In her new documentary, violinist Linda Lampenius opens up about how it felt to be wildly popular in the limelight. The journey has also included difficult times, when he got into a legal battle with businessman Peter Nygård.
The year is 1997. Linda Lampenius stands British composer by Andrew Lloyd Webber in the yard of the homestead. A moment earlier Mr. Bean actor known from the series Rowan Atkinson has talked with a Finnish violinist.
The situation is just like something out of a movie.
– At that point, when I was standing there in the yard, so much had already happened. At that moment I thought I would make a documentary about this, Lampenius recalls to Iltalehte.
These and many other moments recorded by the Finnish violinist himself with his video camera have now been made into a four-part documentary series Linda. The colorful film clips show moments from the filming of the Baywatch series and give a glimpse of what life in the United States really looked like. At the same time, we will delve into how the wild popularity has affected the violinist’s life and well-being.
A four-part documentary series has been made about the life of Linda Lampenius. Jenni Gästgivar / Iltalehti
For Lampenius, it is not just any documentary, but for him this is one milestone after difficult years. Businessman Peter Nygård sued Lampenius for defamation at the end of the 90s.
Soon, Lampenius had to write a non-disclosure agreement and apologize publicly with a newspaper announcement.
– When the non-disclosure agreement came, I knew I wasn’t allowed to tell anything about my life related to Nygård. It wouldn’t have made any sense to make a documentary because the things that happened were so transformative in my life.
Four years ago, Lampenius received a message from a New York Times editor who was doing a story about Peter Nygård. The violinist remembers how he panicked in the situation at first.
– I was still afraid of Nygård at that time. I told my husband that I cannot reply to this email because this is guaranteed to be a trap. Nygård has asked a woman to write to me so that I would open up and talk, Lampenius recalls.
However, the fear turned out to be unfounded.
The big turn finally happened in December 2020, when Nygård was arrested in Canada. Serious accusations of rape have been made against him. The businessman has denied all the accusations. With these prospects, the trial will take a long time, as the businessman will be extradited to the United States after the court has dealt with the charges in Canada.
During his career, Lampenius has gained international visibility as a violinist and model. ATTE KAJOVA
As a woman in public
During his career, Lampenius has given numerous interviews to various media. The violinist remembers how the young woman was objectified or described as a “bimbo” in the public and the media.
– Today you would get fired for something like that, because it was chauvinistic, Lampenius snorts.
– At that time, women had to accept everything and smile. Why haven’t I dared to open my mouth then? Today I would have walked out of that situation. Today, no one is spoken to in such a way.
This is how Lampenius appeared in the Miss Finland final earlier in September. Jussi Eskola
Lampenius lives a busy family life with children in Stockholm with her husband by Martin Cullberg with. The couple have two daughters together, Olivia and Cecilia. In addition to family life, Lampenius trains hard, as he has two concerts in Helsinki in October and a long Christmas tour later.
– I choose things that I love to do. The more I have to do, the more energy I have, laughs the violinist.
The Linda documentary series will start on MTV Katsomo and the MTV3 channel on October 12. See all program information and broadcast times on Telku.