Eleni "Elena" Paparizou is a Greek-Swedish singer, songwriter and television personality born 31 January 1982 . She was born and raised in Sweden to Greek parents and 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, who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 which led to her popularity.