Cimberly and Smash Into Pieces Surprise Melodifestivalen 2026 Finalists

The February 21 Melodifestivalen in Malmö delivered unexpected excitement as Cimberly and the rock band Smash Into Pieces secured direct spots in the final. Cimberly, the 21-year-old 2023 'Idol' winner from Skellefteå, amazed audiences with her bold debut song "Eternity," described as "kaxig discopop." Expressing her joy, she said, "It is crazy. I am very, very happy and thankful that people liked it and voted." Despite not being favored by bookmakers or fan clubs, her advancement broke the pattern of favorites dominating the competition.

Smash Into Pieces, known for their consistent Melodifestivalen performances, reached the final for the third consecutive time with their song "Hollow." Despite health challenges faced by lead singer Chris Adam, the band delivered a strong performance. According to Eurovision World, they had a 90% chance of progressing.

Meanwhile, fan favorite Meira Omar, known from Netflix's 'Love is Blind,' was relegated to the final qualification round with "Dooset Daram." Three debutants—Felix Manu, Erika Jonsson, and Timo Räisänen—were eliminated.

While some critics acknowledged mixed reviews on the overall show quality, Melodifestivalen remains a vibrant fixture in Swedish culture, blending excitement and unpredictability. Commentators noted the competition's shifting dynamics, with Cimberly's success marking a refreshing change from the usual predictable results.