Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir (born 28 July 1979), also known by her mononym Birgitta, is an Icelandic singer. She rose to domestic media prominence as the lead singer of pop band Írafár. She represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Open Your Heart", tying in eighth place with the Spanish contestant Beth with 81 points.
Birgitta Haukdal | |
|---|---|
 Birgitta Haukdal in 2003 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir |
| Also known as | Birgitta |
| Born | 28 July 1979 Húsavík, Iceland |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels |
|
| Member of | Írafár |
Life and career
editFor most of her life she has lived in the northern part of Iceland. In November 1999, Birgitta replaced the then lead vocalist of the pop group Írafár. They released their first single "Hvar er ég?" ("Where am I?") in the summer of 2000, followed by two more singles in 2001. The band signed a recording contract with Iceland's biggest record company, Skífan in 2002, releasing their first albu "Allt sem ég sé" ("All I see") in early November. It is Iceland's fastest selling pop album of the last 25 years, reaching platinum - which is not common in Iceland.
As of 2003[update], Birgitta Haukdal is one of the most popular female pop vocalists in Iceland. She has been voted Pop Star of the Year and Performer of the Year. In 2003, she won the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with her song "Segðu mér allt".[1] At the contest, she sang the English–language version of the song, "Open Your Heart", placing eighth with 81 points.[2]
She competed in the Icelandic pre-qualifying for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, with the song "Mynd Af Þér" or "Picture of you" and, in a duo with Magni Ásgeirsson, reached the finals of the Icelandic qualifying for Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song, "Núna veit ég" but did not win.
In 2013, she once again tried her luck in Söngvakeppni. This time, her entry was called Meðal Andanna.
Personal life
editBirgitta married her long–term boyfriend Benedikt Einarsson on 23 October 2008 in Reykjavík.[3]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Nominated | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icelandic Music Awards | 2003 | Pop Star of the Year | Birgitta | Won |
| Icelandic Music Awards | 2003 | Performer of the Year | Birgitta | Won |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Barclay, Simon (17 June 2010). Eurovision Song Contest - The Complete & Independent Guide 2010. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-4457-8415-1. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ "Iceland: Country profile". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ^ "Birgitta Haukdal giftir sig". DV.is (in Icelandic). 23 October 2008. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
External links
edit- Official Website of the Írafár