Pop Idol

Cornelia Jakobs

©EBU/Nathan Reinds About Quick Facts NameAnna Cornelia Jakobsdotter Samuelsson Born9 march 1992 Nationality Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2011, 2012, 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin SongHold me closer (2022) Biography Cornelia Jakobs is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of Jakob Samuel, singer of the Swedish rock band The Poodles. Cornelia grew up in Stockholm and attended the music high school Rytmus musikgymnasium.At the age of 16 she took part in the Swedish talent show Idol (Pop Idol) in 2008, but did not get past the first round. While in high school, she became a member of the band Love Generation. The band was formed in 2010 on the initiative of music producer RedOne. Samuelsson was accepted into the group after another member dropped out. The group took part in Melodifestivalen 2011 and Melodifestivalen 2012,the Swedish preselectionfor the Eurovision Song Contest. Her debut single as a solo artist was the song “Late Night Stories”, released in January 2018. As a songwriter, she was involved in the song “Best of Me”, with which Efraim Leo took part in Melodifestivalen 2021. With her song Hold Me Closer she won Melodifestivalen 2022 and thus represented Sweden in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. Entries Hold me closer Country Sweden Year2022 LanguageEnglish LyricsCornelia JakobsDavid ZandénIsa Molin MusicCornelia JakobsDavid ZandénIsa Molin Backings– Results Semi Points: 396Position: 1Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 438Position: 4Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/i777psA2gP4

Tusse

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameTousin Chiza Born01 january 2001 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2021 In EurovisionRotterdam 2021 SongVoices (2021) Biography Tusse is a Swedish/Congolese singer, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a child, he fled to Sweden and applied for asylum there. Chiza participated in Talang 2018 where he reached one of the semifinals. The following year, he took part in Idol 2019. Tusse won the contest and released the song “Rain”. He thus became the youngest male participant, the first dark-skinned participant and the first participant born in the 2000s in Swedish Idol’s history to win the competition. In November 2019, Chiza’s version of Whitney Houston’s song “How Will I Know” was released. Tusse’s first single after Idol, “Innan du går”, which was also his first song in Swedish, was released. In 2021, Tusse participated in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest. His song “Voices” was the clear favourite from day 1 and won. The logical next step was representing Sweden in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. In december 2021, Tusse presented his new single “Grow”. Entries Voices Country🇸🇪 Country Year2021 LanguageEnglish Lyrics & MusicJoy DebLinnea DebAnderz WrethovJimmy Thörnfeldt BackingsLars Säfsund DancersLamin HolménKeisha von ArnoldFatou BahTimothy Kakeeto Results Semi Points: 142Position: 7Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 109Position: 14Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/NyJRyif6_kk

Jüri Pootsmann

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts Name Jüri Pootsmann Born 01 July 1994 Nationality 🇪🇪 Estonia National Selection Eesti Laul 2021 Eesti Laul 2016 In Eurovision 2016 Stockholm Song Play (2016) Biography Jüri Pootsmann (born July 1, 1994, in Raikküla) is an Estonian pop singer and television host. He is a baritone in terms of vocal range. He won the television show “Eesti otsib superstaari” (Estonia’s Got Talent) in 2015. In November 2015, Jüri Pootsmann released his first self-titled EP in collaboration with Vaiko Eplik, Sten Šeripov, and Kim W. On March 5, 2016, Pootsmann won Eesti laul, the Estonian final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Play,”. At the Eurovision Song Contest, he placed last in the first semifinal and did not qualify for the final. He received the Male Artist of the Year award at the 2016 Estonian Music Awards gala, having been nominated in five categories (Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Debut Album of the Year, Best Song of the Year, and Album of the Year). In November 2016, Jüri Pootsmann released his second album, “Täna” (Today). Since 2018, Jüri Pootsmann has been a morning show host on the radio station MyHits. A year later, Jüri scored a hit with the song “Üksinda koos”. In November 2020, he qualified as a semi-finalist in the “Eesti laul 2021” (Estonian Song Contest 2021) with the song “Magus melanhoolia” (Sweet Melancholy). On March 6, 2021, the song achieved third place in the competition. On 18 November 2022, a new album was released: “Süveööde unetus”. It containted at least 5 hit singles. Entries Play Country 🇪🇪 Estonia Year 2016 Language English Lyrics Fred Krieger Stig Rästa Vallo Kikas Music Fred Krieger Stig Rästa Vallo Kikas Backings Silver Laas Dagmar Oja Kaire Vilgats Results Semi Points: 24 Position: 18 Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

Hovi Star

© EBU About Quick Facts NameHovav Sekulets Born19 November 1986 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionHaKokhav HaBa La’Eirovizion 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongMade of Stars (2016) Biography Hovav Sekulets (born in Kiryat Ata in 1986), known by the stage name Hovvi Star, is an Israeli singer, actor, composer, writer, voiceover and presenter. Hovi studied at the religious youth village, near Kfar Hassidim, until the age of 14. In the 10th grade, he decided to drop out of school in order to release an album, so after this didn’t work out, he returned to school a year later. He did his military service in military bands. About six months before his release from the IDF, he auditioned for the seventh season of the reality show Kokhav Nolad, and was accepted. After being eliminated from the show in tenth place, he returned to the program using the “Lifebuoy” mechanism, and finally finished in seventh place. Immediately after “Kokhav Nolad”, he participated in “The Children’s Song Festival 2009” with the song “Little boy, big boy”, which he wrote and composed together with Assaf Aberbuch. On January 29, 2010, he appeared at a fundraise for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and sang Ilanit’s song “Bashana Nehsah” in his own arrangement. In 2010, he hosted the show “Kokhav Live”, which followed the contestants behind the scenes of “Kokhav Nolad 8”, and at the same time presented a column on Kokhav Nolad in a morning show. In June of that year, he appeared at the opening event of the Pride Week in Tel Aviv. In 2016, he participated in the reality program HaKokhav HaBa La’Eirovizion. As part of a collaboration with the Israel Broadcasting Authority, the program was designed to select Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2016. Hovi Star won the contest and represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song “Made of Stars”. In the Grand Final of the contest, Hovi reached a 14th place. Hovi Star played roles in children’s plays “Little mermaid” and “Aladdin”. On 3 March 2019, Hovi Star made a comeback with a new song, “Silver spoon”. In January 2020 he opened a new YouTube channel called Mr. Star. He published cover versions of songs on the channel. In 2021 he released a new single in Hebrew. Entries Made Of Stars Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsDoron Medalie MusicDoron Medalie BackingsMatan AgamiAlmog KapachImri ZivJennifer CohenAmir Ner-Goan Results Semi Points: 147Position: 7Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 135Position: 14Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/SS5TB2XUdgs

Lindita

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameLinda Halimi Born24 March 1989 Nationality🇦🇱 Albanian National SelectionFestivali i Këngës 2017Festivali i Këngës 2015Festivali i Këngës 2010 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongWorld (2017) Biography Lindita was born as Linda in 1989 in Pozharan, former Yugoslavia. Pozharan is currently part of Kosovo.monly known as simply Lindita, is a Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter. Lindita’s first succes came after winning the sixth edition of Top Fest with the song “Ëndërroja” in 2009. She has released several singles, mostly ballads. In the same year, together with Erti Hizmo, she participated in Festivali i Këngës for the first time. In 2013 Lindita moved to the United States. She has had collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Valerie Simpson. She has also opened for the Backstreet Boys. In December 2014 she took part in the 53rd edition of Festivali i Këngës, where she finished third. In 2016, she participated in American Idol. In the same year, she won Festivali i Këngës with the song “Botë”. Sherepresented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest with the English version of the song, “World”. The follow up of that song was “Rock whine”. In 2018, she released the singles “Murday” and “Holiday”, followed in 2019 by “I betcha” and “Want my love”. In 2020, Lindita released four singles. A year later, she participated in Kënga Magjike with the song “Pa t’pa”, with which she reached a 7th place. In 2022 she released the singles “#GMFU”, “Love me like” and “Jealous”. Entries World Country🇦🇱 Albania Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsLindita HalimiBig Basta MusicKlodian Qafoku BackingsGjergj KaçinariDenisa XhemnicaAnxhelo MihoGreta Radovani Results Semi Points: 76Position: 14Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NyKOBMAXFFA

Birgit Õigemeel

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameBirgit Sarrap-Õigemeel Born24 September 1988 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2019Eesti Laul 2013Eesti Laul 2012Eurolaul 2008 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongEt Uus Saaks Alguse (2013) Biography Birgit Sarrap, born Birgit Õigemeel on September 24, 1988, is a well-respected Estonian singer, known by the mononym Birgit. She started her musical journey as a choir singer with the Estonian Television children’s choir and honed her skills in violin at the Kohila Music School. Her career took off when she emerged as the winner of the first season of Estonian Idol, Eesti otsib superstaari. In 2021, she was one of the coaches of the show. Birgit has a vivid record of album releases that map out her musical journey. Her self-titled debut album, “Birgit Õigemeel,” released in 2008, introduced her fresh and inviting voice to her fans. She quickly followed up with her second album “Ilus aeg” (“Beautiful Time”), encapsulating a spectrum of emotions. Her third album, “Teineteisel pool” (“On the Other Side”), arrived in 2009, showing her fans a deeper, more introspective side of her. A turning point in her career came with her 2013 album “Uus algus” (“New Beginning”), marking her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2018, she returned with her fifth album “V,” a testament to her evolution as an artist. The single “Silmapiir” was released from this album. With her band she released a new single in January 2020, “Sinuga”. With the swingers she released the song “See vana number”. Adding to her list of accolades, Birgit became the first non-Italian to receive the “Golden Olive Branch” award at the “L’Olivo d’Oro” Italian culture festival in 2007. She represented Estonia at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Et uus saaks alguse” (“So There Could Be a New Beginning”), placing 20th in the finals. Despite unsuccessful attempts in 2008 and 2012, she remained undeterred and even participated in the 2002 contest in Tallinn as part of the choir during the interval act. She took part in Eesti Laul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, again in 2019. Together with Tanja and The Swingers she sang “High Heels In The Neighbourhood” and reached a 6th place. Outside her thriving musical career, Birgit has made a mark in the theater world, starring in several professional productions. At Theatrum theatre, she played Sylvia in Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona in 2007. Her theatre work also includes roles at the Vanemuine theatre, playing Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music and having supporting roles in the ethno musical Peko. From 2016, she began appearing as Sophie in the Estonian production of Mamma Mia and took up various roles in the 2022 musical “Ada,” based on the life of legendary Estonian actress Ada Ludver. In her personal life, Birgit is married to her manager, Indrek Sarrap, and the couple has two children. They reside in Tallinn. Entries Et Uus Saaks Alguse Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2014 LanguageEstonian LyricsMihkel Mattisen MusicMihkel MattisenSilvia Soro BackingsKaido PõldmaLauri PihlapRaimondo Laikre Results Semi Points: 52Position: 10Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: 19Position: 20Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/Ooo6GvZNLhI

Nina Sublatti

About Quick Facts NameNino Sulaberidze Born31 January 1995 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionErovnuli Shesarchevi konkursi 2015 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongWarrior (2015) Biography Nin0 Sulaberidze, better known by her stage name Nina Sublatti, is a Georgian singer, songwriter and model. She was born in Moscow, Russia on January 31, 1995, to Georgian parents. Shortly after her birth, her family returned to Georgia, but she also spent some time living in Riga, Latvia during her childhood. At a young age, in 2008, Sublatti received a modeling contract and started her career in the modeling industry. Her talent caught the attention of fashion scouts and she began modeling for top magazines in early 2009. While pursuing her modeling career, Sublatti also performed across Georgia and collaborated with bands like The Mins. In 2011, Sublatti joined the Georgian Dream Studio, a renowned music house, where she worked with singer Bera Ivanishvili. Her breakthrough came in 2013 when she won the Georgian version of the singing competition Pop Idol, called Georgian Idol. The following year, she released her debut album titled Dare to Be Nina Sublatti, which became the highest-selling album in Georgia’s history. The album included covers of popular songs, including Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans” and Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited,” both of which Sublatti had performed on Sakartvelos Varskvlavi. In December 2014, after the success of her debut album, Sublatti was chosen as one of the five contestants in the national final to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with her song “Warrior.” She competed in the national final in January 2015 and emerged as the winner, earning the highest televote score and jury score. She performed “Warrior” in the semi-finals and advanced to the grand final, where she placed 11th. The song gained popularity across Europe, charting in several countries such as Ireland, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. In 2016, Sublatti joined the judging panel of the Georgian version of The X Factor. In October 2017, she also became a judge on Georgian Idol. In 2018 she performed in a charity concert in Poland. A year later she performed with the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra. Nina Sublatti kept on publishing new music on SoundCloud and Spotify. Entries Warrior Country🇬🇪 Georgian Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsNina Sublatti MusicNina SublattiThomas G:son BackingsVeronika HammerRebecca Kollau-Freidinger Results Semi Points: 98Position: 4Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 51Position: 11Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/ddC8lviTERI

Chingiz Mustafayev

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameÇingiz Mustafayev Born11 March 1991 Nationality???????? Azerbaijani National SelectionInternal Selection 2019 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv SongTruth (2019) Biography Chingiz Mustafayev (born in Moscow, Russian SFSR, USSR) is an Azerbaijani singer. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, his family moved to their homeland, Gazakh. Chingiz’ young love for Spanish music inspired him to play the guitar. Chingiz Mustafayev took part in the Eurovision national selection in 2011. In 2013, he represented Azerbaijan at the New Wave competition in Jurmala. Chingiz, who took a stage with Polina Gagarina during the competition, finished 11th. In 2016, he participated in the Ukrainian voting contest Holos Krainy. After suspending his participation in the competition, Chingiz began to perform with the group Palmas, which he founded. They mainly perform Azerbaijani national music mixed with flamenco, rock and pop music. On March 8, 2019, it was announced that Chingiz Mustafayev would represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv with the song “Truth”. He reached the final and became 8th. Chingiz did not continue singing in English however, but released a couple of singles in the Azerbaijani language. In 2021 he released the single “Gülzar istərəm (Məhəmməd Füzuli)”, an ode to the famous Azerbaijani poet and writer. Entries Truth Country???????? Azerbaijan Year2019 LanguageEnglish LyricsBorislav MilanovTrey CampbellPablo DineroHostessJoacim Persson MusicBorislav MilanovTrey CampbellPablo DineroHostessJoacim Persson BackingsSara Lauinger-LarssonPatrik Jean OlssonCedrik HammarPernille LeelooPeter Simpson Results Semi Points: 224Position: 5Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 302Position: 8Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/D6vvuCiHwSs