The Eurovision Song Contest's Käärijä addressed concerns he was feeling overwhelmed, the excessive fan adoration, and his plans for the iconic green bolero.
The Finnish rapper boasts potentially the biggest cult favourite since Verka Seduchka's Dancing Lasha Tumbai in 2007. Cha Cha Cha stormed the UMK qualifiers for a place in the Liverpool contest and solidified Käärijä as one of this year's biggest contenders.
The heavy rock-orientated entry fused with a Kpop climax, backed by striking acid-green visuals, is a sight to behold and one that will no doubt blow the roof off of the M&S Arena. Fans around Europe are rightly obsessed with the agent of chaos that is Käärijä but the man behind the character, Jere Pöyhönen, is stunned by the sheer volume of love sent his way.
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He told the Liverpool Echo: "Yeah, it’s amazing, it feels great that people around the world like Käärijä. It feels really absurd and weird that something like this can happen when you make music in Finnish, but apparently, anything is possible."
The competitive aspect has been swept aside in favour of the experience as he added: "I don’t feel pressured, I’m just focused on doing my own thing. The people can decide who is the best and then it’ll be what it’ll be. But of course, I want to win!"
The Eurovision pre-party circuit is a daunting and tiresome undertaking. Acts gather in capital cities all over the world to connect with their fans ahead of the contest but Käärijä was forced to momentarily step away to discuss with fans how the Eurovision journey is "rough as hell for the mind and body".
Quizzed on what specific aspects were draining him, he said: "It’s everything that’s going on – I’m currently practising for the contest, touring around Finland, making new music, doing promo and going around the Eurovision pre-parties. It’s the whole package that’s making me a bit tired."
Käärijä stressed he's grateful for the opportunity and experience but hopes he can fly off to the other side of the world to kick back and relax. He added: "I would teleport myself to the Maldives. I would just lay in the sun and swim and listen to calm, relaxing music."
Strain aside, the circuit is a fun and engaging opportunity not only for fans but for the competitors to get to know each other. The class of 2023 are some of the most social and engaging we've had in recent years with them forming new friendships with every party.
Käärijä said: "I feel great about it. Everyone that I’ve met [from the contest during the pre-parties] for instance in Madrid, they're all really lovely people.
"And It was really cool how I was received there – everyone was super kind and I believe that some of us will become great friends and see each other even after this competition. Or at least I hope so!"
Some of the adoration Käärijä has received stems from his striking and half-naked appearance. He's widely regarded and celebrated as one of this year's stand-out men which has left him nothing but flattered.
Addressing the appreciation, he said: "It feels so good that Käärijä is a sex symbol and it's a little bit funny because what is Käärijä I have [this crazy hair] but I'll take it. If people say I'm a crazy sex symbol, I'll take it - and I like it."
One thing that's not going anywhere is his acid-green bolero and black, spiked pants. They're as synonymous with the rapper as his jet-black bowl cut and they won't be hung up any time soon. Discussing his plans for the item, he said: "I will be wearing it in the future as well as Käärijä’s costume. I think it’ll come with me to my gigs for at least a couple of years. It’s a part of Käärijä now."
Käärijä teased the explosive potential for the Liverpool stage, admitting it will be a similar experience to his UMK performance. The cha-cha dancers are set to return along with "few surprises" but the rapper remained tight-lipped on everything else.
Following the contest, and when millions of eyes are finally off him, Käärijä revealed he has plans to wrap the experience up in a place close to his heart. He humbly admitted: "I have to go and celebrate at the Helsinki marketplace."
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