Petter Northug and pop artist Martinus Gunnarsen made their debuts on the Swedish dance competition “Let’s dance,” according to NTB. The season premiere featured several Norwegian public figures competing for the favor of the judges and viewers, though the initial reception from the judges proved mixed.
Petter Northug Receives Tough Critique from Judges
Northug opened his performance on the dance floor with a quickstep set to the a-ha song “Take on me,” preceded by a brief rowing session with the Swedish hosts, as reported by NTB. While the judges agreed that Northug appeared exceptionally happy during the routine, they were unimpressed with his technical dancing skills.
“You are the proof, with your joy, that one becomes happy by dancing with a sexy woman. That is the most I can say about that,” stated veteran and jury chairman Tony Irving, according to NTB. Irving ultimately awarded Northug a score of 1 in a quick comment before delivering his verdict, contributing to a total score of 10 out of 40 possible points. Fellow judge Eric Saade described Northug’s performance by noting, “The one second you look like a galloping stallion, but without control,” as reported by NTB. Northug himself stated to NTB that his first dance on the program felt “altogether wonderful.” Prior to the premiere, former teammate Emil Iversen expressed skepticism regarding Northug’s participation in the show, according to NTB interviews.
Martinus Gunnarsen Scores Higher Despite Harsh Words
Pop artist Martinus Gunnarsen, from the pop duo Marcus and Martinus, also performed a quickstep for his debut while his twin brother Marcus watched from the audience, according to NTB. Judge Eric Saade remarked on the difficulty of adaptation, while jury chairman Tony Irving used harsher language regarding the routine. “The actual quickstep moments were ‘trash,'” Irving said, according to NTB.
Despite the blunt critique, Gunnarsen accumulated 16 out of 40 possible points from the judges. After audience votes were tallied, NTB reported that Gunnarsen held the strongest position of the evening.
Did you know?
Professional dancer Catalin Andrei Mihu, who previously partnered with influencer and sexolog Iselin Guttormsen in the Norwegian version of the show in 2022 (resulting in the two becoming a couple, according to NTB), returned as a professional partner for the Swedish production.
Other Notable Contestants on the Premiere Night
Influencer Lisa Borg, who is married to Norwegian Henrik Elvejord Borg (known as “Blodprinsen”), also took to the dance floor for the premiere, according to NTB. Borg debuted with a tango, earning 16 points from the judges. NTB confirmed that no participants were eliminated from the competition during the opening Friday broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Norwegian participants in the Swedish “Let’s dance”?
According to NTB, participants include Petter Northug, pop artist Martinus Gunnarsen, and influencer Lisa Borg.
How did Petter Northug score on his debut?
Northug received 10 out of 40 possible points from the judges after performing a quickstep to an a-ha song, as reported by NTB.
Were any contestants eliminated on the first night?
No, NTB confirmed that no participants were voted out or eliminated during the season premiere.
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