Helene Spilling Ødegaard

Helene Spilling^[1] was born on 17 April 1996^[2] in Gjerdrum.^[3] Her interest in dance was sparked by watching Skal vi danse at a young age.^[4] Spilling began to dance at the age of 12.^[5]

In 2011, Spilling danced competitively for the first time with Christian Skibsrud. They won the NM in Latin and 10-dance. The following year, they competed in the U19 category and won a gold medal in ballroom dancing.

Between 2013 and 2017, she won twelve NM titles in the U19, U21 and adult classes with Jonas Pettersen.^[6][7] She and Pettersen were the winners of the Kongepokal in 2017.^[8]

In 2017, Spilling moved to Lithuania alone to venture further with a Lithuanian dance partner, Dominykas Granskas. Representing Norway, they competed in both European and world tournaments for the Lillestrøm-based dance school LSKdans, and in 2018 became the Northern European Champions in standard dance. They also made it to the quarter-finals in Grand Slam competitions.^[9] Spilling and Granskas were honoured at the 2019 "Dance Awards" in Norway, receiving the "Duo of the Year" prize. ^[10] In total, Spilling secured 17 gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals from the NM throughout her time competing. After two and a half years in Lithuania, she returned to Norway and chose to end her competitive dancing career.^[8]

In her debut season on Skal vi danse in 2020, Spilling partnered television personality and presenter Nate Kahungu. They finished as runners-up to Andreas Wahl and Mai Mentzoni.^[11]

In her second season the following year, she was paired with journalist Simon Nitsche. They won the 17th season of Skal vi danse, triumphing against Magnus Moan and Ewa Trela.^{[12][13][14][15]}

In the 2022 Skal vi danse: All Stars season, Spilling was partnered with former swimmer Aleksander Hetland. They finished in 3rd place after a dance-off against Jørgine Massa Vasstrand and Santino Mirenna in the semi-final.^[16][17]

In the 2023 season of Skal vi danse, Spilling was paired with stylist Harlem Alexander.^[18] They ended in 4th place after a dance-off against Alexandra Joner and Ole Thomas Hansen in the quarter-final.^[19][20]

In 2021, Spilling was a contestant on the third season of Alle mot alle [no]. ^[75] Alongside Birgit Skarstein, she finished eighth in the group stage. ^[76]

Spilling took part in the 14th season of NRK's television series Mesternes mester [no]. ^[77] Spilling is the fifth dancer to have taken part in the program and is the one who has been the most successful thus far, finishing in fifth place. ^[78]

The first season of 24-stjerners julekalender [no] premiered in December 2022, with Spilling among the contestants. ^[79] She was eliminated in the 15th episode. ^[80]

Spilling is the founder and owner of The Zone Dance Studio in Oslo. ^[5] In 2021, she was given a temporary lease to run the studio previously used by Skal vi danse contestants. As the original studio was set to be demolished, a new premises was needed. Spilling chose an office building located in Torshov, which was converted into a spacious dance studio with the assistance of the Skal vi danse production team. It contains six dance halls, a social zone, and office spaces.^[81] The Zone has since served as the training location for Skal vi danse contestants from the 2022 season onwards.^[82]

She founded an online dance and sportswear brand, DAVAY, which was launched in 2021.^[83]

Spilling has been a wedding videographer in her spare time, under the name SpillingMedia.^[84]

Spilling is married to football player Martin Ødegaard;^[86][87] they have a son, born on 1 December 2024. ^[88]

She is close friends with former Paralympic athlete Birgit Skarstein. They lived together in Oslo for four years before Spilling moved to London. ^[89]