A new chapter as Skal vi danse premieres
Norway’s popular reality dance program Skal vi danse is back for its 20th season this Saturday, and one of the contestants stands out for a different reason: Emilie Enger Mehl, 32, a former justice and emergency preparedness minister. In the days leading up to the premiere, Dagbladet catches up with Mehl at the dance studio to confirm what has become clear: she is placing politics on the back burner and sprinting toward the dance floor.
Eight years in public service comes to a close
Mehl spent eight years as a member of the Storting, first entering in 2017 at age 24. On Tuesday, she formally stepped away from Parliament, marking a major life transition from public office to a new kind of stage. “It’s clearly bittersweet to leave the Storting after eight years. I’ve learned so much and met so many people in both the justice and preparedness ministries and as a public servant,” she says. Yet she is quick to add that gratitude accompanies the moment. “I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences, and I expect I’ll stay engaged in important issues in another way,” she notes, hinting that the future will still be rooted in public life, just not inside the halls of power.
Training, timing, and a new kind of focus
Her autumn has already been busy with politics—the Centre Party candidate spent part of the season campaigning—so Mehl admits she started training a bit later than her peers. Still, she and the other contestants have been working daily, building a foundation for a demanding show. “My focus has been the campaign, so we began training a little after the others. We’ve trained every day since, and I think it’s going to be good,” she says. Now the priority is dance-school discipline: hours on the studio floor, learning steps, and building stamina for the live performances.
The shift from policy debates to choreography is not without its challenges. “For some people, dancing on stage comes naturally; for me, it’s completely new. It’s both enjoyable and serious because I’m learning a new craft and placing myself in settings that are very different from what I’m used to,” Mehl explains. The transformation goes beyond technique; she sees it as a chance to explore a different kind of self-discovery, one that is about growth through discomfort and trying something unfamiliar.
What fans can expect this season
Mehl will be sharing the dance-floor with pro dancer Jørgen Nilsen, aged 31, and the pair will be navigating the weekly live rounds together. She stresses that although she could have continued in Parliament, she welcomes the daily routine and the sense of normalcy that a regular training schedule offers. “I’m glad for a nice everyday life ahead, here with Jørgen and the others involved,” she says, signaling that the show has become a platform not just for entertainment but for personal reinvention.
The road ahead
As the season approaches, Mehl remains non-committal about long-term plans, emphasizing the present goal: to master the basics of dance and to enjoy the experience with a sense of curiosity and commitment. “First and foremost, I want to become as good as I can be at dancing this autumn,” she states. Beyond Skal vi danse, she hints that the next steps will come into focus only after she has settled into the new rhythm of life outside the Storting. Her readiness to embrace a fresh challenge signals a narrative many viewers may find inspiring—a reminder that career paths can evolve in unexpected directions while still aligning with one’s values of service and public life.
Mehl and Nilsen’s partnership will unfold in the weeks ahead, offering audiences a blend of discipline, perseverance, and the lighthearted camaraderie that characterizes Skal vi danse. Whether she will transition into politics in a different capacity remains to be seen, but for now, the spotlight is firmly on the dance floor and on a former minister who is stepping into a new arena with poise and determination.
