What makes the ESC star tick

Kaleen: “Beyonce inspired me”

(Bild: ORF/Rankin)

Kaleen has been chosen by ORF as Austria's candidate for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Malmö, Sweden, in May. In an interview, the Upper Austrian spoke about the fascination of the ESC, her inspiration and revealed that she is actually shy.

Kaleen from Upper Austria has an exciting year ahead of her. In May, the 29-year-old, who released her debut album "Stripping Feelings" last year, will represent Austria at the Song Contest in Malmö. However, Kaleen has already had a taste of the ESC before, even if she only discovered her passion for the big singing competition quite late.

"That's when I knew: I want to do that"
"I never watched the Song Contest as a child. My family was more at home in the folk music business. My grandmother is Hanneliese Kreißl-Wurth. That's why I only stumbled across the ESC in 2016," Austria's ESC hopeful told APA.

Singer Kaleen represents Austria at the Song Contest.

(Bild: ORF)

In 2018, Kaleen finally took part for the first time as a stand-in for the artists during the rehearsal. "And performing on stage in the same set-up was the spark that ignited everything for me. That's when I knew: this is so much fun, I want to do it myself."

Pop number for ESC
Since then, her life path has "always overlapped with the ESC", explained the singer, who was also the stage director for the Junior ESC in Armenia. "The fact that I can now stand on stage as an artist myself makes me incredibly happy! It closes a circle."

Kaleen has already had a taste of the ESC. In May, she will be on stage for Austria in Malmö.

(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

The song with which Kaleen wants to win over the European ESC audience in May is still a secret. There is already a "rough version" and it is being written by Swedish ESC experts. However, Kaleen has already revealed that it will not be a ballad, but rather "a techno-inspired, very fast pop number that you can dance to".

"Beyonce inspired me"
Who inspires her musically? "Beyonce has inspired me a lot as an artist and as a person. What she does is incredibly professional and incredibly energetic. Full on, full of energy, that's exactly mine," says Kaleen, whose real name is Marie-Sophie Kreissl.

Singer Kaleen reveals: her inspiration is Beyonce.

(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

The private Marie-Sophie and the stage star Kaleen are two different "personalities", she also revealed: "At home, I am a person who has turned 180 degrees. Something happens to me on stage. I stand there, I'm sexy, I'm confident - it's a role that just comes to me. And at home I'm more introverted. I'm actually shy."

When exactly Kaleen will compete for Austria in May will be decided on January 30. The starting places for the first semi-final on May 7 and the second semi-final on May 9 will then be drawn. A total of 37 countries will be competing in the Swedish port city of Malmö this year, following last year's victory for Loreen with "Tattoo" in Liverpool.