Ines

Eda-Ines Etti (born 26 May 1981) is an Estonian singer, songwriter, and television personality. Known simply as Ines on stage, she first rose to fame by representing Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000. Since that breakthrough, Etti has released multiple albums, won music awards, and become a familiar face on Estonian television as a host of popular entertainment shows. Her career spans two decades and highlights her versatility as both a vocalist and a TV presenter.

Early Beginnings and Eurovision 2000

Eda-Ines Etti was born in Haapsalu, Estonia. Etti developed a passion for music at a young age. She often participated in local youth singing contests and earned wider attention in 1999 by placing second in the nationwide competition Kaks takti ette. This early success paved the way for her entry into the international arena. In 2000, the 18-year-old Estonian singer won Eurolaul and earned the right to represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000. She Performed the upbeat pop song “Once in a Lifetime”. Etti charmed audiences across Europe and achieved an impressive fourth-place finish. At the time, it was Estonia’s best ever Eurovision result and it firmly established her as a star in Estonia.

Musical Success in the 2000s

Buoyed by her Eurovision fame, Ines released her debut album Here for Your Love in late 2000. The album featured her Eurovision hit and helped solidify her status as a pop sensation. She earned Estonia’s Female Artist of the Year award in 2000, recognizing the impact of her debut. In 2002, Eda-Ines Etti planned a return to Eurovision in 2002 with the song “Runaway”. However, she withdrew. Organizers brought in Swedish singer Sahlene to perform it instead. Nevertheless, Etti remained involved in Eurovision events.he later served as Estonia’s spokesperson during the voting segment of the contest and co-hosted the national selection show Eurolaul in 2005.

In 2004, Ines shifted her focus to recording in Estonian, releasing the album 15 magamata ööd (“15 Sleepless Nights”). The title track became a big hit, and the album’s success earned her another Female Artist of the Year honor at the Estonian Music Awards. She continued to solidify her place among Estonia’s top artists. Etti attempted to return to Eurovision, coming close in 2006 with the ballad “Iseendale” (placing second) and also entering in 2007 with the song “In Good and Bad” (placing seventh). During this period, she released two more studio albums: Uus päev (2005) and Kustutame vead (2007). The latter earned her another Female Artist of the Year nomination.

Television Career and Continued Work (2010–Present)

By the end of the 2000s, Eda-Ines Etti had expanded beyond music. In 2008, she won the TV singing competition Laulud tähtedega (Estonia’s version of Just the Two of Us) together with partner Valdo Randpere. This victory further boosted her popularity and proved her broad appeal on television. In 2009 she released her fifth studio album Kas kuuled mind, followed by a sixth album Kiusatus in 2011, which featured the hit song “Tule-tule”. During this time, Etti also explored acting with small roles in Estonian stage productions and TV dramas. For example, she appeared in the crime series Kelgukoerad and had a part in the feature film Rotilõks (2011) as a hotel receptionist.

Most notably, Eda-Ines Etti became a prominent television host in the 2010s. She has hosted a variety of TV shows, showcasing her charisma in front of the camera. From 2010 to 2012, she co-hosted the reality talent series Eesti talent (Estonia’s version of Got Talent) alongside Tanel Padar. She also presented other entertainment programs, such as Guinnessi rekordid (a local Guinness World Records show) and the game show Me armastame Eestit (“We Love Estonia”). In 2022, Etti returned to prime-time television as one of the hosts of Tantsud tähtedega, the Estonian edition of Dancing with the Stars, teaming up with singer Jüri Pootsmann for the show’s revival season. Her ease on stage has made her a sought-after host for music competitions and variety shows.

Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Eda-Ines Etti has continued to release new music even without new albums. She has put out numerous standalone singles and collaborations. For example, her 2014 single “Torm” kept her on Estonian radio, and a recent release “Taevasse” (2023) shows that her style continues to evolve.