– I didn’t think this would happen! said a beaming Saga Ludvigsson, 17, from Örby, after charming both audience and jury in her gold suit during the song “Here for the party” by Gretchen Wilson.
Cimberly Wanyonyi, 18, from Skellefteå, was equally speechless after the happy news. After losing her voice and being forced to rest all week, she deeply impressed the jury during the semi-finals.
– You are some kind of queen in Sweden 20 years from now, said the jury’s Alexander Kronlund.
Voted off in the second round
Simon Näslund, 23, from Stockholm, also received rave reviews from the jury but was voted out in the second round of the semi-finals.
– I am very proud of what I have done, and that I made it this far, he said.
Before Simon, Louisa Hoxha, 16, had been forced to leave the show after the first round, despite a sophisticated performance of “Bound to You” by Christina Aguilera.
– So you see who I’m competing against!? Im so proud. This is just the beginning, I promise, Louisa concluded.
Fantastic semi
The jury’s Katia Mosally filled in:
– WE had a fantastic semi-final this year.
The idols sang two songs in the semi-finals: one they had to choose based on suggestions from the jury, and one they themselves hoped would take them to the final. The songs based on the jury’s selection were kept secret until the very end.
The final will be held in the Avicii Arena on December 1.