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Tooji
Birth name Touraj Keshtkar
Also known as Tooji
Born (1987-05-26) 26 May 1987 (age 38)
Shiraz, Iran
Origin Norway
Genres
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
  • Released: 16 January 2012
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: Tooji Music
Father
  • Released: 20 May 2015
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: Kawaii Records

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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tooji para niños

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