Saara Pius (née Saara Kadak; born 20 September 1990), is an Estonian stage, film and television actress and singer.

Early life and education

Saara Pius was born Saara Kadak in

Tallinn Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju '' ...

and attended the primary schools at Katleri Primary School from 1997 until 2000 and the Audentese Private School from 2000 until 2006. Afterwards, she attended Tallinn 32 Secondary School, graduating in 2009. In 2009, she enrolled at the

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy ( et, Tartu Ülikooli Viljandi Kultuuriakadeemia) is an Estonian institution of higher education, situated in the provincial town of Viljandi, central Estonia. The UT Viljandi Culture Academy merged ...

's Department of Performing Arts, graduating in 2013.Tartu Ülikool: Viljandi kultuuriakadeemia
''Saara Kadak''. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

Career

Stage

Following her graduation from the Viljandi Culture Academy, Pius has appeared in a number of stage productions throughout Estonia, including the

Rakvere Theatre Rakvere Theatre is a professional theatre in Rakvere, Estonia. History Rakvere Theatre was established in the fall of 1921, when ''Rakvere Näitlejate Ring'' was formed. The building of the Rakvere Theatre was opened with a public ceremony on 24 ...

, the

Ugala Ugala is a theatre in Viljandi, Estonia. The theatre was founded in 1920 opening on January 10 of that year. The first production was Oscar Wilde's "Salome". Ugala's Artistic Directors *1925 - 1926: Andres Särev *1926 – 1928: Eduard Lemb ...

Theatre, R.A.A.A.M Theatre, the Saaremaa Opera Festival, and the NUKU theatre. Some of her more memorable stage roles include those in works by

Tennessee Williams Thomas Lanier Williams III (March 26, 1911 – February 25, 1983), known by his pen name Tennessee Williams, was an American playwright and screenwriter. Along with contemporaries Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, he is considered among the thre ...

Frank Wedekind Benjamin Franklin Wedekind (July 24, 1864 – March 9, 1918) was a German playwright. His work, which often criticizes bourgeois attitudes (particularly towards sex), is considered to anticipate expressionism and was influential in the deve ...

André Gide André Paul Guillaume Gide (; 22 November 1869 – 19 February 1951) was a French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1947). Gide's career ranged from its beginnings in the symbolist movement, to the advent of anticolonialism ...

Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fairy tales, consist ...

Victor Pelevin Victor Olegovich Pelevin ( rus, Виктор Олегович Пелевин, p=ˈvʲiktər ɐˈlʲɛɡəvʲɪtɕ pʲɪˈlʲevʲɪn; born 22 November 1962) is a Russian fiction writer. His novels include '' Omon Ra'' (1992), '' The Life of Inse ...

August Gailit August Gailit (9 January 1891 – 5 November 1960) was an Estonians, Estonian writer.Endel Nirk, Arthur Robert Hone, Oleg Mutt, ''Estonian Literature: Historical Survey with Biobibliographical Appendix'', Published by Perioodika, 1987, p177 ...

, and

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint-Exupéry, simply known as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (, , ; 29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944), was a French writer, poet, aristocrat, journalist and pioneering aviator. He became a laureate of s ...

. In 2008, Pius was part of the first Estonian improvisational theatre troupes, the Impro-Novas.err.ee
''Saara Kadak ütles Improteatrile "jah"''. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

Film

Pius' first prominent film role was as Liisi in director

Ilmar Raag Ilmar Raag (born 21 May 1968 in Kuressaare) is an Estonian media executive, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his socio-critical film '' The Class''. He has served as CEO of Estonian Television from 2002 to 2005. He is a w ...

's gritty 2007 feature film '' Klass'' for

Estonian Culture Film The Estonian Culture Film ( et, Eesti Kultuurfilm) was a state-subsidized movie studio established in Estonia in 1931 by the Ministry of Culture. During the first years of existence, the studio mostly distributed films. The foundation for the pr ...

. The film focused on rampant bullying which leads two teens to plan and commit a school shooting. ''Klass'' received awards from the

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival ( cs, Mezinárodní filmový festival Karlovy Vary) is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival is one of the oldest in the world and has beco ...

and the

Warsaw International Film Festival Warsaw Film Festival ( pl, Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy, abbreviated as WFF) is an annual film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from all around the world. The festival h ...

and was the official Estonian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Category of the 80th Academy Awards, although it was not nominated. In 2014, Pius played the role of Bianka in the Mihkel Ulk-directed drama '' Nullpunkt'' for

Allfilm Allfilm is an Estonian movie studio established in 1995. Since Allfilm's establishment in 1995, its main activities have included producing features, documentaries, TV-commercials, TV-series, music videos and promotional films. Allfilm also pro ...

and Eesti Telefilm. The film also starred her future partner Märt Pius. In 2018, she appeared in a starring role as Ingrid in the Mikhail Pogosov-directed comedy film ''Lõbus perekond''. She has also appeared in a number of short films.Elu24/Postimees
''Saara Kadak ja Märt Pius plaanivad juba teist last''. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

Television

In 2010, Pius reprised her role of Liisi from ''Klass'' for ''Klass: elu pärast'', a seven-part television miniseries that appeared on Estonia's

ETV2 ETV2 ( et, ETV kaks) is the second channel of the Estonian Public Broadcastin(Eesti Rahvusringhääling – ERR)focusing on children's programming during the day and providing cultural content in the evening. ETV2 is known for its quality ar ...

and followed up on the aftermath of the school shooting. She has since gone on to appear in roles as a regular or featured cast member in such Estonian television serials such as: Tuuliki Lepikson in the

Eesti Televisioon Eesti Televisioon (ETV) ( en, Estonian Television) is an Estonian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Estonian Public Broadcasting. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955. History Eesti Televisioon (''Estonian Televis ...

(ETV) drama ''Alpimaja'' (2012), Mirjam in the

family/children's series ''Nähka tuleb külla'' (2014), Arabella Kotkas the

Kanal 2 Kanal 2 is a privately owned Estonian television channel. Its literal name in English is "Channel 2". The channel was established by Ilmar Taska. The channel began broadcasting on 1 October 1993. History The channel started broadcasting on ...

crime series ''Viimane võmm'' (2014–2016), Dea in the TV3 military drama ''Vabad mehed'' (2015), Eva in the Kanal 2 drama ''Restart'' (2015), and reprising her role as Arabella from ''Viimane võmm'' in the Kanal 2 crime series ''Siberi võmm'' (2016–present). In 2015, Pius was a contestant on the fourth season TV3's ''Su nägu kõlab tuttavalt'', the Estonian version of ''

Your Face Sounds Familiar ''Your Face Sounds Familiar'' (Spanish: ''Tu cara me suena'') is a Spanish interactive reality television franchise series where celebrity contestants impersonate singers. The format, similar to Dutch television series ''Soundmixshow'', was ...

'', an interactive reality television franchise series where celebrity contestants impersonate singers. Pius impersonations included

Kate Bush Catherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. In 1978, at the age of 19, she topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single " Wuthering Heights", becoming the first female ...

Johnny Rotten John Joseph Lydon (; born 31 January 1956), also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the late-1970s punk band the Sex Pistols, which lasted from 1975 until 1978, and aga ...

of the

Sex Pistols The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they were one of the most groundbreaking acts in the history of popular music. They were responsible for ...

Linda Perry Linda Perry (born April 15, 1965) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She was the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, and has since founded two record labels and composed and produced hit songs for s ...

of 4 Non Blondes,

Nicole Scherzinger Nicole Scherzinger (; born Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente, June 29, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is best known as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, one of the list of best-se ...

of the

Pussycat Dolls Pussycat or Pussy Cat may refer to: * Cat, a domestic feline Music Bands * Pussycat (band), a Dutch country and pop group * The Pussycats, a 1960s Norwegian rock band * The Pussycats, a group signed to Kama Sutra Records Albums * '' Pussy Cats' ...

Maria Callas Maria Callas . (born Sophie Cecilia Kalos; December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano who was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Many critics praised her ''bel cant ...

, and

Alanis Morissette Alanis Nadine Morissette ( ; born June 1, 1974) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting, Morissette began her career in Canada in the early 1990s with two ...

, among others. Pius finished in second place, behind actor

Juss Haasma Juss Haasma (born 23 August 1985) is an Estonian stage, film and television actor and musician. Early life and education Juss Haasma was born and raised in Tallinn. He has three siblings and one half-sister. He attended Tallinn Old Town Educatio ...

. In 2018, she participated again and won the 7th season.

Singer

Apart from acting, Pius has released several singles and a full-length album as a

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop!, a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Albums * ''Pop'' (G ...

singer of

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic co ...

ambient Ambient or Ambiance or Ambience may refer to: Music and sound * Ambience (sound recording), also known as atmospheres or backgrounds * Ambient music, a genre of music that puts an emphasis on tone and atmosphere * ''Ambient'' (album), by Moby * ...

, and

synth-pop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s ...

music. Her first full-length album "Taevamenüü" was released in 2010. In 2017, she recorded the single "Mina jään ellu" with musician Jarek Kasar. In 2019, she performed the song "

Storm A storm is any disturbed state of the natural environment or the atmosphere of an astronomical body. It may be marked by significant disruptions to normal conditions such as strong wind, tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), ...

" with

Victor Crone Victor Fritz-Crone (born 31 January 1992), also known as Victor Crone, is a Swedish singer, guitarist and songwriter. He represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv with the song "Storm". Biography Victor Crone was born ...

Eesti Laul Eesti Laul (English: 'Estonian Song' or 'The Song of Estonia') is an annual music competition organised by Estonian public broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR). It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, a ...

, the annual music competition organized by Estonian public broadcaster

Eesti Rahvusringhääling Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) – ''Estonian Public Broadcasting'' – is a publicly funded and owned radio and television organisation created in Estonia on 1 June 2007 to take over the functions of the formerly separate Eesti Raadi ...

(ERR) to determine the Estonia's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, due to her upcoming wedding, she was unable to travel to

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

with Crone to compete at the

Eurovision Song Contest 2019 The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 was the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Tel Aviv, Israel, following the country's victory at the 2018 contest with the song " Toy" by Netta. Organised by the European Broa ...

Personal life

Saara Kadak had been in a relationship with actor

Märt Pius Märt Pius (born 4 February 1989)vooremaa.ee
''Rahutu hingeg ...

since 2015. In November 2016, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child. On 25 March 2017, Kadak gave birth to a daughter, Susanna. On 9 June 2019, Kadak and Pius married. She has since used her husband's surname personally and professionally. On 31 May 2020, Kadak gave birth to their second child, a son named Mihkel. The family currently resides in Tallinn.uudised.ee
''Uusaastalubadus? Saara Kadak ja Märt Pius plaanivad teist last''. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pius, Saara 1990 births Living people Estonian stage actresses Estonian film actresses Estonian television actresses Actresses from Tallinn Estonian pop singers 21st-century Estonian women singers University of Tartu alumni 21st-century Estonian actresses