Her singing career took off in 2004 when Loreen participated in the TV show Idol where she finished in fourth place. But the big breakthrough took place in the spring of 2011 when, after participating in the Melodifestivalen with the song “My Heart is Refusing me”, she made it to the charts and the whole of Sweden got their eyes open for the young star shot. This spring, she will return to the Melodifestivalen when she will compete with the contribution “Euphoria”. We have had a chat with Loreen to take her pulse before the Melodifestivalen and asked her about the past year which has undoubtedly taken her singing career to new heights.
Who is Lorine Talhaoui?
– I am who I am. A human who loves everything new. For me, it is incredibly important that what I do is genuine. That’s me. I am a person who has different sides. Many may think it is a falsehood. A dark and a light side. The shock is when you hear my music is too dark for many, but I am happy and positive. You are never who you were a year ago.
When did you start with music?
– I’ve always been into music. Many people do it from a young age, but when I understood where it was, it was a shame to sing, listen, be and live with music. Around there it became real but really it was with Idol. Not even Idol was for real but a whole year after idol was when I started writing and working actively.
You said you’re not releasing albums but only singles?
– I only release music I feel is qualitative. I do not just throw together a lot of songs to fill out. My record should be with all potential singles. I do not want to blow anyone on my album. It should be a solid job. A work of art that is carefully made. For those people who take the time to buy a record to listen to, I have to create perfect music for.
When can we expect an album with singles?
– When I think I have finished material. You have to time. I want to deliver singles as far as possible. Each song must have its own space. Each also had to be given space. Each song has its own story. That’s why I have a hard time with albums.
Who’s your role model?
– Björk! She is her own, strange and does not fill the quota to be normal and is an incredibly intelligent person who dares to take the turns. Not too much like Lady Gaga but just right.
Which was the funniest, Idol or Melodifestivalen?
– Both but in different ways. When I was on Idol everything was so new and fun, it was like being a child and getting into a candy store. It was a bit like a school too. While at Melodifestivalen I was done and driven because I really knew what I was doing and then it was nothing new either. There is another security.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done in your life?
– I have a side that is organized but I can get spontaneous things ideas like e.g. a trip to New York or Mexico. I can make a decision on the same day. Most trips have been spontaneous.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
– I hope that I am a person, a woman, who works to improve the situation for other people or maybe I am a company director. I will bring in the new to help others in music. Or more simply, a female company director.
What do you do in your free time?
– My job is my free time. I’m lucky I love what I’m doing. In my free time I create music but sometimes I pull myself together, rest and take cappuccino. I love to take a cappuccino preferably myself and just gather my thoughts.
How will you celebrate Christmas?
– I’m not so fond of either Christmas or New Year. I celebrate those I love when I feel like it. But I think it’s cozy when people gather. Every day is important and I do not wait for Christmas Eve to gather all the friends. I probably want to see every day as Christmas Eve. This is not a big deal! After all, Christmas Eve is also just a reason to eat fatty and unhealthy food.
How do you think 2012 will be?
– I’m the woman of expectations. If I expect something and get disappointed, I’m really disappointed. So I have stopped having expectations. If things are not going well, I am grateful that I am well and alive. I close my eyes to that bit because it takes focus from the love of creating and being able to enjoy the creation.
If you have a New Year’s resolution?
– There is a lot I have to focus on, but I think it would be to call my mother more often.
What is the most embarrassing thing you have done?
– High heels. Climbing up to the school. It was cold outside and slippery. All the young people were out and there was a really nice guy sitting on the side. I managed to slip on the hill with my high heels and just wanted to do.
Are you single?
– I think I’m single. I am afraid of relationships because I can fall in love which can affect my passion.
What would you have done if your music career had not worked?
– Help people by being a psychologist. I have a tendency to feel what people think and how they feel because I am a very caring person. Maybe I had worked in a warehouse in Africa with sick children.
Tell me something no one knows about you?
– I’m a control freak. Every step I take is thought over really well, and with that comes a great need for control.
What is the song “My heart is refusing me” about?
– The song is based on real experience from my life and is about difficult love when a relationship is destructive.
What would you like to say to anyone reading Newz?
– Do not forget who you are and to love yourself. More of that is needed.
• Source: http://gallery.lovely-loreen.com/thumbnails.php?album=717
• Translation: via Google Translate, the translation may not be completely accurate