"I got so triggered that I was seething inside" — Jere Pöyhönen talks about difficult times after Eurovision
The face of the Mielinauha campaign of 2026, Käärijä, also known as Jere Pöyhönen, refuses to pretend to be happy all the time. For him, good self-esteem also means defending his boundaries.
Text: Maarit Rasi Photos: Liisa Valonen 1.4.2026 (Updated 1.4.2026) [Original article in Finnish here, translation under the cut]
The boat gig had just ended when someone yelled out from the crowd. An unknown man commented on Jere Pöyhönen's appearance in a way that got right under his skin. Usually, the artist known as Käärijä lets heckling pass, but this time, a line was crossed.
"I pushed back. I gave him a piece of my mind and said exactly what I thought about his appearance. The story was then spread to the world so that I was the bad guy. What the heckler had said to me first was left out," Jere Pöyhönen recalls.
The situation stuck with him because it was an exception. Because if you ask Finns what kind of a person the 2023 Eurovision star Käärijä is, the answer is often the same: always happy, energetic, and funny. Jere has a gift to lift everyone's mood just by being himself.
This reputation follows the artist closely, and Jere treats that with respect.
"I want to be the guy who brings positive energy to others. Often, it also works the other way around: when I go to a photoshoot or to work, people around make me feel better, even if the day had started out badly. Then I can forget everyday worries and concentrate on what I’m doing."
If he has a bad day, it’s allowed to show
Obviously, no one can keep cracking jokes all day long. Jere describes that sometimes his batteries are at 20 per cent, and other times, the battery is full.
However, authenticity is an important value for the musician.
"I refuse to play a role. If I have a bad day, I'm going to just say it. Then the other person won't have to wonder why he's behaving that way. I'm forgiven straight away."
It is this exact authenticity that Finns seem to love. Jere has been described as warm, open, and charismatic as well as self-assured in an un-Finnish way.
Jere admits that he has a sort of a reputation as a stand-up comedian.
"People expect that 'there he comes and will definitely tell a funny joke.'"
In this article, however, Jere will reveal sides of himself that make him human with all of his rough edges. Jere is familiar with mental challenges, and that is why he agreed to be the face for the Mielinauha campaign.
"Men can also be vulnerable. It's smart to talk about it. It would be weird if life were always a bed of roses. Everyone has tough times."
[quote in picture: "I had sleepless nights and felt anxious as soon as I stepped outside."]
"I got so triggered that I was seething inside"
Jere names the end of 2023 as the hardest moment of his career.
The reason for that was sudden fame, which psychologists describe as being just as stressful a change as a traumatic crisis: your identity, relationships, and everyday life are all changed at once.
Eurovision success, which began during that spring, led to side effects that Jere does not miss. People filming him in secret, the constant rush, and the attention drove him to exhaustion.
Jere began to suffer from a fear of social situations and had mood swings, which he has spoken about publicly before. Particularly, the filming in secret annoyed him.
"At some point I was so triggered by people recording me in secret that I was seething inside. I had sleepless nights and felt anxious as soon as I stepped outside. I didn't even dare to go to the grocery store, because everyone recognized my face."
Self-esteem is setting boundaries
Despite his jagged edges, many people know Jere as a character who creates much-needed positivity around him.
Käärijä has brought joy to a time where a uniform culture is missing. Master of Arts, Vilma Tyrväinen, describes in her thesis that the "Käärijä phenomenon" united Finns in a way that has previously been mainly associated with huge victories in sports.
Does anyone hate Jere, then?
The artist admits that people will rarely say nasty comments to his face. He is familiar with insulting comments, however.
Jere has also involuntarily gotten criticism about his appearance. The stupidest comments come from drunk people.
"If someone mocks me lightly, it doesn't bother me, but if it gets personal, I'll stand up for myself."
For Jere, good self-esteem clearly means defending your own boundaries when necessary. The artist thinks that this attitude comes from hockey, which Jere played as a hobby at the junior A levels when he was young.
"You learn to deal with tough talk in hockey, but also where the line goes — and that you shouldn't let people trample all over your territory. If someone mocks me lightly, it doesn't bother me, but if it gets personal, I'll stand up for myself."
Hockey obviously does have its moments of overreaction. Jere thinks that he has developed as a person from the times when he behaved like a hothead. If, for example, the game wasn't going well, it was not unusual for him to break his stick. He felt a lot of remorse for his behavior.
"Along the way, I've done things that I'm not proud of. These days I try to think what to react to and what not to. At the same time I've tried to be kind to myself and think that it matters more how you continue from now on."
Jere Pöyhönen is known for bringing joy. But he also has a rougher side. A busy life has also done its job. When the phone rings, Jere doesn't always have the energy to answer — even to his own parents.
A new approach to publicity
Currently, Jere is at a good point in his life.
The initial shock of publicity is long gone. He's gotten used to negative headlines and people recording him in secret.
"I know that people might heckle me or even wish me harm. But I also notice the good. I can now enjoy it if people come to chat with me. I may stop and chat with old ladies for half an hour."
Being busy is still part of the artist's job.
In the spring, Jere will head out to the USA and Asia. He also has work-related trips coming up, among others to Prague, Taiwan, and Bangkok, where he is making new music. In the fall, a long European tour awaits.
Although his life is now more balanced, Jere admits to still trying to learn to recognize when he is at his limit. The fast pace has made Jere think about his health in a new way.
"I know that people might heckle me or even wish me harm. But I also notice the good. I can now enjoy it if people come to chat with me."
"I've decreased partying, although it's been a learning experience to just stay at home during weekends. I also go to bed earlier and eat more healthily. I've also started to eat breakfast," Jere says.
Listening to Jere talk, it seems that his goal for this year is to become Jere 2.0 — a slightly better version of himself.
"I need to be well, so that I can handle all this," he admits.
Feeling better also helps in being the face of Mielinauha 2026 campaign. Through visibility, funds are raised for Finnish mental health work.
"I find this topic important. Supporting mental health of children and teenagers is also important. If I can help in any way, I want to be involved."
Jere Pöyhönen’s self-esteem comes from his family. "My dad always said to think big, to be bold, and to enjoy life."
