Baku

Iris

About Quick Facts NameLaura van den Bruel Born19 January 1995 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionEen Song Voor Iris In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWould You (2012) Biography Laura Van den Bruel, also known by her stage name Airis and as Iris, is a Belgian singer and designer. She wasborn on January 19, 1995, in Morkhoven, Belgium. Her career, spanning from 2010 to the present, showcases her versatility across genres like pop and country. Laura had her first and biggest hit, “Wonderful” in 2011. In 2012 she released her first album, “Seventeen”. Gaining prominence in 2012, she represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where she performed under the name Iris. Unfortunately, she did not advance to the Grand Final. Laura’s journey in the music industry is characterized by continuous evolution. After Eurovision, she explored various musical styles, further developing her artistic identity. She scored several hits, like “Welcome to my world” (2012), “Tomorrow I’ll be OK” (2013) and “Lost For One Day” (2014). Her songs “Heartbreaker” and “I’ll Stand By You” were no big successes. After this, she decided to change her career and followed a study in order to be a graphic designer. Although she still performs every now and then, she is currently also working as a graphic designer in Herentals. She is working at Ferem Design Studio. Under her own name, she released a song called “Avalon” in 2021. Entries Would You Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsNina SampermansJean Bosco SafariWalter Mannaerts MusicNina SampermansJean Bosco SafariWalter Mannaerts BackingsBillie BenteinJoke VinckeJana De Valck Results Semi Points: 16Position: 17Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/7Z_5s5gnrCM?si=CmTu6Ozc3eiUau65

Jónsi

About Quick Facts NameJón Jósep Snæbjörnsson Born01 June 1977 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2012Söngvakepnnin 2007Internal selection 2004 In Eurovision2012 Baku2004 Istanbul SongNever Forget (2012, with Greta Salóme)Heaven (2004) Biography Jónsi is an Icelandic singer. His full name is Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson, which is good to know as another Jónsi, the singer of Sigur Rós, is also a famous singer in Iceland. This Jónsi, however, played in a band called Í svörtum fötum. The band was active since 1999. In September 2001, the band secured a contract for four albums with Skifan Records and immediately began laying the groundwork for their sophomore album. Known for their dynamic stage presence and rigorous touring schedules, the band dedicated the summer of 2002 to completing their second album, Í svörtum fötum. The album not only went gold but also received favorable reviews. In 2003, they continued to build on their growing fame and improve their songcraft, achieving even more acclaim with their third album, Tengsl. That same year, Jónsi earned a nomination for Vocalist of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards, thanks to his standout performance. He has also consistently won accolades such as Male Vocalist of the Year and Best Live Performer in popular radio station polls. Beyond his work with the band, Jónsi has collaborated with some of Iceland’s most prominent musicians. In 2003, he took on the lead role of Danny Zuko in the musical Grease, opposite Birgitta as Sandy, turning the production into one of Iceland’s most successful theatrical performances. In 2004, Jónsi represented his country in the Eurovision Song Contest with a track titled “Heaven,” ending up in 19th place in the finals. In 2005 Jónsi released his debut solo album “Jónsi”. He made another attempt to represent Iceland in Eurovision during the selection process of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007, a TV competition to choose Iceland’s Eurovision entry. Performing the song “Segðu Mér,” he did not manage to qualify. Jónsi returned to the Eurovision stage in 2012, teaming up with singer Greta Salóme for the song “Never Forget.” The duo succeeded in reaching 8th place in the first semi-final, ultimately landing in 20th place in the final round held in Baku, Azerbaijan. After the Eurovision Song Contest Jónsi concentrated on other things: he got a degree in Psychology and a master in human resources. Meanwhile, he became an air steward. Entries Never Forget (& Greta Salóme) Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsGreta Salóme Stefánsdóttir MusicGreta Salóme Stefánsdóttir BackingsPétur Örn GuðmundssonAlma Rut KristinsdóttirGuðrun Árný KarlsdóttirGísli Magna Results Semi Points: 75Position: 8Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: 46Position: 20Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/zRqmHRbJvTo?si=pvKQgmReZ1iWux47 Heaven Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2004 LanguageEnglish LyricsMagnus Þór Sigmundsson MusicSveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 16Position: 19Running order: 17 https://youtu.be/fe5Sql0wKJI?si=ofbDQaUkZW8dxL3_

Max Jason Mai

About Quick Facts NameMiroslav Šmajda Born27 November 1988 Nationality🇸🇰 Slovak National SelectionInternal selection 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongDon’t Close Your Eyes (2012) Biography Miroslav “Miro” Šmajda, born on November 27, 1988, in Košice, Slovakia, is a dynamic Slovak singer who has made a significant mark in the music industry. Miro initially gained widespread recognition in the Czech and Slovak music scene through his participation in the inaugural season of the Česko Slovenská SuperStar in 2009, where he finished in second place. This early success laid the foundation for his career. Miro’s journey into the world of music began before his television fame. In 2006, he participated in the Košický Zlatý Poklad 2006, a musical contest, presenting his song “Suchý ľad” with his band Skivers. Although the song didn’t win over the judges, it marked the beginning of his journey in music composition and performance. His breakthrough came in 2009 with Česko Slovenská Superstar, catapulting him into the limelight. Following this success, Miro continued to perform and give concerts, rapidly growing his fan base. In the fall of 2010, he released his first original single, “Last Forever,” followed by a Slovak single, “Baby.” His debut album “Čo sa týka lásky,” recorded with the group Rosemaid, was released on November 8, 2010, showcasing his ability to blend emotive songwriting with captivating melodies. In 2010, Miro expanded his artistic reach by participating in the dance show Let’s Dance 4 alongside dancer Katarína Štumpfová. In March 2011, he won in three categories at the Žebřík 2010 awards: Album of the Year (“Čo sa týka lásky”), Song of the Year (“Last Forever”), and Discovery of the Year, cementing his status as a rising star in the Slovak music scene. Miro has performed at various Czech and Slovak festivals, including Votvírák, Sázavafest, Cibulafest, and Europa fest, showcasing his music to a diverse audience. In May 2011, he released a new single, “Loneliness,” accompanied by a music video on October 21, 2011, which remained in the top ranks of the TV Óčko chart for five weeks. On October 15, 2011, he embarked on his first tour, Miro Šmajda Goodbye Tour 2011, spanning nine Czech cities, bringing his music directly to his fans. On March 7, 2012, he was internally selected by RTVS to represent Slovakia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the name Max Jason Mai. He performed the song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” during the second semi-final evening, finishing in the 18th position. In 2015, Miro founded the band Terrapie and since 2017, he has been the frontman of the legendary Czech rock band Walda Gang, continuing his passion for music and performance. They released an album in 2018, “Je Tu Léto”. In 2018, Miro took part in Tvoja tvár znie povedome (Your Face Sounds Familiar). His solosingle “Youtuberi” was released in October of that year. In July 2019 his new song “Narkoman” came out. Two months later he joined with Terrapie for the video and release of two songs, recorded at the same day: “Do pekla jo!” and “Sněhurvu”, two months later followed by “Tam Život Je Fajn”. In early 2020, the song “Pán PRCtenů” came out. In the summer of 2021, a new tour with Walda Gang took place. Terrapie released a new album, entitled “Hevy MeNtal”. In the summer of 2023, Miro toured with both bands, Walda Gang and Terrapie. The new Terrapie single “Mařena” was released in July. In December 2023, the single “Diagnoza” came out. For this song, the band teamed up with Xholakys and Pilsen Voice. Entries Don’t close your eyes Country🇸🇰 Slovakia Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsMax Jason Mai MusicMax Jason Mai BackingsBranislav JurnečkaTomas GabrisSamuel JurnečkaRadovan Gardian Results Semi Points: 22Position: 18Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/OTXz60794lI?si=4IdItV7DOrS8F6ym

Anri Jokhadze

About Quick Facts NameAnri Jokhadze Born06 November 1980 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionGeorgian national final 2012Georgian national final 2009 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongI’m A Joker (2012) Biography Anri Jokhadze, born on November 6, 1980, in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a multifaceted artist known for his contributions as a pop singer, composer, music video director, and TV presenter. He has carved a unique niche in the Georgian music scene with his remarkable talent and creative versatility. Jokhadze’s musical journey began at the tender age of four. From this early age, he demonstrated a natural flair for singing, which led him to participate in various contests and concerts, both in Georgia and internationally. His passion for music extended beyond just performance; he is also the author of many songs and has served as a screenwriter for video clips. This wide array of talents has made Anri a significant figure in the Georgian music industry. In 1998, Jokhadze embarked on his professional music career, marking the beginning of a journey filled with achievements and accolades. Over the years, he has won an impressive thirteen music awards, earning him the title of “The Georgian Golden Voice”. His discography, reflecting his artistic evolution, includes albums such as “Me Maints Moval” (2005), “I Appear on the Stage Again” (2006), and “New Songs” (2011). Each album showcases his ability to blend traditional Georgian music with contemporary sounds, creating a unique and appealing style. Anri’s international recognition soared when he represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with his dynamic performance of “I’m a Joker”. However, his Eurovision journey began earlier, as he was a backing vocalist for Diana Gurtskaya’s “Peace Will Come” in the 2008 contest. In 2009, he participated in the national selection with the song “I (Want You Back)”. His involvement with Eurovision continued beyond his performance in 2012, as he composed the Georgian entry “Keep the Faith,” performed by Tamara Gachechiladze in the 2017 contest. These participations not only highlighted his talents but also brought Georgian music to an international audience. Aside from his own singing career, Anri has played a pivotal role in nurturing new talent. He has worked as a producer for many newcomer singers, guiding them in their artistic development and helping them navigate the complex music industry. His commitment to fostering new talent speaks volumes about his dedication to the growth and sustainability of Georgian music. Entries I’m A Joker Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsBibi Kvachadze MusicRusudan Chkhaidze BackingsNino DzotsenidzeVeriko TurashviliNini ShermadiniMagdalena Jokhadze DancerSalomé Chachua Results Semi Points: 36Position: 14Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/xfpKnMBjdrU?si=lhAOQiPbMvYXR9S8

Nina Badrić

About Quick Facts NameNina Badrić Born04 July 1972 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatia National SelectionInternal selection 2012Dora 2003Dora 1995Dora 1994Dora 1993 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongNebo (2012) Biography Nina Badrić is a Croatian singer and songwriter. She was born on July 4, 1972, in Zagreb, Croatia, In the 1990s, Nina first gained recognition as a member of the group Boa, but it was her solo career that truly spotlighted her talents. In three consecutive years, 1993 (“Ostavijam te”, 7th), 1994 (“Godine nestvarne”, 10th) and 1995 (“Odlažis zauvijek”, 17th) she took part in Dora, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She released her debut album “Godine nestvarne” in 1995, which set her apart in the Croatian music industry with its unique blend of pop and soulful elements. Following albums such as “Personality” (1997) and “Nina” (2000) cemented her status as a leading artist in Croatia, showcasing her ability to deliver both energetic tracks and heartfelt ballads. Her song “Da se opet tebi vratim” became emblematic of her emotional depth and vocal range. Nina’s influence extended beyond Croatia, earning her a significant following throughout the Balkans. Her 2003 album “Ljubav” featured hits like “Čarobno jutro” and “Takvi kao ti,” which resonated widely across the region. “Čarobno jutro” was also the runner up in Dora 2003. Her music’s emotional depth struck a chord with a diverse audience, further solidifying her reputation. Nina represented Croatia in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Nebo,” which showcased her on an international stage. Unfortunately, Nina did not manage to reach the final. Following her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Nina Badrić went on a regional arena tour. In 2013, she collaborated with Bosnian singer Mirza Šoljanin to record the duet “Duše su se srele.” Then, in January 2015, Badrić teamed up with Serbian singer Željko Vasić to release another duet titled “Lozinka za raj.” In 2016, Badrić joined forces with various artists, including Shorty, Ivana Husar, Marija Husar, the Palić Sisters, Alan Hržica, and the band Emanuel, to record the song “Želim živjeti.” This collaboration was part of a campaign against abortion. Additionally, in July 2016, Badrić performed her song “Dani i godine” at the wedding ceremony of Ana Ivanovic and Bastian Schweinsteiger. In 2021, Nina released a new live album called “Arena Zagreb”, a full concert she gave in the year before in Zagreb. A year later, a new studio album came out: “Peristil sentimenti”. Entries Nebo Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2021 LanguageCroatian LyricsNina Badrić MusicNina Badrić BackingsJelena MajićIvana ČabrajaDanijela Večerinović DancersIgor BarberićDinko Zec Results Semi Points: 42Position: 12Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/QzdI4yuqwzY?si=4-w6IxYSxsr1M5vr

Eva Boto

About Quick Facts NameEva Boto Born01 December 1995 Nationality🇸🇮 Slovenian National SelectionMisija Evrovizija 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongVerjamem (2012) Biography Eva Boto is a Slovenian singer from Šentjanž. As a 10-year-old girl, she performed at the Super Chris International Song Contest in Austria and won. She has also participated at the FeNS Youth Festival, where she reached 1st place in 2008 and became third in 2009. In 2010 she was proclaimed the most talented singer in Ljubljana. She became known to the wider Slovenian public by participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song “Verjamem”. In the same year she attended another Slovenian festival – Melodij morja in sonca, where she presented the song “Dvigni mi krila” and became 2nd. She also performed at Poletni noči, an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Slovenian Song. The year 2012 was also marked by a collaboration with Jan Plestenjak on the song “To leto bo moje”, one of the biggest Slovenian hits of the year. In 2013, she released the song “Plus in Minus,” and in 2014 she wrote “Na kožo pisana”, for which she also recorded a video. In 2015, she participated in the Slove’n’aid project and recorded with her 15 other Slovenian musicians the charity single “En svet”. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in the Faculty of Education in Maribor. In September 2014, she won the grand prix at the International Festival for Young Singers of Silver Yantra in Bulgaria, and in November she was second at the Doua Inimi Gemene Festival in Moldova. In 2015, she joined the group Black Cat. In 2016, she won another Slovenian song contest with the ballad “Kaj je to življenje”. She participated in season 5 of The Famous show Znan obraz ima svoj glas (=Your face sounds familiar). In November 2019, her debut album, “Ko najdeš sebe” was released. In the years 2020/21, she released the singles ‘Zavedno,’ ‘Ti,’ ‘Ko najdeš sebe,’ and ‘Kdo ti bo dušo dal.’ With these, she won the most points from the audience and radio stations at the Melodijah morja in sonca 2021. In 2022, she marked 10 years of her career with a series of concerts throughout Slovenia. That same year, she released two more singles, ‘Misliš na njo’ and ‘Nočem, da greš,’ which were very well received by the public. In 2022, she released her first Christmas song ‘Za božič kot otrok,’ which was one of the most frequently played Christmas songs on Slovenian radio stations that year. In the summer of 2023, she released the song ‘Sam da ne zebe.’” Entries Verjamem Country🇸🇮 Slovenia Year2012 LanguageSlovenian LyricsIgor Pirković MusicVladimir GraićHari Varešanović BackingsHari VarešanovićIzudin KolečićKarlo MartinovićNihad Voloder Results Semi Points: 31Position: 17Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/jEHNRKnrWiU?si=beWGBPLS-pMMX6V1

Sofi Marinova

About Quick Facts NameSofiya Marinova Kamenova Born05 December 1975 Nationality🇧🇬 Bulgarian National SelectionBŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2012”Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2007”Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2005” In Eurovision2012 Baku SongLove Unlimited (2012) Biography Sofi Marinova, born on December 5, 1975, in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a distinguished singer known for her remarkable vocal talent and diverse musical style. Her journey in the music industry, marked by notable achievements and participation in significant events like the Eurovision Song Contest, reflects her dedication and versatility as an artist. Raised in the village of Brusen, Marinova’s musical inclination was evident from an early age, nurtured by her mother’s guidance in music and dance. Her talent drew the attention of local orchestra musicians in her teenage years, leading her to embark on a singing career despite her father’s initial reservations. Marinova’s repertoire, encompassing hits by Dragana Mirkovic, Michael Jackson, Sandra, Whitney Houston, and traditional Gypsy songs, showcases her versatility. At 17, she won a Romani music festival in Osikovitsa with the Gypsy song “Ochite mi mnogo plachat” and later secured first place at a Stara Zagora festival with “Stari rani” and “Slŭnchice moe”. Her professional career began with Ara Audio-Video, collaborating with Super Express on the album “Stari rani”. Solo albums followed, including “Edinstven moĭ” and “Moyat sŭn”. She later recorded an entire album with Super Express, “Pesni ot sŭrtse”, initially intended to feature only four of her songs. Marinova continued to release successful albums like “5 oktavi lyubov”, “Obicham”, “Ostani”, “Vreme Spi”, “Vip”, and “Sophie Marinova” with Sunny Music, where she also worked with rapper Ustata. Her accolades are numerous, including “singer of the year” at Nov Folk magazine’s first awards. She won at the Golden Mustang in 1999 with “Protegni luke” and at the Erato Festival with “Moyat sun”, evidencing her appeal across different cultures. A pivotal moment in her career was her participation in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Bulgaria with the song “Love Unlimited”. Although she didn’t advance to the finals, her performance brought her international recognition and showcased her unique blend of pop, folk, and Roma music on a grand stage. Beyond music, Marinova has been active in television, participating in shows like VIP Brother (2009) and Kato dve kapki voda (2018, 2021). She was also a jury member on Zvezdite v nas in 2022. Entries Love Unlimited Country🇧🇬 Bulgaria Year2012 LanguageBulgarian LyricsDonka Vasileva MusicKrum GeoprievIasen Kozev Backings– Results Semi Points: 45Position: 11Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/WAUAETPcFBI?si=EZBVbKUdr7O3ibgJ

Filipa Sousa

About Quick Facts NameFilipa Alexandra Nunes Alves de Sousa Born02 March 1985 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival Da Canção 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongVida Minha (2012) Biography Filipa Sousa, born on March 2, 1985, in Albufeira, is a Portuguese singer. Her musical career began in 2003 as a member of the Portuguese group Al-Mouraria. That same year, she auditioned for the second edition of Operação Triunfo, a Portuguese reality TV show and music competition, reaching the top 30 finalists. In 2007, Sousa auditioned again for Operação Triunfo, this time reaching the final 15 and gaining public recognition. Her breakthrough came in 2008 when she won the Grande Noite de Fado in Algarve, a prestigious Fado singing competition in Portugal. Sousa’s major international exposure occurred in 2012 when she represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. She performed the song “Vida Minha,”. Unfortunately she didn’t make it to the final. Still in 2012, she recorded the track ‘Sunset Lovers’ in partnership with DJs Christian F and Dj Gonzalez, released by Exclusive Records (Vidisco). The success of this track led to its inclusion in several compilations that summer, and the label even organized a contest for other DJs to produce new remixes. In 2017, she released the single ‘Há lá coisa bem melhor’. A year later the song was followed by “Acreditar”, followed by an album with the same name in early 2019. She released another single from this album, “Miradouro, O Filme”. On 13 June 2020, she gave a concert in Albufeira which was transmitted online, due to the COVID19 regulations. In September 2021 she was a candidate for the municipal council of Albufeira for the political party MIPA. Entries Minha Vida Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2012 LanguagePortuguese LyricsCarlos Coelho MusicAndrej Babić BackingsCarla RibeiroAna Rita InácioFilipe FontenellePedro CoelhoEduardo Marques Results Semi Points: 39Position: 13Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/fk5i7Hfyy3o?si=xvZPkaCredei7lry

Litesound

About Quick Facts MembersDmitry KariakinVladimir KariakinJacopo MassaAlex KolchinIgnat Yakovich Founded2005 Nationality🇧🇾 Belarusian🇮🇹 Italian (Jacopo)🇷🇺 Russian (Alex) National SelectionEurofest 2012Eurofest 2009Eurofest 2008Eurofest 2007Eurofest 2006 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWe Are The Heroes (2012) Biography Litesound is a Belarusian pop rock band formed in 2005 by brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin. The band’s journey began earlier, in 2002, as an acoustic duo. Their transformation into the quartet Litesound in 2005 marked the start of their notable musical career. With the addition of bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Genko, they won the Maiori International Music Festival in Italy in 2006, which led to a collaboration with Italian singer Jacopo Massa, eventually becoming an official member of the band. Litesound participated in various Eurofest competitions, aiming to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest. They competed in 2006 with “My Faith,” in 2008 with “Do You Believe,” and in 2009 with “Carry On.” Their debut album, “Going to Hollywood,” was released in 2010. The band’s persistence paid off in 2012 when they were chosen to represent Belarus in Eurovision with the song “We Are the Heroes,” following a voting fraud investigation in the national selection process. Subsequent years saw changes in the band’s lineup. In 2013, Alex Kolchin left, and the Doronkin brothers joined. The band released the Christmas single “Shooting Star” in 2013. In 2016, they collaborated with Moldovan singer Katherine for their fifth Eurovision attempt with the song “Imagine,” but later withdrew. In 2017, Evgeny Balchuys joined as the new bassist, and the band released “The Whole World.” Their second album, also titled “Litesound,” was released in 2018. In 2019, the band released “Champion” as the official song for the European Games in Minsk and “Fight For The Dream” for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The band’s outspoken criticism of the Belarusian authorities’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 led to repercussions, including being denied concert opportunities. The Karyakin brothers and their parents were detained in October 2022 and sentenced in March 2023 for participating in the 2020 protests. Entries We Are The Heroes Country🇧🇾 Belarus Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsDmitry KariakinVladimir Kariakin MusicNames BackingsAlex Panayi Results Semi Points: 35Position: 16Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/-JWbOKNaIAo?si=nhwOsDC05W1toVNq

Joan Franka

About Quick Facts NameJoany Franka Johanna Ayten Hazebroek Born02 April 1990 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongYou And Me (2012) Biography Joan Franka is a Dutch singer and songwriter. In 2010, she was scouted to participate in The Voice of Holland. She was eliminated in the 4th live show. During this program, she was approached by Holger Schwedt to make an album. During the first season of The Voice of Holland, Franka sang several songs, from which “Foolish Games” and “Promise Me” reached the Dutch Single Top 100. Joan Franka was one of the six participants selected for the National Song Festival 2012. With the song ‘You and Me’,), she won the contest. This allowed her to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. To support the lyrics of ‘You and Me’, she performed wearing a Native American headdress. Immediately after her victory at the National Song Festival in 2012, she sold the sales rights of the song ‘You and Me’ to John de Mol’s record company, 8ball Music. The winning song ‘You and Me’ debuted at number 1 in the Dutch Single Top 100 and number 3 in the 3FM Mega Top 50 the week after the National Song Festival. Franka made headlines as controversy arose around her wearing the Native American headdress during her performance at the national song festival. The controversy stemmed from a statement by a Native American support group called Real Indian Nation, who claimed that Native Americans might protest if she wore the headdress again. During the Eurovision on May 24, she received 31 points from the jury and 51 points from the public, achieving a fifteenth place, which was not enough to advance to the top ten for the final. After the contest, she had a conflict with her record company and had to pay off her contract for two years, leading to financial difficulties. In 2013, she worked as a street musician in Paris for a while. In mid-2014, she started studying at the Herman Brood Academy. In October 2014, her new song titled ‘Nigel’ was released. From 2015, she presented herself as Luba the Baroness and participated in Popronde 2016. In 2017, she completed her education at the Herman Brood Academy. In 2019, she released two new singles, “The end” and “Bad Boy”.In March 2023, Joan teamed up with Valentino at the Flakkaboem Sessions, where she performed two new songs. One month later, she was part of the show Better Than Ever, where she told her side of the Eurovision story. She also released her album “Luba The Baroness”, an album she recorded already in 2017. Entries You And Me Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoan Franka MusicJoan FrankaJessica Hoogenboom BackingsErica GroeneveldRens DambergArjen RommensMarc UdoBrendo Festen Results Semi Points: 35Position: 15Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/JCc0Iiu3DiU?si=u2LhwQdA5byKun5l