Elena Paparizou (Greek: Έλενα Παπαρίζου, born 31 January 1982), known professionally as Helena Paparizou, is a Greek-Swedish singer, songwriter and television personality. Born and raised in Sweden to Greek parents, she enrolled in various arts schools before launching a career in Sweden in 1999 as a member of the laïko (Greek folk music) and Eurodance duo Antique, who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 and afterwards became popular.