Paul Oscar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Oscar
Paul Oscar in London on 25 April 2008
Background information
Birth name	Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson
Also known as	Paul Oscar
Born	(1970-03-16) 16 March 1970 (age 55) Reykjavík, Iceland
Genres	Pop
Occupations	Singer songwriter disc jockey
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Paul Oscar Productions (P.O.P.)

Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson (born 16 March 1970), known around the world as Páll Óskar and Paul Oscar, is an Icelandic pop singer, songwriter, and disc jockey. He grew up with music, singing at parties, with choirs, and for TV ads. However, he faced challenges like bullying at school and problems between his parents at home.

Paul Oscar's music includes many styles, from traditional Icelandic songs to ballads, love songs, disco, house, and techno. He released his first album, Stuð (meaning Groove), in 1993 while in New York City. He also sang with Icelandic groups like Milljónamæringarnir (The Millionaires) and Casino as he built his career as a solo artist. His album of ballads, Palli, was the best-selling Icelandic album of 1995. Paul Oscar became famous internationally when he performed "Minn hinsti dans" ("My Final Dance") for Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997. His most recent album is Silfursafnið (The Silver Collection, 2008). In Reykjavík, Paul Oscar often performs as a disc jockey in clubs and appears on radio and TV shows.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Paul Oscar was born on 16 March 1970 in Reykjavík. He was the youngest of seven children. His father, Hjálmtýr E. Hjálmtýsson, worked at a bank, and his mother, Margrét Matthíasdóttir, was a writer. As a child, he showed artistic talent in drawing, writing fairy tales, and singing. His mother often asked him to sing for her friends and at family birthday parties. He also spent a lot of time singing in choirs and in commercials. He even recorded his first album when he was only seven years old!

At 12 years old, he got his first main role in a professional play. It was in the musical version of Rubber Tarzan, a popular Danish children's book. Just two weeks after the musical's last show, his voice changed, and he didn't sing for a few years.

Even though his family encouraged his music, Paul Oscar faced difficulties. His parents had problems, and he was bullied by other kids at school. He remembered feeling like an outsider. At 16, he shared an important part of his identity with his family. His mother was very supportive, telling him he had the right to love and be loved.

Paul Oscar found his singing voice again at 18. He sang bass in the Hamrahlíð college choir for two years. In 1990, he won a talent contest for his college. Later that year, when he graduated, he played Frank-N-Furter in his college's production of The Rocky Horror Show, which was a big success. Around the same time, he started working as a radio jockey on the independent radio station FM 90,9. He also appeared in a film called Svo á jörðu sem á himni (As in Heaven, 1992).

Becoming a Professional Artist

Paul Oscar before appearing on stage at the Eurovision party at the Scala nightclub in London – photographed on 25 April 2008

In the summer of 1993, Paul Oscar moved from Iceland to New York City. There, he met other Icelanders, Jóhann Jóhannsson and Sigurjón Kjartansson, who were touring with the heavy metal band HAM. They helped him release his first album, Stuð (Groove). In October 1993, Paul Oscar began singing with a band called Milljónamæringarnir (The Millionaires). They released several albums, including Milljón á mann (A Million for Each, 1994).

In 1995, Paul Oscar started his solo career. He created his own music company, Paul Oscar Productions (P.O.P.). He then released an album of ballads called Palli, which he arranged, performed, and produced himself. It became the best-selling Icelandic album of 1995. His next album was Seif in 1996.

Paul Oscar represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 in 1997. He performed the song "Minn hinsti dans" ("My Final Dance"), which he helped write. His performance was very unique and got a lot of attention, even though the song finished 20th out of 25. This performance helped him become known internationally. In 1998, he was invited to appear on a British TV show about the Eurovision Song Contest called A Song for Eurotrash. He also hosted a music show called Popp i Reykjavík (Pop in Reykjavík).

Paul Oscar worked with the easy-listening group Casino on their album Stereo (1998). He then released three more albums: Deep Inside (1999), which was in English, and two albums with harpist Monika Abendroth: Ef ég sofna ekki (If I Won't Sleep Tonight, 2001) and Ljósin heima (The Lights at Home, 2003). His sister, Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (Diddú), also sang on the second album. His music style covers many different types, from traditional Icelandic songs and ballads to love songs, disco, house, and techno.

Páll with Hjaltalín, Iceland Airwaves, 2009

In Reykjavík, Paul Oscar often works as a disc jockey in clubs and appears on radio and TV shows. He was a judge on the third season of Idol stjörnuleit (Idol Starsearch, 2005), which is Iceland's version of the UK reality TV show Pop Idol. He also judged The X Factor (2006). In 2002, he played Dr. Love in the teen movie Gemsar (Made in Iceland). In 2018, he starred in a theater production of Rocky Horror Show that broke attendance records.

Paul Oscar has helped organize important events in Reykjavík. He believes that even though Iceland might be a small country for his career, his roots there are very important to him.

Personal Life and Family

Paul Oscar at Reykjavík Jazz Festival (2015)

Paul Oscar has shared that he is learning to love himself. He has had relationships that looked perfect from the outside but were difficult. He is now focusing on his own growth.

His father, Hjálmtýr E. Hjálmtýsson (1933–2002), had a challenging relationship with Paul Oscar. His father acted in Icelandic comedies like Með allt á hreinu (On Top, 1982) and Löggulíf (A Policeman's Life, 1985). Paul Oscar's older sister, Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (Diddú), is a famous opera singer.

Selected Music Albums

• Stuð (Groove, 1993)
• Palli (1995)
• Seif (1996)
• Deep Inside (1999)
• Ef ég sofna ekki (If I Won't Sleep Tonight, 2001) (with harpist Monika Abendroth)
• Ljósin heima (The Lights at Home, 2003) (with Monika Abendroth and Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (Diddú))
• Allt fyrir ástina (All in the Name of Love, 2007)
• Silfursafnið (The Silver Collection, 2008)
• Páll Óskar - Box (6 plötur fyrir 1) (a collection of six albums, 2014)
• Kristalsplatan (2017)

Selected Music Singles

• "Minn hinsti dans" (My Final Dance, 1997) (Iceland's song for the Eurovision Song Contest 1997)
• "Allt fyrir ástina" (All in the Name of Love, 2007)
• "International" (2007)
• "Betra Lif" (2007)
• "Er þetta ást?" (2008)
• "Þú komst við hjartað í mér" (2008)
• "Sama hvar þú ert" (2008)
• "Gordjöss á esperantó" (in Esperanto, 2010)
• "La Dolce Vita" (2011)
• "Ást sem endist" (2015)

See also

In Spanish: Paul Oscar para niños

• List of Icelandic writers