Host-broadcaster SVT announced that Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede would host this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö back in February, but what do we know about the iconic Eurovision-veteran and Hollywood star?
Petra Mede
Petra Mede, 54, is an icon to Eurovision fans with 2024 being the third time she will host the show. After fronting the contest solo in Malmö 2013, she returned for Stockholm 2016 alongside the previous year's Swedish winner Måns Zelmerlöw.
Petra proved she could do much more than host, singing and dancing her way through legendary interval acts 'Swedish Smörgåsbord' in 2013 and 'Love Love Peace Peace' with Måns in 2016.
Petra is one of Sweden's most beloved television hosts and comedians, having previously hosted 'Melodifestivalen' in 2009 and 2016, the 'QX-gala' and 'Guldbaggegalan' and her own 'Petra Mede Show', on TV3.
The former dancer also hosted 'Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits' for the EBU and BBC to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision in 2015.
Her hosting of the contest for the third time in 2024 makes her the only person to have hosted the contest three times, second behind the United Kingdom's Katie Boyle who hosted in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1974.
Petra says about her third Eurovision hosting gig:
‘Imagine getting the chance to host Eurovision once again! It's such an incredible honor. After first hosting it alone and then together with the delightful Måns Zelmerlöw by my side, I am now really looking forward to working with Malin. We don't know each other from before, but we have met a couple of times now, and I'm already completely sold. It's going to be a joy to work with her!’
Petra was voted by the Aussievision team as our top Eurovision host of all time back in 2021.
Malin Åkerman
Actor Malin Åkerman, 45, was born in Stockholm to Swedish parents but spent most of her childhood in Canada after moving there as a two-year-old.
After competing as a professional figure skater in her teenage years, she moved into modelling and began studying as a child psychologist when she finished school. Her modelling work lead to acting offers and she dropped out of college, moving to Los Angeles in 2001.
Malin has starred in over 40 films and almost 30 television series. Her filmography includes TV shows such as 'The Comeback' and 'Entourage' and movies 'The Heartbreak Kid' and 'Watchmen'.
She has acted alongside Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and The Rock. Malin says about her Eurovision hosting gig:
‘I can’t really describe my feelings about this. I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way. I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true. Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I’ve ever met.’
Apart from their television and performance experience, the pair also speak five languages between them! Both speak Swedish, English, Spanish and French, with Petra also speaking Italian.
It's safe to say that the show is in great hands and viewers should expect the two to feature in some very entertaining banter, hopefully with some song and dance numbers thrown in! Will we see 'Love Love Peace Peace' Part 2? We'll find out in only a few days!
For continued updates on all the Eurovision Song Contest news follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and TikTok. All links at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet