This year’s Norwegian national final, also known as the Melodi Gran Prix 2025, deals with some problems which have arisen because of the withdrawal of Angelina Jordan, while the national broadcaster, Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK), demands a financial compensation.
Analytically speaking, NRK claims 131,250 NOK for all the expenses of Jordan’s participation from her management, A&A Star Production AS/ASTAR ENT, as well as from Michael Astar, who is Jordan’s uncle. NRK sees that as a violation of the contract, while the deadline for the payment of this claim seems to have been expired since last Friday.
The Head of the Norwegian Delegation, Mads Tørklep, confirmed that NRK asks for some expenses “in connection with travel and accommodation, as well as the purchase of a designer dress that the American team has ordered.”
Moreover, he explained:
In addition, we would like to be reimbursed for some of the costs we have incurred with the stage show and the construction of stage elements. It is a shame about the money, and we of course hope to get it refunded. The biggest shame, however, is that Norway will not get to experience a strong artist with a good song that I believe would have graced Norway’s largest music stage.
Additionally, on the 6th of January, ten days before the Melodi Gran Prix 2025 artists’ revelation, Audrey A. Benoualid, Jordan’s lawyer, sent an email to NRK informing the broadcaster regarding Jordan’s withdrawal. More specifically, she mentioned:
There are several personal and professional reasons for this, as well as security concerns that have recently arisen (including receiving personal threats).
Furthermore, Tørklep added:
We are honestly a little confused about the reason for her withdrawal. Her lawyer has several explanations, while we have read something different in the media. The most important thing for us is that Angelina is doing well, so we hope that we can get a good explanation for this later.
while the lawyer answered in a later email:
I have been told that my client did not sign any papers or enter into any agreement.
Even Jordan’s mother, Sara Astar, addressed the issue mentioning that the wildfires of Los Angeles, where Jordan lives, contributed to her daughter’s withdrawal, since a lot of her friends have lost their properties. However, the wildfires started on January the 7th, one day after of the email’s sending regarding Jordan’s withdrawal.
Finally, Tørklep mentioned:
It was very sad that we lost Angelina. We felt that we had a good collaboration with her and the team. She also had a strong song that I think the Norwegian people would have liked.
It is of course very regrettable that this happened so late in the process, just hours before a big recording day with all the artists. There we do everything from filming portraits to taking stills and making promos. There are a lot of busy people involved, and there is a lot that has to fall into place to bring everyone together at the same time. So late in the process we also planned the performance and finished building elements for the stage.
The final list of all the Melodi Gran Prix 2025 entries is the following:
Last year in Malmö, Sweden, Gåte represented Norway with their song “Ulveham”, finishing in the last palce with 16 points in total.
Source: VG
Stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for even more news regarding Norway’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025!
