Tonight, the fifth heat of Melodifestivalen 2026 takes place at Gärdehov Arena in Sundsvall, where six acts will compete for a spot in the final!
Heat 5 contestants:
1. AleXa – “Tongue Tied“
Text & music: AleXa, Moonshine (Jonatan Gusmark & Ludvig Evers), Sunshine (Ellen Berg & Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker)
AleXa is one of the most dynamic solo artists in K-pop right now and has become known for blending Korean pop with international influences. She had her major breakthrough when she won American Song Contest with “Wonderland”, and has since performed at arenas such as the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour and the Billboard Music Awards. As the first Korean female solo artist on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart, she has shown that she can compete with global superstars. With millions of followers, hundreds of millions of streams, and a visual style full of energy, AleXa continues to push the boundaries of K-pop.
2. JULIETT – “Långt från alla andra“
Text & music: David Själin, Elias Kask, Herman Gardarfve, Ludvig Alamanos, Romeo Er-Melin, Valter Wigren
Childhood friends David Själin, Elias Kask, Ludvig Alamanos, Romeo Er-Melin and Valter Wigren, all from Vallentuna north of Stockholm, form the pop band JULIETT. They have been creating music together since their teenage years, previously under the name J1. The band focuses on contemporary Swedish pop with three vocalists, and all members serving as front figures. In the summer of 2024, they released the single “Varje efterfest”. In Melodifestivalen 2026, JULIETT will make their debut with “Långt från alla andra”, a pulsating, euphoric song about the moment you spot someone in the crowd and dare to take the first step.
3. Bladë – “Who You Are“
Text & music: Isa Tengblad, Josefina Carlbom
The artist Bladë is making her debut in Melodifestivalen 2026, but attentive viewers will recognize her as the artist, producer and songwriter Isa Tengblad, who has over a decade of experience in the music industry. She competed under the artist name Isa in Melodifestivalen 2015 and Melodifestivalen 2016 with the songs “Don’t Stop” and “I Will Wait”, and as a songwriter for “I Do Me” performed by Malou Prytz in 2019. Isa Tengblad has written and produced music for artists including Jordin Sparks, Stonebwoy, Peg Parnevik and Myra Granberg, including “Lavender Flower” and “No Cry” for Jordin Sparks, with Stonebwoy, as well as parts of Peg Parnevik’s album “Äldsta barnet”. In 2025, she began a new chapter as Bladë with the debut album “A path to rëd skies”, entirely written and produced by herself.
4. Lilla Al-Fadji – “Delulu“
Text & music: Daniel Réhn, Edward af Sillén, Lilla Al-Fadji, Fredrik Sonefors, Melanie Wehbe, Mikaela Samuelsson
Lilla Al-Fadji has for decades brightened the Swedish entertainment scene with his madness, unpredictable humor and cult-declared style. The comedy character was born on Ison & Fille’s records and has since appeared in TV series such as “Lilla Al-Fadji & Co”, “Lilla Al-Fadji Show” and in the award-winning radio program “Hälliewüüd Radio” on P3. In recent years, Lilla Al-Fadji has built large followings on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, and continues to reach new generations. In 2026, he will make his debut in Melodifestivalen 2026 with the song “Delulu”, written together with, among others, Daniel Réhn, Edward af Sillén, Melanie Wehbe and Mikaela Samuelsson.
5. Vilhelm Buchaus – “Hearts Don’t Lie“
Text & music: David Zandén, Isa Molin, Vilhelm Buchaus
Stockholm-based Vilhelm Buchaus, 24, has shaped his sound with influences from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and John Mayer. After initially sharing original songs and covers on YouTube, he made his debut in 2023 with the single “First Cut” and released the EP “Quiet Rooms” the following year. In 2025, his debut album “Shades of Blue” was released, along with his Melodifestivalen debut with “I’m Yours”. In his music, Vilhelm Buchaus blends piano, acoustic elements, bombastic drums and distorted guitars. He portrays doubt, inner conflicts, love and self-awareness in his modern, cinematic pop rock, both on stage and in the studio.
6. Sanna Nielsen – “Waste Your Love“
Text & music: Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son
Sanna Nielsen has spent more than 30 years on stages across Sweden, and she had her breakthrough at just eleven years old with the song “Till en fågel”. She has participated in Melodifestivalen seven times and won in 2014 with “Undo”, later placing third in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 the same year. Her songs “Empty Room”, “Hela världen för mig” and “Vågar du, vågar jag” have become Swedish classics. Sanna Nielsen has also hosted Allsång på Skansen from 2016 to 2022 and Melodifestivalen 2015 together with Robin Paulsson. Now she enters her eighth Melodifestival with the song “Waste Your Love”, written by Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström and Thomas G:son.
The hosts
Gina Dirawi and Hampus Nessvold will host Melodifestivalen 2026. Two stage-savvy comedians with a great sense of timing. One veteran and one debutant. It will be Gina’s fourth time, which means she now holds the female record for the role. For Hampus, it will be his first time on the Mello stage.
Full songs are now released to all platforms!
Since last year’s edition SVT brings something that the fans were asking for! The release dates of the competing songs! All these years, SVT were very strict about the release of the songs prior to the contest. The viewers were only getting a few seconds of rehearsals and snippets and the finalists were not allowed to be streamed before the last heat was over. This changed for the 2025 edition. All six songs from each heat will be released to all platforms on Friday, one day before their competing heat and will be available throughout the entire competition. So here are the first competing songs in their full studio version!
AleXa – “Tongue Tied“
Bladë – “Who You Are“
Vilhelm Buchaus – “Hearts Don’t Lie“
JULIETT – “Långt från alla andra“
Lilla Al-Fadji – “Delulu“
Sanna Nielsen – “Waste Your Love“
Hall of Fame
Caroline af Ugglas has made a strong impression by always going her own way and staying true to her personal style. Now she returns to the Melodifestivalen stage to perform “Snälla snälla”, the song that earned her second place in the competition in 2009 and a place in the hearts of viewers.
Motivation
Dressed in a pair of turquoise boots and a knee-length dress, the expressive af Ugglas staged this superb soul classic in a unique way. Her ballad plea not to be left both caresses and tears at the heart, and nearly brought her victory in 2009. Today, no Swede can repeat the word “snälla” one more time without starting to sing Caroline’s classic. “Snälla snälla” should, of course, take its rightful place in the Hall of Fame.
“I was incredibly happy when I received the call that ‘Snälla snälla’ had been inducted into the Hall of Fame. And as if that were not enough, it feels even more exciting to come to Sundsvall and be part of the celebration. It is going to be so much fun, I love Melodifestivalen”
Caroline af Ugglas
Caroline af Ugglas is an artist who has always gone her own way, and in Melodifestivalen she has stood out by doing things her way. She has competed in Melodifestivalen three times: in 2007 with the song “Tror på dig”, in 2009 with “Snälla snälla”, which finished in second place, and in 2013 with the song “Hon har inte”.
“Caroline stepped in with a radiance unlike anyone else. With her distinctive and unique style, she showed that there is room for the unexpected even on the Melodifestivalen stage”
Christer Björkman, honorary chairman of the Hall of Fame committee
You can watch Melodifestivalen live on SVT at 20:00 CET.