Julie Bergan

A Norwegian pop singer and songwriter with a bright, assertive style, Julie Bergan had successful collaborations with hip-hop and EDM artists such as Cir.Cuz and Alan Walker from early in her career. After making her major-label debut with the single "Younger" in 2014, she hit number one in her native Norway with her own "Arigato" in 2016. Her first album, 2018's Turn On the Lights, landed in the Top Five. A native of Skien, Bergan grew up partly on-stage, participating in dance, musicals, and theater from a young age. In late 2012, she was a featured singer on hip-hop artist Cir.Cuz's single "Supernova," which hit number five on the Norwegian singles chart. After appearing as the youngest contestant in Eurovision Song Contest 2013 at 19, she signed a record deal with Warner Music Norway. Her official debut single, "Younger," saw release in 2014. The rising star followed it up with a series of hit songs over the next couple years, including Top Ten single "All Hours" in late 2015. In mid-2016, she reached the Top Five in Sweden and topped the singles chart at home with "Arigato." The track was later nominated for a Spellemann Award (Norwegian Grammy) for Song of the Year. In the meantime, she toured Europe in support of Jess Glynne and opened shows for Justin Bieber in Norway and Spain. Bergan revisited the singles chart in early 2017 with the glitchier "Blackout," followed that summer by "If You Love Me" (featuring Tunji Ige) and over 30 festival appearances in Scandinavia and the U.K. Beginning with late 2017's "Incapable," her next four singles reached Norway's Top 20. Bergan's full-length debut, Turn On the Lights, arrived on Warner in February 2018, eventually peaking at number five. She returned to the top of the Norwegian singles chart later in 2018 with a featured spot on the K-391 and Alan Walker collaboration "Ignite," which also featured Seungri of K-pop group Big Bang. The year 2019 offered the solo pop hits "STFU" and "Crazy Enough." ~ Marcy Donelson