Meet the MGP Hosts: Back Again and Clearly Enjoying Themselves
Melodi Grand Prix is many things. A national obsession. A launchpad. A pressure cooker. But according to Ronny Brede Aase, it’s also something else entirely: a circus you’re genuinely happy to rejoin.
“It’s very fun to be back in the MGP circus,” he admits, with the enthusiasm of someone who knows exactly what he’s signing up for. The secrecy around the songs, the mystery of the artists, the barely contained hype — for Ronny, that’s the good stuff.
He won’t be facing it alone. Marte Stokstad and Markus Neby are back alongside him, returning after hosting last year’s final. A trio that already knows the rhythm, the risks and, crucially, how to survive the unexpected.
Being asked to host MGP with Marte and Markus again, Ronny says, wasn’t really a question. It was a yes. Instantly.
Prepared for Anything (Especially Technical Chaos)
All three presenters are seasoned professionals, which is useful when you’re live on national television and absolutely anything can happen. Marte Stokstad, in particular, sounds unfazed by the idea of things going wrong.
If there’s another technical failure? No problem. They’ll improvise. Again.
“Like in 2020,” she jokes, “we’ll just put Ronny into spontaneous conversation with the mayor and Abid Raja — and problem solved.”
It’s said with a smile, but the confidence is real. This is a team that knows live TV isn’t about perfection. It’s about recovery.
Higher Stakes, Catchier Songs
Markus Neby has been watching MGP evolve, and he’s noticed something important. The Norwegian final doesn’t exist in a bubble anymore. Past winners are gaining real traction across Europe, from Alessandra Mele to Kyle Alessandro.
That changes things.
When artists see that MGP can actually open doors beyond Norway, the competition suddenly carries more weight. The stakes rise. And that, Markus argues, makes everything more exciting.
Marte agrees — especially when it comes to the music itself. This year’s final, she says, is packed with songs that stick.
“These are songs I’ve already been humming for a long time,” she admits. “People should be excited. There’s a lot of really good music this year. Very singable.”
The artists will be revealed on 19 January, with full songs released on 26 January. The countdown, officially, is on.
Lillehammer, Folk Fest and a Bit of History
This year’s MGP final will take place on 28 February at Håkons Hall, in the Olympic city of Lillehammer. Thirty-two years after the Winter Olympics, the venue is preparing for a very different kind of spectacle.
Marte is particularly excited about taking MGP outside the usual big-city circuit.
“There’s a special local energy in places like Lillehammer,” she says. “That engagement really lifts the broadcast.”
Local officials have already promised a city-wide celebration, and Markus feels comfortable heading into it with this team by his side. His role, as he sees it, is simple: add a bit of spice between the serious moments.
The Conversation That Isn’t Going Away
All three presenters acknowledge that the wider discussion around Norway’s participation in Eurovision is both valid and necessary. It’s part of the context now, whether people like it or not.
But when the final arrives, the focus will be clear.
“First and foremost, we’re there to find the best song in Norway,” Ronny says.
And he sounds genuinely delighted to be part of it again.
“We know it’s going to be a great night, with a great group of people,” he adds. “So yes — I’m wagging my tail like an overexcited dog to be back at Grand Prix.”
Hard to argue with that energy.
Source: nrk
