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Road to Rotterdam: Croatia

Her full name is Albina Grčić, but she leaves her last name at home for the occasion. She participated in the X-Factor but withdrew when she was allowed to continue only as part of a girl group. At The Voice Hrvatska she did better: she reached no less than a 3rd place.This year she won DORA, the Croatian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tick-tock”. photo: © HRT

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Rafal

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRafał Brzozowski Born8 june 1981 Nationality🇵🇱 Poland National SelectionKrajowe Eliminacje 2017 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongThe Ride (2021) Biography Rafał Brzozowski, born in Warshaw, is a Polish singer, TV presenter and former wrestler. During his studies at the Academy of Physical Education, he was educated as a sports teacher. He won the bronze medal of the Polish Academic Championships in wrestling in 2006. Due to a spine injury, he ended his sports career . He began his musical career in 2002 with the participation in the television program Szansa na sukces, in which he won a distinction . Previously, he performed with Marcin Kiljan in the K.Martin band. In 2003 he became a member of the band Emigranci. He was also a member of the group Mono. In autumn 2011, he took part in The Voice of Poland. His coach was Andrzej Piaseczny. Rafał was eliminated just before the final. In the same year, he released two singles: “Nie mam nic” and “Na dobre masz zawsze mnie”. In 2012, he released the single “Tak blisko”, for which he received the TV audience award at the Eska Music Awards 2012 gala. The song took the second place on the AirPlay charts . He also won a prize at the Russian Song Festival. On August 7, 2012, he released his debut studio album, entitled “Tak blisko”. In September 2014, he released his second studio album entitled “Mój czas”. In the same year, he took part in the released a Christmas album. In 2017, he became 2nd in the Polish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Sky over Europe”. In 2020, with the song he qualified for the “Premier” concert at the 57th KFPP in Opole with the song “Gentleman”. In May 2021, he represented Poland in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “The Ride”. In the summer of 2021 he performed during the TVP2 Summer, Music, Fun tour. Summer tour. In July,  the single “Głośniej” was released.  At the beginning of 2022, he co-hosted the third edition of The Voice Senior.  Entries The Ride Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon ComposersJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon BackingsPaweł Skiba DancersBartosz KołeckiDaniel BorzewskiMaciej MiśkiewiczMiłosz Kuterasiński Results Semi Points: 35Position: 14Rank: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Rank: – https://youtu.be/Uy6TeDNvSGo

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Albina

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameAlbina Grčić Born6 february 1999 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatia National SelectionDora 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongTick-tock (2021) Biography Albina is a Croatian pop singer. She began her career by participating in the third season of The Voice Croatia. Albina chose  Vanna as her mentor. Albina became 3rd in The Voice. Immediately after the end of The Voice, Grčić signed a contract with Universal Music Croatia. In 2020, she released her debut single “Imuna na strah”. She took part in DORA, the Croatian national selection for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, and she won. That means she represented Croatia in the contest with her song “Tick-Tock”. Although she did not reach the final, Albina was able to prolong the success. Two singles followed: “La, la, love” and “Plači mila”. Both became huge hits in Croatia. In 2022 she presented her new single “Noću” during Dora 2022. Again, chart success was there! Entries Tick-Tock Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsMax CinnamonTihana Buklijaš Bakić MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLuciano PlazibatMarko MarićDevin JurajStjepan Cutvarić Results Semi Points: 110Position: 11Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/vKdxjoNluzY

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Aksel

About Quick Facts NameAksel Kankaanranta Born28 January 1998 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongLooking back (2020, canceled) Biography Aksel Kankaanranta is a Finnish singer and musician. His interest in music started as a child playing the violin. However, Aksel realized his talent as a singer when playing bass on Zen Café was really beautiful.  In 2017, Aksel participated in the Voice of Finland because his mother and sister encouraged him to apply. The only purpose was to test how far the hoops were. Aksel ended up in second place.  In 2019 Aksel won an award at the Emma gala for most streamed song. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Looking back”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. In the summer of 2020, Kankaanranta got a record deal with Etenee Records, owned by Warner Music.In  2021, he was one of the seven finalists in the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, Uuden Musiikin Kilpilailu 2021. with the song “Hurt.” The song finished fifth in the competition. Entries Looking back Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoonas AngeriaWithney PhillipsConnor McDonoughRiley McDonoughToby McDonough MusicJoonas AngeriaWithney PhillipsConnor McDonoughRiley McDonoughToby McDonough Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EgONBKFQpxE

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Uku Suviste

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameUku Suviste Born06 June 1982 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2019Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongThe lucky one (2021)What love is (2020, cancelled) Biography Uku Suviste is an Estonian singer, pianist, songwriter and music producer. He was born in Võru. He has sung in the Tallinn Boys ‘Choir and the Lydia Rahula School Boys’ Choir. When Uku joined the Tallinn Music School, he followed solfeggio lessons and piano. He graduated from the music school in 1997. He studied pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School in 2002. Uku participated in the Uno Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest more than once. In 2004, his song “Never Have To” was awarded the Uno Naissoo Special Prize. A year later, he took part in the same competition with the six-voice a cappella vocal ensemble Sõbrad, They became second. Also in 2005, Uku took part in the show Kaks takti ette, where he became 3rd. After this, he worked as a producer at the Elmar Liitmaa Rockhouse Music Studio. By the end of the year, his first single “It’s christmas time” was released.   In 2006, he has completed a year and a half in singing and music production at Berklee College of Music in the United States. Uku was the second vocal soloist and keyboard player in the band Lament, which deals with R&B and disco music of the 1980s. In 2008, he returned to the Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest and won it with the song “Refreshing”. In November 2008, the album “Beautiful Tim”e was released in collaboration with Birgit Õigemeel. Uku’s main activity was arranging songs, and the album featured several duets between Birgit and Uku.  In 2010, Uku Suviste participated in the international song contest “New Wave” in Jūrmala. Uku, who represented Estonia, reached the 3rd place. In 2011, he was supposed to participate in Eesti Laul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, he was disqualified because the song “Jagatud öö” was already used for other purposes in 2004. In 2012, he co-wrote the music video “Invincible” with Estonian Defense Forces and UNICEF for Estonian and foreign soldiers participating in missions and their families.  Uku has performed in musicals such as “Oliver Twist”, “Chicago” and  “West Side Story”. In 2017, he took part in Eesti Laul but did not reach the final. He had more luck in 2019 with the song “Pretty little liar”, which was the runner up. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What love is”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. However, in 2021 he won Eesti Laul again, this time with the song “The lucky one”. He went on to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.   Entries The lucky one Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon VaughnUku Suviste MusicUku Suviste BackingsKaarel Orumägi Results Semi Points: 58Position: 13Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mhMZQyv_Fhw What love is Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon Vaughn MusicUku Suviste Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/3EIQ6U039ms

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Alicja Szemplińska

About Quick Facts NameAlicja Szemplińska Born29 April 2002 Nationality🇵🇱 Polish National SelectionSzansa Na Sukces 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongEmpire (2020, canceled) Biography Alicja Maria Szemplińska, performing as Alicja (born April 29, 2002 in Ciechanów) is a Polish singer, songwriter and composer. At the age of 12, Alicja enrolled in professional singing lessons. In 2016, she won the finals of the TVP1 entertainment program Hit, Hit, Hurra!, and was awarded an invitation to participate in singing classes with Seth Riggs. In 2019, she participated in The Voice of Poland. She reached the final, in which she won after gaining the most support of television viewers. She signed a record contract with Universal Music Polska. After participating in the program, she released a music video for her debut single “Prawie my”, which exceeded the threshold of 1 million views on YouTube within 10 days of its premiere. In January 2020, she took part in Szanwa Na Sukces and won this competition too. That gave her the ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Empires”. However, the contest was canceled on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the end of the year, she released a few more singles: “Gdzieś”, “Pusto”, “Kolęda dla nieobecnych” (in collaboration with Piotr Walicki) and “Na pamięć”. She made a guest appearance with the song “Empires” during the final of the 18th Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Warsaw. In April 2021 she released an acoustic version of the song “Pusto (#OnePerformeSession)”. Together with Walt Disney Records, she released the single “Każda z nas” and in October, Alicja released the single “Ej, stop!” She also sang a duet with Hodak, the song “Spójrz”. On May 6, 2022, she released the single “IDK” at the new record label Island Records Polska. Entries Empires Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsPatryk KumórDominic Buczkowski-WojtaszekLaurell BarkerFrazer Mac MusicPatryk KumórDominic Buczkowski-WojtaszekLaurell BarkerFrazer Mac Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/om91-RjTr8k

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Sandro Nicolas

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Rütten Born04 October 1996 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionInternal selection 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongRunning! (2020, cancelled) Biography Sandro Nicolas is an American-Greek singer. He was born and raised in Heinsberg, Germany. His father is American and his mother is Greek. He started playing drums and guitar lessons and from the age of 15 he started writing his own songs. In 2015, she took part in the talent show Das Supertalent. In 2018 he participated in the eighth season of “The Voice of Germany” (the German version of “The Voice”). He performed Shawn Mendes’ song “In My Blood”, making all four coaches rotate their chairs.In 2019 he participated in the “New Wave Festival” in Sochi, Russia, representing the United States, finishing 6th. From there, he started using the pseudonym and artistic Sandro Nicolas.He may have grown up in Germany but speaks fluent Greek because of his Greek roots and Greek education.On November 29, 2019, the Cyprus Radio Foundation announced Sandro Nicolas as its representative for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, due to the cancellation of the contest. Cypriot broadcaster CyBC decided not to invite Sandro for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. Sandro himself changed his stage name in Sammy Clay, but is currently known as TYLR or Tylrfromheaven. Entries Running! Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlfie ArcuriSebastian RickardsOctavian RasinariuAlessandro Rütten MusicAlfie ArcuriSebastian RickardsOctavian RasinariuAlessandro RüttenTeo DK Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Jl_qEw_4OK0

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Lidia Isac

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLidia Isac Born27 March 1993 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO Melodie Pentru Europa 2016O Melodie Pentru Europa 2015O Melodie Pentru Europa 2014O Melodie Pentru Europa 2013 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongFalling Stars (2016) Biography Lidia Isac is a Moldovan singer of Russian origin. She was born on March 27, 1993, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where her Moldovan parents met while studying. They moved back to Moldova when she was a few months old. Lidia graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences at Moldova State University in 2015. Lidia Isac started her musical career as part of the duo Glam Girls, formed with Sasha Druc. They participated in the Moldovan national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and 2014 but didn’t make it to the final. In 2014, Lidia also took part in New Wave, a contest held in Jūrmala, Latvia. In 2015, Lidia entered the selection as a solo act and with Glam Girls, reaching the final but placing last. In 2016, she won the national selection with the song “Falling Stars” and represented Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden, finishing in seventeenth place in the first semi-final. In 2017, Lidia Isac appeared as a contestant in the sixth season of The Voice: la plus belle voix, the French version of The Voice. She advanced from the Blind Auditions but was eliminated in the Battle rounds. That same year, she also participated in the seventh season of the Romanian version Vocea României, where she joined Tudor Chirilă’s team but was eliminated in the Live Shows. On December 17 2018, her song “Aproape” was released. A year later, on 27 November 2019, it was followed by a new song: “Nomada”. After this, she teamded up with OZ Drive, which resulted in the song “Zabudem do zavtra”. In April 2021 Lidija started her own vocal studio in Chişinau. In October of the same year Lidia Isac gave a concert called “Chante la France!”, entirely with French songs.  Entries Falling Stars Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsGabriel AlaresSebastian LestapierEllen BergLeonid Gutkin MusicGabriel AlaresSebastian LestapierEllen BergLeonid Gutkin BackingsGabriel AlaresEllen Berg Tollbom DancersIuri Rîbac Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/LlhV-E6leTI

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Anouk

About Quick Facts NameAnouk Teeuwe Born08 April 1975 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBirds (2013) Biography Born in The Hague, Netherlands, on 8 April 1975, Anouk Teeuwe, known popularly as Anouk, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance. Her journey into the world of music wasn’t a bed of roses. As a teenager, grappling with personal issues, Anouk dabbled in drugs and even left her family at a tender age of 14. However, her life took a transformative turn when she rediscovered her roots in music, inspired by her mother, a blues singer. From a shy teenager singing her heart out at weddings and local gatherings with the band Shotgun Wedding, Anouk transitioned to a budding artist at the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1994. Though she left the conservatory after just two years, her passion for music remained undeterred. The period marked a significant turn in her career when her husband, Edwin Jansen, introduced her to Barry Hay, the lead vocalist of the iconic Dutch rock band, Golden Earring. Sensing her raw talent, Hay collaborated with his fellow band member, George Kooymans, to pen “Mood Indigo” for Anouk. The late 1990s was an era of exploration for Anouk. Partnering with Bart van Veen as her co-writer, they crafted several songs. But it was her single, “Nobody’s Wife,” released in September 1997, that acted as a catapult, propelling her to the zenith of the Dutch music charts and gaining recognition in Norway and Sweden. “Together Alone,” her debut album, echoed her rise to prominence. The subsequent years were an amalgamation of achievements and challenges. In 1998, she bagged multiple awards, including two from the revered Dutch music channel TMF and the prestigious Edison Award. With the dawn of the new millennium, her second album “Urban Solitude” arrived, featuring the hit “R U Kiddin’ Me”. An attempt to explore opportunities in the US music industry didn’t materialize as planned, but this setback was merely a precursor to her returning with a bang with the song “Don’t” in 2001. Anouk’s discography in the early 2000s was diverse, with “Lost Tracks” in 2001, showcasing acoustic renditions and collaborations, and the hard rock-infused “Graduated Fool” in 2002. Her evolution as an artist was further manifested in “Hotel New York” (2004), marked by singles such as “Girl” and “Lost”. The ensuing years saw Anouk experimenting with different genres and collaborations. “Who’s Your Momma” (2007) was a significant release, with the single “Good God” making its way into the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. “For Bitter or Worse” followed in 2009, accompanied by chart-topping songs. The 2010s carved a niche for Anouk in the international music arena. Her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Birds” ended the Netherlands’ dry spell in the competition, garnering 9th place and widespread acclaim. She also penned the 2015 Dutch Eurovision entry “Walk along” for Trijntje Oosterhuis. Anouk’s tenure as a coach on “The Voice of Holland” was another feather in her cap, spanning several seasons, though it ended in 2022 amidst controversy surrounding the show. Her musical journey in the late 2010s and 2020s was marked by diversity. With two album releases in 2016, the introduction of her first Dutch-language album in 2018 titled “Wen d’r maar aan”, and the intimately crafted mini-album “Trails of Fails” in 2022, Anouk solidified her legacy as a versatile artist unafraid of reinvention. In June 2022, Anouk married Dominique Schemmekes during a concert at the Malieveld in The Hague. In January 2023 she recorded a song “Met wie kan jij het aan” together with Emma Heesters. Entries Birds Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnouk Teeuwe MusicAnouk TeeuweMartin GjerstadTore Johanson BackingsRicardo BurgrustShirma RouseYerry Rellum Results Semi Points:  75Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 114Position: 9Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/n5iazXvMw5o

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Ari Ólafsson

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts Name Ari Ólafsson Born 21 May 1998 Nationality ???????? Icelandic National Selection Söngvakeppnin 2018 In Eurovision 2018 (Lisbon) Song Our choice (2018) Biography Although born in Reykjavik, Ari Ólafsson spent a part of his childhood in Florida, USA. Selma Björnsdóttir discovered him when he was eleven years old. He got the leading role in the musical Oliver !, which was performed in Borgarleikhúsið. After the Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø became aware of him in 2011, she invited him to various performances. In 2015 Ari Ólafsson took part in the Icelandic version of the singing competition The Voice. In 2018, he represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Our choice”. Unfortunately, he didn’t reach the final. On June 28, 2019 Ari released his debut single, “Too good”.Ari moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he got a degree in opera in May 2022.   Entries Our Choice Country ???????? Icelandic Year 2018 Language English Lyrics Þórunn Erna Clausen Music Þórunn Erna Clausen Backings Arna Rún Ómarsdóttir Erla Stefánsdóttir Gunnar Leó Pálsson Erna Þórunn Clausen Vignir Snær Vigfússon Results Semi Points: 15 Position: 19 Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

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Road to Rotterdam: Croatia

Her full name is Albina Grčić, but she leaves her last name at home for the occasion. She participated in the X-Factor but withdrew when she was allowed to continue only as part of a girl group. At The Voice Hrvatska she did better: she reached no less than a 3rd place.This year she won DORA, the Croatian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tick-tock”. photo: © HRT

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Rafal

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRafał Brzozowski Born8 june 1981 Nationality🇵🇱 Poland National SelectionKrajowe Eliminacje 2017 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongThe Ride (2021) Biography Rafał Brzozowski, born in Warshaw, is a Polish singer, TV presenter and former wrestler. During his studies at the Academy of Physical Education, he was educated as a sports teacher. He won the bronze medal of the Polish Academic Championships in wrestling in 2006. Due to a spine injury, he ended his sports career . He began his musical career in 2002 with the participation in the television program Szansa na sukces, in which he won a distinction . Previously, he performed with Marcin Kiljan in the K.Martin band. In 2003 he became a member of the band Emigranci. He was also a member of the group Mono. In autumn 2011, he took part in The Voice of Poland. His coach was Andrzej Piaseczny. Rafał was eliminated just before the final. In the same year, he released two singles: “Nie mam nic” and “Na dobre masz zawsze mnie”. In 2012, he released the single “Tak blisko”, for which he received the TV audience award at the Eska Music Awards 2012 gala. The song took the second place on the AirPlay charts . He also won a prize at the Russian Song Festival. On August 7, 2012, he released his debut studio album, entitled “Tak blisko”. In September 2014, he released his second studio album entitled “Mój czas”. In the same year, he took part in the released a Christmas album. In 2017, he became 2nd in the Polish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Sky over Europe”. In 2020, with the song he qualified for the “Premier” concert at the 57th KFPP in Opole with the song “Gentleman”. In May 2021, he represented Poland in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “The Ride”. In the summer of 2021 he performed during the TVP2 Summer, Music, Fun tour. Summer tour. In July,  the single “Głośniej” was released.  At the beginning of 2022, he co-hosted the third edition of The Voice Senior.  Entries The Ride Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon ComposersJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon BackingsPaweł Skiba DancersBartosz KołeckiDaniel BorzewskiMaciej MiśkiewiczMiłosz Kuterasiński Results Semi Points: 35Position: 14Rank: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Rank: – https://youtu.be/Uy6TeDNvSGo

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Albina

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameAlbina Grčić Born6 february 1999 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatia National SelectionDora 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongTick-tock (2021) Biography Albina is a Croatian pop singer. She began her career by participating in the third season of The Voice Croatia. Albina chose  Vanna as her mentor. Albina became 3rd in The Voice. Immediately after the end of The Voice, Grčić signed a contract with Universal Music Croatia. In 2020, she released her debut single “Imuna na strah”. She took part in DORA, the Croatian national selection for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, and she won. That means she represented Croatia in the contest with her song “Tick-Tock”. Although she did not reach the final, Albina was able to prolong the success. Two singles followed: “La, la, love” and “Plači mila”. Both became huge hits in Croatia. In 2022 she presented her new single “Noću” during Dora 2022. Again, chart success was there! Entries Tick-Tock Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsMax CinnamonTihana Buklijaš Bakić MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLuciano PlazibatMarko MarićDevin JurajStjepan Cutvarić Results Semi Points: 110Position: 11Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/vKdxjoNluzY

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Aksel

About Quick Facts NameAksel Kankaanranta Born28 January 1998 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongLooking back (2020, canceled) Biography Aksel Kankaanranta is a Finnish singer and musician. His interest in music started as a child playing the violin. However, Aksel realized his talent as a singer when playing bass on Zen Café was really beautiful.  In 2017, Aksel participated in the Voice of Finland because his mother and sister encouraged him to apply. The only purpose was to test how far the hoops were. Aksel ended up in second place.  In 2019 Aksel won an award at the Emma gala for most streamed song. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Looking back”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. In the summer of 2020, Kankaanranta got a record deal with Etenee Records, owned by Warner Music.In  2021, he was one of the seven finalists in the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, Uuden Musiikin Kilpilailu 2021. with the song “Hurt.” The song finished fifth in the competition. Entries Looking back Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoonas AngeriaWithney PhillipsConnor McDonoughRiley McDonoughToby McDonough MusicJoonas AngeriaWithney PhillipsConnor McDonoughRiley McDonoughToby McDonough Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EgONBKFQpxE

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Uku Suviste

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameUku Suviste Born06 June 1982 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2019Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongThe lucky one (2021)What love is (2020, cancelled) Biography Uku Suviste is an Estonian singer, pianist, songwriter and music producer. He was born in Võru. He has sung in the Tallinn Boys ‘Choir and the Lydia Rahula School Boys’ Choir. When Uku joined the Tallinn Music School, he followed solfeggio lessons and piano. He graduated from the music school in 1997. He studied pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School in 2002. Uku participated in the Uno Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest more than once. In 2004, his song “Never Have To” was awarded the Uno Naissoo Special Prize. A year later, he took part in the same competition with the six-voice a cappella vocal ensemble Sõbrad, They became second. Also in 2005, Uku took part in the show Kaks takti ette, where he became 3rd. After this, he worked as a producer at the Elmar Liitmaa Rockhouse Music Studio. By the end of the year, his first single “It’s christmas time” was released.   In 2006, he has completed a year and a half in singing and music production at Berklee College of Music in the United States. Uku was the second vocal soloist and keyboard player in the band Lament, which deals with R&B and disco music of the 1980s. In 2008, he returned to the Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest and won it with the song “Refreshing”. In November 2008, the album “Beautiful Tim”e was released in collaboration with Birgit Õigemeel. Uku’s main activity was arranging songs, and the album featured several duets between Birgit and Uku.  In 2010, Uku Suviste participated in the international song contest “New Wave” in Jūrmala. Uku, who represented Estonia, reached the 3rd place. In 2011, he was supposed to participate in Eesti Laul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, he was disqualified because the song “Jagatud öö” was already used for other purposes in 2004. In 2012, he co-wrote the music video “Invincible” with Estonian Defense Forces and UNICEF for Estonian and foreign soldiers participating in missions and their families.  Uku has performed in musicals such as “Oliver Twist”, “Chicago” and  “West Side Story”. In 2017, he took part in Eesti Laul but did not reach the final. He had more luck in 2019 with the song “Pretty little liar”, which was the runner up. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What love is”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. However, in 2021 he won Eesti Laul again, this time with the song “The lucky one”. He went on to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.   Entries The lucky one Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon VaughnUku Suviste MusicUku Suviste BackingsKaarel Orumägi Results Semi Points: 58Position: 13Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mhMZQyv_Fhw What love is Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon Vaughn MusicUku Suviste Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/3EIQ6U039ms

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Alicja Szemplińska

About Quick Facts NameAlicja Szemplińska Born29 April 2002 Nationality🇵🇱 Polish National SelectionSzansa Na Sukces 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongEmpire (2020, canceled) Biography Alicja Maria Szemplińska, performing as Alicja (born April 29, 2002 in Ciechanów) is a Polish singer, songwriter and composer. At the age of 12, Alicja enrolled in professional singing lessons. In 2016, she won the finals of the TVP1 entertainment program Hit, Hit, Hurra!, and was awarded an invitation to participate in singing classes with Seth Riggs. In 2019, she participated in The Voice of Poland. She reached the final, in which she won after gaining the most support of television viewers. She signed a record contract with Universal Music Polska. After participating in the program, she released a music video for her debut single “Prawie my”, which exceeded the threshold of 1 million views on YouTube within 10 days of its premiere. In January 2020, she took part in Szanwa Na Sukces and won this competition too. That gave her the ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Empires”. However, the contest was canceled on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the end of the year, she released a few more singles: “Gdzieś”, “Pusto”, “Kolęda dla nieobecnych” (in collaboration with Piotr Walicki) and “Na pamięć”. She made a guest appearance with the song “Empires” during the final of the 18th Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Warsaw. In April 2021 she released an acoustic version of the song “Pusto (#OnePerformeSession)”. Together with Walt Disney Records, she released the single “Każda z nas” and in October, Alicja released the single “Ej, stop!” She also sang a duet with Hodak, the song “Spójrz”. On May 6, 2022, she released the single “IDK” at the new record label Island Records Polska. Entries Empires Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsPatryk KumórDominic Buczkowski-WojtaszekLaurell BarkerFrazer Mac MusicPatryk KumórDominic Buczkowski-WojtaszekLaurell BarkerFrazer Mac Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/om91-RjTr8k

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Sandro Nicolas

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Rütten Born04 October 1996 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionInternal selection 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongRunning! (2020, cancelled) Biography Sandro Nicolas is an American-Greek singer. He was born and raised in Heinsberg, Germany. His father is American and his mother is Greek. He started playing drums and guitar lessons and from the age of 15 he started writing his own songs. In 2015, she took part in the talent show Das Supertalent. In 2018 he participated in the eighth season of “The Voice of Germany” (the German version of “The Voice”). He performed Shawn Mendes’ song “In My Blood”, making all four coaches rotate their chairs.In 2019 he participated in the “New Wave Festival” in Sochi, Russia, representing the United States, finishing 6th. From there, he started using the pseudonym and artistic Sandro Nicolas.He may have grown up in Germany but speaks fluent Greek because of his Greek roots and Greek education.On November 29, 2019, the Cyprus Radio Foundation announced Sandro Nicolas as its representative for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, due to the cancellation of the contest. Cypriot broadcaster CyBC decided not to invite Sandro for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. Sandro himself changed his stage name in Sammy Clay, but is currently known as TYLR or Tylrfromheaven. Entries Running! Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlfie ArcuriSebastian RickardsOctavian RasinariuAlessandro Rütten MusicAlfie ArcuriSebastian RickardsOctavian RasinariuAlessandro RüttenTeo DK Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Jl_qEw_4OK0

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Lidia Isac

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLidia Isac Born27 March 1993 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO Melodie Pentru Europa 2016O Melodie Pentru Europa 2015O Melodie Pentru Europa 2014O Melodie Pentru Europa 2013 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongFalling Stars (2016) Biography Lidia Isac is a Moldovan singer of Russian origin. She was born on March 27, 1993, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where her Moldovan parents met while studying. They moved back to Moldova when she was a few months old. Lidia graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences at Moldova State University in 2015. Lidia Isac started her musical career as part of the duo Glam Girls, formed with Sasha Druc. They participated in the Moldovan national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and 2014 but didn’t make it to the final. In 2014, Lidia also took part in New Wave, a contest held in Jūrmala, Latvia. In 2015, Lidia entered the selection as a solo act and with Glam Girls, reaching the final but placing last. In 2016, she won the national selection with the song “Falling Stars” and represented Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden, finishing in seventeenth place in the first semi-final. In 2017, Lidia Isac appeared as a contestant in the sixth season of The Voice: la plus belle voix, the French version of The Voice. She advanced from the Blind Auditions but was eliminated in the Battle rounds. That same year, she also participated in the seventh season of the Romanian version Vocea României, where she joined Tudor Chirilă’s team but was eliminated in the Live Shows. On December 17 2018, her song “Aproape” was released. A year later, on 27 November 2019, it was followed by a new song: “Nomada”. After this, she teamded up with OZ Drive, which resulted in the song “Zabudem do zavtra”. In April 2021 Lidija started her own vocal studio in Chişinau. In October of the same year Lidia Isac gave a concert called “Chante la France!”, entirely with French songs.  Entries Falling Stars Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsGabriel AlaresSebastian LestapierEllen BergLeonid Gutkin MusicGabriel AlaresSebastian LestapierEllen BergLeonid Gutkin BackingsGabriel AlaresEllen Berg Tollbom DancersIuri Rîbac Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/LlhV-E6leTI

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Anouk

About Quick Facts NameAnouk Teeuwe Born08 April 1975 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBirds (2013) Biography Born in The Hague, Netherlands, on 8 April 1975, Anouk Teeuwe, known popularly as Anouk, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance. Her journey into the world of music wasn’t a bed of roses. As a teenager, grappling with personal issues, Anouk dabbled in drugs and even left her family at a tender age of 14. However, her life took a transformative turn when she rediscovered her roots in music, inspired by her mother, a blues singer. From a shy teenager singing her heart out at weddings and local gatherings with the band Shotgun Wedding, Anouk transitioned to a budding artist at the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1994. Though she left the conservatory after just two years, her passion for music remained undeterred. The period marked a significant turn in her career when her husband, Edwin Jansen, introduced her to Barry Hay, the lead vocalist of the iconic Dutch rock band, Golden Earring. Sensing her raw talent, Hay collaborated with his fellow band member, George Kooymans, to pen “Mood Indigo” for Anouk. The late 1990s was an era of exploration for Anouk. Partnering with Bart van Veen as her co-writer, they crafted several songs. But it was her single, “Nobody’s Wife,” released in September 1997, that acted as a catapult, propelling her to the zenith of the Dutch music charts and gaining recognition in Norway and Sweden. “Together Alone,” her debut album, echoed her rise to prominence. The subsequent years were an amalgamation of achievements and challenges. In 1998, she bagged multiple awards, including two from the revered Dutch music channel TMF and the prestigious Edison Award. With the dawn of the new millennium, her second album “Urban Solitude” arrived, featuring the hit “R U Kiddin’ Me”. An attempt to explore opportunities in the US music industry didn’t materialize as planned, but this setback was merely a precursor to her returning with a bang with the song “Don’t” in 2001. Anouk’s discography in the early 2000s was diverse, with “Lost Tracks” in 2001, showcasing acoustic renditions and collaborations, and the hard rock-infused “Graduated Fool” in 2002. Her evolution as an artist was further manifested in “Hotel New York” (2004), marked by singles such as “Girl” and “Lost”. The ensuing years saw Anouk experimenting with different genres and collaborations. “Who’s Your Momma” (2007) was a significant release, with the single “Good God” making its way into the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. “For Bitter or Worse” followed in 2009, accompanied by chart-topping songs. The 2010s carved a niche for Anouk in the international music arena. Her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Birds” ended the Netherlands’ dry spell in the competition, garnering 9th place and widespread acclaim. She also penned the 2015 Dutch Eurovision entry “Walk along” for Trijntje Oosterhuis. Anouk’s tenure as a coach on “The Voice of Holland” was another feather in her cap, spanning several seasons, though it ended in 2022 amidst controversy surrounding the show. Her musical journey in the late 2010s and 2020s was marked by diversity. With two album releases in 2016, the introduction of her first Dutch-language album in 2018 titled “Wen d’r maar aan”, and the intimately crafted mini-album “Trails of Fails” in 2022, Anouk solidified her legacy as a versatile artist unafraid of reinvention. In June 2022, Anouk married Dominique Schemmekes during a concert at the Malieveld in The Hague. In January 2023 she recorded a song “Met wie kan jij het aan” together with Emma Heesters. Entries Birds Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnouk Teeuwe MusicAnouk TeeuweMartin GjerstadTore Johanson BackingsRicardo BurgrustShirma RouseYerry Rellum Results Semi Points:  75Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 114Position: 9Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/n5iazXvMw5o

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Ari Ólafsson

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts Name Ari Ólafsson Born 21 May 1998 Nationality ???????? Icelandic National Selection Söngvakeppnin 2018 In Eurovision 2018 (Lisbon) Song Our choice (2018) Biography Although born in Reykjavik, Ari Ólafsson spent a part of his childhood in Florida, USA. Selma Björnsdóttir discovered him when he was eleven years old. He got the leading role in the musical Oliver !, which was performed in Borgarleikhúsið. After the Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø became aware of him in 2011, she invited him to various performances. In 2015 Ari Ólafsson took part in the Icelandic version of the singing competition The Voice. In 2018, he represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Our choice”. Unfortunately, he didn’t reach the final. On June 28, 2019 Ari released his debut single, “Too good”.Ari moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he got a degree in opera in May 2022.   Entries Our Choice Country ???????? Icelandic Year 2018 Language English Lyrics Þórunn Erna Clausen Music Þórunn Erna Clausen Backings Arna Rún Ómarsdóttir Erla Stefánsdóttir Gunnar Leó Pálsson Erna Þórunn Clausen Vignir Snær Vigfússon Results Semi Points: 15 Position: 19 Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

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Road to Rotterdam: Croatia

Her full name is Albina Grčić, but she leaves her last name at home for the occasion. She participated in the X-Factor but withdrew when she was allowed to continue only as part of a girl group. At The Voice Hrvatska she did better: she reached no less than a 3rd place.This year she won DORA, the Croatian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tick-tock”. photo: © HRT

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Rafal

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRafał Brzozowski Born8 june 1981 Nationality🇵🇱 Poland National SelectionKrajowe Eliminacje 2017 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongThe Ride (2021) Biography Rafał Brzozowski, born in Warshaw, is a Polish singer, TV presenter and former wrestler. During his studies at the Academy of Physical Education, he was educated as a sports teacher. He won the bronze medal of the Polish Academic Championships in wrestling in 2006. Due to a spine injury, he ended his sports career . He began his musical career in 2002 with the participation in the television program Szansa na sukces, in which he won a distinction . Previously, he performed with Marcin Kiljan in the K.Martin band. In 2003 he became a member of the band Emigranci. He was also a member of the group Mono. In autumn 2011, he took part in The Voice of Poland. His coach was Andrzej Piaseczny. Rafał was eliminated just before the final. In the same year, he released two singles: “Nie mam nic” and “Na dobre masz zawsze mnie”. In 2012, he released the single “Tak blisko”, for which he received the TV audience award at the Eska Music Awards 2012 gala. The song took the second place on the AirPlay charts . He also won a prize at the Russian Song Festival. On August 7, 2012, he released his debut studio album, entitled “Tak blisko”. In September 2014, he released his second studio album entitled “Mój czas”. In the same year, he took part in the released a Christmas album. In 2017, he became 2nd in the Polish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Sky over Europe”. In 2020, with the song he qualified for the “Premier” concert at the 57th KFPP in Opole with the song “Gentleman”. In May 2021, he represented Poland in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “The Ride”. In the summer of 2021 he performed during the TVP2 Summer, Music, Fun tour. Summer tour. In July,  the single “Głośniej” was released.  At the beginning of 2022, he co-hosted the third edition of The Voice Senior.  Entries The Ride Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon ComposersJoakim ÖvreniusThomas KarlssonClara RubenssonJohan Mauritszon BackingsPaweł Skiba DancersBartosz KołeckiDaniel BorzewskiMaciej MiśkiewiczMiłosz Kuterasiński Results Semi Points: 35Position: 14Rank: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Rank: – https://youtu.be/Uy6TeDNvSGo

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Albina

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameAlbina Grčić Born6 february 1999 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatia National SelectionDora 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongTick-tock (2021) Biography Albina is a Croatian pop singer. She began her career by participating in the third season of The Voice Croatia. Albina chose  Vanna as her mentor. Albina became 3rd in The Voice. Immediately after the end of The Voice, Grčić signed a contract with Universal Music Croatia. In 2020, she released her debut single “Imuna na strah”. She took part in DORA, the Croatian national selection for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, and she won. That means she represented Croatia in the contest with her song “Tick-Tock”. Although she did not reach the final, Albina was able to prolong the success. Two singles followed: “La, la, love” and “Plači mila”. Both became huge hits in Croatia. In 2022 she presented her new single “Noću” during Dora 2022. Again, chart success was there! Entries Tick-Tock Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsMax CinnamonTihana Buklijaš Bakić MusicBranimir Mihaljević DancersLuciano PlazibatMarko MarićDevin JurajStjepan Cutvarić Results Semi Points: 110Position: 11Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/vKdxjoNluzY

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Aksel

About Quick Facts NameAksel Kankaanranta Born28 January 1998 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongLooking back (2020, canceled) Biography Aksel Kankaanranta is a Finnish singer and musician. His interest in music started as a child playing the violin. However, Aksel realized his talent as a singer when playing bass on Zen Café was really beautiful.  In 2017, Aksel participated in the Voice of Finland because his mother and sister encouraged him to apply. The only purpose was to test how far the hoops were. Aksel ended up in second place.  In 2019 Aksel won an award at the Emma gala for most streamed song. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Looking back”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. In the summer of 2020, Kankaanranta got a record deal with Etenee Records, owned by Warner Music.In  2021, he was one of the seven finalists in the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, Uuden Musiikin Kilpilailu 2021. with the song “Hurt.” The song finished fifth in the competition. Entries Looking back Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoonas AngeriaWithney PhillipsConnor McDonoughRiley McDonoughToby McDonough MusicJoonas AngeriaWithney PhillipsConnor McDonoughRiley McDonoughToby McDonough Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EgONBKFQpxE

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Uku Suviste

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameUku Suviste Born06 June 1982 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2019Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongThe lucky one (2021)What love is (2020, cancelled) Biography Uku Suviste is an Estonian singer, pianist, songwriter and music producer. He was born in Võru. He has sung in the Tallinn Boys ‘Choir and the Lydia Rahula School Boys’ Choir. When Uku joined the Tallinn Music School, he followed solfeggio lessons and piano. He graduated from the music school in 1997. He studied pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School in 2002. Uku participated in the Uno Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest more than once. In 2004, his song “Never Have To” was awarded the Uno Naissoo Special Prize. A year later, he took part in the same competition with the six-voice a cappella vocal ensemble Sõbrad, They became second. Also in 2005, Uku took part in the show Kaks takti ette, where he became 3rd. After this, he worked as a producer at the Elmar Liitmaa Rockhouse Music Studio. By the end of the year, his first single “It’s christmas time” was released.   In 2006, he has completed a year and a half in singing and music production at Berklee College of Music in the United States. Uku was the second vocal soloist and keyboard player in the band Lament, which deals with R&B and disco music of the 1980s. In 2008, he returned to the Naissoo Young Composers’ Contest and won it with the song “Refreshing”. In November 2008, the album “Beautiful Tim”e was released in collaboration with Birgit Õigemeel. Uku’s main activity was arranging songs, and the album featured several duets between Birgit and Uku.  In 2010, Uku Suviste participated in the international song contest “New Wave” in Jūrmala. Uku, who represented Estonia, reached the 3rd place. In 2011, he was supposed to participate in Eesti Laul, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, he was disqualified because the song “Jagatud öö” was already used for other purposes in 2004. In 2012, he co-wrote the music video “Invincible” with Estonian Defense Forces and UNICEF for Estonian and foreign soldiers participating in missions and their families.  Uku has performed in musicals such as “Oliver Twist”, “Chicago” and  “West Side Story”. In 2017, he took part in Eesti Laul but did not reach the final. He had more luck in 2019 with the song “Pretty little liar”, which was the runner up. In 2020, he was chosen to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What love is”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the corona crisis. However, in 2021 he won Eesti Laul again, this time with the song “The lucky one”. He went on to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.   Entries The lucky one Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon VaughnUku Suviste MusicUku Suviste BackingsKaarel Orumägi Results Semi Points: 58Position: 13Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/mhMZQyv_Fhw What love is Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsSharon Vaughn MusicUku Suviste Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/3EIQ6U039ms

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Alicja Szemplińska

About Quick Facts NameAlicja Szemplińska Born29 April 2002 Nationality🇵🇱 Polish National SelectionSzansa Na Sukces 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongEmpire (2020, canceled) Biography Alicja Maria Szemplińska, performing as Alicja (born April 29, 2002 in Ciechanów) is a Polish singer, songwriter and composer. At the age of 12, Alicja enrolled in professional singing lessons. In 2016, she won the finals of the TVP1 entertainment program Hit, Hit, Hurra!, and was awarded an invitation to participate in singing classes with Seth Riggs. In 2019, she participated in The Voice of Poland. She reached the final, in which she won after gaining the most support of television viewers. She signed a record contract with Universal Music Polska. After participating in the program, she released a music video for her debut single “Prawie my”, which exceeded the threshold of 1 million views on YouTube within 10 days of its premiere. In January 2020, she took part in Szanwa Na Sukces and won this competition too. That gave her the ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Empires”. However, the contest was canceled on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the end of the year, she released a few more singles: “Gdzieś”, “Pusto”, “Kolęda dla nieobecnych” (in collaboration with Piotr Walicki) and “Na pamięć”. She made a guest appearance with the song “Empires” during the final of the 18th Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Warsaw. In April 2021 she released an acoustic version of the song “Pusto (#OnePerformeSession)”. Together with Walt Disney Records, she released the single “Każda z nas” and in October, Alicja released the single “Ej, stop!” She also sang a duet with Hodak, the song “Spójrz”. On May 6, 2022, she released the single “IDK” at the new record label Island Records Polska. Entries Empires Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsPatryk KumórDominic Buczkowski-WojtaszekLaurell BarkerFrazer Mac MusicPatryk KumórDominic Buczkowski-WojtaszekLaurell BarkerFrazer Mac Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/om91-RjTr8k

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Sandro Nicolas

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Rütten Born04 October 1996 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionInternal selection 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongRunning! (2020, cancelled) Biography Sandro Nicolas is an American-Greek singer. He was born and raised in Heinsberg, Germany. His father is American and his mother is Greek. He started playing drums and guitar lessons and from the age of 15 he started writing his own songs. In 2015, she took part in the talent show Das Supertalent. In 2018 he participated in the eighth season of “The Voice of Germany” (the German version of “The Voice”). He performed Shawn Mendes’ song “In My Blood”, making all four coaches rotate their chairs.In 2019 he participated in the “New Wave Festival” in Sochi, Russia, representing the United States, finishing 6th. From there, he started using the pseudonym and artistic Sandro Nicolas.He may have grown up in Germany but speaks fluent Greek because of his Greek roots and Greek education.On November 29, 2019, the Cyprus Radio Foundation announced Sandro Nicolas as its representative for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, due to the cancellation of the contest. Cypriot broadcaster CyBC decided not to invite Sandro for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. Sandro himself changed his stage name in Sammy Clay, but is currently known as TYLR or Tylrfromheaven. Entries Running! Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlfie ArcuriSebastian RickardsOctavian RasinariuAlessandro Rütten MusicAlfie ArcuriSebastian RickardsOctavian RasinariuAlessandro RüttenTeo DK Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Jl_qEw_4OK0

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Lidia Isac

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLidia Isac Born27 March 1993 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO Melodie Pentru Europa 2016O Melodie Pentru Europa 2015O Melodie Pentru Europa 2014O Melodie Pentru Europa 2013 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongFalling Stars (2016) Biography Lidia Isac is a Moldovan singer of Russian origin. She was born on March 27, 1993, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where her Moldovan parents met while studying. They moved back to Moldova when she was a few months old. Lidia graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences at Moldova State University in 2015. Lidia Isac started her musical career as part of the duo Glam Girls, formed with Sasha Druc. They participated in the Moldovan national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and 2014 but didn’t make it to the final. In 2014, Lidia also took part in New Wave, a contest held in Jūrmala, Latvia. In 2015, Lidia entered the selection as a solo act and with Glam Girls, reaching the final but placing last. In 2016, she won the national selection with the song “Falling Stars” and represented Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden, finishing in seventeenth place in the first semi-final. In 2017, Lidia Isac appeared as a contestant in the sixth season of The Voice: la plus belle voix, the French version of The Voice. She advanced from the Blind Auditions but was eliminated in the Battle rounds. That same year, she also participated in the seventh season of the Romanian version Vocea României, where she joined Tudor Chirilă’s team but was eliminated in the Live Shows. On December 17 2018, her song “Aproape” was released. A year later, on 27 November 2019, it was followed by a new song: “Nomada”. After this, she teamded up with OZ Drive, which resulted in the song “Zabudem do zavtra”. In April 2021 Lidija started her own vocal studio in Chişinau. In October of the same year Lidia Isac gave a concert called “Chante la France!”, entirely with French songs.  Entries Falling Stars Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsGabriel AlaresSebastian LestapierEllen BergLeonid Gutkin MusicGabriel AlaresSebastian LestapierEllen BergLeonid Gutkin BackingsGabriel AlaresEllen Berg Tollbom DancersIuri Rîbac Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://youtu.be/LlhV-E6leTI

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Anouk

About Quick Facts NameAnouk Teeuwe Born08 April 1975 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBirds (2013) Biography Born in The Hague, Netherlands, on 8 April 1975, Anouk Teeuwe, known popularly as Anouk, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance. Her journey into the world of music wasn’t a bed of roses. As a teenager, grappling with personal issues, Anouk dabbled in drugs and even left her family at a tender age of 14. However, her life took a transformative turn when she rediscovered her roots in music, inspired by her mother, a blues singer. From a shy teenager singing her heart out at weddings and local gatherings with the band Shotgun Wedding, Anouk transitioned to a budding artist at the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1994. Though she left the conservatory after just two years, her passion for music remained undeterred. The period marked a significant turn in her career when her husband, Edwin Jansen, introduced her to Barry Hay, the lead vocalist of the iconic Dutch rock band, Golden Earring. Sensing her raw talent, Hay collaborated with his fellow band member, George Kooymans, to pen “Mood Indigo” for Anouk. The late 1990s was an era of exploration for Anouk. Partnering with Bart van Veen as her co-writer, they crafted several songs. But it was her single, “Nobody’s Wife,” released in September 1997, that acted as a catapult, propelling her to the zenith of the Dutch music charts and gaining recognition in Norway and Sweden. “Together Alone,” her debut album, echoed her rise to prominence. The subsequent years were an amalgamation of achievements and challenges. In 1998, she bagged multiple awards, including two from the revered Dutch music channel TMF and the prestigious Edison Award. With the dawn of the new millennium, her second album “Urban Solitude” arrived, featuring the hit “R U Kiddin’ Me”. An attempt to explore opportunities in the US music industry didn’t materialize as planned, but this setback was merely a precursor to her returning with a bang with the song “Don’t” in 2001. Anouk’s discography in the early 2000s was diverse, with “Lost Tracks” in 2001, showcasing acoustic renditions and collaborations, and the hard rock-infused “Graduated Fool” in 2002. Her evolution as an artist was further manifested in “Hotel New York” (2004), marked by singles such as “Girl” and “Lost”. The ensuing years saw Anouk experimenting with different genres and collaborations. “Who’s Your Momma” (2007) was a significant release, with the single “Good God” making its way into the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. “For Bitter or Worse” followed in 2009, accompanied by chart-topping songs. The 2010s carved a niche for Anouk in the international music arena. Her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Birds” ended the Netherlands’ dry spell in the competition, garnering 9th place and widespread acclaim. She also penned the 2015 Dutch Eurovision entry “Walk along” for Trijntje Oosterhuis. Anouk’s tenure as a coach on “The Voice of Holland” was another feather in her cap, spanning several seasons, though it ended in 2022 amidst controversy surrounding the show. Her musical journey in the late 2010s and 2020s was marked by diversity. With two album releases in 2016, the introduction of her first Dutch-language album in 2018 titled “Wen d’r maar aan”, and the intimately crafted mini-album “Trails of Fails” in 2022, Anouk solidified her legacy as a versatile artist unafraid of reinvention. In June 2022, Anouk married Dominique Schemmekes during a concert at the Malieveld in The Hague. In January 2023 she recorded a song “Met wie kan jij het aan” together with Emma Heesters. Entries Birds Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnouk Teeuwe MusicAnouk TeeuweMartin GjerstadTore Johanson BackingsRicardo BurgrustShirma RouseYerry Rellum Results Semi Points:  75Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 114Position: 9Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/n5iazXvMw5o

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Ari Ólafsson

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts Name Ari Ólafsson Born 21 May 1998 Nationality ???????? Icelandic National Selection Söngvakeppnin 2018 In Eurovision 2018 (Lisbon) Song Our choice (2018) Biography Although born in Reykjavik, Ari Ólafsson spent a part of his childhood in Florida, USA. Selma Björnsdóttir discovered him when he was eleven years old. He got the leading role in the musical Oliver !, which was performed in Borgarleikhúsið. After the Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø became aware of him in 2011, she invited him to various performances. In 2015 Ari Ólafsson took part in the Icelandic version of the singing competition The Voice. In 2018, he represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Our choice”. Unfortunately, he didn’t reach the final. On June 28, 2019 Ari released his debut single, “Too good”.Ari moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he got a degree in opera in May 2022.   Entries Our Choice Country ???????? Icelandic Year 2018 Language English Lyrics Þórunn Erna Clausen Music Þórunn Erna Clausen Backings Arna Rún Ómarsdóttir Erla Stefánsdóttir Gunnar Leó Pálsson Erna Þórunn Clausen Vignir Snær Vigfússon Results Semi Points: 15 Position: 19 Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: – Position: – Running order: –

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Road to Rotterdam: Croatia

Her full name is Albina Grčić, but she leaves her last name at home for the occasion. She participated in the X-Factor but withdrew when she was allowed to continue only as part of a girl group. At The Voice Hrvatska she did better: she reached no less than a 3rd place.This year she won DORA, the Croatian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tick-tock”. photo: © HRT

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Rafal

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRafał Brzozowski Born8 june 1981 Nationality🇵🇱 Poland National SelectionKrajowe Eliminacje 2017 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongThe Ride (2021) Biography Rafał Brzozowski, born in Warshaw, is a Polish singer, TV presenter and former wrestler. During his studies at the Academy of Physical Education, he was educated as a sports teacher. He won the bronze medal of the Polish Academic Championships in wrestling in 2006. Due to a spine injury, he ended his sports career . He began his musical career in 2002 with the participation in the television program Szansa na sukces, in which he won a

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Albina

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameAlbina Grčić Born6 february 1999 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatia National SelectionDora 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam SongTick-tock (2021) Biography Albina is a Croatian pop singer. She began her career by participating in the third season of The Voice Croatia. Albina chose  Vanna as her mentor. Albina became 3rd in The Voice. Immediately after the end of The Voice, Grčić signed a contract with Universal Music Croatia. In 2020, she released her debut single “Imuna na strah”. She took part in DORA, the Croatian national selection for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, and she won. That means she represented Croatia

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Aksel

About Quick Facts NameAksel Kankaanranta Born28 January 1998 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongLooking back (2020, canceled) Biography Aksel Kankaanranta is a Finnish singer and musician. His interest in music started as a child playing the violin. However, Aksel realized his talent as a singer when playing bass on Zen Café was really beautiful.  In 2017, Aksel participated in the Voice of Finland because his mother and sister encouraged him to apply. The only purpose was to test how far the hoops were. Aksel ended up in second place.  In 2019 Aksel

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Uku Suviste

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameUku Suviste Born06 June 1982 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2017Eesti Laul 2019Eesti Laul 2020Eesti Laul 2021 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongThe lucky one (2021)What love is (2020, cancelled) Biography Uku Suviste is an Estonian singer, pianist, songwriter and music producer. He was born in Võru. He has sung in the Tallinn Boys ‘Choir and the Lydia Rahula School Boys’ Choir. When Uku joined the Tallinn Music School, he followed solfeggio lessons and piano. He graduated from the music school in 1997. He studied pop-jazz singing at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School in 2002. Uku

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Alicja Szemplińska

About Quick Facts NameAlicja Szemplińska Born29 April 2002 Nationality🇵🇱 Polish National SelectionSzansa Na Sukces 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongEmpire (2020, canceled) Biography Alicja Maria Szemplińska, performing as Alicja (born April 29, 2002 in Ciechanów) is a Polish singer, songwriter and composer. At the age of 12, Alicja enrolled in professional singing lessons. In 2016, she won the finals of the TVP1 entertainment program Hit, Hit, Hurra!, and was awarded an invitation to participate in singing classes with Seth Riggs. In 2019, she participated in The Voice of Poland. She reached the final, in which she won after gaining the most

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Sandro Nicolas

About Quick Facts NameAlessandro Rütten Born04 October 1996 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionInternal selection 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (cancelled) SongRunning! (2020, cancelled) Biography Sandro Nicolas is an American-Greek singer. He was born and raised in Heinsberg, Germany. His father is American and his mother is Greek. He started playing drums and guitar lessons and from the age of 15 he started writing his own songs. In 2015, she took part in the talent show Das Supertalent. In 2018 he participated in the eighth season of “The Voice of Germany” (the German version of “The Voice”). He performed Shawn Mendes’ song “In My

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Lidia Isac

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLidia Isac Born27 March 1993 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO Melodie Pentru Europa 2016O Melodie Pentru Europa 2015O Melodie Pentru Europa 2014O Melodie Pentru Europa 2013 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongFalling Stars (2016) Biography Lidia Isac is a Moldovan singer of Russian origin. She was born on March 27, 1993, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where her Moldovan parents met while studying. They moved back to Moldova when she was a few months old. Lidia graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences at Moldova State University in 2015. Lidia Isac started her musical career as part

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Anouk

About Quick Facts NameAnouk Teeuwe Born08 April 1975 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBirds (2013) Biography Born in The Hague, Netherlands, on 8 April 1975, Anouk Teeuwe, known popularly as Anouk, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance. Her journey into the world of music wasn’t a bed of roses. As a teenager, grappling with personal issues, Anouk dabbled in drugs and even left her family at a tender age of 14. However, her life took a transformative turn when she rediscovered her roots in music, inspired by her mother, a blues singer.

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Ari Ólafsson

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts Name Ari Ólafsson Born 21 May 1998 Nationality ???????? Icelandic National Selection Söngvakeppnin 2018 In Eurovision 2018 (Lisbon) Song Our choice (2018) Biography Although born in Reykjavik, Ari Ólafsson spent a part of his childhood in Florida, USA. Selma Björnsdóttir discovered him when he was eleven years old. He got the leading role in the musical Oliver !, which was performed in Borgarleikhúsið. After the Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø became aware of him in 2011, she invited him to various performances. In 2015 Ari Ólafsson took part in the Icelandic version of the singing competition

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