Helena Paparizou
Helena Paparizou
Elena Paparizou, Eleni "Elena" Paparizou
Eleni “Elena” Paparizou (Έλενα Παπαρίζου, born 31 January 1982), usually referred to abroad as Helena Paparizou, is a Greek-Swedish singer, songwriter and television personality. Born and raised in Sweden to Greek parents, she enrolled in various arts schools before launching a career in Sweden in 1999 as a member of the laïko (Greek folk music) and Eurodance duo Antique.
Antique disbanded in 2003 and she signed a solo recording contract with Sony Music Greece, releasing the chart-topping debut album Protereotita (2004), with emphasis on laïko, pop, and dance sounds, but at first had modest sales. In 2005, she represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “My Number One”, which she won. It was the first Greek win in the contest’s history and significantly transformed her career.