Omar Rudberg: “'Young Royals' changed my whole life”

Actor and artist Omar Rudberg is currently starring in the new Swedish horror film "Carousel" which takes place at Liseberg.

– It's exciting to make a feature film, says the "Young Royals" star.

A group of friends get a sneak peek at Liseberg the night before Halloween. But it turns out that the employee who is supposed to guide them around the amusement park is a former friend, who used to be a natural part of the group. Now they are forced into a reluctant reunion while a bloody night of horror awaits them.

– I've never seen anything like this in Sweden before, says Omar Rudberg, who plays one of the teenagers in "Carousel".

What do you mean?

– The film takes place at a funfair, it feels more American but in a Scandinavian style. There are youth horror films, that's nothing new in itself, but the Swedish one feels unique.

There is currently a boom in Swedish genre films, with more and more disaster, adventure and not least horror films being released in cinemas. In addition to "Carousel", "Canceled" and "The Conference" have premiered, and in the coming months, "Out of the Dark" will also be released.

– As soon as I heard the words “horror film” and “Liseberg”, I was on board, says director Simon Sandquist, who was called by the production company Scandinavian Content Group with the offer to make the film.

During the night at the amusement park, the friends' relationships are tested as they are chased through carousels and roller coasters, all the while trying to understand who is trying to murder them and why.

– I think we have achieved a really good mix of horror and suspense, the film has as much in common with “Jurassic Park” as it does with a classic horror film. “Carousel” is a youth adventure, a bit like “Stranger Things”, it is about the characters having to solve their personal problems while at the same time having to fight to survive, says Simon Sandquist.

"Carousel" is Omar Rudberg's first feature film, but the 24-year-old has a long background in Swedish public life. In 2010, he participated in the TV program "Talang" and a couple of years later he was cast in the boy band The Fooo together with Felix Sandman, Oscar Enestad and Oscar Molander. The group, which underwent several name changes, managed to support both Justin Bieber and One Direction and compete in Melodifestivalen before they went their separate ways in 2017.

Since then, Omar Rudberg has released a long series of singles and last year his first solo album "OMR" was released. On Friday, October 20, the new single "Off my mind" he made together with Jübel will be released.

– The song is very exotic, if I may say so. It has a reggaeton beat, it's very flowy, says Omar Rudberg. It's a warm song that you could have heard on an island in the Caribbean.

He also sings a verse in his native Spanish. Omar Rudberg was born in Venezuela and came to Sweden with his mother as a child. It is a background that he carries with him in his music, but he draws his greatest inspiration from Swedish and American pop and r'n'b.

– I grew up with Latin music. Now I sing maybe 70 percent in English and 30 in Spanish. It's a spice I add where it feels natural.

He is working on a new album, but fans can't expect a release this year. The plan is for it to come sometime next year.

In addition, Omar Rudberg is currently involved in the upcoming season of TV4's "Så mycket bättre" which begins airing next Saturday. He describes the filming as a challenge, that he didn't know how to behave.

– It was a lot of fun and everyone was very nice, but it's hard when it's reality. It took a while to get into it, it was a little strange.

In what way?

– When you do something that is spontaneously fun, the team might just be like: do that again! Then you have to redo it, you have to fake it but it has to look natural. So it was a fusion between reality and acting.

At the same time, “So much better” was like a vacation compared to working on the new “Young Royals” season. During the filming of the Netflix series, there was full focus and silent filming with a gigantic team.

– In “So Much Better” you could eat, talk, laugh, there was music. I just sat there and leaned back and enjoyed it. Except when I had to sing, it was so fucking scary.

The interpretations he performs came about under hectic conditions at the same time as “Young Royals” was being recorded. Omar Rudberg says he received a lot of help from the record company and its producers.

– During breaks I had to make calls, listen to demos and lyrics, approve, rewrite. Then it was just a matter of flying into the studio and recording everything. It was a hell of a stress but it turned out well in the end.

It is with the Netflix hit "Young Royals" that Omar Rudberg has gained an international audience. It is also noticeable when we meet him in a grand meeting room on Skeppsbron. The sun shines brightly on the light gray walls with gold-plated ornaments. Outside, Stockholm's stream sparkles in a race and Skeppsholmen's treetops shift in amber tones.

Omar Rudberg has a camera crew with him during the day to film behind the scenes for his social channels. On Instagram and Tiktok, he has a combined 4.3 million followers from all over the world.

Later in the evening there is a gala premiere for "Carousel". Ahead of it, a pair of designer trousers were sent from Milan to the fashion-loving actor. But the fit was wrong, so another pair had to be rushed to Stockholm. Omar Rudberg snaps his fingers to illustrate how quickly they arrived.

– The series has changed my whole life. There are so many doors that have opened that would never have opened if I hadn't gotten that role. It's been a sick journey.

The third and final season of "Young Royals" has been recorded and will premiere sometime in 2024. In it, Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) and Omar Rudberg's character Simon are back at the Hillerska boarding school.

– There will be a lot of tears, but also very beautiful moments. Bring tissues!

Omar Rudberg talks happily about his acting and artistic career. He is excited and beaming about everything from song releases to feature films and TV series.

You seem proud of what you create. Have you always been that way?

– No, not always. If there's something I'm not as proud of, it's my music. Because it's also closest to me, I'm my own biggest critic there. Sometimes I look back on what I've done and think: but god why did I let that go? Well, I don't regret anything, but when you look back on certain things you think: What the hell!?

Now, moviegoers around the world will get to see him act in “Carousel.” The film has already been sold to over 50 countries, including Germany, Taiwan and all of Latin America.

– It's exciting to make a feature film, to have it have a classic premiere and to be able to see it on the big screen. It gives a more intimate feeling when you watch something together.

Facts. Omar Rudberg

Born in Venezuela in 1998 and came to Sweden as a child.

In 2010 he was on the TV show "Talang" and three years later he became part of the boy group The Fooo together with Felix Sandman, Oscar Enestad and Oscar Molander.

The group also went by the names The Fooo Conspiracy and most recently FO&O during their years of activity. They were the opening act for Justin Bieber and One Direction, among others. They also competed in the Melodifestivalen.

Omar Rudberg made his acting debut in the Netflix series “Young Royals.” There, he plays boarding school student Simon who falls in love with the Swedish prince Wilhelm, played by Edvin Ryding. The series’ third season is expected to premiere in 2024.

Now he has made his first feature film role in the horror film "Carousel" which premieres on October 20th.