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The opening ceremony of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 delivered spectacle, pageantry, and the spellbinding vocals of Norwegian pop star Astrid S, who sang Norway’s national anthem in a performance that immediately went viral. While Norway’s national team secured a 2–1 victory over Switzerland to kick off their tournament campaign, it was Astrid’s ethereal rendition of the anthem that truly stole the show.
Across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and every social platform in between, fans, both Norwegian and international, collectively lost their minds.
“Mermaids Are Real”: The Internet Falls Under Astrid S’s Spell
Astrid S’s version of the Norwegian national anthem didn’t just make an impression. It ignited a social media lovefest that compared the artist to mythical sirens and heavenly beings.
“I heard this live, and for a brief second, I thought maybe mermaids do exist,” one viewer wrote.
“No way they got a mermaid singing the national anthem,” said another.
From the opening note, Astrid’s rendition was intimate, crystalline, and unexpectedly emotional. Viewers were stunned by the restraint and elegance in her performance, eschewing showy vocal flourishes for a delivery that felt almost sacred. One user summed it up:
“It is quite possibly the most beautiful anthem I have ever heard, or at least the best sung during a soccer match.”
That same sentiment echoed widely across social platforms.
“Anthems have never been sung so beautifully 🥹😭”
“Omg Astrid, her voice is so magical ✨️”
“The myth of sirens is definitely true 🧎🏽”
“Kind of voice described as ‘Melodious’”
“Why it sounds so mythical 😭”
One dramatic tweet went viral for saying:
“I WILL SACRIFICE MY LIFE FOR NORWAY WOW. That was beautiful.”
Another compared the emotional impact of her performance to the Homeric epics:
“And this is how Odesus was sent on an odyssey.”
Others took the opportunity to stan the singer, pointing fans toward her broader work.
“If u love her voice here thn listen to her discography. She is amazing and sadly so underrated. Love her.”
The Voice Behind the Viral Moment: Who Is Astrid S?
Astrid Smeplass, professionally known as Astrid S, is not a newcomer to the global music scene. But her performance at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 might be her most widely seen moment to date.
The Gjøvik-born singer first caught public attention in 2013 after finishing fifth on Pop Idol Norway. But her journey since has been anything but predictable. In the years following, Astrid carved out a unique niche in Scandinavian and global pop music, earning critical acclaim for her haunting vocals, thoughtful songwriting, and bold visual artistry.
With over five billion global streams, Astrid S has proven her staying power. Her debut album Leave It Beautiful and its follow-up Joyride showcased her as a genre-fluid artist with a sharp ear for melodic hooks and emotional nuance. Collaborations with artists like Shawn Mendes, NOTD, and JP Cooper have further broadened her international appeal.
What sets her apart is not just her voice but her full creative vision. Astrid is intimately involved in every element of her music: production, writing, visuals, and performances. That control was palpable in her UEFA performance, which felt less like a traditional anthem and more like an invitation into her ethereal sound world.
A National Anthem Unlike Any Other
National anthems are usually formulaic, booming, operatic, and rigid. Astrid’s approach was the opposite: soft, haunting, and hauntingly sincere. One tweet cut straight to the heart of the debate:
“My two cents only but the national song is more fun to sing like this than while flexing vocal techniques.”
Others riffed on national identity altogether:
“I think everyone should listen to every national anthem, and whichever ones you vibe with, that’s your nationality.”
The moment felt like a cultural shift: a reframing of what national pride can sound like in the hands of a pop visionary. Norway, it seems, didn’t just win the opening match. They won the internet.
Norway Wins the Opener, But Astrid S Wins the Night
On the pitch, Norway took a decisive 2–1 victory over Switzerland in what commentators described as a strong tactical performance. But for millions of fans watching at home, it was Astrid S’s voice that lingered long after the final whistle.
By the end of the night, “Astrid S” and “Norwegian anthem” were trending globally, with TikTok edits, reaction videos, and fancams flooding timelines. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is already promising unforgettable moments, and thanks to Astrid S, it started with one that felt almost otherworldly.