The corona pandemic put an end to everything after The Mama's melody festival win last year.

There have been some TV appearances.

But there was no Eurovision and no tours.

- It took a long time for me before I understood it.

I thought you might call us in the summer or fall.

I had hope in the last.

But they did not understand the extent of the pandemic, says Dinah Yona's Manna.

- The best, or worst, comment was by Robin Stjernberg when we were in the studio and he said: "Do you understand how much money you would have had now if it had been a normal spring, so you would have had so much money".

Thank you, thank you for reminding me.

Just what I needed to hear, says Loulou Lamotte.

"I'm sorry"

Robin Stjernberg, who himself won the Melodifestivalen 2013, knows what he's talking about.

This year he participates as a songwriter for, among others, The Mamas.

But for the group, it has still not been the money that has been the worst.

Ashley Haynes, who is originally from Washington DC in the USA, has not been able to meet the family all year.

She bursts into tears when SVT Nyheter asks about how it has been.

- I'm sorry I'm getting emotional.

I miss my family so much.

But I have people who support me and love me.

I'm strong, she says with tears in her eyes.

She continues:

- They are so happy for me and supportive.

That's what keeps me going, they miss me a lot and they are very proud.

"Extra pressure on us now"

On Saturday night, they will perform at the Melodifestivalen for the third year in a row.

Should they win this year, it will be valid for the third time, even if the first year was behind John Lundvik.

They are, together with Eric Saade, favorites to go straight to the final on Saturday night.

But that they could win again this year, they have not dared to think about yet.

- One hopes, of course, but it is an extra pressure precisely this that we must top ourselves.

Or you want to top yourself, you want to do so sickly well and then the nerves come.

The chances are probably okay but we will see how it goes, says Loulou Lamotte.