Winner

Jamala

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameSusana Alimivna Jamaladinova Born27 August 1983 Nationality🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionVidbir 2016Evrobachennya 2011 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm Song1944 (2016) Biography Susana Alimivna Dzhamaladinova, better known as Jamala, is born in Osh in the Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union. She is a Ukrainian singer of Crimean Tatar-Armenian origin. Soon, the family moved to Melitopol, and in the late 1980s, they settled in the village of Malorichenske near Alushta. From a young age, Susana participated in various children’s competitions. She studied at Music School No. 1 in Alushta, specializing in piano. After completing her studies there, she enrolled in the Simferopol Music School, graduating in 2001. She then continued her education at the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv, where she received an academic degree. During her studies, Susana took part in various Ukrainian and international festivals such as Voices of the Future (2000, Russia), Crimean Spring (2001), Do#Dzh Junior (2001), and Il Concorso Europeo Amici della musica (2004, Italy). She sang in the female a cappella quintet Beauty Band (2001-2007), and in 2006, she participated in Do#Dzh Junior, where she was noticed by choreographer Olena Kolyadenko, who invited her to play a solo role in her own musical, Pa (2008). Thus, Olena Kolyadenko became Jamala’s first producer. After receiving her diploma, Susana sent her recordings to the Zurich Opera Theatre. During that period, she had already received an offer to do an internship at the renowned La Scala opera theatre in Milan. She had already decided to choose opera when an unexpected invitation came to participate in the 8th International Competition Nova Khvyla (New Wave). Susana agreed and performed at the competition under the stage name Jamala, which is the first part of her surname. In the end, she and Indonesian contestant Sandhy Sondoro both received 358 points, thus sharing the victory. In 2011, Jamala participated in Evrobachennya 2011, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. For the occasion, she sang the song “Smile” and ended up in 3rd place. On March 19, 2013, simultaneously on over 60 digital platforms, the release of the singer’s second album “All or Nothing” took place.Jamala personally presented the album on April 26 at a solo concert at the October Palace. In the same spring, the album was released on vinyl, and Jamala received the ELLE Style Award in the category of Singer of the Year. In the second half of 2013, Jamala participated in the MTV EXIT campaign against human trafficking. She appeared as a narrator in the documentary film “Life for Sale,” where she shared the stories of three labor migrants from Ukraine. In the spring of 2014, Jamala received the Red Apple Awards in the Art category for her contribution to the development of culture and strengthening peace. In the fall, she appeared in the film “Guide”. That same year, Jamala appeared in the television musical “Alice in Wonderland”, playing the role of the Caterpillar. On October 1, 2014, the singer presented her third mini-album, titled “Thank You,” with musical producers Yevhen Filatov and the guitarist of her band, Serhiy Yeremenko (“Perfect Man”). The album included the Ukrainian-language song “Zaplutalas,” which Jamala introduced on September 25. The album predominantly features electronic sound and contains six songs. In the same fall, Andriy Khlyvnyuk invited Jamala to collaborate. Together with Dmytro Shurov and Andriy, they recorded the song “Zlyva”. The song became the musical composition for the film “The Winter That Changed Us” and the project “TSN – 94 Days. Euromaidan through the Eyes of TSN.” The duet of Jamala, Andriy Khlyvnyuk, and Dmytro Shurov, along with their song “Zlyva,” won the categories of Best Duet and Best Song at the YUNA Music Awards in 2016. On October 12, 2015, the fourth album “Podikh” was presented. The album won the Best Album category at the YUNA Music Awards in 2016, and the song “Inye” became the soundtrack for the Russian TV series of the same name. In 2016, Jamala took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest again, this time with the song “1944,” dedicated to tragic events of the past, including the deportation of the Crimean Tatars. Based on the results of the audience vote and the jury, Jamala advanced to the final of the national selection and won. In April, she participated in the recording of Usain Bekirov’s album “Taterrium”. During her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Jamala received the Eurostory Awards 2016 for the best lyrics in a competition song and the Marcel Bezençon Award in the Artistic Award category. In the final of Eurovision on the night of May 15, Jamala emerged as the winner with 534 points. On May 16, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko awarded her the honorary title of People’s Artist of Ukraine. During her time at Eurovision, Jamala signed a contract with Universal Music Group, which released her album “1944” in Europe on June 10 and in the USA on July 10. On July 20, the premiere of the telefilm Dyvys na sebe! by journalist Bohdan Kutepov took place on the channels UA: Pershyi and Hromadske Telebachennia. The film focused on Jamala’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. In the fall, Jamala participated in the seventh season of the vocal show The Voice of the Country and collaborated on the song “Zamanily” with the Ukrainian ethno-band “DakhaBrakha.” In early 2017, Jamala won awards in the categories of Best Solo Artist, Best Song, and Best Duet at the YUNA 2017 Music Awards. She also won in the Culture category of the all-Ukrainian Woman of Ukraine 2016 award and the Pride of the Country category of the “Viva! The Most Beautiful 2017” award. During the “Flower Expo Ukraine” exhibition in Kyiv, she received a certificate from the Dutch company “StoKolex” for the naming of a new tulip variety after her. In June, the filming of the movie Nebo directed by Oleksiy Panteleev began, in which Jamala played one of the roles. In July, the documentary film Jamalas

Lena Meyer-Landrut

About Quick Facts NameLena Johanna Therese Meyer-Landrut Born23 May 1991 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionUnser Song Für Deutschland 2011Unser Star Für Oslo 2010 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf2010 Oslo SongTaken By A Stranger (2011)Satellite (2010) Biography Lena Johanna Therese Meyer-Landrut, widely known as Lena, was born on May 23, 1991, in Hanover, Germany. She is a renowned German singer who catapulted to fame after representing Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, where she won with the song “Satellite.” This victory marked a significant milestone in her career, as both “Satellite” and her debut album, “My Cassette Player” (2010), debuted at number one in Germany and achieved platinum status. Lena’s rise to fame began when she participated in the talent show “Unser Star für Oslo,” a national competition organized to select Germany’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her performances on the show, including her winning song “Satellite,” garnered widespread acclaim and established her as a favorite among the audience. Lena’s success in Eurovision brought her international recognition and set an all-time chart record in Germany, with three of her songs simultaneously occupying the top five positions on the German Singles Chart. Following her Eurovision triumph, Lena continued to build on her success with a series of successful albums. Her subsequent albums, including “Good News” (2011), “Stardust” (2012), “Crystal Sky” (2015), and “Only Love, L” (2019), all achieved significant commercial success, entering the top two of the German Albums Chart. Several singles from these albums, such as “Stardust” and “Wild & Free,” became top ten hits across German-speaking Europe, solidifying her status as one of the best-selling female German artists of the early 2010s. In addition to her music career, Lena has been a prominent figure on television. She has served as a coach on nine seasons of the reality competition series “The Voice Kids” and has been an expert panel member for the Eurovision Song Contest on multiple occasions. In 2017, Lena joined the cast of the fourth season of “Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert,” the German version of “The Best Singers.” The accompanying compilation album from the show topped the Austrian and German Albums Chart. Lena has also ventured into voice acting, lending her voice to characters in various audiobooks and animated films, including “A Turtle’s Tale” (2010), “Tarzan” (2013), “Trolls” (2016), and “Wonder Park” (2019). She has also been a brand ambassador for L’Oréal, promoting their hair coloring and skin care products. On June 16, 2023, Meyer-Landrut released a new single titled “What I Want” from her upcoming sixth studio album. The album, “Loyal to Myself,” is set to be released on May 31, 2024. Prior to the album’s release, she also released the singles “Straitjacket” and the title track. Entries Taken By A Stranger Country🇩🇪 Country Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsGus SeyffertNicole MorierMonica Birkenes MusicGus SeyffertNicole MorierMonica Birkenes BackingsNikeata ThompsonGeorgina PhelpAvelina Princess Boateng?? Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 107Position: 10Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/KqZprvpWlcE?si=TedjwLSYsUjsBIfh Satellite Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsJulie Frost MusicJulie FrostJohn Gordon BackingsAnji HinkeCheri KedidaGrace RischMaya Saban Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 246Position: 1Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/7pL9vdpSvnY?si=1PzTQ3mpXo8vpPEH

Emmelie de Forest

About Quick Facts NameEmmelie Charlotte-Victoria De Forrest Born28 February 1993 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongOnly Teardrops (2013) Biography Emmelie Charlotte-Victoria de Forest was born on 28 February 1993 in Randers, Denmark. Music ran in her veins; she claims descent from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Her father is Swedish, and her mother is Danish. Emmelie began singing at a young age. At just 14, she began performing in local festivals, singing jazz classics from the 1930s and 1940s. This early exposure to music set the foundation for her future career. Emmelie de Forest’s big breakthrough came in 2013 when she represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden. With her song “Only Teardrops,” she managed to captivate audiences and judges alike, leading to her winning the contest. The song went on to become a major hit not only in Denmark but also across Europe. Following her Eurovision win, Emmelie released her debut album, also titled “Only Teardrops,” which featured a collection of tracks showcasing her distinct vocal style. She went on tours, performed at various concerts, and became a well-recognized name in the European music scene. On 7 February 2014, Emmelie de Forest introduced her third single, “Rainmaker,” through a video upload. She delved into its significance, providing a sneak peek of the song. This tune became the official #JoinUs anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and de Forest showcased it live during the event’s final in Copenhagen’s B&W Hallerne. She described “Rainmaker” as a song that encapsulates the unity of a tribe invoking the rain to rejuvenate their parched land. However, she expanded its meaning, suggesting that the rainmaker could symbolize anyone or anything – emphasizing collaboration and mutual aid. Reflecting on her post-Eurovision victory, de Forest exclaimed, “Touring Europe, dropping my first album, penning numerous songs – truly, I’m living the dream!” In a September 2014 discussion with Wiwibloggs, de Forest mentioned she was in the midst of recording her sophomore album, initially set for a February 2015 launch. By 14 July, “Rainmaker” had achieved Gold status. Then, on 3 August 2014, she shared on Facebook her plans to debut her upcoming album’s first single, “Drunk Tonight,” at the Amsterdam Pride 2014. Through Instagram, she revealed glimpses of the song and its upcoming music video. The single hit the shelves on 18 August, followed by its music video release on 25 August. Emphasizing the video’s aesthetic, in which she appears in a swimsuit, de Forest aimed for a blend of “elegance and allure.” Come December 2015, de Forest departed from Universal Music Group, subsequently partnering with Swedish entity, Cosmos Music. As a lyricist, she contributed to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2016 with “Never Alone,” performed by Anja Nissen. However, its eligibility wavered as de Forest had showcased the song earlier. Yet, the European Broadcasting Union, responsible for Eurovision’s organization, greenlit it. The song contended in the 13 February 2016 final, securing a spot in the super final and finishing second. In the UK’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, de Forest returned as a songwriter, penning “Never Give Up on You” for Lucie Jones. This song clinched the top spot and later ranked 15th at the Eurovision in Kyiv. November 2017 saw de Forest releasing “Sanctuary,” marking her first venture after her Universal exit. February 9, 2018, witnessed the unveiling of her second album, “History.” Aligning with independent label Day In Day Out Records, under Cosmos Music’s umbrella, she launched “Typical Love Song” on 8 October 2021. In November of the same year, she played a role in the short film “Text Me When You Get Home” about the ordinary fear and paranoia of being a woman walking home alone. Entries Only Teardrops Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsLise CabbleJulia Fabrin JacobsenThomas Stengaard MusicLise CabbleJulia Fabrin JacobsenThomas Stengaard BackingsAnne MurilloHeidi DegnAnders ØhrstrømMorten Specht Larsen (drums)Jacob Bagøe Thomsen (drums) Results Semi Points: 167Position: 1Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 281Position: 1Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/QxVWcDevKLg

Måns Zelmerlöw

© EBU/Elena Volotova About Quick Facts NameMåns Petter Albert Sahlén Zelmerlöw Born13 June 1986 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2015Melodifestivalen 2008Melodifestivalen 2007 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongHeroes (2015) Biography Måns Petter Albert Sahlén Zelmerlöw, born on June 13, 1986, in the Lund Cathedral Parish, Malmö County, is a Swedish presenter, musician, and songwriter.Måns Zelmerlöw attended a music-focused program at Lars-Erik Larsson Gymnasium in Lund, where he primarily focused on choir singing and later sang in the Lund University Male Voice Choir. In 2002, he participated in a production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, where he played one of Joseph’s eleven brothers. He competed in TV4’s Idol 2005 where he finished in fifth place. In 2006, he emerged as the winner of TV4’s “Let’s Dance” together with Maria Bild. In the second half of 2006, he played the lead role of Danny Zuko in the musical Grease, which was staged in Malmö. Zelmerlöw reached the final of Melodifestivalen, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, in 2007 with the song “Cara Mia,” which finished in third place with the second-highest number of viewer votes. The song topped the Swedish sales chart. In 2007, he performed the song on TV programs such as Allsång på Skansen and Lotta på Liseberg. On October 5, 2007, he hosted Lilla Melodifestivalen (the Junior Melodifestivalen). At the same time, he appeared in the musical Footloose, where he played the villain Tommy. The musical premiered on November 8, 2007, at Storan in Gothenburg and was staged in Stockholm from February 20, 2008. In 2008, he participated in the Diggiloo Tour along with Lasse Holm, Linda Bengtzing, Lotta Engberg, Thomas Pettersson, Molly Sandén, Nanne Grönvall, Stefan and Kim, and Magnus Johansson. He participated again in Melodifestivalen 2009, this time with the song “Hope & Glory” (lyrics: Måns Zelmerlöw, Fredrik Kempe; music: Fredrik Kempe, Henrik Wikström). He advanced directly to the final at the Globe Arena, where he took the lead after the jury groups had voted. After the viewers’ votes were cast, Zelmerlöw finished in fourth place with 144 points. In 2009, he participated in the TV program Så ska det låta together with Lill Lindfors. He also performed in “Allsång på Skansen.” He hosted “Sommarkrysset” directly from Gröna Lund and went on The MZW Tour, which consisted of a five-member band and four dancers. The tour started in Västerås on June 26 and concluded on August 15, 2009, in Kristinestad. During the year, Zelmerlöw also performed at Crown Princess Victoria’s birthday, which was broadcast on Swedish Television on July 14, 2009. During the second semifinal of Dansbandskampen 2009, he served as a guest judge in the second round, where his songs were the evening’s theme. On November 10, 2009, it was announced that Zelmerlöw would be one of the three hosts of Melodifestivalen 2010. He co-hosted the show with Dolph Lundgren and Christine Meltzer. He also took on the role of Romeo in Romeo and Julia. In connection with Dansbandskampen 2010, he co-wrote a song with Peter Wennerberg for Elisa’s titled “Varenda veranda,” which the band also recorded for the album “Det här är bara början” in 2011. For Christmas 2010, Zelmerlöw released the solo album “Christmas with Friends.” On February 23, 2011, it was announced that he would be the new host of Allsång på Skansen. For Christmas, Zelmerlöw released the album “Kära vinter” (Dear Winter). Måns Zelmerlöw released the single “Ett lyckligt slut” in collaboration with the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation in 2012. The same year, he participated in the panel of opinions in SVT’s music program Inför Eurovision Song Contest. He was named “Årets Lundensare” (Lund Citizen of the Year) by the Grandiosa Society in Lund. For the third consecutive summer, he hosted Allsång på Skansen in 2013. However, during the final episode on August 13, he announced his intention to quit. Zelmerlöw participated as a songwriter in Melodifestivalen 2013 with the song “Hello Goodbye,” performed by Erik Segerstedt and Tone Damli, which advanced to the Second Chance round. In the fall of 2013, he played the lead role in a new version of the musical Spök (Ghost) alongside Loa Falkman, Sussie Eriksson, and Lena Philipsson, among others. In February 2014, he released the personal album “Barcelona Sessions,” which he had been working on for almost two years. Zelmerlöw competed in Melodifestivalen 2015 with the song “Heroes”, which he won, thus earning the opportunity to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. Zelmerlöw won with 288 points, achieving the largest margin of victory (150 points) in Melodifestivalen history. In the Eurovision final on May 23, Zelmerlöw won with 365 points. During the summer of 2015, Måns Zelmerlöw made several appearances at music festivals in Sweden and Finland. Following that, he embarked on a European tour in September. Before the tour, he also visited Shanghai, China to promote his latest album, “Perfectly Damaged,”. In January 2016, Zelmerlöw traveled to Australia and surprised audiences by joining Guy Sebastian‘s Concert Tour, “You..Me..Us Tour,” as a guest artist. He performed with his band at two dates. In May 2016, Zelmerlöw co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm alongside Swedish TV presenter Petra Mede. During the three shows, he performed his winning song “Heroes,” as well as his new song “Fire in the Rain.” Additionally, he showcased two musical sketches, co-written with Edward af Sillén, titled “Story of ESC” and the highly acclaimed “Love, Love, Peace, Peace” with Petra Mede. In October 2016, Zelmerlöw appeared in the TV series “Chevaleresk” with host Alexander Wiberg, which was broadcast on TV6. In 2021, Zelmerlöw returned to Melodifestivalen as a host for the final together with Shima Niavarani and Christer Björkman. In the same year, he joined the Swedish edition of “The Masked Singer,” where he is part of the panel. In 2022, Zelmerlöv was one of the participants in TV4’s show Så mycket bättre (So Much Better). Entries Song Title Country🇸🇪 Sweden Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnton Malmberg Hård af SegerstadJoy DebLinnea Deb MusicAnton Malmberg Hård af SegerstadJoy