Female Artists

Mei Finegold

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameMeital Slominsky Born16 December 1982 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongSame Heart (2014) Biography Mei Finegold is an Israeli singer and actress. She served as a soloist in bands such as Dizziak and Adom. As a member of Dizziak, the band performed, among others, at the Arad Festival 2009, and released a single named “Spank”. In 2009, Feingold gained exposure when she participated in the seventh season of the show Kokhav Nolad. She made it to the finals and finished in third place. After her elimination, Mei performed her hit “Ta’am Menta” in the final, with which she had passed the first audition of the season. She released her single in the shortest time. Afterward, she released the singles: “Todah”, “Mah Nishtana”, “Rega Beyam” and “Tamshichi lachalom”. In April 2010, she told in an interview to Channel 2 News that when she was working in her youth in Eilat, she was sexually assaulted. About that, she wrote her song “Mah Nishtana” which was released as a single. The song describes a case of rape of a girl who goes out to have fun, done using a date rape drug. The song caused a public storm following its lyrics and the provocative music video. On July 23, 2010, her first album “Soda Pop” was released. In June 2010, she began to appear in a musical based on the songs of Shlomo Artzi, “Laila Lo Shakhet”. Finegold also won the title “The Cameri’s Discovery of the Year” for her role in the musical. In the summer of 2011, Mei Finegold joined the band Limuzina Express which includes two members of the Mashina band, Michael Benson and Avner Hodorov, and DJ Yaniv Gold. Limuzina Express is a contemporary electro-pop band with an 80s vibe. Limuzina Express opened for Roxette, while Mei Finegold was in the ninth month of her pregnancy, and a few hours after the show, Mei gave birth to her eldest daughter Emily. On August 7, 2012, the song “Timunot”, the first single from Mei Finegold’s second album, which she wrote with Avner Hodorov, and composed herself, was released. The single was played extensively on various radio stations and made it to the Gimel network chart for ten weeks. From the end of 2012, Finegold stars as Rosa, the owner of the Jaffa club, in the renewed production of Kazablan, at the Cameri Theater. For this role, Finegold won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Israeli Theater Awards for 2012. On January 14, 2013, Finegold released her second single on her way to her second album, “Lehitra’ot Machar”. The single was played extensively on various radio stations and even reached first place in the Gimmel network chart. On January 11, 2014, a committee of the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) chose Finegold to represent Israel in the Eurovision 2014. In February, Finegold recorded three songs, from which the audience choose the song that she would sing in Eurovision. At the end of the vote count, the song “Same Heart” was announced as the one that would represent Israel in Eurovision, after it won 55% of the total votes. On May 8, 2014, she participated in the Eurovision semi-finals, but did not make it to the finals. At the end of 2014, she began participating in the musical “Hair”. From the end of 2016, she played the role of “Fantine” in the musical “Les Misérables”. Starting from the summer of 2017, Finegold performed in the children’s musical show “Gonevi Haneshikot”, together with Uri Banai and the Moran Choir. In 2018, Finegold competed in the musical reality show The Four and was eliminated in the sixth episode. Starting from July 2019, she performed in the musical “Flashdance” at the Tel Aviv Theater. In 2020, Finegold began playing in the musical “Legally Blonde” in the role of Brooke Windham, the fitness trainer. Also in 2020, Mei became a Pilates trainer. During the lockdowns, she did online training. In December of that year, she released a new song and video, “Va ani ha yam”. In 2022, she started playing in the musical Night in Paris, where she played the role of Emily. In 2023 she toured throughout Israel with the Magical Mistery Tour Band. Entries Same Heart Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2014 LanguageEnglishHebrew LyricsRami Talmid MusicRami Talmid Backings– DancersShiran LagzielMarin Teremets Results Semi Points: 19Position: 14Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/acOZVEN5XjE

Cristina Scarlat

About Quick Facts NameCristina Scarlat Born03 March 1981 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO Melodie Pentru Europa 2014O Melodie Pentru Europa 2013O Melodie Pentru Europa 2011O Melodie Pentru Europa 2010 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongWild Soul (2014) Biography Cristina Scarlat is a Moldovan singer and songwriter who is best known for representing her country in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014. She was born on March 3, 1981, in Chișinău, Moldova. Scarlat’s career in music began at a very young age, with an education deeply rooted in the arts. She studied piano and voice at the Ciprian Porumbescu High School in Chișinău. She then furthered her studies at the Moldova State Academy of Music, Theatre, and Fine Arts where she earned a master’s degree in vocal performance and a postgraduate degree in music pedagogy and art management. Throughout her career, Scarlat has actively participated in numerous music competitions. She first tried to represent Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010 and 2011, but she was unsuccessful. However, in 2014, she won O Melodie Pentru Europa, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with her song “Wild Soul.” This victory gave her the opportunity to represent Moldova at Eurovision in Copenhagen, Denmark. Unfortunately, her performance didn’t qualify for the finals, finishing in 16th place in the first semi-final. The follow up for the Eurovision Song came in September of the same year: “Suspans”. In December she teamed up with Aurel Chirtoaca to record the song “Dragostea vine de sus”. In December 2015, a new song was released, “Pași prin frunze”. In April 2016 she performed at the event Balul de primăvară – Aquarelle in Chișinău. The show “Ego”, which she did in 2019, was a show were she was accompanied by the Philharmonic Proactive Orchestra, with artistic director and principal conductor Mihail Agafița, directed by Daniela Burlaca. She also performed at Balul de primăvară – Aquarelle again. Cristina Scarlat teamed up with Eugen Doga for another performance. In December 2021, Cristina was part of the Festivalul de Romanțe, where she performed with the Foklore Orchestra directed by Petrea Neamțu. A year later she colaborated with the Intact-Art studios to do a fundraising for a girl who needed a surgical intervention on her ears in the USA. Also in December 2022, she performed at the Noroc Fest. In addition to her solo career, Cristina Scarlat held the position of the Head of the Project Management Department at the Ministry of Culture of Moldova, displaying her commitment not just to her personal musical journey, but also to the advancement of Moldovan culture and arts. Entries Wild Soul Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsLidia Scarlat MusicIvan Akulov Backings– DancersVadim BianchinLilian CarausDragos HioaraEugen Simac Results Semi Points: 13Position: 16Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/l9ZfGttI4P0

Alyosha

About Quick Facts NameOlena Oleksandrivna Kucher Born14 May 1986 Nationality🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionEvrobachennya Ukrayina 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongSweet people (2010) Biography Olena Oleksandrivna Kucher, professionally known as Alyosha and more recently as Olena Topolia, is a Ukrainian singer, composer, and songwriter born on May 14, 1986, in Zaporizhzhia. Olena’s musical journey began in her childhood. She was born to a traffic officer, Oleksandr Mykolayovych Kucher, and an aviation plant worker, Lyudmyla Fedorivna Kucher. Her early years were marked by family activities such as helping her father sell fish and participating in her brothers’ karate and kung fu training sessions, earning her the nickname Lyoshka. Her formal music education started early, singing in a school choir and attending the “Youth” music studio. She later honed her skills by graduating from the Faculty of Pop Vocal at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts. Olena’s breakthrough came in 2006 when she won the international competition Yalta 2006, featuring contestants from 14 countries. Two years later, she triumphed at the International TV Competition Songs of the Sea, competing against representatives from 12 countries, including the USA and Poland. In 2010, Olena won the national selection for Eurovision with the song “To be free,”. The song, however, was withdrawn following plagiarism accusations. Instead, she sang the song “Sweet people”. Her performance in Oslo earned her a spot in the final, where she finished tenth. That same year, she released her English-language album “A World Outside Your Door” in the USA under Sony BMG. Olena’s career continued to flourish. In 2011, she was named “Singer of the Year” in Ukraine’s Favorites of Success rating. Known for her impressive four-octave vocal range, she has written many of her own songs and composed for other artists, including Nataliia Mohylevska and the duo Oleksiy Potapenko and Anastasiia Kamenskykh. Her album “Tocka na karte” (Point on the Map), released in 2015, and the song “Poruch” (Nearby) in 2016, showcased her versatility. The music video for her song “Kalyna,” released in 2017, became a YouTube sensation with about 7 million views in a year. The song earned her several nominations and wins at the M1 Music Awards and the “Golden Firebird” awards in 2018. In 2019, Olena embarked on the “Poruch” tour, performing in 20 cities across Ukraine. She also collaborated with Vlad Darwin, releasing the joint album “Golden Mean” and the song “Happiness Without Guilt.” In 2023, she performed at Eurovision again, this time as an interval act in a duet with Rebecca Ferguson, singing “Ordinary World.” Later that year, she transitioned from her stage name Alyosha to perform under her real name, Olena Topolia, marking a new chapter in her illustrious career. Entries Sweet People Country🇺🇦 Ukraine Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsOlena ‘Alyosha’ Kucher MusicBorys KukobaOlena ‘Alyosha’ KucherVadim Lisitsa Backings– Results Semi Points: 77Position: 7Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 108Position: 10Running order: 17 https://youtu.be/20CPPV_uwmE?si=gbS_3hd-Sd6TWef-

Hera Björk

EBU/Alma Bengtsson About Quick Facts NameHera Björk Þórhallsdóttir Born29 March 1972 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2024Söngvakeppnin 2019Söngvakeppnin 2010Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2009 In Eurovision2024 Malmö2010 Oslo SongScared Of Heights (2024)Je Ne Sais Quoi (2010) Biography Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir, born on 29 March 1972, is an Icelandic vocalist celebrated for her significant contributions to music both in her home country and internationally. Hera started performing at a young age – she had already recorded some children’s songs and appeared in television commercials before her twelfth birthday. She won her first singing competition in 1988 aged just sixteen. Hera’s debut album in 1999 was “Litla Hryllingsbúðin (Little Shop of Horror)”, “Alltaf í Boltanum – Áfram Ísland”, and “Principium -Schola Cantorum”. The year 2000 saw the release of “Ilmur af Jólum / The Scent of Christmas” and “Disneylögin”, marking her ability to blend traditional Icelandic music with international themes. Her subsequent albums include “Landslag Bylgjunnar – Engum nema þér” and “Audi Creator Coeli” in 2001, followed by “Svarta Platan” and “Á Jólunum” in 2002. The years 2003 to 2009 were particularly productive for Hera Björk, with releases such as “Í faðmi þínum”, “Við gefum von”, and her solo album in 2006, demonstrating her growth as an artist. Collaborations with other artists, such as “Montagne Azzurre – Leone Tinganelli” in 2007 and various projects with The Frostroses in 2008 and 2009, highlight her versatility and ability to work across different musical landscapes. Also in 2009, Hera Björk took part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the Danish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She was the runner up with “Someday”. Her journey on the international stage took a notable turn in 2010 when she represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Je ne sais quoi”. Despite finishing 19th, her participation marked a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her talent to a broader European audience. Hera Björk’s international acclaim further solidified in 2013 when she competed in the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile. Her entry, “Because You Can”, won the Best Song category, underscoring her prowess as a singer and performer on the global stage. The years 2010 and 2013 were significant for her career, with the release of her Eurovision song “Je Ne Sais Quoi” and the award-winning “Because You Can”. Additionally, the release of “Ilmur af jólum 2” in 2013 showcased her continued appeal and talent. Hera Björk decided to participate in Söngvakeppnin again in 2019, when she reached a 4th place with the song “Moving on”. In 2015, she was a backing vocal in the Icelandic team at the Eurovision Song Contest. In addition to her successful international outings, Hera Björk has been a constant presence in Iceland’s music scene. Her versatility and range have allowed her to explore various genres and themes throughout her career. In 2024, she was chosen to represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time, this time with the song “Scared of Heights”. Unfortunately, this time she didn’t manage to reach the final. Entries Scared Of Heights Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsÁsdis Maria ViðardóttirMichael BurekJaro OmarFerras Alqaisi MusicÁsdis Maria ViðardóttirMichael BurekJaro OmarFerras Alqaisi BackingsÁgústa Ósk ÓskarsdottirArnar JónssonÍris Hólm JónsdottirVilli Ósk Results Semi Points: 3Position: 15Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/VChBgcycVl8?si=tWjM544QX9ceLTlv Je Ne Sais Quoi Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsÖrlygur Jakobsson SmáriHera Björk Þórhallsdóttir MusicÖrlygur Jakobsson SmáriHera Björk Þórhallsdóttir BackingsHeiða ÓlafsdóttirKristján GíslasonPétur Örn GuðmundssonErna Hrönn ÓlafsdóttirKristjana Stefánsdóttir Results Semi Points: 123Position: 3Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 41Position: 19Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/qXLqw4UpJ1w?si=jEZXSfUmNLs8U1wH

Sofia Nizharadze

About Quick Facts NameSopho Nizharadze Born06 February 1985 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionGeorgian national final 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongShine (2010) Biography Sopho “Sofia” Nizharadze, a Georgian singer, actress, and songwriter of notable descent, embarked on her musical journey at a tender age. Her great-grandmother, Dürye, of Turkish origin, migrated to Tsarist Russia during the Ottoman Empire and later settled in Georgia after marrying a Georgian professor’s son. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Nizharadze was nurtured into the arts early by her mother and exhibited prodigious talent from the start. At three years old, Nizharadze began performing professionally, captivating audiences with her talent. By seven, she joined a children’s music studio at the invitation of Jansug Kakhidze, a celebrated Georgian conductor, taking a leading vocal role in various shows and TV projects. Her performance of “Sous le ciel de Paris” at the French Embassy at eleven caught the attention of journalist Bernard Pivot, who invited her to appear on his TV5 program. Throughout her adolescence, Nizharadze amassed accolades in international young singer contests, such as “Bravo, Bravissimo!” in Mini La Scala, Italy, “Crystal Note” in Moscow, Russia, and “Crystal Fur-tree” in Borjomi, Georgia. She further honed her craft by participating in festivals across Russia, Turkey, Italy, Latvia, and Georgia, ultimately winning several contests by the age of 17. Her academic achievements paralleled her musical ascension. Nizharadze graduated with honors from the Musical Academy under the Tbilisi State Conservatory, where she studied piano and vocals, before continuing her education at the Academy of Theatre and Arts in Russia (GITIS) and earning honors from the Gnessin State Musical College in Moscow. Transitioning to more mature roles, Nizharadze took leading parts in musicals and, by 2004, landed a main role in Gerard Presgurvic’s musical in Moscow. Her performance prowess led her to the finals of the New Wave Festival in Jūrmala, Latvia, in 2005. However, the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia prompted her return to Georgia, where she performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit. Nizharadze’s international profile soared in 2010 when she represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Shine,” having been selected through a national final where her song was chosen from over 100 entries. This period of her life not only heightened her international appeal but also led to a suggestion by President Mikheil Saakashvili for her consideration as Georgia’s Minister of Culture. In the years following Eurovision, Nizharadze’s career flourished. She performed across Europe and Asia, collaborating with artists like José Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Chris de Burgh, and Julio Iglesias. In 2013, she released a single “When We Danced,” followed by an album in March 2014 that included “Shine.” Her talents and insights as a seasoned artist were further recognized in 2016 and 2017, when she served as a judge on the Georgian format of X Factor. In July 2016, she released the song “Mapatie”. In 2017, she was a judge at Georgia’s got Talent. In January 2017 she teamed up with Ursa to record an old Georgian folk song, “Svanuri”, and release a video of it. At the Golden Wave music awards she was voted Best Female Artist. At the BAMA Music Awards she was voted best Georgian Act. In 2018 she was also one of the judges of Mkholod Kartuli (Georgian Idol). Again she won the prize for best female artist at the Golden Wave music awards in 2018, something she also did in 2019 and 2020. In May of that year she teamed up with Giorgi Kelaptrishvili for a duet: “Dzveli hangi”. The song reached over a million views on YouTube. She also won a Wave music Award again, now for Best Remake. In 2023, Sofia had a role in the musical “Zekrat”, playing in Batumi, Georgia in july. Entries Shine Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsHanne SørvaagHarry SommerdahlChristian Leuzzi MusicHanne SørvaagHarry SommerdahlChristian Leuzzi BackingsHelen KalandadzeSopho Toroshelidze DancersFrancesca LavecchiaFrançois DoppiaJérôme Piel Results Semi Points: 106Position: 3Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 136Position: 9Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/y5yTMGxFiPw?si=iG48eCX1G3SPT45Z

Molly Smitten-Downes

About Quick Facts NameMolly Alice Smitten-Downes Born02 April 1987 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionInternal selection 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongChildren Of The Universe (2014) Biography Molly Alice Smitten-Downes, simply known as Molly, is a British singer-songwriter, born on April 2, 1987. Molly’s early life was spent in Anstey, Leicestershire, but she was raised in Rothley and attended Our Lady’s Convent School in Loughborough. Her first stage performances started when she was only eight years old. She pursued her interest in music by studying at Leicester College and the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey. She was associated with the British electronic music ensemble, Stunt. Their collaboration with Sash!, “Raindrops (Encore une fois)”, a mashup of “Raindrops” and “Encore une fois”, earned them recognition in 2008. Molly collaborated with Basshunter, a Swedish producer and singer/songwriter in 2009 for “I Will Learn to Love Again,” which features in his second UK album, Bass Generation. Molly released her acoustic EP, “Fly Away with Me”, on 18 December 2011. Grime artist Marger sampled one of its tracks, “Shadows,” which was subsequently released on iTunes through 360 Records. Her collaborations with Swedish producer Anders Hansson (“Beneath The Lights”) and producer Darren Styles (“Never Forget”) were launched in April 2013 and recorded in 2012 respectively. Molly was honored with the Best Urban/Pop Act at Live and Unsigned in 2012 and won Best Song at the Best of British Unsigned Music Awards in 2013. After earning recognition from BBC Introducing, Molly was approached by Guy Freeman, the executive producer and head of delegation of Eurovision for the BBC. Initially skeptical, she eventually agreed to the proposal of performing a self-composed work on a global platform. On March 3, 2014, Molly’s selection to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with “Children of the Universe” was announced by the BBC. Molly authored the song, expressing her desire to create music that “dissolves political barriers”. Prior to the contest, she signed a record contract with Warner Music UK on April 1, 2014, and announced the release of “Children of the Universe” on April 28, 2014. Despite being one of the favorites, Molly finished 17th in the Eurovision final on May 10, 2014. Molly was invited to perform at the Glastonbury Festival on June 27, 2014. She was also recognized for her musical achievements at Leicester College with an honorary award on November 1, 2014, where she had completed a performing musician course in 2002. The next year, she collaborated with German DJ and producer Zwette for the track “Rush”, released by Spinnin’ Records and remixed by Sam Feldt. “Beneath the Lights” from her album was sampled by Kanye West’s producer Hudson Mohawke for “Shadows”. She performed at a concert named Laid Bare. She published an acoustic live performance of a new song called “Aeroplane”. After this, she kept on writing songs. In June 2019 she was part of a musical project under the name of Pages. They released an EP called “Beautiful weirdo”. In July 2021 Molly released a new solo song, “Who are you”. Entries Children Of The Universe Country🇬🇧 United Kingdom Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsMolly Smitten-DownesAnders Hansson MusicMolly Smitten-DownesAnders Hansson BackingsVictoria BeaumontKatie HolmesLincoln Jean-MarieSharleen LintonJoe Yoshida (drums) Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 40Position: 17Running order: 26 https://youtu.be/C6w7tmWvm6M

Niamh Kavanagh

About Quick Facts NameNiamh Kavanagh Born13 February 1968 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2010The Irish National Song Contest 1993 In Eurovision2010 Oslo1993 Millstreet SongIt’s For You (2010)In Your Eyes (1993) Biography Niamh Kavanagh, born on 13 February 1968, is an acclaimed Irish vocalist celebrated for her victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 with her rendition of “In Your Eyes.” This achievement secured Ireland’s consecutive win in the prestigious competition. The event took place in Millstreet, County Cork, within the Republic of Ireland, marking a notable moment in Eurovision history. Born in Glasnevin, Dublin, to a musically inclined family, Kavanagh was exposed to a diverse range of musical influences from an early age, including Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Blood, Sweat and Tears, alongside Bonnie Raitt. Her early life was enriched with music, often performing at family gatherings. Her career also included notable contributions to the film soundtrack of “The Commitments,” where she lent her voice both as a lead and backing vocalist, featuring in tracks like “Destination Anywhere” and “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man.” Despite this experience, her subsequent Eurovision fame brought an unexpected surge in recognition. In the Eurovision Song Contest of 1993, a 25-year-old Kavanagh represented Ireland with “In Your Eyes,” securing her place in the competition through a commanding win in the national contest. Her performance in Millstreet was a close battle for points, ultimately winning with a record-breaking score at the time. The song became a significant hit, achieving double-platinum status and earning her widespread recognition, including a successful album recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. Following her musical career, Kavanagh chose to spend more time with her family. Returning to the Eurovision scene in 2010 for Ireland with “It’s for You,” she performed alongside family members, confirming her participation through a national selection on The Late Late Show. Her journey in the contest was well-supported, making it the first time in four years that Ireland reached the final, where she finished 23rd. Beyond Eurovision, Kavanagh’s appearances have included performing at notable events and on television shows, serving as the Irish spokesperson at the Eurovision contests in 2008 and 2023, participating as a guest performer in the Romanian National Final for Eurovision 2011, and contributing as a judge and in music videos related to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Entries It’s For You Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsLina Eriksson MusicNiall MooneyMårten ErikssonJonas Gladnikoff BackingsNichala KavanaghEdward O’LearyKarl PowerNiamh Kavanagh Results Semi Points: 67Position: 9Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 25Position: 23Running order: 10 https://youtu.be/6SHg8gS-02Q?si=gftKgNMMLB4YgKso In Your Eyes Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year1993 LanguageEnglish LyricsJimmy Walsh MusicJimmy Walsh BackingsPatricia O’NeillGarrett WallMartina Tobin Results Points: 187Position: 1Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/C-Vamz7UAfQ?si=6YAXBMvQurdQ1oS4

Ruth Lorenzo

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameRuth Lorenzo Pascual Born10 November 1982 Nationality🇪🇸 Spain National SelectionInternal selection 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongDancing In The Rain (2014) Biography Ruth Lorenzo Pascual, known simply as Ruth Lorenzo, is a prominent Spanish singer and songwriter. Born on November 10, 1982, in Murcia, Spain, Ruth demonstrated a passion for music at an early age. She began singing and composing music when she was just a child, with an enduring interest in opera, rock, and pop. This blend of genres would later shape her distinct and versatile music style. In 2008, Ruth’s career gained significant momentum when she decided to audition for the fifth series of the popular British music reality show, The X Factor. She impressed the judges and the audience with her vocal prowess and charismatic stage presence, making her way to the live shows and eventually finishing in fifth place. Her journey on The X Factor exposed her to a global audience and created opportunities for her to collaborate with numerous established artists in the industry. Following The X Factor, Ruth spent several years refining her craft and performing at various venues. She released her debut single “Burn” in 2011, showcasing her songwriting ability. In 2014, Ruth was selected to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest. She performed her self-penned power ballad “Dancing in the Rain,” and secured a 10th place. The song became a hit in Spain, charting at the top of the Spanish Singles Chart. Ruth released her debut album, “Planeta Azul,” in October 2014. The album featured a mix of pop, rock, and ballad tracks, many of which were written by Ruth herself. In 2015, Ruth Lorenzo featured as a judge on Levántate, the Spanish rendition of Stand Up for Your Country. The show ran in February and March. Her debut album, “Planeta Azul”, was reissued in a special edition on October 16, 2015. It included new and previously recorded English songs. On August 28, 2015, she launched “99,” a new single from the album. In July 2015, it was revealed that Ruth would join the celebrity impersonation show Tu cara me suena for its fourth season. In its season finale in 2016, Ruth emerged victorious with 47% of the public votes. Following her stint on television, Ruth concentrated on her music, recording her new album. Ruth announced in September 2016 her intentions to break a Guinness World Record on October 19, which aimed at raising funds for breast cancer research. The record involved performing eight concerts in eight different Spanish cities within twelve hours. At the close of 2016, Ruth embarked on the Voces Tour across Spain, making stops in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, and Murcia. After a brief hiatus from the music scene, Ruth returned on October 13, 2017, releasing “Good Girls Don’t Lie,” the lead single of her forthcoming second studio album, Loveaholic. Ruth also collaborated on a cover of the Spanish hit “¿A quién le importa?” by Alaska y Dinarama, which was chosen as the anthem for WorldPride Madrid 2017. The song topped digital platform sales charts and became a trending topic on Twitter, leading to the announcement of The Loveaholic Tour for 2018. In 2017, after leaving Virgin EMI Records and releasing a charity single with Universal Music, Ruth decided to establish her record label, Raspberry Records. She also announced the creation of her clothing line, White Lion, named in honor of her fans. “Loveaholic”, her second album, came out on March 9, 2018, featuring a collaboration with Jeff Beck and peaking at number 9 on the Spanish Albums Chart. December 2018 saw Ruth making her musical theatre debut in La Llamada, at Teatro Lara in Madrid. Throughout 2019, Ruth embarked on numerous projects, including performing at the sold-out Festival Mil·leni, starring in a travel show, releasing a new single “Underworld,” touring with La Llamada: Musical, and starring in El gran secuestro for Playz. In June 2020, Ruth unveiled “Miedo,” the first single from her third studio album, “Crisálida”. The title track was released on January 29, 2021. In 2021, Ruth was part of the music game show Veo cómo cantas on Antena 3. The following year, she guest-judged on season 2 of Drag Race España. As of January 2023, Ruth has been confirmed as the primary host of RTVE’s singing competition, Cover Night, alongside Ana Guerra and Abraham Mateo. On 18 May 2023, she released a new single, “Tú (visualizer)”. Entries Dancing In The rain Country🇪🇸 Spain Year2014 LanguageEnglishSpanish LyricsRuth LorenzoJim IrvinJulian Emery MusicRuth LorenzoJim IrvinJulian Emery BackingsSandra BorregoMey GreenAwinnie MybabyAlana Sinkëy Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 74Position: 10Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/LY4n5FUlfDQ

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

Tinkara Kovač

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameTinkara Kovač Born03 September 1978 Nationality🇸🇮 Slovenian National SelectionEMA 2020EMA 2014EMA 2001EMA 1999EMA 1997 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongSpet/Round and Round (2014) Biography Tinkara Kovač, a Slovenian singer, pop-rock musician, flutist, and educator, was born on 3rd September 1978. She began her musical journey at a young age, winning a competition at the age of nine. Noticing her talent, producer Bojan Adamič offered her an extended engagement, but her parents declined due to her young age. Later, she was encouraged by composer Danilo Kocjančič, who, along with lyricist Drago Mislej-Mef and Marino Legovič, wrote the song that earned her the award for most promising performer at Melodije Morja in Sonca (Melodies of the Sea and Sun). In 1997, she signed her first record contract and released her debut album, which earned her a gold award and two Zlati Petelin awards. With the song “Vetr z juga” she took part in EMA, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She then collaborated with the world/jazz/rock project Terra Mystica, earning two more Zlati Petelin awards. Her second album was released in 1999, which received gold and later platinum status. In the same year, she participated in EMA again, where she became 2nd with “Zakaj”. As Tinkara became more involved in creating her own music and lyrics, she signed with Dallas Records (EMI/Virgin Slovenia). Her third album “Na Robu Kroga”, which featured five hit singles and corresponding videos, was released under the label. She participated in EMA again, her song “Sonce v očeh” reached a 5th place. During this time, she also performed 30–50 concerts per year, collaborated with Carlos Nunez, and became the first Slovenian artist to have a special one-hour TV show dedicated to her on German television. Her fourth album, “O-range”, was introduced at a grand concert. The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) selected one of the songs from the album “O-range” as one of the top ten in the pop-rock category among 11,000 entries. Tinkara also began making inroads in the Italian, Greek, Macedonian, and Croatian markets following the licensed release of the “O-range” album by EMI International. She competed in the international music festival Megahit in Turkey in 2003 with the song “Reason why,” finishing in 5th place out of 14 countries. In 2004, for her fourth concert at Cankarjev Dom, she invited Ian Anderson, the lead singer of Jethro Tull, whose music had greatly influenced her decision to learn the flute. She also participated as a guest in his orchestral solo performances and Jethro Tull group concerts in Croatia, Italy, Austria, and Germany. In the same year, she released “Enigma”, a special four-language project with a limited edition, exclusively for Slovenia and Italy. During her tour in Italy, she participated in several important festivals and received the Gian Carlo Deganutti award for the Enigma album in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In 2005, she performed a concert with Italian rock star Elisa, attracting over 8,000 listeners, marking Slovenia’s entry into the Schengen area. Later that year, she performed in front of a 185,000-strong crowd at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican at the first meeting of Pope Benedict XVI with young people, being the only foreign guest and flutist soloist with the Vatican Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mons. Frisina. In 2009, she released a compilation album of her greatest hits, and in 2012, an album called “Rastemo” featuring re-interpretations of hits from Slovenia and former Yugoslavia. In 2013, she won the award for best performer at the Melodije Morja in Sonca festival and released an album called “Zazibanke” with a selection of Istrian, Furlan, and other folk lullabies. In 2014, she represented Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Spet/Round And Round’ after winning the Slovenian EMA selection. She managed to qualify for the finals, where she ended up in the penultimate place. In the summer of 2014, she performed at Melodije Morja in Sonca, opening the event with the song Mars and Venera. After her Eurovision performance in 2014, she released a new song “2X2”, performed with Tomaž Klepač and the Children’s Choir of OŠ Koper. They also recorded a video clip. She then presented a song in Italian, “Cuori di ossigeno”, which climbed many music charts, including in Italy. She released a new album in 2016, called “Dober dan, življenje”. An Italian album, “Cuori di ossigeno”, was released a year later. In 2019, she won again at Melodije Morja in Sonca with the song “Bodi z mano do konca” (Stay with me till the end), for which she also received the award for best lyrics. In 2020, she released a song titled “Forever,” for which she penned the lyrics herself. She performed this song as a duet with Raiven. It was one of the participating songs in EMA 2020. A new album, “Neskončnost”, was released in 2021. In 2022 she performed in Melodije Morja in Sonca again and ended up as the winner. Entries Spet/Round And Round Country🇸🇮 Slovenia Year2014 LanguageEnglishSlovenian LyricsTinkara KovačHannah ManciniTina Piš MusicRaay BackingsRaayLea SirkManca ŠpikNika Zorjan Results Semi Points: 52Position: 10Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 9Position: 25Running order: 17 https://youtu.be/CiwM1sY3u0s