On Wednesday 4 January, this year’s participants in Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) were launched.
A total of 21 singers and bands will fight for the victory, including Thallaug.
He perhaps caused the most attention of all for his clothing, because he appeared in a bathrobe on the red carpet. When the audience got to see him in the creative costume, several people gaped.
– It’s just that I wasn’t quite ready! NRK said I should wear something I felt comfortable in, so I did it, he says laughingly to TV 2.
He will participate with the song “Tresko” in the first dolphin final, which will be broadcast on NRK on Saturday 14 January.
HONORING THE BROTHER: Thallaug caused quite a stir on the red carpet when he appeared in a dressing gown. Although the costume was funny, the message was more serious. Photo: Erik Edland/TV 2
The song was made to honor his brother, Robin Vedvik Helmersen.
– The reason behind the participation is really mostly that I want to promote my message. The sign that says “#tresko-challenge” is inspired by my brother’s story, and his fight from 2010.
Helmersen was in a coma for five months after he got an ice cube in his head. When he woke up, he was told that he would never be able to walk again. Helmersen’s story created a lot of media history a few years ago, and he was a guest on Good Morning Norway, among others.
– Most positive person
After seven years of intense work, both physical and mental, he learned to walk again, although he still uses the wheelchair as a means of action. He has also regained the ability to speak, and in recent years has been referred to as a great role model for the disabled.
See how the brother reacted when he learned that the brother dedicated his MGP contribution to him in the video at the top of the story.
Robin has been in a wheelchair for six years – now he takes part in races
– What Robin has achieved is crazy. He is the most hopeful and positive person you will ever meet.
The point of the so-called #tresko challenge is touching. Thallaug says that if his brother can manage to stand up and jump when “clogs” are sung in the chorus, then anyone can do it.
Thus, the song was created to remind people of the impressive journey of the brother, and to show that anything is possible if you work hard.
Watch Thallaug explain the #tresko-challenge below:
Paradise Hotel
Thallaug is not an unfamiliar sight to TV viewers.
In 2014, Paradise Hotel had a season that was completely out of the ordinary. There were several actors on the participant list.
Thallaug was one of these actors, and his role was to pretend to be a hopeless romantic.
– Nine years ago I was an actor at the Paradise Hotel. It was one of the most intense and wonderful experiences I have been part of in my entire life. I got two weeks in Mexico doing plays and everyone on the crew was amazing.
A FEW YEARS AGO: In 2014, Thallaug was part of the only Paradise Hotel season that has had actors. Photo: Anton Soggiu/TV 3/Press photo
His job was to fall super in love with contestant Simone Boyle (28), who didn’t know Thallaug was hired as an actress.
After knowing Boyle for a few days, he explained that he wanted to have children with her. This resulted in what See and hear referred to as “one of the most embarrassing TV moments of the year”, precisely because the acting was so believable that the partner believed in him.
Having a background from Paradise Hotel is not something to be trifled with. When Paradise Hotel winner Stian “Staysman” Thorbjørnsen took part in MGP in 2014, he ended up in a respectable third place.
– I have to have a chat with Staysman about it! I need some tips.
LEGEND: Anita Thallaug has participated in Melodi Grand Prix with seven different songs. Photo: Arild Hordnes / NTB
Good MGP genes
Does the surname Thallaug sound familiar? Then you might be a Melodi Grand Prix fan.
His grandmother, Anita Thallaug (83), won the Melodi Grand Prix in 1963 with the song “Solhverv”.
– “Mommo” did make it to Eurovision, but ended up in joint last place. The odds are good for me, he says jokingly.
GOOD FRIENDS: Thallaug and his grandmother, Anita Thallaug, have a good relationship. The latter has won the MGP before. Photo: Private
He reveals that one of the reasons he is in the competition is to honor his grandmother.
He is also in a relationship with Farida Bolseth Benounis (32), who participated in MGP last year with the song “Dangerous”.
As well as being credited as a songwriter on ‘Dangerous’, he was also on stage with his girlfriend – where he played a fiery piano.
SHARED THE STAGE: The couple were beaten by Subwoolfer in the grand final last year. Photo: NTB/Terje Bendiksby/NRK/Julia Marie Naglestad
