The lopsided result is something of a shocker for the contest. There haven't been so few women in Melodifestivalen since 1965 when Ingvar Wixell sang all six entries. Back then, one artist sang all the entries and an in-house jury voted on the winner for Eurovision.
This lack of estrogen has caused something of a stir in the press and on social media sites like Twitter. Swedes are known for their progressiveness on equality between men and women. Sweden has worked to get women into areas of society like government and business where they would have difficulty breaking through otherwise. And Sweden is one of the most progressive nations when it comes to women's rights. All this is to say it surprised many when the final turned out to be nearly all men.
When it seemed this year's final would heavily favor men, some speculated in the press that the contest was stacked. Others considered officially launching a complaint with the ombudsman of equality. Still, it's the viewers who vote, so the final was created by the people watching. And they've made sure this particular final is full of men.
The finalists for Stockholm are:
1. "Tell the World I’m Here" – Ulrik Munther
2. "Skyline" – David Lindgren
3. "Falling" – State of Drama
4. "Begging" – Anton Ewald
5. "Only the Dead Fish Follow the Stream" – Louise Hoffsten
6. "Bed on Fire" – Ralf Gyllenhammar
7. "En riktig jävla schlager" – Ravaillacz
8. "Copacabanana" – Sean Banan
9. "You" – Robin Stjernberg
10. "Heartbreak Hotel" – YOHIO
So 9 of 10 of the finalists are good-looking males? And this is a problem why? ;)
ReplyDeleteGo Anton!!
Love from Texas!
Or rather most of the males are good-looking. Not sure where Yohio and his visual kei genre falls.
ReplyDeleteNo problem for me. ;o) The press here isn't quite as pleased. Yohio may look like a girl but he's popular with the teen girls regardless. I think that look is part of visual kei.
ReplyDelete