Birgit Sarrap
Who was Birgit Sarrap?
Estonian singer and actress who represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song 'Et uus saaks alguse'.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Birgit Sarrap (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Birgit Sarrap (née Õigemeel; born 24 September 1988), known professionally as Birgit, is an Estonian singer and actress who gained national recognition as the winner of the first season of Eesti otsib superstaari in 2007. Born in Kohila, a small town in Rapla County, she later pursued higher education at Tallinn University. Her victory on the Estonian version of the Idol franchise launched her into the spotlight at age 19, establishing her as one of Estonia's most prominent young vocal talents.
Following her reality show success, Birgit released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008, which solidified her position in the Estonian music scene. Over the course of her career, she has released five studio albums, demonstrating her staying power as a recording artist in Estonia's competitive music market. Her musical style has evolved throughout her career, incorporating elements of pop, folk, and contemporary Estonian music traditions.
Birgit's most significant international exposure came in 2013 when she represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Et uus saaks alguse' (So That Something New Could Begin). She earned this opportunity by winning Eesti Laul 2013, Estonia's national Eurovision selection competition. At the Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden, she successfully qualified for the grand final, where she achieved a respectable 20th place finish among 26 competing nations.
Beyond her music career, Birgit has also worked as an actress, adding another dimension to her artistic portfolio. She is married to Indrek Sarrap, taking his surname professionally. Her continued presence in Estonian entertainment demonstrates her versatility as a performer and her ability to maintain relevance across multiple artistic mediums. Her career represents the success possible for winners of televised talent competitions when combined with sustained artistic development and strategic career choices.
Before Fame
Growing up in Kohila, a small Estonian town with fewer than 4,000 residents, Birgit Õigemeel honed her musical skills in a close-knit community. Her vocal talent and early musical education set the stage for her to compete on national TV when the chance came up. The launch of Eesti otsib superstaari in 2007 gave rising Estonian singers a chance for national exposure, which lined up perfectly with Birgit's plan to start a professional music career.
The mid-2000s were a time of cultural growth for Estonia. The country joined the European Union in 2004 and began experiencing more international cultural exchanges. Reality TV was becoming popular all over Europe, and Estonia's version of the Idol franchise opened up new opportunities for aspiring musicians. Birgit's participation and ultimate win were both a personal success and an example of how televised competitions made the music industry more accessible.
Key Achievements
- Winner of Eesti otsib superstaari Season 1 (2007)
- Released five studio albums between 2008 and present
- Winner of Eesti Laul 2013, Estonia's Eurovision selection
- Represented Estonia at Eurovision Song Contest 2013
- Qualified for Eurovision grand final, finishing 20th place
Did You Know?
- 01.She won the first-ever season of Estonia's version of Idol at age 19
- 02.Her Eurovision song 'Et uus saaks alguse' translates to 'So That Something New Could Begin' in English
- 03.She has released exactly five studio albums throughout her career spanning over 15 years
- 04.She took her husband Indrek's surname professionally, changing from Õigemeel to Sarrap
- 05.She qualified for the Eurovision grand final, placing 20th out of 26 countries in Malmö, Sweden