Selma (singer)

Selma
Selma performing in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Selma Björnsdóttir
Born	(1974-06-13) 13 June 1974 (age 43) Reykjavík, Iceland
Genres	Pop, Soul
Occupation(s)	Singer, Actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1999–present

Selma Björnsdóttir, also known as simply Selma, is an Icelandic actress and singer born on 13 June 1974 in Reykjavík, best known internationally for representing her country in the Eurovision Song Contest.

In 1996, she played 'Solla Stirða' in the Icelandic stage play Áfram Latibær. This character later developed into Stephanie in the children's television show LazyTown.

Her first Eurovision experience occurred when she took her highly fancied entry All Out of Luck to the 1999 contest in Jerusalem, placing Iceland in the unaccustomed position of being the pre-contest favourites with many bookmakers. Following a vibrant vocal and visual display on the night—with choreography that appeared to be somewhat influenced by Carola's famous routine from the 1991 contest—Selma shot into an early lead in the voting, but was gradually pegged back by Sweden, represented by Charlotte Nilsson. Despite trailing Nilsson only very narrowly before the penultimate set of votes were announced, Selma's hopes of victory came to an abrupt end when Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded maximum points to Sweden and nothing at all to Iceland. However, Selma's second place in Jerusalem still ranks as Iceland's best showing in the contest to date. In 2009, Yohanna managed to get Iceland in second place again.

Such a fine pedigree ensured she was a hugely popular choice to represent Iceland for a second time in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, to be held in Kiev. However, despite its being one of the favourites to go on to win the contest, her song If I Had Your Love did not make it to the final. Iceland's early exit at the semi-final stage was one of the biggest upsets of the 2005 contest. This was Iceland's worst result in the contest.