Finnish Eurovision stars Linda and Pete Parkonen have opened up about their rigorous preparation for the competition in an exclusive interview with Radio Beograd 202. Linda, who will perform live on violin, shared insights into her months of training, including running in high heels and training sessions in a freezing gym where passersby could see her on a treadmill in high heels and other equipment. "People probably thought I was crazy, but little did they know I was preparing for Eurovision," Linda recounted with a laugh.

Pete, on the other hand, focused on vocal training, emphasizing the extensive and daily singing sessions he undertook. "There was a lot, a lot of singing, daily singing," he summarized his preparation. They have been working on their performance for nearly eight months, meticulously examining every detail, including appearance, emotions, movements, and atmosphere.

The Finnish duo is proud of securing the right to perform Linda's violin part live during the show, a significant achievement in their preparation. "It's amazing because I never thought we would get approval for that. From the beginning, it was crucial for me to perform the violin live, as it's a duet with the song," Linda explained.

Linda believes this could be a significant change for future Eurovision participants, particularly for performers whose instruments are central to their performance. She referenced the song "Fairytale" by Ribak, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009. "That song was based on the violin, maybe more than the singing. He wasn't allowed to play live then, and I thought that was terrible," Linda said.

Despite being among the favorites according to internet predictions, the Finnish representatives say the support does not add pressure but motivates them further. "We are very grateful for the support we receive," Pete said. Linda added, "We feel a great responsibility towards the audience. We want people to feel how much we appreciate their faith in us. We don't want to disappoint anyone."

The Finnish representatives will perform on May 12 in the first semi-final, alongside Serbia's representatives, the Niš-based band "Lavina."