Getting To Know… Alexander Rybak

18 May 2009

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Everyone saw Alexander Rybak eradicate most of Europe in Saturday’s Eurovision song contest; but to most of us, we’d never heard of the little sexpot before now. So, I think it’s only fair that we get to know a bit about the man behind Europe’s Best Song….

Alexander was born on 13 May 1986 in Minsk, Belarus, and is a violinist, singer, composer and actor from Norway.

When he was born, his homeland of Minsk was in the Byelorussian SSR, in the Soviet Union, but when he was four years old, his family uprooted him and made the move to Norway.

Whilst living in Norway, Alexander discovered his love for music, and picked up his first instrument at the tender age of five, which was a sure fire way to end up an international success! His parents music be so proud.

Alexander was first recognised for his talent in 2004 when he was awarded the Anders Jahre Culture Prize in 2004, but not to let that go to his head, he entered the Norwegian version of X Factor in 2006, and made it all the way to the semi finals. He wasn’t going to let a runner up place be enough for him though, and in 2006 he entered and won the talent competition Kjempesjansen hosted by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation with his own song Foolin’.

That isn’t it either, Alexander Rybak has collaborated with artists such as a-ha's lead singer Morten Harket and Arve Tellefsen, and as of 2007, Rybak landed the role of the fiddler in Oslo Nye Teater's production of Fiddler on the Roof - for which he bagged the Hedda Award.

And if that isn‘t enough, he also stars as Levi in the film Yohan directed by Grete Salomonsen - wow, Alexander, is there anything you can’t do? I think I love him a little more with every line I write about him!

I know I shouldn’t love him already, but he 100% won me over with his stint on the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which he won with a record 387 points for his song Fairytale - a song inspired by traditional Norwegian folk music.

Although we’re yet to hear some more of Alexander’s music, I think he’s found a place in our hearts for many a year to come!

FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison