Norwegian singer to represent Ireland in Eurovision

At one time it is was expected that contestants entering the Eurovision Song Contest would have been born in the country they represented but that changed some time ago.

The latest Irish entry will be Emmy (full name Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen) who was actually born in Norway and even appeared in the Norwegian TV  show which chose the countries contestant for the 2021 Eurovision but was not successful.

She has been a prolific performer releasing no less than 34 singles in the past 10 years and is associated with Warner Brands and Creative Licensing.

Under Irish rules, she is qualified to represent Ireland because she co-wrote the song with Larissa Tormey, herself originally from the former Soviet Union but settled in the Republic in 2001.

Her winning song is entitled  Laika Party and is a tribute to Laika the first dog in space, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957 which sadly died of hyperthermia hours into the flight, on the craft’s fourth orbit.

With a typical Eurobeat, the song is catchy and will be accompanied by a backdrop of an almost psychedelic light show.

Norwegian singer chosen by Ireland for Eurovision entry after intense TV vote

In order to gain this accolade, Emmy was one of six artists presenting their songs on the Late Late Show Eurosong Special hosted by Patrick Kielty with guest judges such as Bambie Thug, last year’s Irish entry.

After knocking out four of the six singers, there was a ‘play off’ between Emmy and Irish singer Samantha Mumba but Emmy won the most votes from a national and international jury, thus ensuring her place in Eurovision 2025 which is being held in Basle Switzerland.

Norwegian singer will represent Ireland at Eurovision semi-final May 15 in Basle

There will be semi-finals  on May 13 and 15 (with Ireland participating in the second semi-final) then 25 out of the 37 competing countries will go through to the Grand Final which takes place on Saturday May 17.

Ireland already holds a record for the most individual wins with three obtained by Johnny Logan plus a further three wins by other singers.