Together Forever

Chapter 17: An Interview With Verity Lyngstad-Andersson (1994)

Cover photo: Older Verity

Song Suggestion: Everybody wants to rule the world by tears for fears💚

April 6th, 1994.

A lone man walked onto the set of his tv show, greeted by enthusiastic applause. He was older than most hosts these days, but the Swedish people simply adored him even so.

"Good evening everyone, I hope you all are well! As some of you may remember, tonight is a very special evening for this country. It was on this day 20 years ago that Sweden won the Eurovision Song Contest, which put us back on the map." Even at 73, Charlie Norman was still scarily energetic.

"Anni-Frid, Benny, Björn and Agnetha became the world's biggest singing sensation- ABBA. Touring across the planet, creating new music AND raising children at the same time mustn't have been easy, but we're glad you continued doing what you love!

Unfortunately ABBA able to attend today as the last A and B are belatedly celebrating Agnetha's birthday, and BennyFrid's youngest is sick so they decided to skip tonight to take care of her. So, instead we have a little surprise; Their eldest daughter, Verity Lyngstad-Andersson, has agreed to pop by!" A roar from the crowd shook the entire studio, particularly from the younger generations. Yes, many were extremely annoyed they couldn't see ABBA like what was promised, but Verity Lyngstad-Andersson was the 'It Girl' of the 90s.

At 19, she was one of the most popular celebrities in modern society. Charming, intelligent, talented and undeniably beautiful, she was every person's dream. After becoming an singer at the tender age of 16, her popularity had absolutely skyrocketed.

Verity nervously stepped out onto the platform, clutching at the necklace mamma had gifted her for her last birthday. She was still so unused to it, getting so much attention. Don't get her wrong, she was the daughter of the gods of music, it wasn't foreign at all... but she missed not having her EVERY single move being watched.

"Good evening, my name is Verity!" The blonde grinned, waving at a person or two in the audience.
"It's a pleasure to have you here, my dear." Charlie kissed her hand and pointed to a nearby seat.
"Of course Charlie, my parents are very apologetic that they can't be here." She smiled sincerely, green eyes wandering over the crowd.

"And I am too, but I understand that looking after you sister is much more important." He grinned back. "How do they feel about their Eurovision win being 20 years ago; how do you feel?"

"It's very odd to think about, you know. I- I mean I was talking to them about it the other day and they said it still feels like yesterday! My mother was pregnant with me during the performance, so in a way I can say I won too." The blonde briefly giggled. "But it's still wild to me that I'll be 20 myself in September." The young woman subtly bit her lip, lost in memories.

"Of course, I forgot that little detail. Your mother doesn't look pregnant at all there, how did she hide it?" Charlie asked, voice thick with interest.
"Well, apparently at the time her bump was just able to be hidden, so with the right lighting and angles it was practically unnoticeable. She also lengthened her dress so that if the press caught on they could say it was the way the dress hung." Ver tried to remember all the information she could, because unlike most she had direct access to the source.

"That's so interesting! What impact did ABBA have on your childhood, particularly in the 70s?"
"It was... mixed, I'd say. I loved it very dearly, but it did put me in some less than ideal situations." She breathed, absentmindedly picking at her fingernail.
"I'm assuming you're referring to the kidnapping in Australia amongst other things?" Charlie gave her a reassuring smile. He'd known the girl since she was an infant, and was the whole reason she existed in the first place! If Benny and Frida hadn't met on his show in 1969, there'd be no ABBA either. The world owed a lot to Charlie Norman.