All Things Iceland6 Aug 2025

More Than Music: Iceland’s Pop Icon Páll Óskar on Life, Love & Legacy

Since bursting onto the scene in 1993, Páll Óskar—also known as Paul Oscar—has been turning heads, moving hips, and breaking boundaries. He’s not just a singer. He’s a performer, a provocateur, a fearless icon who has never shied away from being exactly who he is—openly gay, genre-bending, and unapologetically fabulous.

And let me tell you, he’s not slowing down anytime soon. His music and style have evolved over the decades, but his bold spirit and commitment to authenticity have never wavered. Whether he’s belting it out with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra or dancing down Reykjavík’s Laugavegur during Pride on a sparkling unicorn float (yes, really!), Páll brings all the drama in the best way possible.

https://youtu.be/Xvow55EE6ak

Save Big When You Stay in Reykjavík, Iceland

This episode is sponsored by Center Hotels, who is also a proud sponsor of Pride in Reykjavík.

To save big when you stay in any of their 9 hotels, use code ATI25 for 25% off.

Some of the Topics Páll Óskar and I Discussed during the Interview

The attitude towards artists in Iceland
His incredibly talented Family
Why trends spreads so quickly in Iceland
His family’s response after coming out in the 80s
Reconciling with his father after not being accepted as Gay
The change in Iceland toward the LGBTQ+ community
Being an artist and an activist in a small society
The pressure of having a famous older sibling
Owing Donna Summer & African Americans his whole life
Páll Óskar’s idea of the perfect Pride Parade
The Grindr scandal
Why representation matters in all forms
Páll Óskar’s Controversial Eurovision Performance
His advice for emerging artists

Check out Páll Óskar’s Music

If you want to dance to awesome Icelandic pop music spanning from the 90s until present day, check out Páll Óskar’s music here.

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