TV4's choice of Arash "Ash" Pournouri as a new jury member in "Idol" received strong criticism on social media. Pournouri is known for having discovered and managed world star Tim "Avicii" Bergling, who took his life in 2018.
In a notable documentary, Pournouri was accused of having pushed the star too hard, and he was subjected to massive online hate after the artist's death.
Pournouri has given only a few interviews since Avicii's death, but in SR's "Sunday Interview", he now gives his account of his and the star's relationship.
For eight years, Tim and I became very close. He was someone I cared about extremely much, he says.
Ease
With the song "Levels" (2011), Avicii became known worldwide. At the same time, he struggled with anxiety and addiction problems.
I did everything I could to ease things for him. That's why all the fictional claims about our relationship are so hard to swallow, says Pournouri.
Out of respect, he does not want to go into details about Bergling's condition, but describes a stressed and anxious soul. Having control over the "Avicii brand" became Pournouri's way of calming things down, but as everything grew, it started to get shaky.
I felt very alone for long periods. As I saw it, it was just Tim and I, even though we had a team. At the same time, he was an adult, and I couldn't force him to do anything, says Pournouri.
After their collaboration ended in 2016, they had sporadic contact. When asked if Pournouri could have done something differently during the last two years, he answers:
I think everyone thinks that, considering the outcome. When we worked together, there were no signs that it would be so serious that it would lead to his death. But in hindsight, I think I should have let go of everything and gone there at the slightest indication.
Not been able to mourn
When the storm against Pournouri was at its worst, he received five death threats a day, he says. The worst has he, however, repressed.
But it's nothing I would wish on anyone. But I'm not playing the victim, I've moved on and kept my integrity.
The day he received the news of Bergling's death, he describes as the toughest day of his life:
I still haven't been able to mourn properly. This is something I'll never get over, I carry it with me in several ways. Sometimes it still doesn't feel like he's not there.
Name: Arash Andreas Pournouri.
Age: 43 years.
Occupation: Songwriter, music manager, music producer.
Current: New jury member in TV4's "Idol", which premieres on August 31.
