Benjamin Ingrosso has ruled out a return to Melodifestivalen in the near future, describing his participation in the show as “history”. 

Ingrosso competed in Sweden’s Eurovision selection show in 2017 and 2018, winning on his second attempt with the song Dance You Off. 

Click to read this story at a glance…

• Benjamin Ingrosso has ruled out a return to Melodifestivalen
• Ingrosso, a former winner of Melfest, expressed the intense competitive nature of the event as a reason not to return
• Ingrosso will perform a seven-minute medley of his recent work at Eurovision, including his new single Honey Boy

Speaking to The Euro Trip ahead of his guest performance in the first Eurovision Semi-Final, the 26-year-old didn’t appear keen to make a competitive return. 

“It is history for me,” he said. 

“When you compete in Melfest, everyone is there to win. 

“I really wanted to win – and to win Melfest is a big six weeks of rehearsals and competing with other artists, and you only have a small chance to win. 

“You win to be able to participate in Eurovision. I’m here now without competing, so I took a u-turn.” 

Ingrosso’s return to the Eurovision stage will see him perform a seven-minute medley of his recent material, including a first live performance of new single Honey Boy since its release last week. 

The track is a collaboration with Grammy-winning producers Nile Rodgers and Purple Disco Machine, and singer-songwriter Shenseea. 

“I’ve actually worked with Nile Rodgers before – five years ago I wrote a song for Olly Murs. 

“Nile was playing the guitar on the song, they recorded it in Abbey Road Studios, they did a music video, but they never released it. 

“Now I can finally prove that I’ve worked with Nile Rodgers. He’s one of the greatest of all time. 

“Purple Disco Machine is an icon in the house industry and the disco world, then we brought Shenseea on it which puts some soulful flavour into the chorus. It’s a collaboration of the entire world.” 

Ingrosso’s career since representing Sweden at Eurovision in 2018 has gone from strength to strength. 

He has won Swedish Grammis, including Artist of the Year in 2022, topped the Swedish album charts on three occasions, and earlier this year scored his first number one single in Sweden. 

“I’m just happy to be here without having to compete in Melfest – that’s the biggest gift I can get. 

“To be able to do a seven-minute medley is like winning Melfest again. 

“This is something I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life.”