In the latest issue of the gay magazine QX, the "creative director" (in his own words) talks about working with Carola. The first time they worked together was during the Swedish Song Contest 2006, but the collaboration still goes on and he will join her on her next trip to Israel in a few weeks to record some videos and take photos for the album cover. When they first met, Rickard was not so sure about what he felt for Carola: "It's magic to have experienced Carola's comeback. Initially I didn't want to get to know her and called her a smurf, a fantasy figure that doesn't really exist. During the whole week when we rehearsed for the Swedish Song Contest, we called her blue outfit the 'smurf outfit'."

Since the interview is published in a gay magazine, the reporter asks Rickard about working with someone who is known to have made some controversial statements in the past. "Collaborating with Carola is the coolest thing that ever happened to me, and we are still working together. We got to know each other when I was working on the magazine "Alla älskar Schlager" and she asked me how I thought the live performance of "Evighet" should look like. Apparently my ideas were completely different from everybody else's, and she liked them. I put her in contact with Lars Wallin (to design the outfit), recommended her to use a fan, and after that it just went on. Today I am a creative input to her and we are going to Israel together in a few weeks. It's a big thing to work with one of Sweden's biggest artists, but to many of us also controversial..? It's so surreal, but we are so alike - positive, crazy and without any limits. We have become close personal friends. But it was important to me to figure out what was behind all the preconceptions one had about her, and that was one of the first things we spoke about. Nowadays, I let people believe what they want, because I know the truth. Yes, she made some statements, but all people must have a chance to change. I feel people must think I am an idiot if I would be friends with Carola just to get more attention myself, or whatever they think. Seriously!? Of course I would not work with anyone who is homophobic. Me and my boyfriend hang out with her all the time, we went to the Mr Gay- party together during Pride week. She wanted to join us to the Pride Park as well but I told her I thought it was not such a good idea. She would have tons of journalists hanging after her, asking questions that she would not be allowed to answer. At least I know where I have her, and she is a good friend of mine." (Translation by Carola International) Link: QX's website

Carola, Andreas Johnson and other guests at Christer Björkman's birthday party yesterday
Photos: Jocke Berglund, Expressen and Magnus Sandberg, Aftonbladet

Yesterday, August 26, Christer Björkman celebrated his 50th birthday with a big party in Stockholm. Carola attended the party, dressed in an 80's outfit, along with Andreas Johnson, Lena Philipsson, Nanne Gronwall, Mona Sahlin, Efva Attling, Alexandra Pascalidou and others.

During the party, Carola performed a song with Christer's husband Martin Kagelind.

Link: Article in Aftonbladet
Link: Article in Expressen

As of yesterday morning, Carola's official website is up and running again!

Carola's official website is down. If you visit the site now, you will see a message reading: "carola.com expired on 08/12/2007 and is pending renewal or deletion"

Hopefully Carola's management will deal with the issue as soon as possible.

Carola was "attacked" at the opening night of the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End" in May Photo: Hot Gossip

Swedish broadcasters SVT has decided to cancel the show "Ballar av stål" because of the controversy surrounding the series. On May 22, a "reporter" from the show sprayed celebrities like Carola and the Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt with water from her microphone. The incident caused a lot of criticism, and the prime minister's bodyguards eventually reported it to the police.

Link: Article in Aftonbladet
Link: Article in Svenska dagbladet

The PlayStation 2 game "SingStar Svenska Hits Schlager" will be released in Sweden on September 12. The cover shows a girl wearing an outfit very similar to the one Carola wore in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. One of the songs included is Carola's 1983 breakthrough "Främling" by Lasse Holm and Monica Forsberg. Link: Buy SingStar Svenska Hits Schlager

Carola performs with Sonja Aldén and Andreas Lundstedt Photo: Andreas Lundstedt's blog

Swedish singer Andreas Lundstedt writes on his blog about the "White Party" at the restaurant Lisa på udden. Carola surprised everybody by performing "I Believe in Love" with Sonja Alden and Andreas Lundstedt. Andreas comments on his blog:

"Carola is so cool, she is generous, funny and crazy"

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Andreas Lundstedt's blog

Amadeus and Carola at the opening of "Familjen Robinson"
Photos: Thomas Engström, Expressen and Disney

On August 5, the Swedish version of Disney's "Meet the Robinsons" ("Familjen Robinson") had its opening night in Stockholm. Carola attended the screening with her son Amadeus who actually has a part in the movie, doing the Swedish voice for the character Goob. "Familjen Robinson" opens in Sweden on August 10.

Link: The movie's website
Link: Article in Expressen / GT
Link: Article from TV2, Norway
Link: Review in Expressen / GT
Link: Buy tickets

Carola was one of the guests at Noppe Lewenhaupt's 60th birthday on August 3. Other guests included the King and Queen of Sweden, and Frida from Abba.

Link: Article in Expressen / GT

Henrik Junaeus and Carola at Justin Timberlake's concert in Gothenburg in June 25 Photo: Linda Karstensen, Aftonbladet

Carola and Henrik Junaeus are no longer a couple according to several Swedish newspapers. Ulrika Hammar from Universal Music confirms that Carola and Henrik are now friends rather than a couple.

Link: Article in Aftonbladet
Link: Article in Expressen / GT

Carola performing at Livets Ord in Uppsala on July 23
Photo: Suvad Mrkonjic, Expressen / Robert Henriksson, Aftonbladet

Carola performed and spoke about her faith at the Europe Conference at Livets Ord in Uppsala on July 23. In front of 5,500 people she sang "Evighet", "Genom allt", "Never Walk Without You", "As Long As I'm Living", "Jag vill ge dig en blomma", "Not by Might", "How Great is Our Lord", and "People Need the Lord" (according to the website Carola Tribute) .

Link: Article in Aftonbladet
Link: Article in Expressen / GT

1.545.000 people watched Carola perform at the Swedish crown princess Victoria's 30th birthday celebration "Grattis Victoria" on July 14.

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	Photos from yesterday's performances Photos: SVT / Aftonbladet / TV7

If you missed Carola's performance on the show "Grattis Victoria" yesterday, you can watch the re-run on Swedish TV today or click link below to watch the show online.

Carola sang "Så länge jag lever" mixed with last year's Swedish Song Contest winner "Evighet", and "Som en bro över mörka vatten" in a duet with Måns Zelmerlöw.

As Carola walked down the stairs onstage, she tripped on her high heels and fell. But she immediately got up, fixed her shoe and continued the show...

Video: Watch "Grattis Victoria"
Video: Aftonbladet interviews Carola and Måns
Video: Expressen interviews Carola and Måns
Link: Article in Aftonbladet
Link: Article in Expressen

Henrik Junaeus talks about his relationship with Carola for the first time Photo: Gustav Mårtensson, Aftonbladet

For the first time since rumors began that Carola is dating the 35 year old preacher Henrik Junaeus, he has given an interview.

"Well, I don't know exactly what my first thought was. I tried not to reflect too much about it. It has been very different. Unlike anything I have experienced in my life. I wanted to be unreachable. In the beginning I thought it was hard, but I'm trying not to make a big deal of it."

Aftonbladet had met with Henrik in Vadstena where he was preaching at Vadstenakonferensen.

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Aftonbladet

Måns Zelmerlöw and Carola at rehearsals yesterday
Photos: Stefan Söderström, Expressen and Johanna Melén, Aftonbladet

It has been long since we saw Carola on TV, but tonight at 9.00pm (CET) we can tune in and watch her perform two songs on SVT1's "Grattis Victoria". She will perform a much talked about duet with Måns Zelmerlöw (a Swedish version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - "Som en bro över mörka vatten") and another song solo. For all air times see table below.

TV SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 14	Grattis Victoria	SVT1	9.00 pm
Sunday, July 15	Grattis Victoria	SVT1	1.00 pm

Link: SVT's website

Swedish tabloid reveled today that Carola and Måns Zelmerlöw will perform "Som en bro över mörka vatten" (Swedish version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water") at the celebration of the crown princess Victoria's birthday on July 14.

Carola will also perform another song solo.

Link: Read Aftonbladet's article

Photos: Magnus Klys / MC folket

Carola is looking cool on the cover on the current issue of the motorcycle magazine MC-folket. Inside the magazine Carola talks about how she got hooked on motorcycles, how she likes to write songs while driving, and her plans to drive her Harley-Davidson a lot this summer since she has no concerts planned.

"I have always pushed everything to the limit and I think of motorcycles the same way. That's the same thing for me. When I was younger I used to hang with the boys who had scooters and thought they were pretty cool..."

(Translation by Carola International)

Thanks to Michael for the info

Link: MC folket's website

Carola performs with Theresa Andersson at a concert on Gotland
Photos: Gotlanska.se

On Saturday June 30, Carola was a surprise guest artist at a concert with Theresa Andersson in Almedalen on Gotland. Theresa and Carola know each other from when they performed together at the Norwegian Seaman Church in New Orleans earlier this year. At the concert on Saturday Theresa talked about how happy she was to meet and perform with Carola since she had always been one of her idols, and suddenly Carola walked on stage and performed with Theresa.

Link: Article in Gotlandska
Link: Theresa's website

Carola is scheduled to perform at TEKO's 100th anniversary of Swedish textile industry. The event will take place at Åhaga on September 21 .

Link: Åhaga's website

One week of recordings in Israel has come to an end, and in an interview with Expressen, Carola and her producer Erik Hillestad talks about how some songs on the upcoming Christmas album will have a darker and more serious feeling, based on the current situation in Bethlehem.

These are the lyrics to one song (written by Hillestad) on the album:

I denna natt
Betlehem ligger så ödslig och grå
Änglar och herdar de samlas ändå
Åter vill lamm och små barn hinna gå
till stallet där undret skall ske
Murar som byggs runt en stad och ett land
Dörrar som stängs när en värld står i brand
Hjärtan som hårdnar där hoppet försvann
De hindrar ej människor att se:

I denna natt blir världen ny
Det händer in en avstängd by
och åter ser vi mörkret fly
när himlen öppnar sig

Barnet vi firar är blod av vårt blod
Stallet är frihetens ödmjuka bo
Stunden är helig och sången är god
Den klingar av kärlek och tro
Paradis doftar av jord nu i natt
Jorden tar himlen i famn likt en skatt
Stjärnorna blinkar till änglarnas skratt
Från stenar skall lovsången gro:

I denna natt blir världen ny
Det händer i en avstängd by
och åter ser vi mörkret fly
när himlen öppnar sig
I natt skall markens herdar le
sen böjer sig de vise tre
I Betlehem skall alla se
att himlen öppnar sig

Från berg till berg
sprids sången i natt
Från by till by
skall världen bli ny
Dörrar sprängs upp
och murar rivs ner
när Kristus, vår vän
föds i var och en

Betlehem ligger så ödslig och grå
Änglar och herdar de samlas ändå
Åter vill lamm och små barn hinna gå
till stallet där undret skall ske

Erik Hillestad comments:

"Much has happened in Bethlehem since we recorded the previous album here in 1999. We were optimistic then. People had hopes for a new era for Bethlehem and the palestinian people. But today, Bethlehem is a town shut off from the world.
It's a serious situation and that will show on the album."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Expressen

Carola wearing the dress she will wear on the cover of the upcoming Christmas album Photo: Erik Hillestad / Aftenposten

The other night (all recordings take place at night time, when there are no tourist in the Nativity Church in Bethlehem) Carola recorded another song for the upcoming Christmas album. It was a song called "Mariavise" written by Tore Aas.

"The song is so beautiful that I started crying when I recorded it."

On the photo above, you see Carola wearing the dress she will wear on the cover of the album, bought on an arabic bazaar in Bethlehem.

The Christmas tour will not be in big arenas, but rather small, intimate churches around Scandinavia.

The English Christmas album that is planned for 2008 will include the best material from the two "Jul i Betlehem" albums.

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Aftenposten

Carola in Jerusalem Photo: Gali Tibbon / Expressen

In an interview with Expressen today, Carola comments on what is now considered a Palestinian civil war:

"Just because bullets are flying, you don't have to stay at home. I won't give up anytime soon. We will record this album, even if it means we have to live in the church. I am here to work, not for a romantic pilgrimage.

My friends at home are worried. I get a lot of text messages asking 'are you ok?'. But I don't fear for my life, there are no indications it's dangerous for me. So I put my energy in my work."

The violence broke out between the two Palestinian groups Hamas and Fateh, and will hopefully soon come to an end.

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Article in Expressen