Saara Aalto, the 2018 Finnish Eurovision representative has revealed to ESCToday some exclusive details and information regarding her Eurovision plans and preparations.

Saara Aaalto was selected via an internal selection by Finnish national broadcaster YLE in order to represent Finland at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. She is the very first Finnish representative to be selected via an internal selection in order to represent Finland at Eurovision Song Contest.

Saara Aalto’s  Eurovision entry will be determined via a public/international jury deliberation during a live televised show UMK 2018, scheduled to be held on 3 March 2018 at the Metroo Areena in Espoo, Finland.

ESCToday got in touch with Saara Aalto recently and she shed some light on her ongoing Eurovision 2018 preparations:

The 2018 Finnish ESC hopeful is currently in Norway where she has been writing and recording one of the potential Eurovision songs, she has recorded and written many songs in her quest to defend the Finnish colours at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. Saara is very excited and believes that she has the winning song. She will be selecting the 3 songs for the Finnish national final between today and tomorrow.

About Saara Aalto

Saara Aalto made headlines worldwide thanks to her participation in the X Factor UK last year where she earned international fame and recognition; despite being the hot favourite to win the talent show the Finnish artist placed 2nd in the grand finale. Saara’s growing popularity and participation in the X Factor UK earned her an international record deal.

She has tried to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest on 2 occasions, namely in 2011 and 2016 when partook in the Finnish national selection. Saara has also competed in the celebrated TV show The Voice of Finland in 2012.

Finland in Eurovision

Finland debuted in the contest in 1961 and has won the competition once in 2006 with Lordi‘s Hard rock Hallelujah.

The country has encountered mixed fortunes in the contest throughout its history in the contest. The Finns have only made it once to the Top 5, namely in 2006 when they walked away with the coveted trophy.

The Nordic country has struggled to qualify to the Grand Final since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, thus missing out 7 times.