Local busker Jordan Rawling takes to Swedish Idol stage tonight!
Last updated 29th Sep 2023
Local lad Jordan Rawling, who hails from Lisburn, is climbing the ranks on this year’s Swedish Idol competition.
Jordan shot to fame earlier this summer with one of his songs, Scars, being featured on Love Island.
Jordan recently caught up with Cool FM and Downtown Radio ahead of the live shows, that take place this evening in Stolkholm.
When we asked Jordan about the start of his Swedish Idol journey, he told us that it was his girlfriend who applied on his behalf as a surprise in 2022. “Idol called me up, but I felt like I wasn't ready at the time (I was taking a break from music to focus on travelling). I told them I'd apply in 2023.”
At the end of November, he was invited to the 2022 finale in Sweden to be teased as the first contestant in the 2023 season. “I made it in the broadcast and done a skit with a famous Swedish comedian.”
After getting automatically entered into the 2023 application, Jordan’s first audition was in Stockholm in May 2023, in front of the judges, a camera, and broadcast all over Sweden.
When we reminisced all the way back to Jordan’s first audition, he told us “it was my first time ever singing on a tv show so I felt out of my depth, but it was exciting.”
Jordan of course went on to nab himself a golden ticket that only 80 people out of 7,000 applicants get was a “huge achievement. It proved to myself that I am good enough.”
“The process has been a whirlwind of emotions.” Jordan goes on to tell us about how he has met so many incredible people and life-long friends. “I recently met Lauren Spencer Smith (previous American Idol contestant) backstage and she gave me advice for the live shows… Lauren Spencer Smith paused her show to let everyone know that I’m on Swedish Idol.” Jordan went on to say how he has learnt so much about his own music, himself as an artist and what he is capable of.
Alongside sleepless nights and ‘high-pressure moments’ as Jordan was in the top 80 contestants had to endure intense week-long boot camps crammed with auditions such as “acapella auditions as soon as we arrived, a duet performance which we had less than 6 hours to prepare for and a solo performance in an auditorium with a live band.”
All this hard work narrowed down who made it into the top 20, with people being sent home every day. “The pressure was real!”
During the duet performance, Jordan and American duet partner Olivia Aliotti were told that their duet was the best in Idol history!
Jordan has loved this experience as “it’s been great for growing as an artist.” Having so much access to “an incredible vocal coach, stylist, choreographers and live bands.”
Currently, Jordan is living between Ireland and Sweden but will stay in Sweden for the duration of the show and hopefully make it to the finals in early December.
Next up for Jordan are the live shows in front of millions. “20 of us will perform in a sold-out arena in Stockholm” with the audience voting for their favourite acts, deciding the top 11. If Jordan makes it through to the top 11, he will perform every Saturday night in an arena with a different theme each week.
Jordan will be uploading all of his performances as well as behind the scenes to his Instagram and TikTok, capturing and sharing his journey with his fans at home. So be sure to give you him a follow!
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