About
Biography
Bettina Soriat (born 16 March 1967 in Linz) is an Austrian singer, dancer, actress, comedian, and choreographer. She first rose to fame as a member of the girl group Three Girl Madhouse in the early 1990s. Over the years, Soriat has built a versatile career spanning pop music, musical theatre, television comedy, and cabaret. She represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997. However, her career extends far beyond that one event.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Soriat developed an interest in performing arts at a young age. She trained in dance in her hometown of Linz from 1982 to 1985. She then studied musical theatre at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna until 1987. Her professional career began soon after. In 1990, she achieved her first musical success with the girl group Three Girl Madhouse. She had joined this group as a singer and dancer. The group’s debut single, “Always Gonna Be Around You,” became a hit in Austria in 1990–1991. This early pop success introduced Soriat to a wide audience. It also set the stage for her multifaceted career.
Rise to Fame with Three Girl Madhouse
As part of Three Girl Madhouse, Soriat gained national recognition. The group attempted to enter the Eurovision scene by participating in Austria’s national song contests. They competed twice in the Austrian national finals for Eurovision. In the 1991 selection, their song “1001” finished 9th. They also took part in the 1994 national final, seeking a chance to represent Austria. These experiences on the national stage made Soriat a familiar name in Austrian pop music.
Musical Theatre and Television Career
Alongside her pop music endeavors, Bettina Soriat built a strong career in musical theatre. Throughout the 1990s, she appeared in numerous hit musicals in Vienna, showcasing her singing and dancing skills on stage. Notably, she performed in productions like Robin Hood (1991), The Rocky Horror Show (1993), and Sweet Charity (1994). She also had roles in popular shows such as Grease (1995) and Blondel (1996). Soriat’s stage presence and versatility made her a sought-after musical actress.
In addition to theatre, Soriat was active on television. She joined the Kim-Duddy TV Ballet ensemble. Through this troupe, Soriat appeared on popular Austrian TV variety shows. These included Willkommen im Club (1991), Nix is fix (1993–94), and Die Peter Alexander Show (1995). Soriat also ventured into TV comedy. She became part of the cast of Die kranken Schwestern, a late-1990s satirical sketch show. That series proved popular, earning a Romy award for Best TV Comedy in 1996. These roles highlighted Soriat’s comedic timing and charisma. They further expanded her reputation in Austrian entertainment.
Eurovision Song Contest Journey
Bettina Soriat’s most internationally visible moment came with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1996, she first stepped onto the Eurovision stage as a backing vocalist for Austria’s entry by George Nussbaumer in Oslo. In 1997, the Austrian broadcaster ORF internally selected Soriat to represent Austria as a solo artist at Eurovision. She performed the upbeat pop song “One Step,” which had an English title but mostly German lyrics. Despite a dynamic performance, the song finished 21st out of 25 entries in the final. Austria earned only 12 points that year, a modest showing.
Though the Eurovision outcome was disappointing, Soriat remained active in the music scene. She even returned as a backing singer in the Austrian national finals in 2003, supporting another entry titled “Girls of Summer”. Eurovision gave Soriat international exposure. However, she did not let the contest define her career. She quickly refocused on other artistic pursuits after the contest.
Later Career in Cabaret and Stage
After Eurovision, Soriat continued to shine in live performances, especially in comedy and cabaret. In 1999, she joined the famous Kabarett Simpl in Vienna, becoming a member of its regular comedy revue ensemble. At Kabarett Simpl, she has been performing in sketch shows and musical comedy acts. Her long-running involvement with the Simpl Revue solidified her status as a prominent comedian and stage performer in Austria.
Soriat has remained a versatile entertainer, taking on roles in theater productions and occasional television projects over the years. She has appeared in Austrian TV films and series. Her stage work continues to span both musical and comedic genres. Decades after her debut, Soriat is still active in the performing arts. She continues to adapt and thrive in many facets of entertainment.
Personal Life
Bettina Soriat’s personal life also garnered public interest. In the late 1990s, she married Austrian-Iranian comedian Michael Niavarani. The couple has one child together. Although the marriage later ended, Soriat balanced her family life with a busy career. She largely keeps her personal life private, focusing public attention on her work.
