About
Biography
​Guri Annika Schanke, born on December 14, 1961, in Oslo, Norway, is a Norwegian actress and singer. She began her acting career in 1982 at Oslo Nye Teater. Throughout her career, she has performed in various musicals, including Les Misérables, Summer in Tyrol, and Annie Get Your Gun. She has also appeared in Norwegian television productions, such as the series Hotel Cæsar. In 2005, she participated in the Norwegian version of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in second place. ​
In 2007, Schanke won the Melodi Grand Prix, Norway’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Ven a bailar conmigo,” written by Thomas G:son. She represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, performing in the semi-final on May 10, 2007. Her entry finished 18th in the semi-final with 48 points and did not advance to the final. ​
Following her Eurovision participation, Schanke continued her involvement in musical theater and television. She performed in productions such as Showgirls and Showgirls 2, collaborating with artists like Elisabeth Andreassen, Hilde Lyrån, and Marian Aas Hansen. ​
In 2015, she released the album Ut av mitt hjerte, which featured a collection of songs reflecting her musical journey.Â
In addition to her stage and music career, Schanke has contributed her voice to Norwegian-language versions of various animated films. Her voice roles include characters such as Pocahontas in Pocahontas, Anastasia Tremaine in Cinderella, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. ​
In her personal life, Schanke was married to comedian Øivind Blunck from 1991 until their divorce in 2010. ​
In 2018, Schanke participated in the Norwegian television series Århundrets stemme, appearing in three episodes as a contestant. Two years later, she appeared in the Norwegian TV series Livstid, portraying the character Vanessa Buen in one episode. ​
In 2024, she released two albums: VÃ¥r Bønn and Himmel PÃ¥ Jord, showcasing her continued presence in the Norwegian music scene.Â