J�³hanna Gu�°r�ºn J�³nsd�³ttir won the right to represent her country, Iceland at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest tonight. In her first attempt at the competition, she came through the semi finals and the final to capture the hearts of the Icelandic public and win S�¶ngvakeppni sj�³nvarpsins 2009. In her first interview as the Icelandic Eurovision Song contest entry, the delighted and overwhelmed singer spoke to esctoday.com.
Jóhanna, congratulations on winning the national final tonight, why did you decide to enter the competition?
"I've been working with the man that wrote the song for some time. He sent me the song and i listened to it a couple of times. I really liked it but I wasn't sure about entering the competition. He talked to me a lot and convinced".
This is the first time you've competed in a televised show. How did it feel?
"This was a totally new experience for me and i loved it. I love working with lots of people and the production was fantastic. I love being a part of this and the team spirit has been great with everyone".
You will represent Iceland in Moscow, what does that mean to you?
"I've been pushing these thoughts away for weeks because I didnt want to think that far ahead. All I thought about was doing my best in the competition. It's truly overwhelming, I'm so excited now, it feels great".
Iceland normally sends a fast song to the Eurovision Song Contest, did you think that having a ballad would be a disadvantage?
"I did think it would be a disadvantage, yes. The people in Iceland think that a typical Eurovision song should be fast so they normally send something like that, I'm really happy to have won with a ballad".
What will happen in the next few weeks?
"I really don't know yet, it's too early. I didnt plan for winning, so I will have to work all that out in the next few days I guess".
Will there be a single release or an album to come?
"I still don't know, but I guess there will be now but I've not had it confirmed as yet. I really hope so".
The esctoday.com readers gave you a runaway victory in the Icelandic final poll. Do you have a message for them and the rest of Europe?
"Thank you. Thank you. I'm just looking forward to coming to Moscow now and I hope people will like the song we are bringing there".
esctoday.com also spoke to Fridrik Omar, who represented Iceland in 2008 as one half of Euroband. We asked him what he thought of the song that will take over from This is my life as the next Icelandic entry:
"What can I say, I thinkJóhanna is a great performer and a great singer. the song is quite unusual for Iceland because we usually pick uptempo songs, so I'm thrilled that she will be our artist this year".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLWxKKH70RE
esctoday.com would like to thank Johana and Fridrik for their comments tonight.
