All Things Iceland

All Things Iceland


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

August 06, 2025

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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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.