Malla Malmivaara (born Laura Malmivaara on 10 December 1982), performing under the stage name Malla and formerly Belle Who, is a Finnish actress and singer.[3][2]

Malla Malmivaara
Born
Laura Malmivaara[1]

(1982-12-10) 10 December 1982 (age 41)
Other names
  • Malla
  • Belle Who[1]
  • Laura Malmberg[2]
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2005–present
Relatives

Early life

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Malmivaara was born in Jyväskylä in 1982, and was raised there.[4] Her name at birth was Laura Malmivaara, but she uses the name Malla to avoid confusion with her second cousin, actress and singer Laura Malmivaara. She is of Sámi descent, through her grandfather.[5] Her second cousin is ice hockey player Olli Malmivaara.[6]

Film career

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Malmivaara made her acting debut at the age of four, on stage in the Jyväskylä City Theatre. She has performed in numerous films and TV shows. In 2018, she was nominated for a Jussi Award for her role in the movie Kaiken se kestää.[7]

Musical career

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Malmivaara previously performed in the band Elisabeth Underground and released music under the name Belle Who, but currently performs under the name Malla, under which she has released two albums.[8]

Personal life

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Malmivaara lives in Helsinki.[5] She has two sons with her partner, musician Boris Nordin.[9][10]

Selected filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Forbidden Fruit
2010 The Hustlers
2011 Dirty Bomb
2017 Star Boys (Kaiken se kestää)
TV
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Nymphs
2014–2016 Mustat lesket Kirsi Lundberg

Partial discography

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Albums

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  • Can't Whistle When You Smile (as Belle Who, 2009)
  • Malla (as Malla, 2021)[11]
  • Fresko (as Malla, 2023)

References

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  1. ^ a b c Sirén, Juhani (5 June 2009). "Belle Who". City (in Finnish). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Malmivaara, Malla". Finna [fi]. National Library of Finland. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Näyttelijä Malla Malmivaara: "Minulla on muutakin elämänkokemusta kuin työ"". Me Naiset. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  4. ^ Sandelius, Ninni (2 December 2022). "Malla Malmivaara täyttää 40 vuotta: "Olen päästänyt irti menneisyyteni riippakivistä"". Apu. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b Julku, Mari (26 February 2009). "Malla Malmivaara on sivuosien sankari". ME NAISET (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  6. ^ Määttänen, Laura (3 March 2009). "Malla Malmivaara on tunteita täynnä". Savon Sanomat. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  7. ^ "45. Harrastajateatterikesän raati on julkaistu". SHTL.fi (in Finnish).
  8. ^ "Näyttelijä Malla Malmivaara julkaisee taiteilijanimellä Malla myös musiikkia – kuuntele täältä". Rumba.fi (in Finnish). 26 March 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. ^ Asikainen, Merja (14 February 2017). "Malla Malmivaara ja komea Boris-rakas poseerasivat yhdessä – "Menimme kihloihin viime kesänä"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  10. ^ Glad, Laura (26 January 2017). "Me Naiset: Malla Malmivaara tapasi näyttelijäveljensä vasta aikuisena – ensikohtaaminen oli tunteikas: "Vieras ihminen, joka on tosi tuttu"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ^ Hätinen, Jukka (16 April 2021). "Haastattelu: Malla Malmivaara opiskeli tuottajaksi analogistudiossa ja työsti suomenkielistä debyyttiään 10 vuotta". Rumba [fi] (in Finnish). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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