Helene Spilling Ødegaard (née Spilling; born 17 April 1996) is a Norwegian professional dancer. She is best known for her appearances on Skal vi danse, the Norwegian edition of Dancing with the Stars. During her competitive dancing career, she won the Norwegian dance championship 17 times, and represented Norway in European and world tournaments.

Helene Spilling Ødegaard
Born
Helene Spilling

(1996-04-17) 17 April 1996 (age 28)
Gjerdrum, Norway
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • television personality
  • businesswoman
Years active2011–present
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Spouse
(m. 2024)
Children1

Early life

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Helene Spilling[1] was born on 17 April 1996[2] in Gjerdrum.[3] Her interest in dance was sparked by watching Skal vi danse at a young age.[4] Spilling began to dance at the age of 12.[5] Before deciding to pursue a career in dance, she also had an interest in gymnastics and took part in other sports.[6]

Competitive dance career

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In 2011, Spilling danced competitively for the first time with Christian Skibsrud. They won the NM in Latin and 10-dance. The following year, they competed in the U19 category and won a gold medal in ballroom dancing.

Between 2013 and 2017, she won twelve NM titles in the U19, U21 and adult classes with Jonas Pettersen.[7][8] She and Pettersen were the winners of the Kongepokal in 2017.[9]

In 2017, Spilling moved to Lithuania alone to venture further with a new dance partner, Dominykas Granskas, who hailed from the country. Representing Norway, they competed in both European and world tournaments for the Lillestrøm-based dance school LSKdans, and in 2018 became the Northern European Champions in standard dance. In addition to this, they made it to the quarter-finals in Grand Slam competitions.[10] Spilling and Granskas were honoured at the 2019 "Dance Awards" in Norway, receiving the "Duo of the Year" prize. [11] In total, Spilling secured 17 gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals from the NM throughout her time competing. After two and a half years in Lithuania, she returned to Norway.

Skal vi danse

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In her debut season on Skal vi danse, Spilling partnered television personality and presenter Nate Kahungu. They finished as runners-up to Andreas Wahl and Mai Mentzoni.[12]

In her second season the following year, she was paired with journalist Simon Nitsche. They won the 17th season of Skal vi danse, triumphing against Magnus Moan and Ewa Trela.[13][14][15][16]

In the 2022 Skal vi danse: All Stars season, Spilling was partnered with former swimmer Aleksander Hetland. They finished in 3rd place after a dance-off against Jørgine Massa Vasstrand and Santino Mirenna in the semi-final.[17][18]

In the 2023 season of Skal vi danse, Spilling was paired with stylist Harlem Alexander.[19] They ended in 4th place after a dance-off against Alexandra Joner and Ole Thomas Hansen in the quarter-final.[20][21]

Summary
Year Season Partner Place Average score Total points
2020 16 Nate Kahungu 2nd 35.81 573
2021 17 Simon Nitsche 1st 28.31 453
2022 18 Aleksander Hetland 3rd 26.17 314
2023 19 Harlem Alexander 4th 25.70 257

Season 16 (2020): with Nate Kahungu

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Week no. Dance Song Judges' scores Total Result
1 Salsa "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" 7 + 7 + 7 + 6 27 No elimination
2 Foxtrot "When You're Smiling" 8 + 8 + 8 + 9 33 Safe
3 Cha-Cha-Cha "Men in Black" 6 + 7 + 6 + 7 26 Safe
4 Showdance "Axel F" 9 + 9 + 10 + 10 38 Safe
5 Rumba "Demons" 9 + 8 + 9 + 9 35 Safe
6 Viennese waltz "Neverland" 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 28 Eliminated
7 Showdance "Ghettoparasitt" 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 Safe (return)
8 Samba "Bun Up the Dance" 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 36 Safe
9 Paso Doble "Heads Will Roll" 9 + 9 + 10 + 9 37 Safe
10 Quickstep "Halo / Walking on Sunshine" 8 + 8 + 9 + 9 34 Safe
10 Argentine tango "Human" 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 Safe
11 Jive "Take on Me" 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 Safe
11 Tango "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" 9 + 10 + 10 + 10 39 Safe
12 Argentine tango "Human" 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 Safe
12 Foxtrot "La Vie en rose" 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 Safe
12 Showdance "Dance Monkey" 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 2nd place

• Points that are highlighted in bold indicate that Nate & Helene were at the top of the leaderboard.

• Judges: Trine Dehli Cleve, Egor Filipenko, Merete Lingjærde, and Tore Petterson.

Season 17 (2021): with Simon Nitsche

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Week no. Dance Song Judges' scores Total Result
1 Cha-Cha-Cha "Dynamite" 8 + 8 + 8 24 No elimination
2 Foxtrot "En Solskinnsdag" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
3 Rumba "More Than Words" 8 + 9 + 8 25 Safe
4 Showdance "Run Away" 9 + 10 + 9 28 Safe
5 Jive "Rebel Yell" 9 + 9 + 10 28 Safe
6 Modern "Writing's On the Wall" 9 + 10 + 10 29 Safe
7 Viennese waltz "Ein farfar i livet" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
8 Quickstep "I Want Candy" 9 + 8 + 8 25 Safe
9 Paso Doble

w/ Aleksander Hetland

"Eye of the Tiger" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
10 Tango "Bad Habits" 9 + 9 + 10 28 Safe
10 Samba "El Diablo" 10 + 10 + 10 30 D.O - safe
11 Salsa "Hung Up" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
11 Argentine tango "Running" 10 + 10 + 9 29 Safe
12 Cha-Cha-Cha "Dynamite" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
12 Foxtrot "Someone You Loved" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
12 Showdance "Blinding Lights" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Winners

• Points that are highlighted in bold indicate that Simon & Helene were at the top of the leaderboard.

• From the 2021 season onwards, there have been three judges - Trine Dehli Cleve, Morten Hegseth, and Merete Lingjærde - resulting in a maximum score of 30 points per dance rather than 40.

Season 18 (2022): with Aleksander Hetland

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Week no. Dance Song Judges' scores Total Result
1 Tango "Pepas" 6 + 6 + 7 19 Safe
2 Salsa "Don't Go Yet" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
3 Jive "Fire" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
4 Modern "Arcade" 9 + 9 + 10 28 Safe
5 Foxtrot "Dancing On My Own" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
6 Argentine tango "Mother" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
7 Showdance "Rock Your Body" 7 + 7 + 8 22 Safe
8 Paso Doble "Warriors" 10 + 9 + 10 29 Safe
9 Samba

w/ Grunde Myhrer

"Don't Call Me Up" 9 + 9 + 8 26 Doubt
10 Rumba "Toxic" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
11 Argentine tango "River" 9 + 9 + 8 26 Safe
11 Modern "Without You" 10 + 8 + 8 26 Eliminated

• Points that are highlighted in bold indicate that Aleksander & Helene were at the top of the leaderboard.

Season 19 (2023): with Harlem Alexander

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Week no. Dance Song Judges' scores Total Result
1 Tango "I'm Good" 7 + 8 + 8 23 No elimination
2 Cha-Cha-Cha "One Kiss" 7 + 7 + 7 21 Safe
3 Modern "Ikke som de andre" 8 + 8 + 8 24 Safe
4 Paso Doble "Mission Accomplished" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
5 Bhangra "Mundian To Bach Ke" 9 + 9 + 9 27 Safe
6 Rumba "Når Snøen Smelter" 10 + 10 + 10 30 Safe
7 Quickstep "Because We Can" 7 + 9 + 9 25 Safe
8 Samba "Hip Hip Chin Chin" 10 + 10 + 9 29 Safe
9 Foxtrot "You're Welcome" 8 + 8 + 8 24 Doubt
10 Viennese waltz "7 Rings" 10 + 8 + 9 27 Eliminated

• Points that are highlighted in bold indicate that Harlem & Helene were at the top of the leaderboard.

Other television appearances

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In 2021, Spilling was a contestant on the third season of Alle mot alle [no]. [22] Alongside Birgit Skarstein, she finished eighth in the group stage. [23]

Spilling took part in the 14th season of NRK's television series Mesternes mester [no]. [24] Spilling is the fifth dancer to have taken part in the program and is the one who has been the most successful thus far, finishing in fifth place. [25]

The first season of 24-stjerners julekalender [no] premiered in December 2022, with Spilling among the contestants. [26] She was eliminated in the 15th episode. [27]

Business ventures

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Spilling is the founder and owner of The Zone Dance Studio in Oslo. [5] In 2021, she was given a temporary lease to run the studio previously used by Skal vi danse contestants. As the original studio was set to be demolished, a new premises was needed. Spilling chose an office building located in Torshov, which was converted into a spacious and functional dance studio with the assistance of the Skal vi danse production team. It contains six dance halls, a social zone, and office spaces.[28] The Zone has since served as the training location for Skal vi danse contestants in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.[29][30]

She founded the online dance and sportswear brand DAVAY, which was launched in 2021.[31]

Spilling has been a wedding videographer in her spare time since 2023, under the name SpillingMedia.[32]

Other

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She is a brand ambassador for Thune, a leading jewellery brand in Norway. It was first announced in May 2024.[33] [34]

Personal life

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Spilling is in a relationship with the Arsenal and Norway captain Martin Ødegaard.[35] In November 2024, it was announced that they had married. [36] Their first child, a son, was born on 1 December 2024. [37]

Despite significant media attention in Norway, Spilling rarely discusses her personal life. [38]

She is close friends with Paralympic athlete Birgit Skarstein, with the pair having met on Skal vi danse in 2020.[39] They shared an apartment together in Oslo for four years before Spilling moved to London on a permanent basis. [40][41]

Spilling has one older sister.[42] She is the granddaughter of the late Internet pioneer Pål Spilling.[43]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 Melodi Grand Prix 2014 Background dancer For Linnea Dale
2020–present Skal vi danse Professional dancer 2nd (2020); 1st (2021); 3rd (2022); 4th (2023)
2021 Alle mot alle [no] Contestant Season 3; 8th place in the group stage
2022 24-stjerners julekalender [no] Contestant Season 1; 10th place, eliminated on day 15 of 24
2023 Mesternes mester [no] Contestant Season 14; 5th place, eliminated in episode 7
2023 Idrettsgallaen 2023 Herself Presented the "Female Paralympic Athlete of the Year" award
2023 Melodi Grand Prix 2023 Background dancer For Elsie Bay
2023 Harm & Hegseth Herself Season 3; guest in episode 2
2024 Drømmen om EM Herself Docuseries; appearance in episode 3

Radio

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Year Title Role Notes
2023 StudioP3 Herself Guest; June 2023

Music videos

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Year Title Artist Role Ref.
2022 "Pust" TIX Lead [44]

References

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  1. ^ "Helene Spilling – 4 roller i norsk næringsliv" [Helene Spilling – 4 roles in Norwegian business]. proff.no. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  2. ^ 2. episode [2nd episode] (in Norwegian Bokmål), 2023-01-06, retrieved 2023-10-17
  3. ^ Brenden, Marcus (2021-01-06). "Hjembygda i krise: - Ufattelig vondt" [Hometown in crisis: – Unbelievably painful]. Se og Hør (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  4. ^ "– Det var ikke en bra dialog med ham. Jeg ble deprimert" [– It was not a good dialogue with him. I became depressed]. www.klikk.no (in Norwegian). 10 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  5. ^ a b "VÅRE PEDAGOGER" [OUR INSTRUCTORS]. THE ZONE (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  6. ^ Helene Spilling / Sportsdans og livet som proffdanser [Helene Spilling / Competitive dance and life as a professional dancer], 8 December 2021, retrieved 2023-10-17
  7. ^ 2. episode [2nd episode] (in Norwegian Bokmål), 2023-01-06, retrieved 2023-11-16
  8. ^ "Details of WDSF athlete Helene Spilling". www.worlddancesport.org. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  9. ^ "Helene Spilling om "Mesternes mester": – Jeg er ikke fisefin!" [Helene Spilling on "Mesternes Mester": – I'm not a slob!]. NRK P3 (in Norwegian). 2023-01-07. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  10. ^ "VÅRE PEDAGOGER" [OUR INSTRUCTORS]. THE ZONE (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  11. ^ "Dance Awards - danseforbundet" [Dance Awards - The Dance Association]. www.danseforbundet.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  12. ^ Solberg, Vilde Holta Røssland, Julie (2020-11-21). "Andreas Wahl vant "Skal vi danse": - Nå skal jeg prioritere familien" [Andreas Wahl wins "Skal vi danse": – Now I'll prioritise my family]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-09-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Løland, Julie Solberg, Tuva Mathilde (2021-11-13). "Simon Nitsche er årets vinner av "Skal vi danse"" [Simon Nitsche is this year's winner of "Skal vi danse"]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-09-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ AS, TV 2 (2021-11-13). "Simon Nitsche og Helene Spilling vant Skal vi danse: - Helene, denne seieren er din!" [Simon Nitsche and Helene Spilling win Skal vi danse: – Helene, this victory is yours!]. TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Ertesvåg, Frank; Sandblad, Mattis (2021-11-13). "Simon Nitsche vant «Skal vi danse» 2021" [Simon Nitsche wins Skal vi danse 2021]. VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  16. ^ Eilertsen, Emma Cecilia Eriksson, Henriette (2021-11-13). "Simon Nitsche vant Skal vi danse" [Simon Nitsche wins Skal vi danse]. dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ AS, TV 2 (2022-11-05). "Aleksander Hetland røk ut i semifinalen av Skal vi danse: all stars" [Aleksander Hetland is eliminated in the semi-final of Skal vi danse: All Stars]. TV 2 (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-07-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Franck, Tuva Mathilde Løland, Cecilie (2022-11-05). "Aleksander Hetland røk ut rett før den store "Skal vi danse: All stars"-finalen: – Jeg er ikke bitter" [Aleksander Hetland is eliminated right before the big "Skal vi danse: All Stars" final: – I'm not bitter]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-01-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Solberg, Philip Haglund, Julie (2023-08-08). "Dette er «Skal vi danse»-deltakerne 2023" [These are the contestants in "Skal vi danse" 2023]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-01-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ AS, TV 2 (2023-10-28). "Sjokk-exit - Harlem Alexander ute av "Skal vi danse"" [Shocking exit - Harlem Alexander is out of "Skal vi danse"]. TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2023-10-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Losen, Sofie (2023-10-28). "Sjokkexit" [Shocking exit]. dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  22. ^ "Helene Spilling – Alle mot alle". Apple TV. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  23. ^ "Alle mot alle", Wikipedia (in Norwegian Bokmål), 2024-09-26, retrieved 2024-09-26
  24. ^ Amlie, Helene (2022-05-18). "Her er deltakerne i neste Mesternes mester" [These are the contestants in the next Mesternes mester season]. NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  25. ^ Røssland, Vilde Holta (2023-02-10). "Måtte overtales til «Mesternes mester»-deltakelsen" [Had to be persuaded to take part in Mesternes mester]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  26. ^ "Markus Neby leder årets store julekalender på NRK | NRK" [Markus Neby leads this year's big Christmas calendar on NRK]. kommunikasjon.ntb.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  27. ^ Episode 15. Julekort - NRK TV [Episode 15 - Christmas card - NRK TV] (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-09-26 – via tv.nrk.no.
  28. ^ ceciliehansen (2022-08-26). "Proffdanseren Helene Spilling velger Hunton" [Professional dancer Helene Spilling chooses Hunton]. Hunton Fiber (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  29. ^ ""Skal vi danse"-Helene har en spesiell rolle i årets sesong: – Utfordrende" ["Skal vi danse" - Helene has a special role in this year's season: – Challenging]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  30. ^ AS, TV 2 (2023-09-02). "Helene Spilling om «favorittstempel»: - Ulempe" [Helene Spilling on the "favourites" title: A disadvantage]. TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Om oss | DAVAY" [About us | DAVAY] (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  32. ^ "SpillingMedia | Bryllupsvideograf" [SpillingMedia | Wedding videographer] (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  33. ^ "Reklame / Så gøy å endelig kunne dele gladnyheten at jeg er ambassadør for @thune.no" [Ad / So fun to finally be able to share the good news that I am an ambassador for @thune.no]. www.instagram.com. @helenespilling.
  34. ^ LAB, ELLE CREATIVE (2024-05-15). "Helene Spilling for Thune: Sjekk ut sommerens hotteste smykketrender" [Helene Spilling for Thune: Check out the summer's hottest jewellery trends.]. www.elle.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  35. ^ AS, TV 2 (2023-06-01). "Bekrefter forhold" [Confirms their relationship]. TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2023-11-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Hopen, Andreas (2024-11-04). "Folkeregisteret: Martin Ødegaard og Helene Spilling har giftet seg" [National Register of Citizens: Martin Ødegaard and Helene Spilling have married]. VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  37. ^ Hauan, Sander; Strøm, Ole Kristian (2024-12-06). "Spilling og Ødegaard har blitt foreldre: – Vi elsker deg". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  38. ^ Røssland, Oda Karlsen Bekkestad, Vilde Holta (2023-09-04). "Helene Spilling om Martin Ødegaard-spørsmålene: – Kan bli litt mye" [Helene Spilling on the questions about Martin Ødegaard: - Can be a bit much]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-10-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ Løland, Tuva Mathilde (2023-06-21). "Birgit Skarstein droppet kjendisfest for å støtte Helene Spilling: – Viktigere for meg" [Birgit Skarstein dropped the celebrity party to support Helene Spilling: – More important to me]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  40. ^ Johansen, Martine (2024-10-18). "Birgit Skarstein om samboerskapet med Helene Spilling: - Nå er det over" [Birgit Skarstein on living with Helene Spilling: - Now it's over]. dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  41. ^ Clausen, Åsmund (2024-10-21). "Birgit Skarstein om samboerskapet med Helene Spilling: – Nå er det over". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  42. ^ "Gratulerer med dagen til verdens beste storesøster" [Happy birthday to the world's best big sister]. Instagram. @helenespilling.
  43. ^ Loftesnes, Olav (2021-10-09). "(+) Helene til topps etter å ha hedret sin farfar" [(+) Helene goes to the top after paying tribute to her grandfather]. Tvedestrandsposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  44. ^ Tveit, Janne Monsen (2022-03-10). "Advarer om egen musikkvideo" [Warns about his own music video]. 730.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-07-28.
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