It is hardly a secret that being the parents of young children is not an easy task – because Truls Svendsen (50) and his partner Charlotte Smith (34) can attest to that.
In 2019, they had their first daughter, Eva, and a little over a year later the good news came – they were expecting another daughter. It’s no secret that things can get really hot when you have to be in control of nappy changes, baby bottles and daycare pick-ups, which are now part of their everyday life.
Now the couple opens up about what life has been like, and how they have kept the spark in their relationship.
Because it hasn’t always been so easy.
The singing dream
When the lovebirds got together in 2017, Smith had a hidden side that his girlfriend had never seen before. 15 years earlier, she was on Idol, and was on screen for – hang on – 15 seconds.
– If you wanted to be an artist before, then Idol was that opportunity. I didn’t really want to go down there, but then I thought: “I really want to sing”, she tells God jul Norge and reveals:
– So I went down there, and it was absolutely terrible. It hurt so much to the stomach.
Then Svendsen chimes in:
– I was actually not aware of that. I found it out on Good Christmas Norway now.
WON: Just over a year ago, Charlotte Smith and Truls Svendsen won the program Norway’s new megahit. Photo: Espen Solli / TV 2
And she may have a small hint of trauma that lingers, because she was determined that she would never set foot inside the Idol studio again.
Svendsen knew that his partner could sing, and saw a golden opportunity when the program Norway’s new megahit was about to start rolling on the screen.
– When Norway’s new megahit appeared, it was a great opportunity to show off her fine voice.
That they should only show off their voice – is the understatement of the year. They made it all the way to the top, and the blazingly fresh song “Når julefreden senker seg” held first place on the top list for quite some time.
– That love can be experienced so strongly is absolutely fantastic
Now the song has become part of the regular Christmas music for many, but while they sang on stage wearing their finest outfits – it was not necessarily as easy at home.
Wild West
When the couple turn up for an interview on Christmas Eve’s Good Christmas Norway, presenter Vår Staude (55) is almost surprised that they are freshly showered and groomed.
DEMANDING: There is a lot of pressure at home when you have two daughters, the couple says. Photo: Espen Solli/TV 2
Because at home it can be reminiscent of the Wild West. If you add two daughters. And one dog.
Because the last few years have not been easy:
– It has been a very typical toddler phase, where you are extremely grateful and insanely tired, says Smith.
In addition, she has downloaded an app that shows how many times she wakes up during the night – and at the highest, there were 26 awakenings.
Regrets the sloppy comment: – Most idiotic thing I’ve said
Despite the fact that it has been challenging, Svendsen does not hide that this has been one of the best things he has experienced:
– I usually say that I have experienced a lot of fun in my life, but suddenly two girls came along and topped everything off. It’s the fattest thing I’ve ever experienced, and it’s hard work. It is probably no worse than for other families with young children, he notes and adds:
– It’s just a trick, so there aren’t two people here who have a more special experience than anyone else.
What many people also struggle with in the whole thing is how to manage to remain lovers while you are on duty at both nappy bonanzas and baby bottles.
– I think you should take a lot of the credit for that. You have always been very generous and kind, states the 34-year-old, before Svendsen shoots back:
– It’s nice that you say that, but it’s not that easy. We manage it now and then, but there are periods where it could have been better.
Fortunately, the couple can take comfort in the fact that it has become easier. Because now they’ve got the worst of it.
New master chef in the house
Despite that, it’s no secret that the Christmas season is hectic for everyone. Gifts and suitcases must be packed, homes must be decorated and food must be prepared. Before, the roommate was the master chef in the house, before Svendsen got a new best friend – Eyvind Hellstrøm (74).
BEST FRIENDS: The duo Truls Svendsen and Eyvind Hellstrøm have been on a number of trips together over the years. Photo: Bjørnar Morønning/NTB
– Charlotte is fantastic in the kitchen, so I became a natural assistant there at the start. But now I’ve learned so many great tips and tricks from Eyvind, so I may have taken on a bit more, he chuckles.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes that his qualities are nowhere near his friend’s, as he has 60 years of experience behind the kitchen counter. But it’s no secret that he has the star chef’s number on the shortcut key.
– It can happen, but think how lucky I am to have him to call, People google things, while I call Eyvind Hellstrøm!
