Selma Björnsdóttir

Selma Björnsdóttir is an Icelandic singer and actress, born in 1974 in Reykjavík. She is best known for representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1999 and 2005. Her career spans music, theater, television, and film.

Early life and start of her career

Selma started performing at a young age. She took dance lessons and learned to play the cello as a child. Her stage debut came early, in children’s theater productions of Cinderella and Noah’s Ark. After finishing school in 1995, she landed a role in the musical West Side Story at Iceland’s National Theatre, and she paused her plans to study law to focus on performing. In 1996, she portrayed Solla Stirða in the children’s musical Áfram Latibær! – a character that later became Stephanie on the TV show LazyTown. She even went on to choreograph episodes of the LazyTown television series years later.

Eurovision Song Contest 1999

In 1999, Selma achieved international fame. Iceland chose her to represent the country at Eurovision that year. She performed the upbeat pop song “All Out of Luck” with an energetic dance routine, and earned a second-place finish with 146 points in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. This was one of Iceland’s best results ever in the contest. That same year, she signed a record deal and released her debut album I Am, which went platinum in Iceland. In 2000, she won the award for Performer of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards.

Return to Eurovision and stage work

In 2005, Selma returned to Eurovision with the song “If I Had Your Love.” However, she did not advance past the semi-final. Despite this setback, Selma continued to thrive in Iceland’s entertainment scene. She starred in popular stage musicals such as Grease and Little Shop of Horrors. She also released more music over the years, including a country album in 2010.

Voice acting and television

Additionally, Selma became active in voice acting. She provided Icelandic voices for several Disney characters, including Princess Belle, Megara and Princess Tiana. She further expanded into television in 2009 when she served as a judge on Idol Stjörnuleit, the Icelandic version of Pop Idol. Selma also began directing and choreographing stage productions, showing her versatility in the arts. For example, she directed local productions of the musicals Oliver! and Les Misérables in the 2010s.

Recent work

In recent years, Selma Björnsdóttir has taken on new roles behind the scenes. She now works as a casting director for Icelandic film and television, including the Netflix series Katla and the survival drama Against the Ice. She has also continued acting on screen, with a supporting role in the acclaimed Icelandic film Under the Tree (2017) and an appearance in the TV series Blackport (2021). In 2024, she became one of the artistic directors for Iceland’s Eurovision selection show, Söngvakeppnin. She also continues to perform live; in 2024 she was announced as a performer at the Nordic Eurovision Party in Stockholm. Through decades of work, Selma has remained a leading figure in Icelandic pop culture, known for her strong voice, dynamic stage presence, and contributions both on and off the stage.