Last year she charmed the viewers and the judges in The Voice. Next Saturday, 20-year-old Alessandra Mele hopes to do the same. Then she is on stage in the Melodi Grand Prix final. That evening, it will be decided who will represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest. And it seems that Alessandra is in good shape. Her song has 4.5 million plays, and has topped the international charts in Europe recently. At the time of writing, “Queen of Kings” is, among other things, in second place on Spotify’s global list. – It’s absurd to think about, says Alessandra. – I am grateful to everyone who listens to the song, who is engaged and who shows interest, she adds. Alessandra Mele wants everyone to be themselves, and to be accepted for who they are. Photo: Kjetil Solhøi / news Dare to stand in the bad The song is about a queen who has had a difficult time, but has stood through it and become stronger. – The most important thing is to dare to be in the bad, because it will get better. No escape from the difficult feelings. It is in the tough times that you learn about yourself, and how strong you are, says Alessandra. The message is something the Norwegian-Italian can relate to. Since she was little, she has known that she likes both girls and boys. But in Cisano sul Neva, the tiny town in Italy where she grew up, there was little acceptance of free love. – There are places in Italy that are very open and tolerant, but in small places the mentality can be closed, something that is expressed through negative attitudes and comments. – It is particularly painful when there are negative comments about being queer, she adds. Alessandra Mele has found strength in herself. Photo: Kjetil Solhøi / news Fights to be yourself Her father and her parents in Italy are still unaware that she likes both sexes. Two years ago she moved to Norway. Here she has family who fully support her. – There are several reasons why I came to Norway, but it has obviously been a personal struggle. And coming to Norway has helped me to accept who I am, says the 20-year-old. She says that she has worked on feeling good about herself, and that she is now proud to be who she is. And if the rest of the family and the whole world find out what she’s singing about, it’s no problem. – I feel good about myself, and I don’t care what other people think. I just want people to be able to love whoever they want. – And I hope that those who are in the same struggle as I have been, learn from it. I want everyone to be themselves, and be who they are. Only then can you live a good life. And I hope “Queen of kings” can help with that, she says. – Regardless of whether you are down there, you should think that you are a “Queen of Kings”. You’re not always up – that’s how life is. Photo: Kjetil Solhøi / news – The song gives strength So far, she has received a lot of feedback from people who thank her for creating the song. – They say that the song gives them strength. – As an artist, that’s exactly what you want: That those who listen to the song are happy with the store, and use it on a daily basis. On Saturday, she will again sing the song for the Norwegian audience in the Melodi Grand Prix final. She has no doubts about why people should vote for her. Alessandra points out that the song has a universal message that everyone in the whole world can relate to. The song has a good mix with good energy. – And it has an international appeal – as the Spotify lists have shown recently, she adds. Alessandra Mele during the first semi-final in the MGP. Photo: Ulrik Kramer Can collect votes from Italy On Tuesday, it was also known that Norway will appear in the first semi-final of Eurovision together with, among others, Italy. – So here is an artist who can get 60 million from Italy. What more could Norway wish for, says Alessandra and laughs loudly. She hopes people will vote her on to Eurovision. – Imagine being able to represent Norway in Eurovision! A country that is so open and equal. It would have been a dream, concludes the Norwegian-Italian.
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Alessandra Mele’s MGP song is already a hit – the truth that the father doesn’t know about – news Culture and entertainment
