Omar Rudberg grew up in Åsa and has been a star since he was a child. Now 23 years old, he is preparing for his third participation in Melodifestivalen.

He sits in his home in Stockholm, the interviews succeed each other before it's time to make the short trip to the Avicii Arena (formerly the Globe) for rehearsal.

– It was almost nice that there was no tour. The Globe is right over here, instead of going to Malmö and doing something like that. Now there will still be an audience, he says.

There are so many people all over the world who have started following me and listening to my music. That's a lot of people.

It was at the Globe that his career really took off almost ten years ago, when the boy band The Fooo had their first ever performance as a group – as the opening act for Justin Bieber in 2013.

Followers worldwide

In 2017, after the band's participation in Melodifestivalen, they went their separate ways. Now Omar has released several songs as a solo artist – and has had great success as an actor.

The biggest fan base is probably among those who got to know him as Simon in the Netflix series "Young Royals". After the premiere of the series, it wasn't long before Åsasonen gained over a million followers on Instagram.

– There are so many people all over the world who have started following me and listening to my music. That's a lot of people, really, he says.

And perhaps it is thanks to the large fan base that Omar does not feel any nervousness when Kungsbacka-Posten meets him over a video link – even though there are only days left until the performance in Mello.

– I'm going in with a completely different calm this time than I did last time. I've already been out once so I've already been through the worst, he says.

Diskberget brings Omar Rudberg down to earth

Everything has changed – while nothing is different, he says about the hype after "Young Royals".

– It's just so crazy and the craziest thing is that the hype isn't over. Soon we'll start filming the next season and then even more fans will come. But apart from the numbers and my schedule, everything is the same.

– When I'm done working for the day, I leave work, hang out with friends and work out. And then I do the dishes, there's always so much washing up here. It's kind of therapy, I have to do housework and it sucks, but it also makes life normal.

Omar attended Åsa Gårdsskola until high school. Even then, he took his first tentative steps as an artist.

– I was on Talent on TV4 and then I remember that I had to go into the principal's room and speak into the microphone so the whole school heard 'hey, it's Omar, tonight I'm on Talent, you have to watch'. There are many funny memories from there.

Omar Rudberg

Born: November 12, 1998 in Puerto de la Cruz, Venezuela.

Lives: Stockholm, raised in Åsa.

Background: Moved to Sweden at the age of six with her mother Wilnur, who had then met Swedish Thomas from Värmland.

Studies: Attended Åsa Gårdsskola and Varlaskolan. Did not attend high school. “Sometimes I feel like I missed something, everyone has such funny stories from high school, but I got to experience something else instead,” he says of the decision.

Other: I usually come home to Åsa every three months.

Favorite place: At home with my mother in Åsa, Kungsmässan and the beaches around Åsa.

Current: Participating in Saturday's semi-final in Melodifestivalen with the song "Moving like that".

Åsa is coming home

Even though he has mostly worked in Stockholm in recent years, Kungsbacka always feels like coming home.

– There I can relax and breathe. What I appreciate most is coming home and hanging out with my mother in Åsa. It's like 'peace', it really is a completely different 'vibe' there than in Stockholm.

– The Royal Fair is also nice to hang out at. It feels nice to check out the shops there.

Feel free to take a trip to the Royal Fair.

In addition to taking a trip to the Royal Fair when he's in town, he's also made a few visits to his old school since he broke through.

– I've been there to visit my teachers and all the kids are just like 'oh my god'. The teachers think it's fun to see me continue doing what I like. But it's fun to meet them as an adult, and fun to hear how stubborn I was as a child. When I didn't get what I wanted, I got mad.

I've already lost once, I've already been through the worst.

A side that became visible when he last performed in Melodifestivalen, in 2019. The song "Om om och om igen" didn't even make it to the semi-finals.

– I've heard that some people said it was 'too good a song' for Mello, he told Aftonbladet after the competition was decided.

This time he has a much better feeling.

– I definitely think it's a better number, I have a great gut feeling. I'm doing it with two really good dancers. It'll be very bright and the song is great. Now I'm just going to do this as well as possible. But I really want to move on, it would really be amazing, he says now.

Hope the music career "explodes"

It's Saturday, but the nervousness hasn't set in yet.

– Right now I'm feeling pretty cool, I think everything will be fine. But on Saturday I'm going to die. It doesn't matter which stage I'm on, I'm just as nervous anyway.

The hope is clearly to win.

– If I come to Eurovision, yes, then we'll talk. I have a lot of fans out in Europe who are involved and can vote.

The spring schedule is packed. In addition to Melodifestivalen, the new season of "Young Royals" will be recorded and more music releases are also expected.

You are 23 years old, have over ten years as an artist and a number of successes behind you. Where will Omar Rudberg end up?

– The only thing I know is that I will not stop working in this industry. I will not throw my role as Simon in the trash, I will definitely continue acting because it is a great opportunity I have been given. And I hope my music will explode one day, to get out into the world and play would be a big dream. We will simply have to see.