Hanna-Riikka Siitonen — Finnish singer, actress and Eurovision veteran — has passed away aged 47. She’d been battling thyroid cancer since 2000.
Siitonen was well-known in Finland’s music and acting industry, having risen to prominence in the 1990s with her band Taikapeili, which she started together with her friend Nina Tapio.
The band produced big hits in Finland, including “Jos sulla on toinen”, and have three albums to their name: Suuri salaisuus (1994), Nähdään taas – moi! (1995) and Nukahda, jos uskallat (1999).
Eurofans outside of Finland may recognise her as a backing vocalist in Eurovision Song Contest. She had three turns on that glorious stage, supporting Jasmine with “Niin kaunis on taivas” in Oslo 1996, Jari Sillanpää with “Takes two to tango” in Istanbul 2004 and Geir Rönning with “Why?” in Kiev 2005. She also worked for several years as a singing teacher in the Finnish version of the song contest Idol.
Siitonen also had a big career as an actress, working her magic in musicals and plays including A Chorus Line at Svenska Teatern in 1999 and Hair at the Peacock Theather of Linnanmäki in 2003. She played the role of Lisbeth “Lissu” Kanerva in the Finnish drama series Uusi Päivä from the year 2010 and only stopped acting in the series last February because of her health. Despite her illness, she continued making music for the show until the series’ final episode.
Nina Tapio, Hanna-Riikka’s long-time friend, and another Taikapeili band member published a video dedicated to her memory. The video includes a lot of memories from Hanna-Riikka’s life and career. Nina and Hanna-Riikka’s very own song “Jos jäät mun luo”, which means If you stay with me in English, provides the soundtrack. The video ends with the sentence “Kuljet ikuisesti sydämessäni” — You will stay in my heart forever.
Hanna-Riikka was married to the Finnish actor-director Janne Virtanen for 15 years and the couple had one child. Our thoughts are with her friends, family and fans during this difficult time.
RIP
Her father Matti Siitonen, known as Fredi represented Finland in ESC -67 and 76. He is also composer of Finland -79.
You forgot that SHE and Nina Tapio took part in Euroviisukarsinnat 2006 (Finnish selection)
Such a young soul. RIP
Dang, she battled cancer since 2000? She must be such a strong woman. Rip and condolenses to her loved ones.
RIP