Finnish singer Saara Aalto, who made it to the finals of the UK's X-Factor talent contest, arrived in Helsinki on Monday, a day after learning that she and two other acts would go forward in the contest, which is watched by 7-8 million viewers.
Aalto was greeted by cheering fans and the media at Helsinki Airport on Monday afternoon.
Aalto says she’s thrilled to have made it this far in the contest.
"In a way, how I place no longer matters. Now I just need to enjoy every performance because I will get to perform at Wembley Arena; I’ve been waiting all my life to perform in such a big arena," said Aalto.
"Let’s enjoy it and see how it goes,” she added.
In Saturday night's X-Factor semifinal, Aalto sang Mariah Carey's hit song "All I want for Christmas Is You" and Sia's song "Chandelier."
Free Helsinki concert
Aalto, who is now the reported favourite of British betting houses to win the X-Factor Contest this year, is playing a surprise concert this evening at 7 pm at Helsinki's Senate Square. Her performance, like her arrival at the airport, is being filmed for X-Factor.
The free concert will affect traffic on Monday night as trams 1 A, 7 A and 7B which normally operate along Aleksanterinkatu street will be re-routed between 6:30 and 7:45 pm, according to Helsinki Regional Transit. The numbers 2, 4, and 5 trams may experience delays, as well.