Sauli interview in Me Naiset, 3/21/13, translated via @moominbert from TwitLonger..

”I've never been one to just stand on the sidelines”

Sauli Koskinen moved to Los Angeles to be with superstar Adam Lambert in spite of not knowing English very well. He's now facing a new challenge: his own TV show. 

”I'm ready to do this!”

pic 1 caption: Sauli does all kinds of sports. ”I have so much energy, I'd be climbing the walls if I didn't work out. I went swimming in rented Speedos in Helsinki because I'd left my own at home.”

Blogger Sauli Koskinen, 27, moves a champagne glass over to the side in the Kämp Brasserie restaurant to show me something on his cell phone. The picture is from his trip to Lapland a few days ago, where he got to go on a husky safari and visited wolves in their cage.

- That's me all the way. A cage with wolves? I'll be there! It wasn't until one of the shyer wolves sniffed my hand and gave me a dubious look that I realized I could die right now, Sauli says, cackling.

The laugh is throaty, fast and pretty contagious, and its owner doesn't hesitate to let it out. Koskinen wants humor in his life, along with energy and positive thinking. These are the things Sauli has been spreading during the five weeks he's spent in Finland visiting with friends and family. His good mood is even lighter when he's in his present home town, Los Angeles. It's there, in West Hollywood, that he lives with his partner, pop star Adam Lambert, 31.

- It makes a difference, waking up to sunshine instead of snow. And the sunshine isn't just in the weather, the people in Los Angeles also radiate a kind of light.

- Sometimes I think the government should provide a trip to somewhere sunny for all Finns during the darkest months of winter!

When Sauli sees someone with a great look or a fun item of clothing in LA, he compliments them and gets a happy ”thanks!” in return. When he asked a dog-walker in Hyvinkää last week what breed their dog was, all he got was silence as the dog-walker kept going.

- Finns think it's superficial when in America the cashier at the store asks ”How are you” although they don't want to hear your whole life story. But it's a hell of a lot nicer habit than just staring down at the belt and griping at you for having forgotten to weigh the bananas.

- LA has become my home, and life there suits me well. I can live freer and breathe easier there. I can put on leopard-print skinny jeans without standing out like a sore thumb.

Hyvinkää-Hollywood

Originally from Hyvinkää, Sauli moved to the USA a couple of years ago. The biggest reason was ”a little crush”. These are the words he uses to describe the beginning of his relationship with Adam. The couple share a mutual principle of not discussing their private life publically. Sauli has been asked to do a reality show about his life, but he isn't interested.

- I've said no to all sorts of offers.

Sauli describes his life as ”lovely” but is careful not to brag about his everyday life. The routine of everyday, he says, is not that different from what it would be, had he decided to stay in Finland.

- I write my blogs, go to the store, cook, go jogging and go out with my friends. Doesn't that sound like a regular life? If we get dressed up every once in a while for events, or get an invite to Elton John's party, those are just little forays into the glamour of Hollywood. My day-to-day life isn't glamorous.

He says he has managed to keep his feet on the ground even in the midst of celebrity.

- No matter what you've gone through, never think you're better than anyone else. I believe we're all equal, regardless of background or status. I have good self-esteem, and that has helped me to keep my head on straight in all circles I move in.

Sauli also won't admit to having become Americanized – outside of becoming hooked on healthy living and superfoods. Whole Foods Market, which specializes in organic foods, is his regular weekly shopping place, and he often gets his lunchtime juice at smoothie bars.

- I've started reading the backs of food packages a lot more carefully. It's easy to eat healthy in America, because the fruits and vegetables are always fresh.
The latest addition to Sauli's home is a juicer, which he uses to make a beetroot and carrot juice to replace morning coffee. He says most juice recipes sound worse than they taste.

- I've thought about whether I'm completely vain because I miss my juicer while I'm in Finland. Not that I haven't made Karelian pasties in the US.

In America, Sauli is actively involved in many of the local Finns' activities. There have been sauna evenings, and the latest even was watching the President's Independence Day ball on a big screen.

Wisdom, caution, courage

Sauli Koskinen entered the public consciousness six years ago as a 21-year-old adventurous young man spurred on by an enormous thirst for experience. He'd seen the world from behind Hesburger's counter and fry station, moved to the Canary Isles for four months out of boredom, and worked in a clothing store, where a customer urged him to go on Big Brother.

And go on Big Brother he did. In 2007, he walked out of the house as the third winner of Big Brother Finland. There was nothing unusual or particularly interesting about his life, but he was ready to share it with everyone.

- I don't regret doing it, but under the present circumstances, I wouldn't do it for any amount of money. Back then, I was just a thoughtless little boy who wanted to party and have fun. I didn't do it for publicity, but I also didn't pay any thought to what the show would bring.

Sauli says he was a little boy compared to what he is now. He turns 28 this month.

- I've matured, experienced a lot and moved on as a person. Six years isn't a long time, but it's been a significant period in my life. I've learned a lot from the people who have entered my life – how else do you learn as much as from other people?

Now that there is something, or someone, special in Sauli's life, he's a lot more protective of it.

- I still have a spontaneous spirit of adventure. When I go out with friends, I never know what's going to happen. I may still dance on tables and sing karaoke, but I now also carry a little voice of reason. I've gained wisdom and learned caution.

In addition to a sense of adventure, Sauli has courage. He moved to America without knowing English very well.

- I wish the best of luck to anyone who tries the same. I've never been one to just stand on the sidelines, but in the beginning, it was really hard to express myself in a foreign language. I felt like I was missing a lot and couldn't participate in conversation. I thought, ”damn it, this isn't me.” Even though life is good now, it's also been difficult at times, and my road hasn't been the easiest. Right now, my life is hectic and public, but this is the path I've chosen.

Sauli's family and close friends have helped him to cope, and he keeps in touch with them via Skype and other services.

- I'm lucky to have my best friends and sisters that I can call and vent to when I need it.

Reward for a quiet life

In addition to seeing friends and family, what brought Sauli to Finland this time was work and seeing Adam's concert in Helsinki. Before Finland, the popstar has toured Indonesia, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia, where Sauli also went.

As Adam continues his tour, Sauli will start shooting his new TV show on his home ground in Los Angeles. Due to air on Fox Finland, the lifestyle show will feature Sauli hosting visits to Finnish celebrities living in the US. Sauli doesn't want to reveal all of his ten guests just yet, but he will be visiting hair stylist Riku Campo and restauranter Stefan Richter in their homes and other locations important to them. The details were finalized in Helsinki during his visit.

Sauli has been dreaming of having his own TV show for a long time and is excited about his dream finally coming true.

- Of course I’m nervous about whether the show will succeed or tank. This is really important to me.

To Sauli, who in the eyes of the public is often defined by his famous partner, a high-profile project of his own is also significant in terms of raising his self-esteem.

- I’ve been dreaming of having my own gig. I’ve been laying low for a couple of years, just waiting for the right project to come along and turned down ideas that didn’t seem right for me. I feel like my patience is now being rewarded. I’m ready to do this!

Over the summer, Sauli will be returning to Finland on other work-related business. He’s already anticipating Helsinki in summer and being able to speak his native language again. But traveling does present its own challenges to a relationship, especially as there are two who travel.

- Finding time together is just a matter of arranging it. It’s important to me to get to visit Finland every so often, I need these trips home to see my loved ones. My happiness is defined by being close to them.

Article by Tanja Hakamo, photos by Susanna Kekkonen

Scans courtesy of @illuxxia (ty!): uploadingit.com/file/rodo50envdhjguve/menaiset-2013-12.jpg

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!! READ - Sweet On Peace Has Message For Adam Lambert 'Fans'.: http://www.therealstevegray.com/2013/03/read-sweet-on-peace-has-message-for-adam-lambert-fans/ …

ATTENTION GLAMBERTS!! Important message!! PLEASE SHARE ASAP
Hey glamberts, hope you are all well
It has been brought to my attention that Adams Wiki page is being altered and changed by fans. His team work hard to to keep it updated with OFFICIAL info to be seen in the public eye. It has become a frustration for them to see info changed. It is their job to release into the public arena, they know what they are doing and it’s VERY important for Adams profile that this info is controlled professionally.
Please help spread the word through all your fan communities, no one is trouble, and Im sure that any ‘modifications’ made by true fans was done in goodwill. But it is not for us to do.
I know Adams team will be greatly appreciative of your support in this.
Regards and love
Tammy @sweetonpeacexx