Quick Facts
Biography
Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir (born 16 October 1990), known outside Iceland as Yohanna, is an Icelandic singer who was chosen to represent her nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, with the song "Is It True?", earning second place.
Background and career
Yohanna was raised in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, and started performing on stage at the age of nine after participating in singing classes. Her first album, titled Jóhanna Guðrún 9 was released in 2000 and contained mostly international pop hits that had been translated into the Icelandic language. "Torn", "Genie in a Bottle", and "I'll Be There" are among the songs that Yohanna covered. She released one more album in addition to a Christmas album before stepping out of the spotlight. She also worked in musicals.
2008-10: Butterflies and Elvis and Eurovision Song Contest
Yohanna's album Butterflies and Elvis marked her return to the spotlight in 2008. The album was released in Iceland and Sweden with her first single to be "I Miss You". Since Eurovision, Yohanna has performed in countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Turkey. On 12 May 2009, Yohanna qualified for the Eurovision final after winning first place in the first semi-final. For the final in Moscow, she was joined on stage by backing-vocalists Friðrik Ómar, Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir, and Hera Björk. She came in second place behind Norway, with 218 points. Her debut song, "Is It True?" went on to become a top download on iTunes and a hit in several countries. Yohanna sang The Winner Takes It All at the 2010 Icelandic Eurovision Selection Final and also was Iceland's spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 revealing the results of the Icelandic voting.
2011: Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins
She participated in the Icelandic national round for Eurovision 2011 finishing the national round in third place with the song “Nótt”. In 2012, Yohanna moved to Kongsvinger in Norway to be afforded easier access to the European continent. In January 2012, she made a video for her song "Indian Rope Trick". In July 18, 2012, She sang Fields of Gold at Norway's open-air concert "Allsang på grensen".
2013: Söngvakeppnin
Yohanna was one of the entrants at the Söngvakeppnin 2013 (the Icelandic national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest). She took part in the first semi-final with the song "Þú" (You in English), written by Davíð Sigurgeirsson without making it to the final. In the first semi-final she was voted out of the competition and thus did not represent Iceland In Eurovision 2013. On October 3, 2015, she gave birth to a baby girl.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| SWE | ||
| Jóhanna Guðrún 9 |
| - |
| Ég sjálf |
| - |
| Butterflies and Elvis |
| 19 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE | BEL (Vl) | DEN | FIN | IRE | NOR | SWE | SWI | UK | |||
| 2009 | "Is It True?" | 1 | 23 | 16 | 4 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 49 | Butterflies and Elvis |
| "I Miss You" | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011 | "Nótt" (Night)/"Slow Down" | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "I Think of Angels" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Really Over" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012 | "Indian Rope Trick" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Butterflies and Elvis |
| "Coming Home" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| 2013 | "Þú" (You) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Mamma þarf að djamma" (with Baggalútur) | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015 | "Find a Better Man" (with ROK) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2016 | "Revolving Doors" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single |