Who is EMMY? Ireland Eurovision star's real name, hidden talent and famous brother

The Eurovision Song Contest is set to dazzle once again, and this year's host city is Basel, Switzerland, following their triumph in the contest. The excitement builds as the second semi-final gears up for May 15, with Ireland's act taking the third slot of the evening.

EMMY will take the stage with her song Laika Party, a captivating number inspired by the tale of a "Soviet space dog". The track was born out of a songwriting camp in EMMY's native land, and she's thrilled about its global debut.

In a chat with RTE, EMMY gave a sneak peek into her performance, hinting: "Silver, space and a rocket!" With a TikTok fanbase of 1.2 million, she's no stranger to the spotlight.

Describing her Eurovision involvement, EMMY expressed it as a "childhood dream that I never, ever thought would come true". She further stated: "My only two goals for Eurovision are to try my best and to make Ireland proud."

Here's everything you need to know, from her real name and profession to her notable sibling.

What is EMMY's real name?

Hailing from Sande, a quaint village nestled south of Oslo, Norway, EMMY is a 24 year old singer-songwriter who has been making waves in the music scene.

Her birth name is Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen.

She first caught the public eye at just 14 years old when she competed in Melodi Grand Prix Junior in 2015.

EMMY continued her musical journey, performing in the 2021 Melodi Grand Prix - Norway's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

While she advanced to the final, she did not progress to the gold final round of the event.

What is EMMY's job?

The multi-talented star isn't just confined to the stage; she's also a dab hand as a freelance graphic designer.

Despite her passion for design, music predominantly captures her time, evidenced by her recent role in Norway's jury for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Lending her expertise, she made significant contributions during the selection process of artists and songs vying for Eurovision glory.

Who is EMMY's brother?

The shining light on EMMY's path is none other than her brother, Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen, who, alongside the rest of their family, is rooting for her success.

"Some of the family will be coming with us to Basel and some will be staying at home cheering for us on TV, which is great because I'll also have a support system to come home to when I get off the plane," she shared about her family's involvement.

Not new to the musical spotlight himself, her older brother carved out his own name in the Melodi Grand Prix Junior contest in 2011 and even co-penned Emmy's Eurovision entry, Laika Party.

Erlend's repertoire extends further, having crafted tracks like Scars for Fake Eclipse. He's even stepped into the limelight himself, featuring on the band's song Without You.

The first Eurovision semi-final airs on BBC One at 8pm on May 13. Fans outside of the UK can watch via the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.