Although
Anna Abreu didn't win the third season of Finland's Idols, she became one of the country's best-selling artists after the show's conclusion. Born in Vantaa on February 7, 1990,
Anna Eira Margarida Mourão de Melo e Abreu was raised by a Finnish mother and Portuguese father, which went a long way toward explaining her varied musical tastes. She auditioned for Idols as a 16-year-old and advanced to the show's final round, singing songs by American artists (
Sheryl Crow,
Alicia Keys), Portuguese bands (
Ala Dos Namorados), and Finnish groups (
Apulanta) along the way. Following her second-place finish in April 2007, she signed with the Finnish branch of Sony BMG and released her debut single, "End of Love," which cracked the Top Ten. A full-length album,
Anna Abreu, appeared several months later, reaching platinum status during its first week and eventually becoming one of the country's highest-selling albums ever.
Abreu toured in support of her debut and quickly returned to the recording studio, where she began exploring a more dance-oriented sound.
Now was released in late 2008 and reached platinum status, due in part to its chart-topping leadoff single, "Vinegar." Sticking with a mix of dance-pop and club music,
Abreu returned to the charts one year later with
Just a Pretty Face?, her third consecutive platinum record, and toured heavily throughout 2010 to promote its release.
Rush followed in 2011. ~ Chris True & Andrew Leahey