Hänt 2025-10-03
By: OLA LAGERSTRÖM
She has an unknown past as a cleaner, bookkeeper, and home-care assistant. In an exclusive interview, Helen Sjöholm talks about her on-air brain freeze, the 50th-birthday party where she met the love of her life, and the scent that transports her back to childhood.
How are you doing, the world’s best Helen?
“I’m doing great! Right now, as you and I are talking, I’m at the Liseberg Theatre where I’m performing in Nån måste göra det, the play. I’m having an insanely fun time with Gunilla Backman and Sissela Kyle — I actually feel privileged. I’m so happy and proud to be doing this! It feels wonderful that Gunilla and I have Sissela as our director. She has both the seriousness and the humor that Gunilla and I want to capture.”
Are you and Gunilla Backman friends in private life?
“We’ve become friends. We’d never spent time together before. We knew of each other but only met through others. It’s a new friendship — both on stage and in private!”
What was your family situation like when you were little?
“I grew up with two siblings and with parents who are still alive and still together.”
What can you tell us about your dear mother?
“She’s a major role model for me. A very vibrant person with a strong temperament.”
And your dear father?
“A whole lot of silliness,” she laughs. “I definitely got that side from him, and it’s served me well. Seriousness and silliness — Dad has both sides. I think I inherited them both.”’
At what age did it become clear that you sang better than your peers?
“I don’t know, but I sang constantly! It’s probably one of my earliest memories — that I was singing. I remember being at my dad’s sheet-metal workshop. I’d sing among all the metal sheets. Beautiful acoustics, almost like singing in a church. I sang so loudly it echoed!”
What were you like as a young teen?
“Very serious, actually. I was quite earnest and solemn.”
What happened after ninth grade?
“Everything got better — I became happier. High school was great!”
Moved by Tommy Körberg
Did you have any regular, everyday jobs before entering the music industry?
“Yes, I did all sorts of things. I cleaned offices, served school lunches, and did bookkeeping. I babysat, I worked in home care… I did quite a bit of everything.”
(…)
What was it like going from unknown to famous?
“I’ve been lucky — I slip easily into the crowd. I’ve never felt bothered by it. Recognition is nothing I’ve ever sought or wished for.”
Whose music has meant the most to you?
“For me, it’s always been Tommy Körberg — not just his voice. When I was in my very serious phase as a fifteen-year-old, Körberg’s songs were there. His big, fairly dramatic songs were important to me. I was incredibly moved by his voice. As an adult I’ve been able to work with him — I’ve really had to pinch myself standing next to him. Another artist who meant a lot to me is Olle Adolphson. Of course I listened a lot to Depeche Mode and Peter LeMarc in the ’80s, but I also listened to Olle Adolphson.”
As an artist you avoid TV’s silly game shows, and you almost never give interviews. Respect! What’s the secret to keeping a low profile?
“You know what, I did Doobidoo once. I had such a brain freeze — it was awful!” she laughs. “There I was with Henrik Dorsin and I remembered nothing! How hard can it be? I like Lasse Kronér enormously, but I’d rather not be in those kinds of settings. Silly shows can be hilarious, but the genre is tricky. It stresses me out. And sure, I do give interviews, but I’m not terribly interested in showing my home and things like that…”
Thanking the friend who brought her love, David
What is ‘home’ to you?
“I actually think it’s Alnön outside Sundsvall. That’s where I grew up. Then Stockholm, where I live in my house, has become my fortress.”
(…)
How did David enter your life?
“We met in the autumn of 2003 at a 50th-birthday party. We call that friend every year to say thank you.”
What have you come to appreciate with age?
“Pauses and silence. I’ve always been very restless and quick. Now I’m working on finding some kind of balance.”
Finally, Helen, what’s the best moment of your day?
“It varies, but breakfast is usually a lovely moment. That’s when the day begins!”
This is Helen Sjöholm
(…)
To my zodiac sign: Cancer.
My family consists of: My husband David Granditsky, 59, and our three teenage children.
How I live: A house on the outskirts of Stockholm.
Current project: The play Nån måste göra det. I’m so happy that Gunilla Backman and I — who had never worked together before, only crossed paths in passing — get to do this. And with Sissela Kyle as well! It feels incredibly joyful and exciting.
What I value most in myself: Others should probably answer that… but I could probably get better at valuing myself.
What bothers me most about myself: I’m a perfectionist and have a lot of excess energy. Most of the time that’s good, but the perfectionist side can be a bit challenging — both for me and for my family.
The scent that takes me back to childhood: Boiled coffee. The pot ready at Grandma’s house…
The sound that annoys me: Beeping mobile phones. It stresses me out.
My hope for the future: To live a long life!
(The entire interview is not reproduced for copyright reasons)