Chara Konstantinou

Chara Konstantinou is a Cypriot singer. She is best known for representing Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 alongside her brother, Andreas Konstantinou. Although her time in the spotlight was brief, she built a notable music career in the late 1990s. 

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Chara Konstantinou was born in Nicosia, Cyprus, into a musical family. Her older sister is Konstantina Konstantinou, a famous Cypriot singer who had represented Cyprus at Eurovision in 1983. Growing up with musical siblings inspired Chara’s own ambitions. In 1990, she took her first steps in the music industry as part of a trio called “Tria Flas.” Alongside fellow singers Stella Georgiadou and Leonidas Pafiliaris, Chara contributed to a group album under that title. This early experience helped her develop her singing career. By the late 1990s, Chara was active as a solo artist in the Greek pop music scene. She and her brother Andreas both pursued music, each releasing solo albums during this period. Hara’s soulful voice and her family ties in music set the stage for her breakthrough later in the decade.

Eurovision 1997 and Musical Success

Chara Konstantinou’s rise to international attention came in 1997. That year, she teamed up with her brother Andreas to compete in the Cypriot national selection for Eurovision. Their duet “Mana mou” (“My Motherland”) won the national final, earning the siblings the honor of representing Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 in Dublin. The song was a true family collaboration. Their sister Konstantina had composed and written “Mana mou” for them. At Eurovision, Chara and Andreas opened the show as the first performers of the night. They delivered a powerful live performance, and Cyprus achieved an impressive 5th place out of 25 countries. This result was Cyprus’s best Eurovision placement at that time. The success of “Mana mou,” with its lyrics and Chara’s strong vocals, made the Konstantinou siblings household names at home.

Post-Eurovision Career and New Endeavors

After her Eurovision success, Chara continued working in music, albeit for a short time. In late 1997, she released a solo album titled Zitima Zois (“A Matter of Life”). This pop album featured Hara’s vocals on a collection of Greek songs. The record reached audiences beyond Cyprus. It was even released in markets like Australia, tapping into the overseas Greek community. Additionally,Chara sought another chance at Eurovision glory, this time with a different country. In early 1998, she entered the Greek national song selection with a new song called “Fantasia Mou” (“My Fantasy”). She won her semi-final in the Greek competition, showcasing her continued talent. In the national final, Chara’s song finished in 8th place. Despite not winning, her participation in Greece’s contest demonstrated her determination to expand her singing career.

Nevertheless, by the end of the 1990s Chara’s priorities began to change. Both she and her brother Andreas decided to step away from the music industry not long after their Eurovision experiences. Chara’s time as a pop singer effectively concluded as she chose to move on to a different path.

Personal Life and Legacy

Stepping away from show business allowed Chara Konstantinou to focus on her personal life. She has kept a low profile since retiring from music, and details about her private life in recent years have largely remained out of the public eye. Chara is known to cherish her family bonds. The Konstantinou siblings share a unique musical journey that ties them together.