Biography
Who is Käärijä?
Early life and real name
Käärijä was born Jere Mikael Pöyhönen in Helsinki, Finland, on October 21, 1993. He grew up in the Ruskeasanta neighbourhood of Vantaa, which is part of Greater Helsinki. His parents are Mikko and Arja Pöyhönen. During his youth, he attended Simonkallio school and Peltola school.
Before focusing entirely on his musical career, he played ice hockey from 2009 to 2013. He also developed a passion for playing the drums, which led him to start producing his own music in 2014. His stage name comes from the phrase kääriä rahaa, which refers to his hobby of gambling.
Music career and albums
Pöyhönen released his music independently until 2017, when he signed with Monsp Records and released the double single Koppi tules and Nou roblem. The following year, he released an extended play titled Peliä. His debut studio album, Fantastista, was released in 2020. He later released his second studio album, People's Champion, in November 2024.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various artists and released additional projects. In 2026, he collaborated with Basshunter on the single Ja eller nej. He also released the EP Boyband in May 2026 alongside Joost Klein and Tommy Cash, followed by the Vitun Hyvää Joulua EP with Sanni in July 2026.
Eurovision Song Contest
In January 2023, Pöyhönen was announced as a participant in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. He performed the song Cha Cha Cha, which he co-wrote with Aleksi Nurmi and Johannes Naukkarinen. He won the national selection with 539 points, earning the right to represent Finland in Liverpool.
At the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2023, he performed in the first semi-final and finished in first place. In the grand final, he won the public vote with 376 points and finished in second place overall with 526 points behind Sweden's entrant Loreen. His entry topped the charts in multiple countries and became the first song in Finnish to reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.
Personal life and height
Pöyhönen stands 170 centimetres tall. He has spoken publicly about suffering from ulcerative colitis since his teenage years, an experience that culminated in emergency intestine removal surgery in 2014. He had to use a stoma for five months afterwards, and the scar remains visible on his lower stomach. He has stated that he wants to be open about the condition to encourage others to get medical checkups.
His distinct performance style includes removing his yellow stage suit to perform shirtless, a habit that inspired his social media name Paidaton Riehuja, which translates to shirtless rampager. He is also known for having a Rammstein tattoo across his chest, reflecting his musical influences.
Birthday and age
Käärijä was born on October 21, 1993, which makes Käärijä 33 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Käärijä shares the date with 50 other famous people.
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