Bergen (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈbærɡən]  (listen)) is a city and municipality in Hordaland on the west coast of Norway. As of 26 June 2012, the municipality had a population of 265,800 and Greater Bergen had a population of 391,000, making Bergen the second-largest city in Norway. The municipality covers and area of 465 square kilometers (180 sq mi) and is located on the peninsula of Bergenshalvøyen. The city center and northern neighborhoods are located on Byfjorden and the city is built around the Seven Mountains. Many of the extra-municipal suburbs are located on islands. Bergen is the administrative center of Hordaland and consists of eight boroughs—Arna, Årstad, Åsane, Bergenhus, Fana, Fyllingsdalen, Laksevåg and Ytrebygda.

Trading in Bergen may have started as early as the 1020s, but the city was not incorporated until 1070. It served as Norway's capital from 1217 to 1299, and from the end of the 13th century became a bureau city of the Hanseatic League. Until 1789, Bergen enjoyed exclusive rights to mediate trade between Northern Norway and abroad. The remains of the quays, Bryggen, is a World Heritage Site. The city was hit by numerous fires. The Norwegian School of Economics was founded in 1936 and the University of Bergen in 1946. From 1831 to 1972, Bergen was its own county, after which Bergen amalgamated with the surrounding municipalities.

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Perry grew up with gospel music, and during her first year of high school she pursued a music career as Katy Hudson, releasing her first studio album called Katy Hudson which failed to chart. She recorded a solo album later, which was never released. After signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry.

She first gained recognition with the release of her first mainstream album, One of the Boys in 2008, which spawned three Billboard Hot 100 top-ten songs—"I Kissed A Girl", "Hot n Cold" and "Waking Up In Vegas". Perry supported the album with her Hello Katy Tour. In 2010, her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010), which topped the Billboard 200 chart, and spawned five number one singles—"California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T." and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"—Teenage Dream was the only album (after Michael Jackson's Bad)—to do so, and the first female in history to achieve this milestone. She embarked on the California Dreams Tour, which grossed nearly $60 million worldwide. Perry re-released the album under the name of Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection on March 26, 2012, and the re-release has already spawned the number-one single "Part of Me".

Eirik Bodding Gjendemsjø (born 27 June 1995, Kristiansund, Norway) better known by his stage name Eirik Gjen, is a Norwegian artist. Eirik Gjen was signed by Longship Entertainment in 2010. He has been a soloist in the public celebration of His Majesty King Harald's 70-year day, he has sung for Mrs. Michelle Obama, he has participated in the choir for Andrea Bocelli and he has participated in the choir for Morten Harket and Diana Ross in the Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2007 and 2008, and all this before he has grown to fill 15.

When the "Silverboys" searched new members in 2003 Eirik Gjen attended the audition. In August the very same year he began in the aspirant choir, and a few months later he attended the main choir as a first soprano. Today he is still a soloist in the “Silverboys”.

Eirik Gjen sang on Morten Harkets album "Letter from Egypt", and he was also a soloist on an anniversary disc that was given as a gift to the artist Prince on the occasion of his 50-year day. He participated on the Norwegian television show Norske Talenter (series 2), and made it to the semifinals, where he ended third place.

Jessica Ellen Cornish (born 27 March 1988), better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she studied at the BRIT School before signing with Gut Records and striking a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing where she wrote for artists such as Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus.

Signed with Universal, Jessie J came to prominence following the release of her debut single "Do It Like a Dude" which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Charts. After scoring her first number one in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and New Zealand with the song "Price Tag", she released her debut album Who You Are (2011) which charted at number two in the UK. Other releases from the album include "Nobody's Perfect", "Who's Laughing Now" and "Who You Are" which charted within the top 20 in the UK but the release of fifth single "Domino" spawned international chart success, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and becoming her second UK number one. Aside from her musical career, Jessie J is currently a coach and mentor on television show The Voice UK.

Ben Adams (born Benjamin Adams, 22 November 1981, Ascot, Berkshire, England) is an English singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the boy band, a1.

Adams attended Westminster Under School, where he became head chorister of the school choir, . He later attended Bedales School, leaving aged 16 after completing his GCSEs.

Adams was a member of four-piece boyband A1, who won a BRIT Award in 2001 for Best Newcomer and had two number one singles, "Take On Me" and "Same Old Brand New You", before separating. Whilst in the boyband, Adams also scooped a Smash Hits Poll Winners Party Award for Most Fanciable Male in 2001.

It was announced in 2009 that A1 were to reform to compete to represent Norway in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

Adams was a member of boy band A1. The band was around from 1998 to 2002. Since then he decided to become a solo star and released his album Sorry. He has worked with Har Mar Superstar and Alexandra Burke. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother 2009, and became friends with Michelle Heaton. He has been romantically involved with Miss Norway 2009 Sara Skjoldnes, meeting her right before she took part in the Miss World Pageant.