By Marianne Klövstad

MK : Why have you become tougher?

AF : Well, you finally have to - at least when it comes to work. There are so many things I have to endure as a celebrity. The pressure from outside is strong and I don't get a chance to forget who I am. You have to surround yourself with the right people. People you have faith in and can trust. There are many traps in this business.

MK : You have said that if you became the owner of Svensk Damtidning (Swedish tabloid) you would put it out of business.

AF : It was a joke - but there's some truth to it. I don't mind giving interviews about my work. I can't tolerate if they get involved in my private life. It's an infringement and it's completely immoral.

MK : We haven't heard much from you since the divorce but now you step forward into the limelight again on your own. Have you gone through a crisis and come out on the other side as a new person?

AF : No, that is just the tabloids portrayal of me. I haven't gone through a crisis. I've always wanted to renew myself when it comes to my work. There's nothing new about that. The reason you haven't heard much from me is because I live a quiet life privately. I'm not out and about, instead I like staying at home. I do go out but not very often.

MK : Is it more fun to have a solo career compared to being a member of ABBA?

AF : You can't compare. It is really fun to do something on my own since I've been a part of ABBA for more than ten years. As a solo artist there are no limits to what you can do. If things go well you stand for it on your own and you don't have to share the honor.

MK : You always look very beautiful and sexy in photos. Do you dare to appear in public without make up without running the risk of ruining that image of yourself?

AF : Yes, I think that I have a certain charisma without make up as well. Privately I never wear make up. This face is a part of my job. I simply put on a mask. But sometimes I get very tired of my own looks and wish I could change it with somebody else. It's no fun if I don't look good in the pictures.

MK : Your LP has become a huge success - much bigger than Frida's. Did you expect that?

AF : I don't sit here and think: Ha ha, now I've done better than Frida. Next time it could be the other way round. I think that Frida's LP is very good and I like my own as well. We wish each other the best and are happy for each other. I didn't expect the LP to become such a big success, but I'm very happy because of it. I have really worked hard to make it good.

MK : Now that you and Frida have solo careers - will you continue with ABBA?

AF : We don't know. Actually we've never talked about it. The guys are indefinitely busy with composing a musical. Frida has moved abroad and does her own thing and I have my life. It would be fun if there would be more ABBA, but if it doesn't happen, then I'll be grateful for what has been and move on.

MK : Do you believe that you've upset other actors since you got your part in "Raskenstam" without having any training (as an actor)?

AF : Yes, I was very nervous what the others would say. That I would step on someone's toes. But I actually have some training. I've been on stage for more than ten years and you're never really yourself on stage, I play a role. But you have to believe in yourself and I think things went very well for being a debut. I would love to do some more acting and I've received some offers both in Sweden and abroad.

MK : You have a definite political opinion, but you don't want to talk about it - why not?

AF : I think it would be very pretentious if I as a singer became involved in politics and appeared to be a very well informed person. Everything I say attracts attention and will stay with me for the rest of my life. I'm expected to have definite opinions about most things. And I probably do, but I don't want to be open about everything. I leave the politics to others who are more knowledgeable than I am.

MK : Do many guys hit on you?

AF : No, probably not enough actually. Meeting someone is difficult when you're a celebrity. Both when it comes to men and women. People become a bit reserved and insecure. They have created their own image of me and when I'm not what they expect, it confuses them. So this line of work has its negative sides.