Helena Paparizou

Helena Paparizou, whose real name is Έλενα Παπαρίζου, is a Greek singer and songwriter born on 31 January 1982 in Borås, Sweden, where she grew up.

She began her career in 1999 in Sweden by forming the duo Antique with her childhood friend Nikos Panagiotidis; the group achieved success and represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2001, finishing third. Antique split in 2003 and Helena started a solo career.

Signed to Sony Music, she released her first solo single in December 2003, ‘Anapantites Klisis’ (English version ‘I Don’t Want You Here Anymore’), which was certified gold in Greece. Her first solo album, ‘Protereotita’, was released in 2004.

In 2005 she won the Eurovision Song Contest for Greece with the song My Number One, bringing the country its first victory in the competition; the win propelled the album ‘Protereotita’ to the top of the Greek charts and earned it double platinum certification.

Her second Greek album, ‘Yparhi Logos’, was released in April 2006; it comprised two discs, with new tracks such as ‘Mambo!’ and a second disc of live performances and previously unreleased songs, and reached platinum status.

She also sought an international breakthrough with songs in English and has received numerous awards, including three Arion Music Awards, a European Border Breakers Award, 22 MAD Video Music Awards (a record) and an MTV Europe Music Award; in 2010 Forbes ranked her as the 21st most powerful and influential celebrity in Greece.

Her certified sales in Greece exceed 209 000 albums, 47 500 singles and 30 000 digital downloads, in addition to the sales by the duo Antique.