The Christian-story so far

Hi, I'm Christian. I'm 23 and originally I come from Siggerud. Outside Oslo in Norway. I bring a lot of the rock part in to the band. Im also the only blond in the band.

Here is a little about me and my life:

I was born January 25, 1977 in Siggerud in Norway.

I grew up with my mum and dad and one older half-sister and one younger brother, Eva and Martin

I've grown up with music all my life because my dad used to be a famous pop star in Norway and my grandfather was a violin player in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I remember going on tour with my dad when I was three. I'd look out from the curtains and wish it was me singing on stage instead!
I guess Bruce Springsteen and my dad were the ones who made me wanna be a popstar. My dad was a pop star in Norway, so I always wanted to be a bit like him.

When I was very young I'd sit at the piano and slam at it trying to make sounds. I started having lessons when I was ten and began making up my own tunes. But my family never pushed me into music, they always made me feel I had to work hard for everything!

I'm a classical pianist and I play the guitar well enough to play all the guitars on the new album. I can also play the bass a little and various flutes. Once you play one instrument, you can pretty much make any instrument sound OK though I find it really difficult to play brass.

I like sports, especially football and I used to be a coach for a small team. At school, I also did a lot of acting - always as the funny guy or the bad boy!

When I went on an exchange trip as an exchange student to America for a year when I was 17, I started singing. I got a lead role in a local production of the musical Oklahoma which received a lot of publicity! I was even awarded the highest honour by the state of Kentucky for my achievements in performing arts! I even went to the same school as Brian from Backstreet boys.

After secondary school, I came to England to study at Paul McCartney's 'Fame' school in Liverpool, which was great! While I was there, a1's manager called and asked if they knew anybody who'd be suitable for the group - and they chose me!

I'm sensitive and thoughtful, but I'm also probably the most serious member of a1! I don't do a lot of wild stuff, but I do want to work hard and make a1 the best we can be!

My best a1 moment so far was winning the BRIT Award, Best International Artist in the MTV Mandarin Awards and when we were in the Philippines we realised we'd gone six-times platinum! But I've also had a tremendous sense of satisfaction making this new album - I played all the guitars, the bass and some piano.

But the best thing would be for as many people in the world as possible to appreciate the music and that we are musicians and songwriters and that we're trying really hard to be good guys!

We've met many celebrities over the past few years, but my favourite one has got to be Lionel Ritchie, without a doubt. We've met him a few times and he always remembers us. He's a nice guy, really genuine and friendly.

But Id still like to meet Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen.

And my musical hero is also Bruce Springsteen - the greatest musical and lyrical writer of all time, if you ask my oppinion.

Things are really beginning to fit into places for me in London. I used to work and work and work, but I've now got a nice house, a nice car and a good set of stable friends all over London!

Theres not really anything that Im missing out on because Im famous, but if anything, it's quality time with family and friends because there's never enough time. It requires a lot of understanding from the people you love.

I definitely believe in love. Love is the most important thing, it helps decide everything you do! Yes, I believe there are soulmates, and I'm hoping real bad that I'll meet mine soon. I really just want someone who's like me, but a girl! Someone I can share everything with.

On a Saturday night youll probably catch me meeting up with friends. We might have a waffle party round my house or just play games, watch TV, talk or listen to music.

But if you catch me on a sunday morning, I'm probably in a hurry trying to make it in time for church! There's a Norwegian seaman's church in London, just a little oasis of Norway that I go to every Sunday if I have the opporunity, but I'm always late.

My top three albums has got to be "Born To Run" by Bruce Springsteen, "Listen Without Prejudice" by George Michael and then it gets very difficult as there are so many. A lot of Aerosmith fans will disagree, but I think Nine Lives.

A song that always makes me get down is "All Night Long" by Lionel Ritchie.                                                                              

Songs that get me in the mood is a whole album by Boyz II Men called Evolution, which is cool for lovin'!                                            

And usually in the shower I sing new ideas in my head.