Tooji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tooji
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Touraj Keshtkar |
| Also known as | Tooji |
| Born | 26 May 1987 Shiraz, Iran |
| Origin | Norway |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer, model, television host, social worker |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Japanese stage name | |
| Kanji | 冬至 |
| Romanization | tōji |
| Literal meaning | winter solstice |
Touraj Keshtkar (Persian: تورج کشتکار; born 26 May 1987), known professionally as Tooji, is an Iranian-born Norwegian singer, painter, model and television host. He represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan and finished 26th (last) in the final.
Career
Tooji Keshtkar was born in Shiraz, Iran, and moved to Norway when he was one year old. His mother is author and political commentator Lily Bandehy. At the age of 16, he started modelling. Afterwards, he started working on MTV Norway where he presented "Super Saturday" and "Tooji's Top 10". He was also educated as a social worker and has worked in asylum reception centres.
He won Melodi Grand Prix 2012 and was given the opportunity to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with his entry "Stay."
Since 2012, Tooji presents, with Margrethe Røed, the Melodi Grand Prix Junior in Norway. In 2013, he released a single entitled "Rebels". Tooji himself describes ‘Rebels’ as "dramatic pop-dance, with new organic elements blended in with hard electronica".
He moved to Stockholm prior to the release of the song "Packin' Guns". His songs often express a political and social message. Tooji's single "Cocktail" deals with the gender roles in today's society. The music video starts with a quotation from Gloria Steinem: "We've begun to raise daughters more like sons... but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters". After coming out, he released his The Father project.
Personal life
Tooji is a supporter of Green Wave, Iran's democratic reform movement. Tooji wore a Free Iran green bracelet during his performance in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In June 2015, Tooji came out as gay to the Norwegian website Gaysir. He was praised for his decision by the Norwegian National Association for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender People.
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Stay |
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| Father |
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Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | |||||||||||||||||||
| "Swan Song" | 2008 | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||
| "Stay" | 2012 | 2 | Stay | ||||||||||||||||
| "If It Wasn't For You" | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| "Rebels" | 2013 | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||
| "Packin' Guns" | 2014 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Cocktail" | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| "Money" | 2015 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "L.Y.S" | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| "Father" | — | Father | |||||||||||||||||
| "Say Yeah" | — | Non-album singles | |||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||
See also
In Spanish: Tooji para niños
