» 06/03 - AFTONBLADET.se - 'Compromise hurts the soul'
While growing up, it was taboo for Loreen talking about homosexuals - now she fights for equal rights - read Nöjesbladet exclusive Loreen interview

Helsingborg. Today she struggles to dispel stereotypes.
But while growing up, it was taboo to talk about homosexuality.
- At the time I thought it was strange, because I had been taught, says Loreen to -Nöjesbladet. After 'Euphoria' success in the Eurovision came Loreen Talhaoui, 31, to a crossroads.
In the pop industry, everything should go quickly and there is little time for thought and reflection.
So Loreen went into the studio again. Instead of living up to expectations and rushing a sequel to "Heal" which was released in 2012, she let it take time.
- In the pop world lets not get things to grow, it'll go fast and quantity can be valued higher than quality. But for me, music is a reflection of myself. It does really hurt the soul to compromise, it has been one of the main driving forces for me, not to compromise.

"There are frames"

But it was not easy.
- I will talk about, that's a tough thing while in the pop world, everyone working in the industry and also the audience has a picture of what pop music should sound and how a pop artist should be.
How do you mean?
- There are limits how a pop act should be, you should be forthright, not so mysterious, it will sell and be garish colors, and it's not me. I have full respect for all kinds of artists but I have had to fight for my artistry. I respect the rules of the pop world, but I accept them.
What is it you do not agree?
- You wished that I had been a little happier, a little more colorful, and not paint painting in the face when I sit in television, that I would not be so weird.
It was in 2012 that Loreen had painted white in the face during an interview in "Nyhetsmorgon".
- I advocating that you should be yourself, she says.
After the big breakthrough with 'Euphoria' and Eurovision-profit in Baku in 2012 continued his career at a furious pace.
- I got angry when someone told me that "you have to strike while the iron is hot." After a while I felt that I had gone over the limit when I have not had time to land in what I did, and then I stopped enjoying. It was so huge dish that I stopped feeling. I was turned off.

"Tunnel vision"

Loreen was forced, among other things, set up a speech on human rights in the Swedish parliament and was then, according to data to Aftonbladet, exhausted by the pressing schedule.
She describes it as an imbalance.
- I had tunnel vision and gave too much energy but to collect me. This time I have given oeuvre time, and I sound very different.
Have you had to fight for it?
- Really, I've got to take the discussion, which in my world is completely bananas. I have deliberately lost chances and I've done it on purpose because I do not want to rush things up. I have deliberately declined faster album release.
This week she released her first single "Paper Light" from an upcoming album. This time, Loreen executive producer and songwriter on most of the disc.
- Another aspect of it all is to be a woman in this industry. It's still awkward with women who help themselves. As a woman, you must be even harder to be taken seriously. It gets more complicated when there is a bride who has requirements.
- At one time it went so far that I said "if I had a pair of balls between my legs" had you called me a man with ambition, but since I do not have it, I'm messed up. You can ask my team how often I get pissed over this ...
Loreen is working actively to erase stereotypes about masculinity and femininity, and gender roles in society. She points out that it is not only the record industry's fault but the whole society, that the view of the man and woman in the music industry extends far beyond the industry.
- These standards are everywhere. Deeply rooted norms we get with us as children. It is unintelligent and easy to blame the record companies, this so much bigger than that. We have to fight to get away that men and women do not have equal rights.
She corrects the knitted cap over the dark bangs. In a few hours standing Loreen again at the Eurovision stage.

Mixes masculine and feminine

Tomorrow night she intermission with his new single "Paper Light". On stage, she brought the Ukrainian group Kazaky, who previously worked with superstars like
Madonna.
- They are three gay guys who today live in Russia, where gay rights are absolutely crazy, and that's why I have brought them. There will be a presentation how the future should look like ...
The number is about breaking norms.
- I've mixed in hop it is male and female. The standards are fabricated by man. When audiences see the number they will be surprised. It has a picture of me and I think this is going to be provocative in a good way.
In what way is it?
- According to me it is all a hen. The number is a tribute to Kazaky, it's not about me. I want to raise questions such as: what is sexy, what's not sexy? What is masculine, what is feminine? And so on ... The song is about that we must start with ourselves, question our prejudices.

"A big question mark"

What prejudices have you had?
- I come from a liberal Muslim home with a mother who is a feminist, but homosexuality was not mentioned. At the time I thought it was strange, because I had been taught. There was talk not about which child I remember that I questioned it. How could one talk about a God who loves everything, but still do not like it, and not like it? It was a big question mark for me as a child. It was a huge confusion in me. I believe that the vast freest people are bisexual.
What made you change this perception?
- Most people in my life who have been those who picked up me is gay, and that's no coincidence. The first woman who came into my life, a good friend, made me take the extra step and question ... she was gay, she has destroyed every prejudice I had.
Loreen's when the 19-year-old and thought like many other teenagers about their own sexuality.
- I came to the conclusion that it does not matter whether a person is male or female. They are human person I fall in love with. It does not matter if it is a man or woman ... It feels so good to be able to say it. Any kind of change starts with oneself and I believe in the collective consciousness, says Loreen.
Or as she rounded an interview in the magazine QX some time ago: "To love be defined by if you have a penis or a pussy is quite sick".

Source: AFTONBLADET.se | Translation: by Google Translate