Samir Badran and Viktor Frisk are competing in Melodifestivalen for the fourth time with the song ”Hela världen väntar.” However, it was not a given that it would happen; just before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, the duo actually went their separate ways.
There was no bad blood between the artists; instead, it was due to a packed schedule and no time to rest.
”We did 2-3 gigs a day sometimes,” says Samir Badran.
”Hit a wall and threw my phone”
Viktor Frisk explains that people in their surroundings thought they should ”strike while the iron was hot” when their music career was at its peak. But in the end, it became too much.
”It was like burning the candle at both ends,” he says.
Samir Badran also adds that they faced a lot of hate on social media.
”It wasn’t just the performances, but a lot of things around it. Many thought we were bad, many spread personal things about us,” he says.
”We didn’t feel good,” adds Frisk.
Samir Badran describes how he hit a wall and became exhausted at one point.
”I threw my phone and moved back to my hometown,” he says.
Why they reunited
But in the end, the longing for each other and for the music became too strong. At the end of 2023, the duo announced that they would compete in Melodifestivalen once again. This time with a focus on their health and not simultaneously touring and partying on the side.
”A little more balance this time,” says Samir Badran.
They dismiss the idea that it was about the money generated from their music career.
”If it had been for the money, we probably would have continued because we made a crazy amount of money. But if I have to choose between health and money… there is no amount of money in the world that’s worth it,” says Samir Badran.
