Astrid Smeplass, a Norwegian singer and songwriter known professionally as Astrid S, finished fifth in the 2013 season of the Norwegian Idol competition, Idol – Jakten på en superstjerne. Since that early breakthrough, she has developed a career spanning multiple extended plays, international tours, and a transition to independent music production through her own label, Joyride.
Early Development and Breakthrough
Raised in Berkåk within the Rennebu Municipality, Smeplass studied piano and played flute in a marching band before transitioning to guitar and songwriting influenced by John Mayer. She achieved national visibility at age 16 during her participation in Idol. Following the competition, she released the single Shattered, co-written by Melanie Fontana, and secured a publishing deal with Sony ATV Music Publishing.
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Her professional image shifted in 2014 with the release of the single 2AM via Universal Music. She gained broader exposure by supporting Troye Sivan on his European tour and providing backing vocals for Katy Perry on the song Hey Hey Hey. In 2017, her single Think Before I Talk reached number 14 on the Swedish charts, achieving platinum certification, and reached number 9 in Denmark with gold certification. In 2018, she became the first female recipient of the Spellemann of the Year award since 2003.
Studio Albums and Artistic Transitions
Smeplass released her debut studio album, Leave It Beautiful, in October 2020. The project featured singles including Dance Dance Dance, Marilyn Monroe, and It’s Ok If You Forget Me. She expanded her career into film in 2021, starring as Cinderella in the Norwegian production Tre nøtter til Askepott. During that period, she also successfully sought attribution as a co-songwriter on the French Montana track How You King? after noting lyrical similarities to her own song, Jump.
Independent Career and Television Work
Following the conclusion of her contract with Universal Music in 2025, she launched her own record label, Joyride, operating under a distribution agreement with Gladstone Music Group. That year, she appeared on the 15th series of the television show Hver gang vi møtes. Her interpretation of Carola’s Det regnar i Stockholm, retitled Det regner i Oslo, reached number one on the Norwegian singles chart, contributing to a successful run of releases from the show.
Fast facts
- Born: 1996, Berkåk, Norway
- Professional name: Astrid S
- Debut studio album: Leave It Beautiful (2020)
- Record label: Joyride
- 2017 Spellemann Award: Spellemann of the year
- 2015 P3 Gull award: Song of the year
- 2021 acting role: Cinderella in Tre nøtter til Askepott
- 2019 award: Årets trønder
Questions readers ask
What was Astrid S's first major television appearance?
She placed fifth in the 2013 Norwegian version of Pop Idol, titled Idol – Jakten på en superstjerne.
Did Astrid S ever switch to independent music production?
Yes, in 2025, she split from Universal Music and began releasing music through her own label, Joyride.
Achievements
- Worked as recording artist, songwriter and singer
