2025 saw the United Kingdom welcome the biggest Eurovision Song Contest festival. Known as ‘Manchagen’, the event showcased live performances from both current Eurovision entrants and celebrated acts from previous years.
Hera Björk is an Icelandic singer most well known for representing for country twice at The Eurovision Song Contest, in 2010 with ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ and 2024 with ‘Scared Of Heights’.
We caught up with her in person to hear about her Eurovision experiences and her thoughts on the 2025 contest.
The Eurovision legend from 2010. The Eurovision icon from 2024. Hera Björk, Welcome to Manchester. How are you finding it?
Thank you so much. I love it here, I’ve been once before so I’m happy to be back.
You represented Iceland in 2010 aswell as last year, how different was the experience performing last year compared to 2010? The contest has evolved so much.
Yeah, I mean, it’s so different. Of course, it has the same feel about it, the love, the respect for music and each other, it’s the same, yet it’s grown so much. I mean, social media, everyone has a camera, you know? It’s so much closer to the audience, but still somehow not. Do you know what I mean? I mean, I’m of course used to meeting people, but I love it. It makes my brain blow a little bit, you know? It gives me challenges that I need to rise up to. If I’m doing that okay, I don’t know.
I’m sure you are! Iceland’s entry this year Vaeb what do you think of the boys and how do you think it will do?
I love them , I love those guys. I actually think that Iceland needed Vaeb this year.
It’s certaintly something different from other entries and a its different entry for Iceland.
No, no, no, exactly! I’m really hopeful for them but then again with Eurovision you just never know.
What does Eurovision mean to you and being involved with the contest?
I mean, it means the world to me. I’ve had links to Eurovision somehow since 2006 and gone, I think, 5 or 6 times to the contest, I’ve stopped counting! It’s been amazing. I always love the journey, whether it’s me in the front or in the background or even as a vocal coach supporting everybody. I just love seeing these artists come and perform their songs and everything, so it’s an amazing community, and yes, it means the world to me. I think it is something we all need, especially today. We are all trying to fight adversity every second of the day, and I think that we should focus, when it comes to Eurovision, on the music. I mean, because if we are allowed to hammer on negative comments about the song, or our hairdos, or a dress, or whatever, that’s rude. I think that’s something we all need to do a little bit better.
Momma says: do a little bit better!
You can follow Hera Björk on social media and check out my other interviews.