Evelin Samuel

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Evelin Samuel was born in May 1975. She started singing as a child. Estonian Radio even recorded her voice when she was very young. In her teens, she joined the children’s musical theatre troupe Colombina, which performed at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 1992. Evelin soon began entering singing competitions. In 1993, she placed fourth in the Kaks takti ette television talent contest and won the Via Baltica Baltic song contest that same year. The following year, she won Estonia’s Uus Laul song competition with the song “Vari ja roos”. These early achievements made Evelin a rising star in Estonia.

Eurovision Song Contest Journey

Evelin Samuel set her sights on the Eurovision Song Contest early on. She tried multiple times in Estonia’s national selections during the 1990s. In 1994 she submitted three songs and in 1996 two songs, but she did not succeed in either year. However, she remained determined. Evelin finally got onto the Eurovision stage in 1997 as a backing vocalist. She sang backup for Maarja-Liis Ilus on the song “Keelatud maa”, which finished eighth at Eurovision that year. In 1998, her song “Unistus igavesest päevast” came very close to winning Estonia’s selection, placing second by just three points.

In 1999, Evelin Samuel finally represented Estonia as a lead artist. She performed the song “Diamond of Night” alongside violinist Camille (Imbi-Camille Rätsep) at the Eurovision final in Jerusalem. They finished in sixth place. 

Evelin stayed involved in Eurovision after that. She attempted to return in 2000 with a new song, though she did not win the national final. Still, she remained a familiar face by serving as Estonia’s voting spokesperson in 2000 and 2006, announcing the points on live TV. Even after two decades, her passion for Eurovision continued. In 2022, she entered the Eesti Laul competition with the song “Waterfall,” reaching the semi-finals.

Musical Career and Stage Work

In addition to her Eurovision activities, Evelin Samuel has pursued a broad music career. In the late 1990s she performed regularly as a singer. She even sang dance music on Baltic Sea cruise ferries for several years. Around the same time, she became a radio DJ on Estonia’s Raadio Uuno station, sharing music with listeners across the country.

Evelin released her debut album Alternature: Over The Water Blue in 2002. She also ventured into musical theater. In 2001, she landed the role of Fantine in Les Misérables in Tallinn, but left the production before opening night. Later, she took on roles such as Nancy in Oliver! (2003) and a part in Miss Saigon in Helsinki (2004). These roles showed her versatility beyond pop music.

After 2005, Evelin took a hiatus from performing. From 2006 to 2012, she paused her singing career to focus on her personal life. She made a comeback in 2013, returning to the stage with new songs and concerts. Her return proved that her passion for music remained strong.

Writing and Journalism

Apart from music, Evelin Samuel has been active as a writer and journalist. In 2008, she published her first children’s book, “Ükskord, kui sadas vihma” (“Once When It Was Raining”). Since then, she has written many more stories, poems, and songs for children. This creative work for young audiences added another dimension to her career.

Evelin also worked in media and publishing. In 2010, she became the editor-in-chief of the health magazine Tervis Pluss. She later held the same position at Käsitöö, a crafts magazine, in 2014. Additionally, she has written regular columns for various publications. Through these roles, Evelin established herself as a notable media figure.

Foray into Politics

Beyond music and media, Evelin Samuel ventured into politics. She joined the conservative Isamaa party around 2014. Evelin ran for Parliament in 2015 as an Isamaa candidate, but did not win a seat. She remained involved with the party for a few more years. However, in 2019 she decided to leave politics, stating that the political atmosphere had become too ugly and stressful for her.

Personal Life and Legacy

Evelin Samuel’s family life has influenced her career choices. She has two sons, Oskar (born 2006) and Torsten (born 2008), from a previous relationship. When her boys were young, Evelin put her music career on hold to focus on raising them. This family period explains her 2006–2012 hiatus from the stage.

In 2016, Evelin married pianist Johan Randvere. They have a daughter, Anna Marta, born in 2019. Since then, she has often used the name Evelin Samuel-Randvere professionally. Today, Evelin remains active in cultural life. She occasionally performs in concerts and on television, and she also teaches singing to children at a music school (since 2018). Her multi-faceted path – spanning music, theater, writing, journalism, and public service – has made her a well-known and respected figure in Estonia.