Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Alexander Rybak

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|Belarusian-Norwegian singer, actor, and violinist}}
{{family name hatnote|Igorevich|Rybak|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Alexander Rybak
| image             = Alexander Rybak 001.jpg
| caption           = Rybak in 2018
| birth_name        = Alexander Igorevich Rybak
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1986|5|13|df=yes}}
| birth_place       = {{nowrap|[[Minsk]], [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]], USSR}}
| origin            = [[Oslo]], Norway
| genre             = {{flatlist|
*[[Pop music|Pop]]
*[[Folk music|folk]]
*[[soft rock]]
*[[classical crossover]]}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
*Singer
*songwriter
*actor}}
| instrument        = {{flatlist|
*Vocals
*violin
*piano
*[[Hardanger fiddle]]}}
| years_active      = 2004–present
| label             = Self-released
| associated_acts   = {{flatlist|
*[[Frikar Dance Company|Frikar]]
*[[Paula Seling]]}}
| website           = {{URL|http://www.alexanderrybak.com/}}
}}

'''Alexander Igorevich Rybak'''  ({{lang-ru|Александр Игоревич Рыбак}}; born 13 May 1986) or '''Alyaxandr Iharavich Rybak''' ({{lang-be|Аляксандр Ігаравіч Рыбак}}) is a Belarusian-Norwegian singer-composer, violinist, pianist, author and actor.<ref name="øp">{{cite web|url=http://www.op.no/kultur/article4317559.ece|title=Rybaks ukjente fortid i Larvik|last=Hansen|first=Kjeld-Willy|date=9 May 2009|publisher=[[Østlands-Posten]]|language=no|access-date=12 July 2009|archive-date=11 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511065230/http://www.op.no/kultur/article4317559.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

Based in [[Oslo]], Rybak extensively worked on television programs and on tours in [[Europe]], particularly in [[Scandinavia]] and [[Eastern Europe]] throughout the early 2010s. Performing in [[English language|English]], [[Russian language|Russian]] and [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]], Rybak held on to a [[teen idol]] status in [[Scandinavia]], [[Eastern Europe]], and to a certain extent in [[Western Asia]] in his early twenties.<ref>{{cite news|title=Where can I get...? |url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/site/music/wherecaniget/page/2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428215752/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/site/music/wherecaniget/page/2/ |archive-date=2021-04-28 |website=Alexander Rybak News}}</ref> 

His debut 2009 album, ''[[Fairytales (Alexander Rybak album)|Fairytales]]'', charted in the top 20 in nine European countries, including a top position in Norway and Russia. After two pop albums in ''Fairytales'' and ''[[No Boundaries (Alexander Rybak album)|No Boundaries]]'' (2010), Rybak switched to become a family-oriented artist, focusing on children's and classical music and frequently performing with youth orchestras throughout the world.<ref name="eurostory.nl">{{Cite web|url=https://eurostory.nl/alexander-rybak-kinderboekenschrijver/|title=Alexander Rybak: kinderboekenschrijver|date=2016-02-10|website=Eurostory|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513130310/https://eurostory.nl/alexander-rybak-kinderboekenschrijver/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rybak is known for his extensive involvement in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]]. Representing Norway in the {{Escyr|2009|3=2009 contest}} in [[Moscow]], Russia, he won the competition with 387 points—the highest tally any country has achieved in the history of Eurovision under the then-voting system—with "[[Fairytale (Alexander Rybak song)|Fairytale]]", a song he wrote and composed. Winning at the age of 23, Rybak remains the youngest solo male winner of the contest and the only Belarusian-born winner to date. His win was celebrated throughout Europe for crushing stereotypes about the contest, such as needing an over-the-top performance or the influence of [[Eurovision Song Contest#Political and geographical voting|neighbour voting]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Евровидение-2020: лучшие выступления Норвегии на конкурсе |url=https://eurovision.stb.ua/ru/2020/05/18/evrovidenie-2020-luchshie-vystupleniya-norvegii-na-konkurse/ |website=STB.ua |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612083425/https://eurovision.stb.ua/ru/2020/05/18/evrovidenie-2020-luchshie-vystupleniya-norvegii-na-konkurse/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sprookje komt uit voor Noorse winnaar |url=http://radio.nl/63425/sprookje-komt-uit-voor-noorse-winnaar |website=Radio.nl |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116200716/https://www.radio.nl/63425/sprookje-komt-uit-voor-noorse-winnaar |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since then, Rybak has been involved several times in the contest. He represented Norway again in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2018]] in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], with the song "[[That's How You Write a Song]]", winning the second semi-final and finishing in 15th place in the final. He performed as an opening act for the 2010 final and as an interval act in 2012 and 2016. Rybak has frequently provided commentary on the contest, and also worked as a journalist in 2011, and as a judge on the Belgian national finals in 2016 and 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV2EfAbePig | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/UV2EfAbePig| archive-date=2021-11-02 | url-status=live|website=YouTube |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest| title=Alexander Rybak: If I hadn't won Eurovision, I would still be happy I had courage to compete}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hadise en Alexander Rybak adviseren Eurosongkandidaten |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2015/12/17/hadise_en_alexanderrybakadvisereneurosongkandidaten-1-2525944/ |website=VRT |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806082900/https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2015/12/17/hadise_en_alexanderrybakadvisereneurosongkandidaten-1-2525944/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rybak |first1=Alexander |title=Login • Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BFegwPsmFiP/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BFegwPsmFiP |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Early life ==
Rybak was born in [[Minsk]], Belarus, which at that time was the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]] in the [[Soviet Union]]. His parents and most of his other family hail from the town [[Vitebsk]], in Northern Belarus. His father Igor Rybak, a well-known classical violinist who performed alongside [[Pinchas Zukerman]], [[defection|defected]] to Norway in 1991 after a concert tour of a Belarusian chamber orchestra which he was part of. Rybak's father lived with a musical family who gave him shelter and food in exchange for violin lessons for their son. Alexander Rybak and his mother Natalia Rybak ({{née|Gurina}}), who worked as a music journalist and a piano teacher, arrived in Norway on a tourist visa and were initially refused a residence permit.<ref name="op.no">{{Cite web|url=https://www.op.no/kultur/article4317559.ece?ns_campaign=article&ns_mchannel=recommend_button&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=facebook&ns_fee=0|title=Rybaks ukjente fortid i Larvik|date=2009-05-08|website=www.op.no|language=no|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141309/https://www.op.no/kultur/rybaks-ukjente-fortid-i-larvik/s/1-85-4317559|url-status=live}}</ref> Eventually, the Rybak family settled in [[Nesodden]] in the early 1990s.<ref name="early">{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/kjempesjansen/1.1087124 |title=Alexander Rybak |last=Horne |first=Birte Njøsen |date=7 October 2006 |publisher=nrk.no |language=no |access-date=26 November 2006 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205104907/http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/kjempesjansen/1.1087124 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rybak and his family received Norwegian citizenship after seven years of residing in Norway.<ref name="op.no"/>

At the age of five, Rybak began to play piano but eventually picked up the violin as his main instrument.<ref name="early" /><ref>[http://www.emimusic.de/info/84880.html Biography: April 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520174505/http://www.emimusic.de/info/84880.html |date=20 May 2009 }} Alexander Rybak, EMI Music, Germany</ref> He stated "I always liked to entertain and somehow that is my vocation".<ref name="escinterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13180 |title='Being a big favorite makes me nervous' — esctoday.com met with Alexander Rybak |last=Espen Hansen |first=Tom |date=9 February 2009 |publisher=esctoday.com |access-date=13 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212175522/http://esctoday.com/news/read/13180 |archive-date=12 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He became a student at the [[Barratt Due Institute of Music]] in [[Oslo]] at the age of 10. As a result of his Eurovision win in 2009, he took a break from his [[bachelor's degree]] studies at the institute, but in 2011 he returned to his studies, and in June 2012 he graduated from the institute with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alexander Rybak Main Stage |url=http://www.operaen.no/Default.aspx?ID=27246&ProductID=PROD73 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5gwJcPhrL?url=http://www.operaen.no/Default.aspx?ID=27246&ProductID=PROD73 |publisher=[[The Norwegian Opera and Ballet]] |archive-date=21 May 2009 |access-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Pål Fredrik |last=Pedersen |title=Rybak ble stor stjerne |url=http://www.tv2.no/gmn/article2732289.ece |publisher=[[TV 2 (Norway)]] |location=Norway |date=14 May 2009 |access-date=21 May 2009 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613151814/http://www.tv2.no/gmn/article2732289.ece |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
In 2004, Rybak was awarded the [[Anders Jahre]] Culture Prize at the annual culture festival in Madrid, Spain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anders Jahres Humanitære Stiftelse – Pressemeldinger {{!}} sandefjord {{!}} skipsreder {{!}} vestfold {{!}} prisvinnere |url=http://www.ajhs.no/scripts/ingress/read.pl?id=040630091306-683 |date=2009-03-04 |access-date=2015-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304005649/http://www.ajhs.no/scripts/ingress/read.pl?id=040630091306-683 |archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref> In 2005, he entered the [[Idol (Norway)|Norwegian version of Idol]], ''Idol: Jakten på en superstjerne'', reaching the semifinal. In 2006, Rybak won ''Kjempesjansen'' ("The Great Opportunity"), a talent competition hosted by the [[NRK|Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] (NRK), with his own song, "Foolin".<ref name="escinterview"/> Rybak has collaborated with artists such as [[a-ha]]'s lead singer [[Morten Harket]] and [[Arve Tellefsen]]. In 2007, Rybak played the fiddle in [[Oslo Nye Teater]]'s production of ''[[Fiddler on the Roof]]'' and won the [[Hedda Award]] for this role.<ref name="escinterview"/>

===Eurovision 2009===
[[File:Alexander Rybak at the Eurovision press conference.jpg|thumb|right|Rybak after he had won Eurovision 2009]]
{{Main|Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009}}
Rybak won the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009|54th Eurovision Song Contest]] in Moscow, Russia, with a record 387 points, singing "[[Fairytale (Alexander Rybak song)|Fairytale]]",<ref name="rybaktoeurovision">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13325 |title=Norway: Alexander Rybak to Eurovision |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=21 February 2009 |publisher=ESCtoday |access-date=21 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224053412/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13325 |archive-date=24 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> a song inspired by Norwegian folk music. The song was composed and written by Rybak<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1891 |title=Norway: Alexander Rybak and Ovi to final! |last=Schacht |first=Andreas |date=7 February 2009 |publisher=eurovision.tv |access-date=10 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208163910/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1891 |archive-date=8 February 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> and was performed with the modern [[folk dance]] company [[Frikar Dance Company|Frikar]]. The song received good reviews with a score of 6 out of 6 in the Norwegian newspaper ''[[Dagbladet]]'',<ref name="escinterview"/> and, in an ''ESCtoday'' poll, he scored 71.3%, making him the favourite to get into the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escfans.com/news/read/13167 |title=Third semi final results Norway: Another two acts chosen for the national final |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=7 February 2009 |publisher=escfans.com |access-date=13 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710201457/http://www.escfans.com/news/read/13167 |archive-date=10 July 2011}}</ref>

In the 2009 Norwegian national heats, Rybak achieved a clean sweep, gaining the top score from all nine voting districts and ending with a combined televoting and jury score of 747,888, while the runner-up, [[Tone Damli Aaberge]], received a combined score of only 121,856 (out of a total population of less than 5 million)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13325 |title=Norway: Alexander Rybak to Eurovision |publisher=Esctoday.com |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224053412/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13325 |archive-date=24 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The song then competed in the second semi-final and won a place in the Eurovision final. Rybak later won the Eurovision final with a landslide victory, receiving votes from all the other participating countries. Rybak finished with a total of 387 points, breaking the previous record of 292 points scored by [[Lordi]] in [[Eurovision Song Contest 2006|2006]] and scoring 169 points more than the runner-up, [[Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir|Iceland]].

===After Eurovision, film and the first album===
[[File:Alexander Rybak i Skien 4.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Rybak and a dancer from [[Frikar]], at a concert in Norway, September 2009]]
Rybak's debut album, ''[[Fairytales (Alexander Rybak album)|Fairytales]]'', was released after his Eurovision win. Rybak also co-stars as Levi in the film ''[[Yohan: The Child Wanderer|Yohan]]'' directed by Grete Salomonsen, which was released in March 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alexander til filmen – Yohan |url=http://www.yohan.no/nyheter-/36-august/161-alexander-til-filmen |date=2009-03-04 |access-date=2015-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304002013/http://www.yohan.no/nyheter-/36-august/161-alexander-til-filmen |archive-date=4 March 2009 }}</ref> Rybak also went on a tour in Norway with former Norwegian Eurovision winner [[Elisabeth Andreassen]], something that had been decided before his Eurovision win and participation. He and [[Frikar]] also toured Norway and Europe in 2009.

In a December 2009 performance of his hit "[[Fairytale (Alexander Rybak song)|Fairytale]]" at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, held at the Oslo Spektrum, Rybak shared the stage with nine other acts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14608 |title=Rybak stars at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert |publisher=Esctoday.com |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214183530/http://esctoday.com/news/read/14608 |archive-date=14 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> EMI Norway has just released a film entitled Fairytale, the movie, directed by acclaimed Norwegian director, Rune Langlo, documenting the journey of Alexander Rybak since claiming the top prize for Norway in Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14571 |title=Fairytale, the movie available on DVD |publisher=Esctoday.com |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207010518/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14571 |archive-date=7 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2009, he recorded the theme song, called "I Don't Believe in Miracles/Superhero", for the Russian action movie ''[[Black Lightning (2009 film)|Black Lightning]]'' produced by [[Timur Bekmambetov]].<ref>[http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14744?id=14744&offset=81 "They said it would kill my career" Rybak: "I listened only to myself"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124212118/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14744?id=14744&offset=81 |date=24 November 2011 }}, esctoday.com, 2 January 2010</ref>

===2010–2011===
[[File:Alexander Rybak at Handelsstevnet 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Rybak performing in 2011]]
On 30 January 2010, Rybak performed one of his new singles, "Europe's Skies", in the national final, [[Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010|Euroviisut 2010]], to select the 2010 Finnish entry at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2010]]. On 12 March 2010, Alexander Rybak performed his Eurovision 2009 winning song "[[Fairytale (Alexander Rybak song)|Fairytale]]" on UK TV show ''[[Eurovision: Your Country Needs You]]''. In April 2010, Rybak released a new song, featuring Opptur, called "Fela Igjen".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.twitter.com/AlexanderRybak/statuses/12785381066 |title=Twitter / Alexander Rybak: Ladies and gentlemen: Alex |work=Twitter |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910140337/https://twitter.com/AlexanderRybak/statuses/12785381066 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 8 June 2010, Rybak released the first single from his second album "[[Oah]]". A music video was made for the single. It was directed by Lars Kristian Flemmen, produced by Eirik Heldal, and shot by Martin J. Edelsteen. It is filmed in a university or college. He also recorded and released a Russian version of this song called "Strela Amura" (Russian: Стрела Амура, Cupid's arrow).

Alexander released his second album on 14 June 2010, called ''[[No Boundaries (Alexander Rybak album)|No Boundaries]]''. It was not as successful as his first album, so far it has peaked at number 7 in Norway, number 8 in Sweden and 32 in Finland. 
On 7 January 2011, Rybak was one of twelve contestants on the next Swedish season of the dancing show ''Let's Dance'' (Swedish version of television franchise ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''), in the show Rybak danced to win the competition against other Swedish celebrities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/tv/dokusapa/letsdance/article8317424.ab |title=De tävlar i Let's dance &#124; Let's Dance &#124; TV &#124; Nöjesbladet &#124; Aftonbladet |date=22 December 2010 |publisher=Aftonbladet.se |access-date=9 August 2012 |archive-date=19 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319223950/http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/tv/dokusapa/letsdance/article8317424.ab |url-status=live }}</ref> Rybak made it to the Top 4 before being voted off on 11 March, having received the lowest scores from both juries and the voting public.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg.no/rampelys/artikkel.php?artid=10099240 |title=Alexander Rybak ute etter dommerslakt – VG Nett |date=11 March 2011 |publisher=Vg.no |access-date=9 August 2012 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212211833/http://www.vg.no/rampelys/artikkel.php?artid=10099240 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011 he released the album ''[[Visa vid vindens ängar]]'', a collaboration with [[Mats Paulson]] whom he describes as "a legend and a great friend"
On 11 December 2011, he appeared as musical guest on [[X Factor (Romania season 1)|X Factor (Romania)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://a1.ro/tv/tv-1/video-alexander-rybak-show-incendiar-pe-scena-x-factor.html|title=VIDEO! Alexander Rybak – show incendiar pe scena X Factor!|publisher=[[Antena 1 (Romania)|Antena 1]]|date=11 December 2011|language=ro|access-date=16 December 2012|archive-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528010344/https://a1.ro/tv/tv-1/video-alexander-rybak-show-incendiar-pe-scena-x-factor-id25272.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2012–2013===
In 2012 he released a new music video for his Russian song "Strela Amura".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/2011/01/05/9607/ |title=Strela Amura / Arrow of Cupid &#124; Alexander Rybak – International Fansite |publisher=AlexanderRybakNews.com |date=5 January 2011 |access-date=6 November 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> "Strela Amura" is the Russian version of [[Oah]] which is one of his previous singles released in 2010. The music video was shot in [[Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]]. Alexander said: "For me the main thing is what is going on inside a person, not the events around them. The video for the song "Strela Amura" is about me, about my life, which consists of the airports and hotels. You give happiness to others, and you are left alone yourself."

On 30 May 2012 he released a duet with [[Paula Seling]] called "[[I'll Show You (Alexander Rybak and Paula Seling song)|I'll Show You]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/2012/05/30/17897/ |title=Premiere! Alexander Rybak & Paula Seling, "I'll show you". Show "Neatza cu Răzvan si Dani". 30.05.2012 &#124; Alexander Rybak – International Fansite |publisher=AlexanderRybakNews.com |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=6 November 2012 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208224246/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/premiere-alexander-rybak-paula-seling-ill-show-you-show-neatza-cu-razvan-si-dani-30-05-2012/17897/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Seling placed third at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2010|2010 Eurovision]]. The song had already been promoted on Romanian television and radio. The German label Capsounds has signed the song and will be promoting it throughout Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/2012/08/07/18765/ |title=Alexander Rybak & Paula Seling duet is officially out &#124; Alexander Rybak – International Fansite |publisher=AlexanderRybakNews.com |date=7 August 2012 |access-date=6 November 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A new single by Rybak titled "[[Leave Me Alone (Alexander Rybak song)|Leave Me Alone]]" was released worldwide on 12 October 2012. The music video premiere was also released shortly after the single which was on 23 October. The release of the [[Russian language|Russian]] version of the song "Dostala" was on 12 November<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/2012/10/12/19666/ |title=Article: Alexander Rybak Releases New Single 12.10.2012. &#124; Alexander Rybak – International Fansite |publisher=AlexanderRybakNews.com |date=12 October 2012 |access-date=6 November 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> "Leave Me Alone" is about a particular female fan from Israel (but speaks Russian like many others there) who has been stalking him in various ways for quite some time. The new track which will be released during the day is co-written by David Eriksen who is well known to fans of the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] for writing "[[Butterflies (Tone Damli song)|Butterflies]]" for [[Tone Damli Aaberge]] which was the runner-up to Rybak in the 2009 [[Melodi Grand Prix]].

Rybak released a Christmas album on 23 November 2012 entitled ''Christmas-tales''. Recording started in spring of 2012. Around the same time, it was revealed that Rybak wrote a song for Norwegian singer [[Annsofi]] for [[Melodi Grand Prix 2013]]. The entry "I'm With You" reached the final of the competition and finished fourth overall.

In October 2013, he released a new music video called "5 to 7 Years". This was a gift he made for his fans after reaching 600,000 followers on Facebook.

===2014–2015===
[[File:Alexander Rybak, opening of Slavianski Bazar 2014.jpg|thumb|left|Rybak performing "Into a Fantasy" live during the opening of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, Belarus in 2014.]]
Rybak recorded a song for the 2014 ''[[How to Train Your Dragon 2]]'' soundtrack, entitled "[[Into a Fantasy]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/into-a-fantasy-single/id888219200 |title=Into a Fantasy (From ''How to Train Your Dragon 2'') – Single |work=[[iTunes]] |date=9 June 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014 |archive-date=27 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527043235/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/into-a-fantasy-single/id888219200 |url-status=live }}</ref> "Into a Fantasy" was added as a European and Slavic bonus track to the album and was played during the closing credits in the European and Russian releases of the film. Rybak had sent in the track unsolicited to film company [[DreamWorks Pictures|DreamWorks]], which was charmed by the song and decided to include it in the soundtrack for the closing credits.<ref name="alexanderrybak.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.alexanderrybak.com/biography/|title=Bio|website=Alexander Rybak|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203002717/http://www.alexanderrybak.com/biography/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 May 2014, he released a song alongside another Eurovision winner, [[Marija Šerifović]], titled "Gorka Hrabrost" meaning ''"Bitter Bravery"''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4W0TutiwE8 |title=Gorka Hrabrost |work=[[YouTube]] |access-date=6 May 2019 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141330/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4W0TutiwE8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rybak took part in ''The Hit'', a live TV show on Norwegian broadcaster [[NRK]] on 10 October 2014. Rybak performed "What I Long For", a song written by Elisabet Mjanger. Despite it being the most played track ahead of the results show, it lost out to [[Trine Rein]] with "The Story of Love", which went on to eventually win the whole show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/kultur/geir-arne-hansen-og-trine-rein-vant-the-hit-1.12005418|title=Geir Arne Hansen og Trine Rein vant The Hit|last=Torjusen|first=Anette|date=2014-10-24|website=NRK|language=nb-NO|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725022919/https://www.nrk.no/kultur/geir-arne-hansen-og-trine-rein-vant-the-hit-1.12005418|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rybak wrote two entries for national selections for Eurovision in 2015. Rybak wrote a song for Maltese singer [[Franklin Calleja]] titled "Still Here". The song was received well and finished fourth in Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015. In the Autumn of 2014, Rybak traveled to Belarus to form a girl band to represent Belarus at Eurovision 2015, after having thought about the idea for over a year. Auditions were held in five different cities across the country. In early November, Rybak revealed his girlband MILKI and shortly after that premiered their track "Accent".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/10/norway-eurovision-2018-singer-alexander-rybak-previously-won-2009-7536496/|title=Who is Norway Eurovision 2018 singer Alexander Rybak?|date=2018-05-10|website=Metro|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132747/https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/10/norway-eurovision-2018-singer-alexander-rybak-previously-won-2009-7536496/|url-status=live}}</ref> The song quickly became the favorite to represent Belarus at Eurovision 2015 among fans and receiving positive feedback from former Eurovision participants [[Marija Šerifović]] and [[Philipp Kirkorov]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2014/12/26/eurofest-poll-milki-win-belarus-accent/70353/|title=Eurofest Poll Prediction: MILKI should win in Belarus with "Accent"|date=2014-12-26|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132806/https://wiwibloggs.com/2014/12/26/eurofest-poll-milki-win-belarus-accent/70353/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 December, MILKI finished fourth in the Belarusian national final, receiving the second-highest tally of votes from the public. The result led to great controversy and Rybak critiqued the jury for putting the entry fifth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2014/12/27/alexander-rybak-eurofest-facebook/70561/|title=Alexander Rybak on Facebook after EuroFest: "I'm taking a break from it all"|date=2014-12-27|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132806/https://wiwibloggs.com/2014/12/27/alexander-rybak-eurofest-facebook/70561/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2015, Rybak took part in the Russian television show ''Odin v Odin!'', in which the participants impersonated legendary artists. The premiere episode was broadcast on 8 February in which he impersonated [[Elvis Presley]]. Despite initially refusing to portray female artists, Rybak impersonated [[Gloria Gaynor]], [[Conchita Wurst]], and Russian folk singer Lyudmila Ryumina, for which he received top marks from the jury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/alexander-rybak-dress-debuts-on-womens-day/45950/|title=Alexander Rybak "dress debuts" on Women's day|last=tessala|date=2015-03-08|website=International Fansite – Alexander Rybak News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=21 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521124344/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/alexander-rybak-dress-debuts-on-womens-day/45950/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://russia.tv/video/show/brand_id/58992/episode_id/1189492/video_id/1160204/|title=Один в один. Сезон-2015. Эфир от 12.04.2015. Александр Рыбак в образе Людмилы Рюминой с песней "Ах, Самара-городок"|website=russia.tv|language=ru|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902082538/https://russia.tv/video/show/brand_id/58992/episode_id/1189492/video_id/1160204/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the fourteenth show, Rybak was placed 6th and therefore was not among the five who automatically went to the final. However, the judges said that he deserved a place in the final and made an exception. In the final results, he was the runner-up. With the televoting results, he took a clear second place with 32.1% of the votes, behind [[Ruslan Alehno]].

Rybak released a new Russian single entitled "{{lang|ru|Котик}}"/"Kotik". The music video for this song was filmed in Moscow, Russia, and it was released on 3 June 2015. "Kotik" quickly reached positive acclaim and its music video attracted a lot of views. It topped Belarusian Bel Muz-TV's charts.<ref>{{Citation|title=Александр Рыбак котик 1 место в народном чарте 4 08 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eErYZu5JooI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/eErYZu5JooI| archive-date=2021-11-02 | url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "Kotik" became one of the most watched Russian-language music videos in 2015. Despite it being a hit online, "Kotik" did not manage to crack the Russian radio charts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/ru/tracks/87687/|title=Alexander Rybak – That's How You Write A Song(послушать музыку, посмотреть видео клип)|website=tophit.ru|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132800/https://tophit.ru/ru/tracks/87687/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rybak later declared that radio DJs refused to play the song as they felt it was a childish song and some DJs were asking Rybak for [[bribe|financial compensation]] for playing it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/alexander-rybak-music-video-kotik-got-50-million-hits-on-youtube/59823/|title=Rybak's music video "Kotik" has got 50 million hits on Youtube|last=monime|date=2017-01-13|website=International Fansite – Alexander Rybak News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705024543/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/alexander-rybak-music-video-kotik-got-50-million-hits-on-youtube/59823/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

While announcing his desire to stay a children's musical in 2013, Rybak could not find the funds and support for this project. Instead, he decided to create a children's book with a CD with songs and an audio book attached to it. Rybak initially struggled to find a publisher for this, as most publishers were only interested in the physical book. Eventually, Rybak released ''Trolle og den magiske fela'' through [[Cappelen Damm]].<ref name="alexanderrybak.com"/> Quickly after that, the Danish rights were secured<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://agency.cappelendamm.no/_trolle-og-den-magiske-fela-alexander-rybak-9788202490218|title=Trolle og den magiske fela|last1=Sentrum|first1=Agency {{!}} Postal address: Postboks 1900|last2=Rights|first2=0055 Oslo {{!}} Visiting address: Akersgata 47/49 {{!}} Tel : +47 21 61 65 00 © Cappelen Damm AS-|date=2015|website=Agency|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13|last3=regulations}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the book was also complimented by [[Edward van de Vendel]], who proof translated the book's first chapters into [[Dutch language|Dutch]].<ref name="eurostory.nl"/> On 12 June, a new Norwegian song "{{lang|no|Blant fjell|italic=no}}" (Among Mountains) was released.

===2016–2017===
[[File:ESC2016 Grand Final Interval Act 09 (crop).jpg|thumb|Rybak performing in the interval act of the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2016]]]]
In early 2016, Rybak was a one-off jury member in Eurosong, Belgium's selection for Eurovision 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/12/17/belgium-vrt-experts-eurosong-alexander-rybak/111391/|title=Belgium: VRT reveals experts for Eurosong, including Alexander Rybak|date=2015-12-17|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132843/https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/12/17/belgium-vrt-experts-eurosong-alexander-rybak/111391/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rybak also performed as a part of the interval act for the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2016]], in a musical number satirizing Eurovision songs. Shortly after that, he released his lead single "I Came To Love You", which music video was shot in Greece.

In 2016, Rybak marked his ten-year's anniversary as an artist by re-releasing former singles such as his debut single "Foolin'" and "5 To 7 Years". Next to that, he held several concerts shows under the title "Entertainer".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alexanderrybak.com/2016/04/05/alexander-rybak-presents-summer-show-entertainer/|title=Alexander Rybak presents the Summer-show "Entertainer"|date=2016-04-05|website=Alexander Rybak|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132807/http://www.alexanderrybak.com/2016/04/05/alexander-rybak-presents-summer-show-entertainer/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rybak sang "Fairytale" during the final of ''You Decide'', the preselection of the [[United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/eurovision-song-contest/a817074/eurovision-you-decide-signs-up-former-winner-alexander-rybak/|title=Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak joins You Decide|last=Sandwell|first=Ian|date=2016-12-16|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132752/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/eurovision-song-contest/a817074/eurovision-you-decide-signs-up-former-winner-alexander-rybak/|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, Rybak teamed up with German singer and violinist [[Franziska Wiese]] and had a duet with her on his singles "Fairytale" and "Kotik", while also performing the former at the annual [[Schlagerboom]] festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schlager.de/news/2017/10/24/ein-hauch-vom-esc-bei-florian-silbereisen/|title=Ein Hauch vom ESC bei Florian Silbereisen|website=Schlager.de|date=24 October 2017|language=de-DE|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132807/https://www.schlager.de/news/2017/10/24/ein-hauch-vom-esc-bei-florian-silbereisen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During Eurovision 2017, Rybak publicly supported Portuguese singer [[Salvador Sobral]] to win the contest. Sobral eventually won Eurovision with "[[Amar pelos dois]]", breaking Rybak's 2009 record. Rybak released his own version of the song, including self-written English lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/05/15/listen-alexander-rybak-covers-salvadors-amar-pelos-dois/189624/|title=Listen: Alexander Rybak covers Salvador's "Amar Pelos Dois"|date=2017-05-15|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420001415/https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/05/15/listen-alexander-rybak-covers-salvadors-amar-pelos-dois/189624/|url-status=live}}</ref> This version was later covered by others including Eurovision 2018 contestants [[Sennek]] and Ari Olafsson.

Although Rybak previously disliked the idea of returning to Eurovision, he revealed in late 2017 that he was thinking of returning to Melodi Grand Prix.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/06/will-alexander-rybak-return-to-melodi-grand-prix-in-2018/203499/|title=Will Alexander Rybak return to Melodi Grand Prix in 2018?|date=2017-12-06|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132804/https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/06/will-alexander-rybak-return-to-melodi-grand-prix-in-2018/203499/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2018: Eurovision ===
[[File:Alexander Rybak Melodi Grand Prix 2018.jpg|thumb|Rybak performing "That's How You Write A Song" at the final of [[Melodi Grand Prix 2018]].]]
In January 2018, it was revealed that Rybak would be taking part in the Norwegian national selection [[Melodi Grand Prix 2018]], to represent Norway in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2018]] in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], with the song "[[That's How You Write a Song]]". The song initially received very mixed reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/03/10/melodi-grand-prix-2018-aleksander-walmann-is-our-favourite-to-win-in-oslo/219377/|title=Melodi Grand Prix 2018: Aleksander Walmann is our favourite to win in Norway|date=2018-03-10|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132930/https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/03/10/melodi-grand-prix-2018-aleksander-walmann-is-our-favourite-to-win-in-oslo/219377/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rybak stated that he wanted to take part mostly for pleasure, rather than wanting to win the competition, stating that Norwegian singer [[Jahn Teigen]], who participated fourteen times in the Norwegian selection and won three times, was his inspiration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/kultur/alexander-rybak-kan-bruke-flere-timer-pa-a-kjope-et-brod-1.14029302|title=Alexander Rybak kan bruke flere timer på å kjøpe et brød|last=Tolfsen|first=Caroline|date=2018-05-01|website=NRK|language=nb-NO|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725021514/https://www.nrk.no/kultur/alexander-rybak-kan-bruke-flere-timer-pa-a-kjope-et-brod-1.14029302|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rybak was not the bookmakers and experts' favourite to win the selection,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurovisionworld.com/odds/norway-mgp-2018|title=Odds Norway Melodi Grand Prix 2018|website=Eurovisionworld|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132758/https://eurovisionworld.com/odds/norway-mgp-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but topped several public polls ahead of the competition. To his own surprise and to the surprise of both of the presenters, Rybak won the selection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/mgp/alexander-rybak-med-ny-mgp-seier-1.13954913|title=Alexander Rybak med ny MGP-seier|last=Aune|first=Oddvin|date=2018-03-10|website=NRK|language=nb-NO|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725040905/https://www.nrk.no/mgp/alexander-rybak-med-ny-mgp-seier-1.13954913|url-status=live}}</ref> During the show, Rybak topped four international juries – Russia, Estonia, North Macedonia and Czechia – more than any other contestant. Rybak proceeded to the last four, where he first beat [[Aleksander Walmann]] in a duel and then proceeded to the final duel with singer [[Rebecca (Norwegian singer)|Rebecca]], which he also won.

After the show, several news outlets claimed that Norwegian broadcaster NRK had favourised Rybak, putting him last in the running order.<ref name="dagbladet.no">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dagbladet.no/a/69602175|title=NRK slår tilbake mot kritikken:-Dette er en svært drøy påstand|last=Grindem|first=Karianne|date=2018-03-13|website=Dagbladet.no|language=no|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141311/https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/nrk-slar-tilbake-mot-kritikken-dette-er-en-svaert-droy-pastand/69602175|url-status=live}}</ref> NRK denied this, pointing to the voting statistics that showed that Rybak had won with a large margin.<ref name="dagbladet.no"/> He won his first duel with 94.3% of the votes and his final duel by 71% of the votes, receiving a total of 306,393 votes, the third-highest number of votes an entry ever reached in ''Melodi Grand Prix'' history.

Rybak was drawn to perform first in the second semi-final on 10 May and finished first overall, becoming the first-ever Eurovision performer to win two semi-finals after he also won the second semi-final in 2009. In the final, on 12 May 2018, Rybak performed seventh in the running order and finished in fifteenth place, receiving a top jury score from Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2018|title=Eurovision 2018 Results: Voting & Points|publisher=eurovisionworld.com|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081256/https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2019–present===
In 2019, Rybak's children's musical ''Trolle og den magiske fela'' premiered in [[Kristiansand]] and received wide critical acclaim by reviewers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/anmeldelser/anmeldelse_-_trolle-og-den-magiske-fela__-kilden-teater-1.14800946|title="Leverer showet publikum vil ha"|last=Nystøyl|first=Karen Frøsland|date=2019-11-29|website=NRK|language=nb-NO|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202235815/https://www.nrk.no/anmeldelser/anmeldelse_-_trolle-og-den-magiske-fela__-kilden-teater-1.14800946|url-status=live}}</ref> The show sold over 10,000 tickets and had to schedule extra performances to curb the demand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/KildenKrs/posts/2732117110179079|title=Kilden teater og konserthus|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141412/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKildenKrs%2Fposts%2F2732117110179079|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Rybak co-wrote an entry for Melodi Grand Prix 2020 together with [[Jowst]] for singer Magnus Bokn called "Over the Sea". The song won the fourth semi-final of the selection show and proceeded to the final, where it eventually lost out to [[Ulrikke Brandstorp]]'s "[[Attention (Ulrikke Brandstorp song)|Attention]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/kultur/mgp-bidragene-fra-vest-kjemper-om-finaleplass-1.14885916|title=MGP-bidragene fra Vest kjemper om finaleplass|last=Eliassen|first=Heather Ørbeck|date=2020-02-01|website=NRK|language=nb-NO|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202151347/https://www.nrk.no/kultur/mgp-bidragene-fra-vest-kjemper-om-finaleplass-1.14885916|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rybak was set to appear as part of an interval act at [[Eurovision Song Contest 2020|Eurovision 2020]], which was later cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rotterdam 2020: First opening and interval acts revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/first-eurovision-2020-opening-and-interval-acts-announced |website=Eurovision.tv |date=19 February 2020 |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516100745/https://eurovision.tv/story/first-eurovision-2020-opening-and-interval-acts-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of the contest cancellation, several countries organised a produced show or held a vote to determine their country's favourite Eurovision song of all times. Rybak's "Fairytale" finished 3rd in [[Wallonia]]'s ''Votre top 20'', 17th in [[the Netherlands]]'s [[NPO Radio 2]] ''Songfestival Top 50'' list, and 6th in the [[United Kingdom]]'s special ''Eurovision: Come Together'' show.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Polianskaya |first1=Alina |title=Eurovision Come Together voting results: UK viewers' top ten favourites in full, as Abba's Waterloo comes first |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/entertainment/eurovision-come-together-voting-results-uk-viewers-top-ten-favourites-full-abba-waterloo-top-list-2855928 |website=iNews |date=17 May 2020 |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141342/https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/eurovision-come-together-voting-results-uk-viewers-top-ten-favourites-full-abba-waterloo-top-list-428617 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Moïse |first1=Annick |title=Eurovision – Votre Top 20 est connu ! |url=https://www.rtbf.be/emission/concours-eurovision-de-la-chanson/detail_eurovision-votre-top-20-est-connu?id=10501887 |website=RTBF |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620082212/https://www.rtbf.be/emission/concours-eurovision-de-la-chanson/detail_eurovision-votre-top-20-est-connu?id=10501887 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ABBA MET WATERLOO OP 1 IN NPO RADIO 2 SONGFESTIVAL TOP 50 |url=https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/28094/abba-met-waterloo-op-1-in-npo-radio-2-songfestival-top-50 |website=NPO Radio 2 |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523034140/https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/28094/abba-met-waterloo-op-1-in-npo-radio-2-songfestival-top-50 |url-status=live }}</ref> "Fairytale" therefore re-entered the UK sales chart at #65 in late May 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 22 May 2020 – 28 May 2020 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/ |website=Official Charts UK |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004220127/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A year prior, the Norwegians had voted "Fairytale" as their all-time favourite Eurovision song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marthinsen |first1=Tom |title=Tv2 kårer "Fairytale" til Tidenes Grand Prix-låt! |url=https://eurovision-norway.com/2019/08/09/%F0%9F%8E%89-tv2-karer-fairytale-til-tidenes-grand-prix-lat/ |website=Eurovision Norway |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725023001/https://eurovision-norway.com/2019/08/09/%F0%9F%8E%89-tv2-karer-fairytale-til-tidenes-grand-prix-lat/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2020, Rybak announced that he had enrolled in [[Columbia College Chicago]] for an MFA degree in film music composition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-10 |title=Alexander Rybak: 'We Need Something Like Eurovision To Unite Us Once In A While' |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/alexander-rybak-eurovision-singer-says-contest-unites-people-interview_uk_62740832e4b03ca8363ebce6 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191049/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/alexander-rybak-eurovision-singer-says-contest-unites-people-interview_uk_62740832e4b03ca8363ebce6 |url-status=live }}</ref> His interest in the field was solidified after the positive feedback he received from producers for "Into a Fantasy". He was convinced to attend Columbia by Kubilay Uner, director of the film music composition MFA program.<ref name="columbiachronicle.com">{{cite web |last1=Barnes |first1=Paige |title=Alexander Rybak makes a musical encore at Columbia |url=https://columbiachronicle.com/alexander-rybak-makes-a-musical-encore-at-columbia |website=The Columbia Chronicle |date=18 September 2020 |access-date=28 April 2022 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121015611/https://columbiachronicle.com/alexander-rybak-makes-a-musical-encore-at-columbia |url-status=live }}</ref> He graduated from Columbia in July 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite Instagram|postid=CfmMjTAF29m|user=rybakofficial|title=On this 4th of July, I want to share my happiness of getting a masters degree in film music! And It’s all happening in the United States. A land where people are encouraged to dream big, work hard, and stick together!|date=2022-07-04|first=Alexander|last=Rybak}}</ref>

==Artistry==
===Musical style and genres===
About his own musical style, Rybak has said: "Generally, I do everything from writing folklore, children’s music, DreamWorks songs to arranging for symphony orchestra and making cover versions of Eurovision songs.(...) I do not make more albums, I like to publish one and a song on YouTube. It can be a classic piece, a pop song, a collaboration with Philip Cecil or just a cover song, but I will always have something visual to my songs, and maybe a music video."<ref>{{cite web |title=Philip Cecil has teamed up with Alexander Rybak and made one of the contageous<!--sic--> hits of the year |url=http://www.alexanderrybak.com/2017/05/29/philip-cecil-teamed-alexander-rybak-made-one-contageous-hits-year/ |website=Alexanderrybak.com |date=29 May 2017 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=5 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705203646/http://www.alexanderrybak.com/2017/05/29/philip-cecil-teamed-alexander-rybak-made-one-contageous-hits-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Voice===
Rybak is often classified as having a [[tenore di grazia]] voice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alexander Rybak vocal range |url=https://singingcarrots.com/artist-range?artist=Alexander%20Rybak& |website=Singing Carrots |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=5 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705225917/https://singingcarrots.com/artist-range?artist=Alexander%20Rybak& |url-status=live }}</ref> Rybak has also been noted multiple times for having a strong natural [[vibrato]] in his voice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.completevocaltechnique.co.uk/eurovision-2018-vocal-modes/|title=Eurovision 2018 – Vocal Modes &#124; Complete Vocal Technique Training in the UK|first=Jackie|last=Hole|access-date=2 August 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810045046/http://www.completevocaltechnique.co.uk/eurovision-2018-vocal-modes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web |title=Voice Teacher Reacts to Angelina Jordan & Alexander Rybak – White Christmas |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2asTeMqp58 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/g2asTeMqp58| archive-date=2021-11-02 | url-status=live|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His voice has been appreciated for creating whole and clear sounds.<ref name="youtube.com"/>

==Personal life==
Rybak was raised in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] religion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chas-daily.com/win/2009/10/15/g_026.html?r=33 |title=Alexander Rybak: "A – national mix" |work=chas-daily.com |language=ru |quote=А вы крещеный? Да. Я православный. Однако я больше верующий, чем религиозный. ("Have you been baptized? Yes. I'm Orthodox. However, I am more a believer than religious.") |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055522/http://www.chas-daily.com/win/2009/10/15/g_026.html?r=33 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref> In family circles and in his childhood, he used to be referred to as Sasha, the Russian diminutive for his first name.<ref name="alexanderrybaknews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/here-the-fairy-tale-began-alexander-rybak-norways-hope-in-esc-2009/62577/|title=Here the fairy tale began – Alexander Rybak – Norway's hope in ESC 2009|last=admins|date=2018-01-31|website=International Fansite – Alexander Rybak News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205060614/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/here-the-fairy-tale-began-alexander-rybak-norways-hope-in-esc-2009/62577/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rybak did not visit his country of birth for 17 years between his emigration to Norway and his first performance in Belarus in the summer of 2009.<ref name="alexanderrybaknews.com"/> Though he grew up as an only child, Rybak revealed that he had a sister from whom he was estranged, from an earlier marriage of his father's.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eg.ru/showbusiness/43371/|title=Александр Рыбак: Я бабник!|website=EG.RU|language=ru|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130182903/https://www.eg.ru/showbusiness/43371/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Rybak met his half-sister for the first time in many years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kp.by/daily/25915/2868951/|title=На "Славянском базаре" Саша Рыбак учил племянницу играть на скрипке|last=правды»|first=Сергей АНДРИАНОВ {{!}} Сайт «Комсомольской|date=2012-07-13|website=KP.BY – сайт «Комсомольской правды»|language=ru|access-date=2020-04-13}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Rybak bought a new apartment and lived at [[Aker Brygge]] ([[Oslo]], Norway). Rybak speaks [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]], [[Russian language|Russian]], and [[English language|English]] fluently, and has performed songs in all three languages. Rybak has also performed in [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]]<ref>{{Cite web|language=be|url=https://budzma.by/news/tacyana-zamirouskaya-svyata-marhinalnasci-i-cud-dyplyamatyi.html|title=Тацяна Заміроўская: "Сьвята маргінальнасьці і цуд дыпляматыі"|last=Заміроўская|first=Тацяна|date=2012-01-24|publisher=[[Budzma Belarusians!]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629044934/https://budzma.by/news/tacyana-zamirouskaya-svyata-marhinalnasci-i-cud-dyplyamatyi.html|archive-date=2019-06-29|url-status=live|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref> and, with [[Elisabeth Andreassen]], in [[Swedish language|Swedish]].

In 2010, Rybak was featured in the media negatively after a few incidents of uncontrolled anger. Both times, Rybak had a heated discussion with a sound technician. It resulted in Rybak breaking his fingers in May 2010, and during a later instance, also breaking his violin on stage. Rybak then said: "I never raised my voice before, and that's why I did what I did. I'm just a human being—and perhaps not the glossy image many believe. So it was good to get out frustrations so I could go on. It's only me that goes beyond the same."<ref>{{Cite news|author=Pettersen, Jonas |title=Knuste fiolinen i raseri foran hundrevis av tilskuere |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/06/22/kjendis/alexander_rybak/melodi_grand_prix/tv4/12241621/ |work=[[Dagbladet]] |language=no |date=22 June 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628121513/http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/06/22/kjendis/alexander_rybak/melodi_grand_prix/tv4/12241621/ |archive-date=28 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Hildrum, Alf |title=Rybak knuste fiolinen på scenen i raseri |url=http://www.tv2underholdning.no/gkn/rybak-knuste-fiolinen-paa-scenen-i-raseri-3234339.html |publisher=TV 2 |language=no |access-date=23 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625044124/http://www.tv2underholdning.no/gkn/rybak-knuste-fiolinen-paa-scenen-i-raseri-3234339.html |archive-date=25 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rybak later blamed the behaviour on his hectic touring schedule, which led to him being overworked, also opening up about battling with [[Depression (mood)|depression]] due to his touring schedule, calling early 2011 the toughest moment of his life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/interview-to-the-paper-issue-of-vg-12-5-11/11188/|title=Interview to the paper issue of VG 12.5.11|last=Yannis|date=2011-05-12|website=International Fansite – Alexander Rybak News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124074402/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/interview-to-the-paper-issue-of-vg-12-5-11/11188/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/interview-to-norwegian-dagbladetmagasinetjuly-9th-2011/12963/|title=Interview of Alexander Rybak to Norwegian Dagbladet/Magasinet, July 9th 2011|last=Saietz|first=Marianne|date=2011-07-09|website=International Fansite – Alexander Rybak News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626202812/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/interview-to-norwegian-dagbladetmagasinetjuly-9th-2011/12963/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later stated he had to learn to say "no".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/alexander-rybak-interview-to-dagbladet-14-03-2014/24875/|title=Alexander Rybak – Interview to Dagbladet. 14.03.2014|last=Julia|date=2014-03-15|website=International Fansite – Alexander Rybak News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228134328/https://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/alexander-rybak-interview-to-dagbladet-14-03-2014/24875/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2018 and 2019, Rybak struggled a lot with an unidentified illness, which led him to cancel several performances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tv2.no/a/10889720/|title=Derfor holdt Alexander Rybak og ekskjæresten bruddet hemmelig i ett år|last=AS|first=TV 2|website=TV 2|date=3 October 2019|language=nb|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027145604/https://www.tv2.no/a/10889720/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
To Ukrainian newspaper [[KP (newspaper)|KP]], Rybak said he was initially diagnosed with [[fatigue]]-related problems after his second Eurovision participation.<ref name="kp.ua">{{Cite web|url=https://kp.ua/culture/637519-aleksandr-rybak-poklonnytsy-do-sykh-por-khotiat-vyity-za-menia-zamuzh|title=Победитель Евровидения-2009 Александр Рыбак: Поклонницы до сих пор хотят выйти за меня замуж|website=kp.ua|language=ru-RU|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027145608/https://kp.ua/culture/637519-aleksandr-rybak-poklonnytsy-do-sykh-por-khotiat-vyity-za-menia-zamuzh|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2019, Rybak declared he was [[hypochondriac]], stating "all people above 20 have their own battle with something".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bt.dk/content/item/1344742|title=Eurovision-vinderen Alexander Rybak taler ud om sygdomsforløb|last=Kløcker|first=Jakob|date=2019-10-26|website=www.bt.dk|language=da|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311141315/https://www.bt.dk/kendte/eurovision-vinderen-alexander-rybak-taler-ud-om-sygdomsforloeb|url-status=live}}</ref> Rybak started working in a group for his children's musical ''Trolle og den magisken fela'' has helped him. For this production, he temporarily moved to the coastal city [[Kristiansand]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Fredag 25. oktober|url=https://sumo.tv2.no/nyheter/god-morgen-norge/god-morgen-norge-2019-episode-973-1500473.html?showPlayer=true&start=6288|language=no|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218201217/https://sumo.tv2.no/nyheter/god-morgen-norge/god-morgen-norge-2019-episode-973-1500473.html?showPlayer=true&start=6288|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2020, Rybak revealed that he had been addicted to sleeping medications and antidepressants for 11 years, and had begun to recover after entering rehab in January.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-bOain6GM/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CA-bOain6GM |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=🎻 ALEXANDER RYBAK 🎻 on Instagram: "I've been living with a secret. For 11 years I have been addicted to sleeping medications and antidepressants. It started out harmless, but in…"|website=Instagram|access-date=2 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

He began attending [[Columbia College Chicago]] virtually from his home in Norway in fall of 2020,<ref name="columbiachronicle.com"/> and subsequently moved to [[Chicago]] to continue his studies in person by August 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=ALEXANDER RYBAK on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CSels5wrM3J/ |website=www.instagram.com/rybakofficial |access-date=28 April 2022 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116200708/https://www.instagram.com/p/CSels5wrM3J/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He graduated from Columbia in July 2022 and is now living in Los Angeles.<ref name=":0" />

==Discography==
{{Main|Alexander Rybak discography}}
* ''[[Fairytales (Alexander Rybak album)|Fairytales]]'' (2009)
* ''[[No Boundaries (Alexander Rybak album)|No Boundaries]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Visa vid vindens ängar]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Christmas Tales]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Trolle og den magiske fela]]'' (2015)

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-  style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Notes
|-
|rowspan=2|2009
|''[[Fairytale – The Movie]]''
| Himself
|Documentary on Rybak after winning Eurovision
|-
|''[[Some Sunny Night - Live in Lillesand]]''
|Ketil Moe
|Musical
|-
| rowspan="2" |2010
|''[[Yohan: The Child Wanderer]]''
|Levi
|Film
|- 
|''[[How to Train Your Dragon (2010 film)|How to Train Your Dragon]]''
|rowspan=3|Hiccup
|rowspan=3|Animated film (voice, Norwegian dub)
|-
|2014
|''[[How to Train Your Dragon 2]]''
|-
|2019
|''[[How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World]]''
|-
|2020
|''[[Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga]]''
|Himself
|Film
|-
|}
[[NRK]] reported in January 2010 that he was also doing recording work to voice Hiccup in the Russian dub of ''How To Train Your Dragon'';<ref>{{Cite web|lang=nb|url=https://www.nrk.no/kultur/rybak-dubber-_dragetreneren_-1.6946228|title=Rybak dubber "Dragetreneren"|date=14 January 2010|access-date=8 September 2023|website=[[NRK]]|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908115816/https://www.nrk.no/kultur/rybak-dubber-_dragetreneren_-1.6946228|url-status=live}}</ref> but in the released dub, Hiccup was instead voiced by [[Andrey Lyovin]] ([[:ru:Лёвин, Андрей Александрович|ru]]).

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons|Alexander Rybak}}
*[http://www.alexanderrybak.com Official homepage]
*[https://www.facebook.com/alexanderrybak Official Facebook Page]
*[http://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/ Alexander Rybak Official International Fan site (English, Russian, Spanish, Norwegian and German)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514023334/http://www.alexanderrybaknews.com/ |date=14 May 2015 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110413160301/http://www.entertainmentarchitects.ie/TheMusic/Alexander_Rybak Alexander Rybak PR] in Republic of Ireland

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach}}
{{Succession box
|before = {{Flag icon|Russia}} [[Dima Bilan]]<br />with "[[Believe (Dima Bilan song)|Believe]]"
|title = [[List of Eurovision Song Contest winners|Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest]]
|years = [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009|2009]]
|after = {{Flag icon|Germany}} [[Lena Meyer-Landrut|Lena]]<br /> with "[[Satellite (Lena Meyer-Landrut song)|Satellite]]"
}}
{{Succession box
|before= [[Maria Haukaas Storeng]]<br />with "[[Hold On Be Strong]]"
|title = [[Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest]]
|years = [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009|2009]]
|after = [[Didrik Solli-Tangen]]<br />with "[[My Heart Is Yours]]"}}
{{Succession box
|before= [[Jowst|JOWST]]<br />with "[[Grab the Moment]]"
|title = [[Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest]]
|years = [[Eurovision Song Contest 2018|2018]]
|after = [[KEiiNO]]<br />with "[[Spirit in the Sky (KEiiNO song)|Spirit in the Sky]]"}}
{{s-bef | before = [[Espen Lind]]}}
{{s-ttl | title = Recipient of the [[Spellemannprisen]] <br />as This year's [[Spellemann]] | years = 2009}}
{{s-aft | after = [[Karpe Diem]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Alexander Rybak}}
{{List of Eurovision Song Contest winners}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2009|state=collapsed}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2018|state=collapsed}}
{{Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}
{{Idol Norway}}
{{portal bar|Norway|Music}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rybak, Alexander}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox Christians from Norway]]
[[Category:Idol (Norwegian TV series) participants]]
[[Category:Melodi Grand Prix winners]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Norway]]
[[Category:Norwegian male actors]]
[[Category:Norwegian songwriters]]
[[Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants for Norway]]
[[Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2009]]
[[Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2018]]
[[Category:Eurovision Song Contest winners]]
[[Category:People from Nesodden]]
[[Category:Norwegian multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:Barratt Due Institute of Music alumni]]
[[Category:Norwegian fiddlers]]
[[Category:Male violinists]]
[[Category:Spellemannprisen winners]]
[[Category:Soviet emigrants to Norway]]
[[Category:Folk-pop singers]]
[[Category:Norwegian people of Belarusian descent]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian composers]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian violinists]]
[[Category:21st-century Norwegian male singers]]
[[Category:English-language singers from Norway]]
[[Category:Spanish-language singers of Norway]]
[[Category:Musicians from Akershus]]
[[Category:Norwegian emigrants to the United States]]
{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
[[Категория:Английская Википедия]]
[[Категория:Википедия]]
[[Категория:Статья из Википедии]]
[[Категория:Статья из Английской Википедии]]