http://www.tempo.gr/time-out/mousiki/1562-ekana-tragoudi-osa-eniotha-kai-den-to-metaniosa
Q: Is this the first time you visit Greece?
A: Yes. No (laughs). Every time I am asked this I tend to say no. But I correct it. I have visited Rhode, Crete, Lesbos & Kos and I liked them. Greece is the first choice of Norwegians for vacation.
Q: What do you like here?
A: The food of course! I like souvlaki and moussaka. But what I like most here is the people’s warmness. I’ve been in so many places after the Eurovision contest, but only here I met such passion and smartness.
Q: You have achieved a huge success, but you are only 23.
A: I’m not very young. I’m grateful for what I live and I try to enjoy every moment of the day. It’s pleasant to be so popular, but I haven’t realized that fully. I just enjoy it.
Q: You were raised in musical environment, given the profession of both of your parents. How did this affect your occupation with music?
A: My parents are descended from Belarus, where schools are very strict, especially to talented children. However, they considered love more important than improving whatever talent I had and I thank them for that. My occupation with music came naturally.
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: Gene Kelly, probably. “Singing in the rain” is my favorite song. He was a hard working artist who hated showing incomplete works. I think I resemble him. He is one of my greatest inspiration sources.
Q: Is there any Greek singer you would like to work with?
A: I don’t know many. I only know Sakis and I have been impressed by his energy. Of course I consider Mikis Theodorakis a magnificent composer. I wish to meet him.
Q: What about appearing with Sakis on stage?
A: I certainly suit Sakis as character. We share the same energy and we could fit on stage. He is a real star, respecting himself. He does not pretend to be a teenager. I would like to collaborate with him in this year or in the future.
Q: How do you feel when you listen to your song, which has conquered the whole Europe?
A: I sing it very often for shows and concerts. I try not to listen to it, I think I will get bored.
Q: Turning a painful story into a song means you will never forget it. But you took your chances…
A: Having feelings for somebody else is not bad. It’s not stupid to express yourself loudly. Writing this song was not risky to me. On the contrary, I think it’s beautiful to live with your memories. I would never like to forget my love story.
Q: How do you feel for this love story being your biggest hit so far?
A: Sometimes I think about this girl, I can’t forget her anyway. She hurts me, but she’s also the reason for my life today. My friends told me to forget about her, but I never listened to their advice. I had never regrets for writing this song. Maybe it’s my destiny to be heartbroken (laughs).
Q: Do you still love her?
A: Sometimes I feel I love her, sometimes no. Feelings cannot be explained.
Q: Do you expect a reunion through “Fairytale”? A phone call maybe?
A: I never expected anything. When I wrote this song I was on vacation and I knew it was over. This song is just a hymn for a lost love. She has her own life, I have mine too. Only the memory lives.
Q: Are you in love?
A: No! I am rather busy for this right now. I have to travel a lot and I am always out of time. But I keep flirting. Like James Bond (laughs).
Q: Your favorite “Fairytale”?
A: There are many, but I think I like most “The Beauty and the Beast”. I’m a romantic guy, what to do about that?
Q: Who is Alexander anyway?
A: Alexander has two lives. Don’t let me be misunderstood. When I am singe I want to have fun, to meet people and flirt as much as I can. But if I fall in love and I have a true relationship, then things will change. I will stay away from everyone and everything.
Q: Your summer plans?
A: I have no time for vacation. I will perform many concerts in Norway. I want to communicate with people. In the autumn I will make a European tour and I will come to Greece again.
Q: How do you think you will be in 10 years?
A: I hope I will be as famous as now, but I know I will not. What I would like is to have a regular job which will not force me to travel so much.