Pernilla Wahlgren

Pernilla Nina Elisabeth Wahlgren (; born 24 December 1967) is a Swedish singer and actress. She has sung in Melodifestivalen several times; her 1985 entry titled "Piccadilly Circus" became popular and successful. She has acted in several plays and films, playing roles including Esmeralda in the Academy Award-winning Fanny and Alexander. She has twice received the Guldmasken award for her work in theater. Career Acting Wahlgren's first acting job, at the age of four, was alongside her mother in the television play Den längsta dagen. She attended Adolf Fredrik's Music School and was also part of the Saltsjöbaden theater. After playing a small role in Lilla prinsen at Saltsjöbaden's theater, and in the face of stiff competition, Wahlgren got the title role in the musical Annie at Folkan, Stockholm. She then played Esmeralda in Ingmar Bergman's film Fanny and Alexander. In 1982, she joined the cast of the Swedish production of The Sound of Music, in which she played Louise. At Folkan, she also had parts in Karlsson på taket (Karlsson-on-the-Roof), Mio, min Mio (Mio in the Land of Faraway), Snövit (Snow White) and Ringens hemlighet. Wahlgren played Annika in the musical version of Pippi Longstocking at Folket in Stockholm; for the two final performances she replaced Siw Malmkvist in the role of Pippi, for which she received positive reviews. In her youth and as an adult Wahlgren portrayed Pippi Longstocking several times. Wahlgren appeared in an episode of Nygammalt in 1983 and an episode of Razzel in October 1984, where she performed her debut single, "Nu har det tänt". She has also appeared in film and television productions including Bo Widerberg's 1986 production of Ormens väg på hälleberget (The Serpent's Way) and Snoken in 1995.