'Silver, space and a rocket': EMMY ready for Eurovision take-off
It's all about "silver, space and a rocket" for Ireland's Eurovision entry EMMY as she prepares for take-off in Basel, Switzerland, later this week for the second song contest semi-final.
The 24-year-old singer-songwriter from the small village of Sande, south of the Norwegian capital of Oslo, is set to perform her catchy electropop track, Laika Party, as the third song of the night at St Jakobshalle on Thursday, 15 May.
Backed by her brother, Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen, and dancers Vilde Skorstad, Karin Aaeng Stuge, Kristiane Lindvik, and Christiane Bergersen, the singer, whose real name is Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen, said her team are "so grateful for the support".
Watch: EMMY brings Laika Party to Trinity College
"I'm feeling more Irish every day now. Whenever I hear an Irish accent, I feel at home," she told RTÉ Entertainment.
The high-energy intergalactic earworm, which tells the story of a Soviet space dog, was born at a songwriting camp in EMMY's homeland, organised by the MGP - the body behind Norway's Eurovision selection. It was there she met Kilbeggan-based songwriter Larissa Tormey, who co-wrote this year's Irish entry alongside EMMY and a team of Norwegian songwriters.
"It was the biggest song-writing camp I've ever been to. It was huge. About 120 songs combined were written. It was so cool," she explained. "I'm so glad Larissa [Tormey] was there and this happened. It was a lucky moment," EMMY added.
EMMY's career blasted off in 2015 when she as a 15-year-old and participated in Melodi Grand Prix Junior - one of the biggest music competitions in her country for children. Six years later, in 2021, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix, Norway's national selection of a song for Eurovision Song Contest performing Witch Woods.
Speaking of witches...while last year's Irish entrant, Bambie Thug, flew ouija-pop into Malmö, EMMY hopes for an equally smooth landing in Basel.
Asked what fans can expect from her stage production and costume, she said without hesitation: "Silver, space and a rocket!"
When it comes to amassing social media followers, EMMY's stats are out-of-this-world. With 1.2 million eyeballs on TikTok (and counting), she is every talent agencies' dream.
"I started off as a TikToker that posted cover songs. Now the content has changed to be more about Eurovision," she laughed.
Beaming with pride as she opens up about her family, EMMY said "they are so excited for us" while revealing Irish pop duo Jedward - made up of twins John and Edward Grimes - remain firm Eurovision favourites among her clan.
"Some of the family will be coming with us to Basel and some will be staying at home cheering for us on TV, which is great because I'll also have a support system to come home to when I get off the plane."
Opening up about her earliest Eurovision memories, she recalled, "The first year I really remember watching it was 2008. I was almost eight years old. Every year since I've watched it with my family and I have amazing, beautiful memories. Jedward with Lipstick in 2011 is one of my earliest memories of Eurovision. It really was iconic!".
When it comes to this year's competition, Emmy says she can't stop listening to four songs on repeat - Run With U performed by the band Mamagama (Azerbaijan), RÓA by the duo VÆB (Iceland), JJ with Wasted Love (Austria) and KAJ with Bara bada bastu (Sweden).
EMMY is no stranger to the Eurovision world but there's no denying that this is far more than a competition to her. "This is a childhood dream that I never, ever thought would come true, and now it's happening," she enthused.
Parting ways with her hopes for what's to come over the next few days, EMMY shared, "My only two goals for Eurovision are to try my best and to make Ireland proud."
Little does she know her mission has already been accomplished.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals take place on 13 and 15 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player from 8pm. The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, 17 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.
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