Two years after making a strong impression at Melodifestivalen with Effortless, Swedish artist Jacqline is back on the competition’s stage in 2026 — this time with a song that reflects both personal growth and renewed artistic confidence. Her new entry, 'Woman', will compete in the first heat on January 31 and promises a powerful blend of empowerment, flirtation and strength.
Speaking in a recent interview with Hashtag Eurovision, Jacqline described 'Woman' as an empowering track that celebrates womanhood in all its forms.
“It’s about coming into your womanhood, being proud to be a woman,” she explained, while also stressing that the song is meant to be fun, flirty and accessible to everyone. “It’s also just for anyone who wants to have fun.”
Although the song was originally written shortly after 'Effortless' in 2024, 'Woman' has taken on a deeper meaning over time. Since first recording it, Jacqline became a mother — a life-changing experience that reshaped her relationship with both the song and her career.
“It has a different meaning now. To me, it’s also about motherhood, but also just being a woman in every different facet of life.”
Musically, 'Woman' stays true to the confident, uptempo sound that has become Jacqline’s signature. She describes the track as “empowering, flirty and strong,” adding that it is vocally demanding — something she welcomes as a challenge. The song was created with the same production team behind 'Effortless', though this time Jacqline’s involvement came mainly through later refinements rather than the full creative process.
Returning to Melodifestivalen with more experience has also changed her mindset. In 2024, she reached the final but later revealed that the intense pressure led to stress-related health issues. Now, she approaches the competition with greater calm and self-awareness.
“This time, I’m going to try to breathe more and take care of myself. I feel more relaxed in my body.”
That maturity is reflected not only in her approach to the contest, but also in her broader artistic identity. Known for confident, danceable tracks rather than ballads, Jacqline says her musical direction comes naturally, shaped by years of listening to empowering music. While she enjoys ballads, her instinct in the studio is to create songs that feel strong, fun and liberating.
Looking back on her decision to leave school at 16 to pursue music full-time, Jacqline has no regrets. “I feel like it was the choice I was supposed to make.” she said, acknowledging moments of doubt but ultimately trusting the path she chose.
Becoming a parent has further sharpened her focus. Time away from her child now has to feel meaningful, pushing her to work “harder, but smarter.” At the same time, the studio remains a space where she can fully step into her role as an artist.
For Jacqline, success at Melodifestivalen 2026 is not solely about rankings or results. What matters most is connection. “I hope people feel connected to the song and to me.” she said, noting that she is opening up more than ever before — through interviews, social media and her music.
Beyond the competition, Jacqline is already looking ahead. She plans to release an EP before the summer and hopes to expand her career beyond Sweden, performing across Scandinavia and Europe.
As she prepares to return to one of Sweden’s biggest stages, 'Woman' stands as a reflection of where Jacqline is now: more grounded, more open, and more confident than ever, both as an artist and as a woman.
