Eurovision Song Contest winner Loreen has described how she went into this year’s competition "without any expectations" of winning. The Swedish singer, 39, triumphed over all the other entrants with her track Tattoo, which scored a whopping 583 points during the grand final of this year's contest, held at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday, May 13.
Speaking to Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas on The One Show on May 15, she said of winning: “I went into this competition without any expectations. That’s my way of protecting my heart and whatever happens, happens!
“I was in shock [when they announced I’d won]. After that, when I walked to the stage I felt so much gratitude. Gratitude to the people and to everybody. This journey has been amazing.” Was Loreen a worthy winner? Let us know what you thought of her performance in the comments below.
Read more: Eurovision 2023 sees Sweden's Loreen crowned champion as the UK's Mae Muller struggles
Loreen’s victory marks the second time that she's won the contest, after previously winning in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2012 with an electric performance of her now well-known song Euphoria.
As to why Loreen was allowed to compete in Eurovision after winning previously, the official rules state: "Each song which competes in the Eurovision Song Contest shall be selected through a national selection to be organised by each Participating Broadcaster. The national selection is organised under the sole responsibility of the Participating Broadcaster in question.
"The songs (lyrics and music compositions) submitted to represent the country of each Participating Broadcaster’s country in the ESC must be original and must not have been released and/or publicly performed in part or in-full before the Release Date.
"In case the song submitted has been made available to the public, for example, but not limited to, on online video platforms, social networks or (semi-) publicly accessible databanks and/or performed publicly, for example but not limited to during concerts, prior to the Release Date the Participating Broadcaster must inform the ESC Executive Supervisor, who shall have authority to evaluate whether the song remains eligible for participation in the Contest."
With this in mind, Loreen was permitted to perform at Eurovision again as she was performing a new song, Tattoo, that she had not previously performed at Eurovision or in concerts or public performances that breach the rules of the competition.
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