Medina’s Ambitious Performance and Nanne Grönvall’s Emotional Tribute Highlight Melodifestivalen 2026 Third Semi-Final

Melodifestivalen 2026's third semi-final saw Medina strive for victory with coaching from Tommy Körberg and an emotional tribute from Nanne Grönvall amid her breast cancer battle.

    Key details

  • • Medina competes with the song 'Viva L'amor' and receives coaching from Tommy Körberg to improve their performance.
  • • Nanne Grönvall performs a medley celebrating 40 years in music and is moved by the audience's reaction.
  • • Grönvall postpones her anniversary tour due to a recent breast cancer diagnosis.
  • • The third semi-final includes emotionally charged performances but is described by some as somewhat painful overall.

The third semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2026, held at Kristianstad Arena, delivered memorable performances and emotional moments, most notably from Medina and Nanne Grönvall.

Medina competed with their song "Viva L'amor," aiming for victory after previous third and second-place finishes. The group amplified their performance with coaching from legendary Swedish singer Tommy Körberg, who shared important tips on breathing techniques and maintaining joy during stage shows. Medina members expressed their gratitude and excitement over Körberg’s involvement, with Sami Rekik calling his support "invaluable" and confessing disbelief at receiving his guidance. Ali Jammali stated he felt satisfied with his singing after rehearsals, reflecting the positive impact of Körberg’s mentorship.

Adding to the evening’s highlights, Nanne Grönvall delivered an emotional medley celebrating her 40 years in music, performing classics like "Håll om mig" and "Den vilda." The crowd’s warm reception moved her to tears, as she dedicated the performance to her husband and longtime songwriting partner, Peter Grönvall. Grönvall also publicly acknowledged TV host James Corden, who had praised her in connection with her 2020 Melodifestivalen "Carpool Karaoke" appearance. Notably, she recently announced a breast cancer diagnosis that has forced her to postpone her anniversary tour to focus on recovery. Despite this, she is gradually returning to performing at a slower pace.

While Medina’s hopeful "love revolution" infused the event with uplifting energy, some observers described the semi-final’s overall tone as somewhat painful, suggesting mixed impressions of the competition. Nonetheless, Medina’s ambitious efforts alongside Körberg’s guidance and Grönvall’s heartfelt tribute provided standout moments in this pivotal stage of Melodifestivalen 2026.

This article was translated and synthesized from Swedish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

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