Maria Haukaas Storeng, known professionally as Maria Haukaas Mittet, was born in 1979 in Finnsnes, Norway. She is a singer who gained national recognition at the age of 24 when she participated in the Norwegian version of Idol in 2004, finishing sixth. Her first musical role came at age 11 as Annie in the Bryggeteateret production of Annie. Maria released her debut solo album in 2005, which peaked at number 13 on the Norwegian album charts. The single "Breathing" from this album reached number 5 and was certified Gold in Norway. In 2008, she represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest with "Hold On Be Strong", finishing fifth overall. This song was part of her second studio album Hold On Be Strong, released in 2008.