• Sweden edition
Society

Sean Banan wows crowd with glitter and glam

Published: 10 Feb 13 15:14 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/46110/20130210/

Swedish performer Sean Banan dazzled the Gothenburg crowd in his win at Saturday's Melodifestivalen heat, in an eccentric number including 25 costume changes, a diaper, and giant angel wings.

Sean Banan, whose real name is Sina Samadi, failed to make it through a "Second Chance" playoff in last year's Melodifestivalen.

His win in Saturday's heat in Gothenburg means he now has a place in next month's Melodifestivalen final.

Sean Banan broke down in tears when the results came in on Saturday night. He had injured his knee during rehearsals and had to go to hospital for an X-ray, but the live performance went according to plan.

The other winner of the night was Louise Hoffsten - a wildly different artist from Sean Banan.

The 48-year-old Hoffsten is a veteran rock, blues and pop singer. She performed a more sombre song, titled Only The Dead Fish Follow The Stream.

It was a pared-down performance in which Hoffsten, flanked by three guitarists, sang and played the harmonica.

Just two weeks ago, Hoffsten, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, could hardly move and thought she would have to pull out of the competition.

On Saturday, she did not want to take the risk of falling over on the catwalk on live television. Instead, the audience saw a pre-recorded segment of her before her performance.

After the win, Hoffsten told reporters it felt "surreal".

Sean Banan and Hoffsten took the third and fourth spots in Sweden's Melodifestivalen final, after Japan-inspired glamrocker Yohio and ice hockey-playing crooner David Lindgren claimed the first two spots in Karlskrona last weekend.

Event organizer Sveriges Television (SVT) will run two more heats - in Skellefteå and Malmö respectively - before the grand finale in Stockholm's Friends Arena on March 9th.

The international Eurovision final will take place in Malmö in May.

The Local/nr Follow The Local on Twitter

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

08:29 February 11, 2013 by nolikegohome
he was so funny i saw the show. congratulations.
10:45 February 11, 2013 by Geno44
Yup! Diapers, angel wings and nose picking...now THAT'S entertainment.
12:10 February 11, 2013 by p201055r
I agree Geno 44 - all that and what a potential ambassador for Sweden to the Eurovision-wide viewing audience!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Swedish addicts could get glass 'free zone'

Swedish addicts could get glass 'free zone'

Politicians in the small Swedish town of Falköping want to give alcoholics and drug users a glass-encased zone in the middle of a central square, saying it would lessen public disturbances and allow "the down and out" to socialize. READ () »

EU probes SAS airline over state aid

EU probes SAS airline over state aid

The European Commission opened an in-depth probe on Wednesday to see if state aid given to Scandinavian Airlines by Sweden and Denmark conformed to EU rules. READ () »

Fashion Fix
Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers

Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers

In The Local's new Fashion Fix column on Swedish trends, Englishwoman Victoria Hussey gets up close and personal with shoes - namely "brothel creepers" from WWII that have been making a steady return to Stockholm pavements. READ () »

Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug

Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug

Imported frozen raspberries should be boiled before eaten according to new advice from Sweden's National Food Agency, which warns that the berries may carry the novo virus that is more known for causing winter vomiting disease. READ () »

Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days

Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days

A deceased patient who had no relatives was left in a room for five days at the Örebro University Hospital before staff realized the body was still there. READ () »

Scab row as students disrupt bus strike

Scab row as students disrupt bus strike

Stockholm bus traffic was at a standstill Wednesday as drivers launched a major strike at midnight, but a group of Conservative youths disrupted the action by replacing a bus route between two of the city's major hospitals. READ () »

Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site

Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site

Sweden Democrat MP Kent Ekeroth has to pay tax for money sent to his bank account as donations to two far-right websites that he claims to have nothing to do with editorially. READ () »

The Local List
Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish

Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish

For some foreigners living in Sweden, a natural "inner Swede" can develop that often doesn't show its face until you're back home again. The Local's Patrick Reilly lists the top ten ways this inner-Swede can change your life. READ () »

More Society

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
Elodie Pradet/The Local Elodie Pradet WikiCommons Private/Scanpix Scanpix fastighetsbyrån.se Elodie Pradet/The Local File photo: AP File photo: Scanpix Private Göran Höglund/Flickr Finest.se Scanpix Ann Törnkvist Stefan Larsson Private DoToday Scanpix, C More The Local Finest.se Facebook The Local Scanpix Ann Törnkvist/The Local Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix CDC/Wikipedia (File) kristja/sxc.hu (File) Fastighetsbyrån Swedish expats use book club to survive London Finest.se Sergei Grits Silence/WikiCommons Oliver Gee Oliver Gee Scanpix veidekke/Flickr Eddie Gee David V. Hughes

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Snuggling With the Enemy

19 June 19:39

Kentucky’s Bourbon Royalty Visits Sweden »

"He's not a celebrity in Sweden, but everyone in Kentucky knows the name Fred Noe. Even more people know the name of his great-grandfather, Jim Beam." READ »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE