Norway | Raylee has qualified to the final of Melodi Grand Prix 2020

Tonight, the first national final of the new decade kicked off as the first semi final for Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix took place in Oslo. Raylee won with her song "Wild" and has qualified for the final. Raylee beat Lisa in the Gold Duel to become the one and only song from this semi final that will reach the final stage of Norway’s long standing national final.
Raylee joins Didrik & Emil, Ulrikke Brandstorp, Akuvi, Sondrey and Tone Damli as automatic qualifiers to the final that will be live from the western city of Trondheim on the 15th of February.
The four acts competing were split up into two duels, with one winner from each duel advancing to the 'Gold Duel', where the winner wins the ticket to the grand final.
Geirmund and Lisa were the first duel, with Lisa winning, whilst Raylee and Kim Rysstad battled it out in the second duel.
The three hosts did a very good job opening one of Eurovision’s favourite national Finals. Kåre Magnus Mergh, who has hosted Melodi Grand Prix six times before, famous presenter Ingrid Linhave and journalist turned presenter Ronny Breede Aase were very entertaining and kept the show smoothly running, seeming comfortable in their new roles together.
Check out Raylee's semi final performance
This year is a special edition of Melodi Grand Prix as it is the National Final’s 60th anniversary, and that is why that for the first time in recent history, there will not just be one show but 5 shows, consisting of 4 semi finals and one grand final.
Interestingly, this is the first time in 31 years that the final will not be in the capital, Oslo. The semi finals, however, will all be in Oslo. The Norwegian broadcaster NRK had previously talked about spreading out the competition into numerous cities, and this year, they have done just that!
What are your thoughts on tonight's semi final winner? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for all the latest (Junior) Eurovision news!