NORWAY – Norwegian national broadcaster confirmed today that MGP will be used in 2021 to decide the country’s participation for Eurovision 2021.
Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will have the same format as the 2020 edition with the regional semi-finals and the final.
Ten artists will compete in the final. From each semi-final, there will be one qualifier and there will be five invited finalists.
Christina Rezk Resar, the acting Head of NRK Entertainment, said that NRK gives emphasis to 2021 edition:
โThe audience is best catered for by organising MGP in line with the sixty-year tradition. MGP has always been an important showcase for Norwegian music. Based on the situation the music industry is in, it is more important than ever to fulfil this role and showcase the breadth of Norwegian artists and newly written songs.โ
Winner of this year’s MGP, Ulrikke Brandstorp, has been granted a spot in the 2021 MGP final but the singer declined. Instead, she will perform as a guest artist in the final.
โThe cancellation of this yearโs competition is obviously a shame for Ulrikke, who has made a huge effort ahead of this yearโs MGP and Eurovision, but everyone agrees that the situation the world is in does not allow for major music competitions. We offered Ulrikke a place in the final in next yearโs MGP, but I understand that it is difficult to replace not getting to go to Eurovision this year. Ulrikke is an amazing artist that we will probably see a lot in the coming years.โ