Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who competed in this year’s Melodifestivalen, faces accusations of drug use and violence against his ex-wife. Production officials admitted awareness but took no action.
A storm has erupted in Sweden over the participation of singer Måns Zelmerlöw in the Melodifestivalen 2025 final. According to an investigation by Aftonbladet, senior officials at the Swedish national broadcaster, SVT, were aware that Zelmerlöw was struggling with drug addiction and knew of allegations of violence against his former partner, Ciara Janson. Nevertheless, they allowed him to continue competing.
Zelmerlöw, 38, was considered a leading contender to win, even for Eurovision 2025 itself, but there was significant concern behind the scenes. Production sources revealed that throughout the tour, his drug problem was widely discussed and known. According to testimonies, he used drugs during the competition and even consumed cocaine at the after-party in March. Sources claim he spoke openly about his drug use.
Public Response and New Evidence
Later, Zelmerlöw publicly addressed his cocaine addiction, claiming he had stopped using several months earlier. However, new evidence suggests that his drug use continued during the competition.
According to the report, Melodifestivalen officials were also aware of serious allegations that Zelmerlöw pushed Janson against a hotel corridor wall just days before the final. Despite this, no action was taken, and he was allowed to participate in the final.
Reactions from the Parties Involved
A week after the competition ended, Janson posted on social media, alleging that Zelmerlöw had been violent towards her during their relationship. Zelmerlöw strongly denied the accusations, writing: “I have never hurt or threatened my children or my ex-wife. These things are not true.” His lawyer, Hanna Lindblom, also rejected all allegations.
Responding to the claims, Melodifestivalen project manager Anders Wistbacka stated he was unaware of any information requiring his intervention. “No reports reached me that required action,” he said, emphasizing that the competition venue maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol.
Regarding the official after-parties, Wistbacka noted that these are not organized by the national broadcaster but by the production company Live Nation, and artists’ attendance is not mandatory.
Aftonbladet contacted representatives of both Janson and Zelmerlöw for comment, but no response has been received as of yet.
Sweden at Eurovision 2025:
“Bara bada bastu” (in English: “Just take a sauna”) is the title of the song which was performed by band KAJ, who represented Sweden in Eurovision 2025, in Basel, Switzerland – Placing 4th with 321 points. The song was written by the band members – Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård – along with Anderz Wrethov, Kristoffer Strandberg, and Robert Skowronski.
Wrethov is no stranger to the Eurovision world, having written numerous Eurovision songs, including “We Will Rave” by Kaleen, who represented Austria in Eurovision 2024, “Fuego” by Eleni Foureira, who represented Cyprus in Eurovision 2018 and finished in second place, and “Voices” by Tusse, Sweden’s representative in Eurovision 2021. The song is performed in Finnish and Swedish.
Eurovision 2025: This will be Sweden’s 63rd participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Sweden joined the competition in 1958 and has won it seven times over the years. Sweden’s most recent victory was at Eurovision 2023 with the song “Tattoo,” performed by the singer Loreen.
Source: Aftonbladet.
