriting, production and stage performance under the guidance of both Norwegian and international mentors. His songs are characterised by honesty and emotion, often inspired by his own experiences; ranging from loneliness and love to resilience.

Leonardo is no stranger to the Eurovision universe. In 2025, he made a name for himself in San Marino’s national selection with the song Calling For You.

His Melodi Grand Prix entry, Prayer, began life as a small idea written on a napkin at work, evolving into a song that carries a very personal and vulnerable story for Leonardo. Now, he is ready to share it with the 'MGP' audience on his journey towards the Eurovision Song Contest.

Silke – Forevermore

Music and lyrics: Silje M. Blandkjenn, Hannah Theuma, Patrik Jean, Audun Agnar

Silke, or Silje Montsko Blandkjenn, is an artist, songwriter and music producer from Kragerø. She is more than ready to invite everyone into her universe, 'Silketopia', via her self-produced song Forevermore.

For Silke, it all began with an early love for music. She started singing in a choir at the age of two, began songwriting at four, and was soon putting on small shows in Kragerø with her younger sister. Since then, she has further developed her talent through singing lessons, a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Agder, and a year at LIMPI.

Silke has made her mark on Melodi Grand Prix several times before, most notably as the echo in JONE's 2023 entry Ekko Inni Meg. She has by now firmly established herself as a producer and songwriter, and in 2026 is ready to captivate Norway as a solo artist.

Forevermore is an epic, uplifting song about hope and lasting love, the magical moment we feel when hope opens up again. With Forevermore, she wishes to remind us all that there is always room to dream, create and shine, no matter who you are.

JONAS LOVV – YA YA YA

Music and lyrics: Jonas Lovv Hellesøy, Sondre Skaftun

JONAS LOVV became widely known through his participation in The Voice Norway, where he impressed both the judges and the audience with his distinctive voice and powerful stage presence. He is known for his energy, unique style and strong ability to connect with his listeners.

Musically, he embraces several genres and has a reputation as a great entertainer who loves to surprise and share his authentic self. He places great emphasis on breaking the barrier between the stage and the audience.

JONAS' message is an encouragement to everyone to be themselves and to dare to "not give a damn" about what others might think.

Eight more 'wildcard' participants will compete for the last spot ticket in the Melodi Grand Prix 2026 final

This will happen via the 'Melodi Grand Prix Cup'; a series of duels, the first of which happens on Tuesday 20 January.

Two artists will face off in a duel every day, with one of them advancing to the next round after they've received the most votes of the two.

The four winners of the 'quarter final' duels held from Tuesday to Friday will then meet in new duels on Saturday and Sunday. The final two artists will then face off in the decisive duel starting on the morning of Monday 26 January.

On Tuesday 27 January, we will know which song has won the 'Melodi Grand Prix Cup' and secured the final spot in this year's Melodi Grand Prix.

Skrellex, EMMY, GOTHMINISTER feat. Thomas Jenssen, Vika Anonymous, Aranja, Sander Silva and Victorjus, Raylee and Thomas Jenssen. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK

You can listen to the eight entries over on NRK's website.

First Duel (Tuesday 20 January):
Skrellex vs. EMMY

Skrellex – Into the Wild

Music and lyrics: Michael James Down, Will Taylor, Primoz Poglajen, Kai Thomas Ryen Larsen, Camilo Fernández

Norway’s one and only Skrellex is back at Melodi Grand Prix after participating in 2023 with Love Again. Since then, Skrellex has sharpened the aesthetic, the show and the wardrobe. Into the Wild is described as epic x3.

EMMY – Sykt Fin

Music and lyrics: Ben Adams, Andreas Stone Johansson, Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen

After representing Ireland in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest final with Laika Party, EMMY returns to Melodi Grand Prix in her native Norway. She participated in 2021 with Witch Woods, and now she enters with Sykt Fin — an extremely catchy tribute to Norway that has been crafted to stick in the listener's mind from the very first listen.

Second Duel (Wednesday 21 January):
GOTHMINSTER feat. Thomas Jenssen vs. Vika Anonymous

GOTHMINSTER ft. Thomas Jenssen – The Spell

Music and lyrics: Bjørn Alexander Brem

Bjørn Alexander Brem is a lawyer by day — but by night, he fights for world domination as Norway’s king of Goth-metal! GOTHMINSTER has been active since 1999 and has previously participated in Melodi Grand Prix both in 2013 and 2024. The Spell is arguably his catchiest song to date — a full-blooded GOTHMINSTER delivery, tailor-made for a massive stage.

Vika Anonymous – Har Du Itt Vørri På Toten?

Music and lyrics: Jørgen Ulsrud, Gustav Fredholm, Torgeir Ryssevik, Kjersti Sleveland, Chris Tsika Kabala

Melodi Grand Prix fans have long been requesting authentic Norwegian party music on stage — and these guys, Jørgen Ulsrud and Gustav Fredholm, don’t need to be asked twice. Vika Anonymous are 'the real deal' from Innlandet, inviting the whole country to precisely their kind of rural bash at Toten.

Third Duel (Thursday 22 January):
Aranja vs. Sander Silva and Victorjus

Aranja – Pyjamas Song

Music and lyrics: Aranja Gharib, Sonia Maselik, Christopher Scott Simmons, Ola Frøyen

Arjana Gharib recently graduated from LIMPI and has long had a huge wish to participate in Melodi Grand Prix. She describes Pyjamas Song as a pure Eurovision track with everything you could wish for included in it. And the artist possesses the strong vocal talent to deliver it.

Sander Silva and Victorjus – Fritt Fall

Music and lyrics: Sander Gran, Torjus Fluge Fornes, Trym Olstad, Stine Øen

60 handpicked talents from Kristiania University College were invited to submit songs for Melodi Grand Prix. This duo, consisting of Sander Gran and Torjus Fluge Fornes, stood out immediately. Fritt Fall wants to hook you in from the first chorus — and not let go.

Fourth Duel (Friday 23 January):
Raylee vs. Thomas Jenssen

Raylee – Where Did Your Friend Go

Music and lyrics: Steven Rodriguez, Emma Gale, Celine Solemsløkk Helgemo, Raylee Charlotte Kristiansen

Raylee is taking a detour from building her new life in Los Angeles to join the Melodi Grand Prix lineup once again. She participated in 2020 with Wild, and the following year with Hero. Where Did Your Friend Go is written by songwriters who have collaborated with the likes of David Guetta. The result is a modern classic — one that would feel just as much at home in Europe’s coolest clubs as it would on the massive Eurovision Song Contest stage.

Thomas Jenssen – Smalltown

Music and lyrics: Thomas Jenssen, Carl-Henrik Wahl, Simon Peyron, Jakob Mihoubi, Rudy Daouk

Thomas Jenssen has previously participated in Melodi Grand Prix 2024 with Take Me To Heaven. In recent years, he has studied music at the University of Agder, where he recently completed his Master’s in songwriting. In Smalltown, his artistry shines via pop craftsmanship and a heartfelt lyric drawn from his own life. It's a song that means a lot to Thomas — and he is now ready to take both Norway and Europe by storm.

The winner of Melodi Grand Prix was the song Lighter performed by Kyle Alessandro.

At the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Kyle's fiery performance took Norway to the Grand Final, where Lighter finished in 18th place.