Even if Carola has not made her mind up about participating in the Swedish Song Contest 2008, the Swedish media has started speculating what kind of song she will perform. A source close to the competition has told Expressen that Carola would like to sing a ballad next year.

Link: Article in Expressen

In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Dagen, Carola reveals that "Go Tell it on the Mountain" will be included on the upcoming Christmas album.

Link: Article in Dagen

Carola in Jerusalem Photo: Gali Tibbon / Expressen

Carola talks open-heartedly in an interview with Expressen today. She has arrived in Jerusalem where she will perform at a concert with Livets Ord, and later travel to Bethlehem where she will record her upcoming Christmas album which she describes like this:

"It will have a more oriental feeling, and maybe some local guest artists. It is exciting with new ideas and it's a sign of the times which fits well into the multicultural Sweden.
I have co-written several new songs. There will also be traditional songs in new arrangements. And a real gospel."

The plans for the future are plenty, and once again Carola mentions that she wants to be a part of next year's Swedish Song Contest:

"I have a new idea for the Swedish Song Contest. Something I haven't done before. I don't want to repeat myself, but show that I am moving ahead. But I have more phone calls to make to make it happen."

Besides from the upcoming Christmas album, Carola has plans for several other albums to be released in the next coming years:

Album projects in the works:

• Christmas album (November 2007)
• Secret album (2008)
• Christmas album in English (2008)
• Pop album (2009)
• Theme album (no date)

On a more personal note, Carola says that she has found a new man in her life...

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Expressen

The Norwegian search engine sesam.no has revealed the 10 most searched names at the moment, and Carola is at number 1.

1. Carola
2. Princess Madeleine
3. Shakira
4. Queen Sonja
5. Jessica Alba
6. Tone Damli Aaberge
7. Wenche Myhre
8. Dorthe Skappel
9. Aylar
10. Cristiano Ronaldo

Link: Sesam.no

Carola and her ex-husband have decided to settle the matter of his claim for money outside court. Their lawyers will meet and discuss and finally come to a final settlement.

Carola is scheduled to perform at the Christian conference "Europe Conference" in Uppsala on July 23, 7.30 pm.

Link: Livets Ord's website

Last night, June 7, Carola performed a private show for the Swedish government. The Swedish Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt is a big Carola fan, and he proudly introduced his favorite singer on stage.

Apparently Carola gave Reinfeldt a kiss and according to the Swedish Foreign minister Carl Bildt's blog, they also performed together.

"The people assembled in the garden of the Foreign Ministry have just experienced a performance by the newly formed band Carola & Fredrik.

The first is known in show biz since before, but the other is mostly known as prime minister.

We all thought it was quite touching."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Carl Bildt's blog
Link: Article in Expressen

Carola will sing duet with Måns Zelmerlöw Photo: Armand Photos / manszelmerlow.se

Now it's confirmed! Carola will perform at Victoriadagen at Borgholm, Öland on July 14. The show's co-ordinator Kay Wiestål tells Swedish newspaper Barometern:

"It feels fantastic that Carola will be there. And it's very exciting that she will sing a duet with Måns. She will sing her own hits and be in the finale as well"

After this year's Swedish Song Contest, Carola said she had Måns Zelmerlöw as a personal favorite, and thought his song "Cara Mia" would have the greatest chances in the Eurovision Song Contest. Måns debut album is currently no 1 on the charts in Sweden.

Carola has performed twice before at the Victoriadagen, which is held in celebration of the Swedish crown princess Victoria's birthday. This year, the princess will turn 30 years old.

Link: Måns Zelmerlöw's website
Link: Article in Barometern

Carola and son Amadeus at the "Talang 2007" finale in Stockholm yesterday Photo: TV4

Carola and her son Amadeus were in the audience at last night's finale of TV4's talent show "Talang 2007". She was there to support Mimmi Sandén, who toured with Carola in December 2003 and 2004.

Mimmi Sandén sings with Carola at Christmas concerts Photo: Gefle Dagblad

Mimmi Sandén is a young talented girl that toured with Carola in December 2003 and 2004. Tonight she is one of the finalists in Swedish TV4's talent show "Talang 2007".

If you want to vote for Mimmi, you can call 099-414 05 (from Sweden) during the show!

Good luck Mimmi!

Link: TV4's website

Carola sings at a birthday party on Iceland
Photos: Aftonbladet

A few weeks ago, Carola was a surprise guest at a 60th birthday party in Kópavogur on Iceland. 250 guests were invited to the party and besides Carola, a gospel choir also performed.

Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, today publishes a few photos and insinuates that Carola would have an affair with the man who arranged the party (the son of the woman whose birthday was celebrated). Let's just say that Aftonbladet has been wrong before...

Link: Article in Aftonbladet

A new trash website has opened in Sweden, with wild rumors and nude pictures of celebrities. Currently the website is spreading rumors about Carola and Swedish singer Sebastian Karlsson. Now both Carola and Sebastian have lawyers looking into how they can stop these rumors.

Carola's assistant Beatrice Eriksson gives this comment:

"Carola strongly denies everything. We will have to figure out how to handle this situation"

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Aftonbladet

As reported here on Carola International on May 11, Carola's ex-husband is claiming her company Carola Musikproduktion AB owns his company Next Level Events 1.9 million SEK. Carola responded to the claims saying all economic matters were settled in their divorce back in 2001.

Now, Runar appearantly decided to sue his ex-wife for the money, so the matter will be settled in court!

Link: Article in Expressen

Carola and friends at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm on their way to Spain for vacation Photo: Christian Örnberg / Expressen

Yesterday morning, Carola and a group of her best friends travelled to Spain for a vacation. The trip is a 40th birthday gift for Carola from her friends. Carola turned 40 in September last year, but not until now have their schedule allowed them to travel together.

Link: Article in Expressen

Carola and son Amadeus and the Swedish opening of "Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End" Photo: Jan Sulocki / Stureplan.se

Last night, Carola and her son Amadeus attended the opening of the new Jonny Depp / Orlando Bloom movie "Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End". Carola arrived dressed out as a pirates with an eye-patch and missing teeth.

A "reporter" who asked Carola some questions on the red carpet, suddenly sprayed water in her face. The footage was supposed to be used in a new comedy show on Swedish TV, and others were also "attacked". After spraying the Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, the show's producers had to appologize and the footage will not air at all... Funny?

According to sources within the Swedish Song Contest, Carola has contacted Christer Bjorkman (artist co-ordinator) to express her interest in participating in the competition next year. Bjorkman denies that Carola has contacted her, and Carola's assistant Beatrice Eriksson declines to comment.

We just have to wait and see...

Link: Article in Expressen

Carola attends the Polar Music Prize with friend and singer Jonas
Photos: Modefeber.se / Expressen

On Monday May 21, Carola attended the Polar Music Prize ceremony at the concert hall in Stockholm. She arrived in a white limousine with her friend (and singer) Jonas. Soon the rumors were flying...

"I do feel young... but not that young! Carola says with a laugh. No, no, we are just very good friends. Jonas is only 24 years old and I think of him as my little brother. But he's hot alright!"
- Carola in Expressen

Carola was wearing a gorgeous, summery, yellow dress, that the reporter from Modefeber.se appreciated.

"There were plenty of celebrities on the red carbet, that this day was white as snow! Among others we met Carola who beamed like the sun in a bright yellow dress.
- This is my May-dress, I celebrate that the Spring has sprung. It was a hit in New Orleans, so I thought I'll wear it again today, Carola said.
We're glad she did!"
- Carola in Modefeber.se

The recipitants of the prize were the composer Steve Reich and the tenor sax player / composer Sonny Rollins. Carola told Dagens Nyheter's reporter that she had no deep connection with any of the two, but that she had listened a bit to them and really like Sonny Rollins.

"Jazz is fantastic, I have started appreciating it more and more"
- Carola in Dagens Nyheter

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Expressen
Link: Article in Modefeber.se
Link: Article in Dagens Nyheter

Carola will attend the Polar Music Award ceremony in Stockholm tomorrow. The Swedish king will hand out the award to the composer Steve Reich and the tenor sax player / composer Sonny Rollins. The show will air on Swedish TV4.

Link: Article in Expressen

According to the fansite carola.nu, Carola is scheduled to perform at Victoriadagen at Borgholm, Öland on Juli 14 2007. Victoriadagen is the official celebration of the Swedish Princess Victoria's birthday.

Carola is not mentioned on the official website of the event, but I am sure carola.nu has got the information from a reliable source.

Link: Carola.nu
Link: Victoriadagen's website

As reported here on Carola International on March 26, Mauro Scocco (male Swedish singer with hits like "Sarah", "Till dom ensamma", and "Kall stjärna") has said he wants to record a duet with Carola.

Now he did it again! In an interview with City, Scocco says that he wants to make a whole album with duets, and one of his dream duet partners is Carola!

Link: Mauro Scocco's website
Link: Read the article

Anders Nunstedt wrote in Expressen yesterday that Carola is Sweden's only hope in the Eurovision Song Contest.

"She is a legend in this competition after all, and a world champion of sorts to reach the audience through the TV screen."

Today, Carola reacts to the article:

"Oh, what a surprise!"

"I have to have time to think about the article and the idea, but it makes me really happy"

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read Anders Nunstedt's article
Link: Read Carola's reaction

The graphic design by Finnish clothing store Limbo that made Carola contact her lawyer

Carola was less than amused by how the Finnish clothing line Limbo portrayed her in ther ESC related collection of t-shirts, bags, and speedos. The tagline (next to the image of her wearing a crown of thorns) reads "Holy Carola". Carola contacted her lawyer and these items are now longer for sale.

The prints are designed by Markku Kopra and Hanna Kopra.

Link: Limbo's website

Carola says in a press release that she is not understanding her ex-husband's claim that she owns him 1.9 million SEK. Runar claims it is an unpaid bill from when he used to be her manager, but Carola fights back saying that all economic matters were settled in the divorce.

Link: Aftonbladet's article
Link: Expressen's article