history
Glamour & Beauty have never looked so good! It would be difficult not to notice the members of the campy Swedish music group Army of Lovers. They've got it all -- outrageous fashion, celebrity fame, and devoted fans!
Army of Lovers began in 1987 as a trio with Alexander Bard, Jean-Pierre Barda, and Camilla Henemark (also known as La Camilla). The name of the group reportedly may have come from an obscure 1970s film titled Die Armee des Liebhaber. Incidentally, there is also a famous gay documentary from 1978 titled Army of Lovers, or Revolt of the Perverts. La Camilla left the group in 1992 just as Michaela Dornonville De La Cour joined, maintaining the group as a trio. In 1993 a fourth member was added, Dominika Peczynski. After several rumors about her imminent departure, Michaela left the group in early 1995, and La Camilla subsequently re-joined prior to the fall release of their greatest hits album, Les Greatest Hits.
In 1996 rumors began to surface that the group would be breaking up, and the foursome would go their separate ways. Alexander and La Camilla often claimed that Army of Lovers was at an end, but Jean-Pierre and Dominika often disputed the rumors and stated that the group was simply on hiatus. However, in September 1997 the rumors became reality and Army of Lovers officially ended. Alexander Bard left to concentrate on his new group named Vacuum, and La Camilla left to continue her pursuit of a solo career.
Army of Lovers, La Camilla, and Vacuum have been quite popular in Europe, but their exposure in America has unfortunately been either short-lived or non-existent. However, U.S. fans of AoL may remember their 1991 single Crucified, which was a hit in dance clubs across the country. The video was even featured in an episode of MTV's "Beavis-n-Butthead" show. Their song Viva La Vogue was featured in the movie Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, and Ride the Bullet is featured in the Michael J. Fox movie For Love or Money (known as The Concierge overseas).
Of course, people who haven't heard of Army of Lovers simply don't know what they're missing! Here's what Alexander Bard had to say about Army of Lover fans, as quoted from the UK television show "The Big E" on July 4, 1993:
... We have discovered that all AoL fans have an IQ above 140, and people who don't like AoL ... all have IQs below 140, and most have very low IQs. So actually, being an AoL fan is a way of guaranteeing having a high IQ. It's also a way of being beautiful ... If you're an AoL fan you will automatically be beautiful and you will have charisma. Obviously, fandom has its benefits!
In 2001 Army of Lovers returned (with the same members as in Les Greatest Hits) with a new album (Le Grand Docu-Soap) and two new singles. Their appearance at Stockholm Pride in August 2001 was reported to be their final concert, but talk of a Russian tour suggests that may not be the case. Given their enjoyment of glamour, fame, and fortune, it's likely we haven't seen the last of Army of Lovers yet.
biographies
And just who are these Swedish celebrities? Here's a bit of personal info for the group members:
Heritage: Alexander is half Swedish and half South African; Jean-Pierre is half French, half Algerian, and he is also Jewish; Dominika is half Polish and half Russian, and she is also Jewish; La Camilla is half Swedish and half Nigerian; Michaela is Swedish.
Careers and Hobbies: Alexander is an economist and geographer, and he works as a record producer and composer. He's currently writing books. Jean-Pierre is a hair stylist and works as an actor and cabaret singer. He has hosted his own TV show similar to America's Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and currently is a stylist on the TV show Silicon. La Camilla has hosted her own TV show in the past as well, plus she's had a solo career with an album and several singles. Dominika speaks nine languages fluently and (of course) has hosted her own TV show, too! She's currently involved in the Scandinavian online dating server Lovesearch. Michaela is a school teacher.
Too Much Information: On a more personal nature, each member of Army of Lovers has even made his or her sexuality public knowledge: Alexander, Jean-Pierre, and Dominika have declared themselves to be bisexual. After claiming to be bisexual for years, La Camilla later found herself a girlfriend and came out as a lesbian. Former member Michaela Dornonville de la Cour is heterosexual. There -- now your curiosity is satisfied!
