From Parliament to the Dance Floor
Emilie Enger Mehl, the former justice and emergency minister of Norway, is stepping into the limelight as Skal vi danse, the country’s beloved dance competition, returns for Season 20. With a campaign season behind her and a fresh chapter ahead, Mehl is preparing to showcase a different kind of resolve on the dance floor.
Leaving politics, embracing dance
Mehl recently concluded eight years as a member of the Storting, a period she describes as formative and demanding. She notes that while leaving is bittersweet, she is grateful for the experiences and the relationships built along the way. This autumn she balanced campaign duties for Senterpartiet with training, but now she aims to devote her energy entirely to dancing and mastering a new skill set.
Training and daily discipline
Consistency has become central to Mehl’s routine. She explains that she started training a little after the other contestants, recognizing that daily practice is essential to catching up on the dance floor. “We’ve trained every day,” she shared, signaling a serious commitment to performance as the premiere approaches.
Partner and performance
Mehl will share the floor with pro dancer Jørgen Nilsen, bringing a fresh dynamic to the competition. She acknowledges that dancing on stage is a new environment for her—an arena that blends technique with performance and teamwork. The process, she says, is both enjoyable and demanding, underscoring that learning a new craft can be a compelling form of personal growth.
What this means for her career
Although she would have preferred to continue in politics, Mehl remains optimistic about the road ahead. She sees this season as an opportunity to redefine public life in a different context—whether she stays in the public eye or pursues new avenues. The autumn will be dedicated to refining her dancing while she contemplates the next steps beyond parliament.
Season 20 expectations
As Skal vi danse Season 20 approaches, audiences can anticipate a blend of discipline, risk-taking, and resilience. Mehl’s transition from public service to the dance stage highlights the broader appeal of the show: it offers a platform where public figures reveal another side of themselves, proving that growth often comes from stepping into the unknown. The premiere is imminent, and Mehl is ready to demonstrate that commitment and hard work can translate into rhythm, poise, and perseverance on the floor.
Mehl’s journey reflects a wider trend in entertainment: notable figures leverage diverse experiences to connect with viewers in fresh ways. Regardless of competition outcomes, her season promises an engaging story of reinvention, dedication, and the courage to take on new challenges on the world’s most watched dance floor.
