Mija Martina

Early Life and Education

Mija Martina Barbarić was born on April 26, 1984, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At just three years old, she won a children’s song contest, which made her a precocious child star in Bosnia. This early success led her to perform in many local music festivals during her childhood. As she grew up, she continued to develop her musical skills. She learned to play the piano and flute, and she pursued formal music studies alongside her singing career. 

Musical Beginnings

In her teenage years, Mija Martina became a regular participant in music competitions across Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the age of 16, she made her first professional appearance at a major music contest in Sarajevo. Her powerful voice and stage presence gained attention in the Bosnia pop music community. In 2001 and 2002, she entered the Bosnian Eurovision selection festivals with songs like “Ništa mi ne može” and “Nemoj danas”, trying to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina on the international stage. Although she did not win those years, these experiences built her popularity and prepared her for bigger opportunities. Moreover, she continued to perform at various festivals, honing her craft and building a fan base in the region.

Eurovision Song Contest 2003

Mija Martina’s big break came in 2003. At only 19 years old, she was selected to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 in Riga, Latvia. She had finally won the national final on her third attempt. Her entry was a pop ballad titled “Ne brini” (which means “Don’t Worry”). Uniquely, the song was performed in both Bosnian (Croatian) and English lyrics, showcasing her versatility. Mija Martina not only sang the song, but also took charge of the stage presentation – she even created her own choreography and stage design for the performance. During the Eurovision final, “Ne brini” finished in 16th place out of 26 entries, scoring a total of 27 points. The Eurovision appearance made Mija Martina well-known to a wider European audience and remains a highlight of her singing career.

Continuing Music Career

After Eurovision, Mija Martina continued to pursue her music career actively. She released several singles that were well-received in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her post-Eurovision songs, such as “Nemoj danas” and “Ružice rumena”, helped maintain her presence in the Bosnian pop music scene. In fact, she even returned to the Bosnian Eurovision national finals in 2005 with the song “Ružice rumena”. Although she did not win that competition, she remained a familiar name in Bosnian pop music circles. Mija Martina has shown an ability to sing in different styles – from emotional pop ballads to upbeat dance tracks. This versatility allowed her to appeal to a broad audience in her home country. She continued to perform at concerts and events, solidifying her career as a pop singer in Bosnia.

Television and Media Work

In addition to singing, Mija Martina expanded her career into television and media. She began working as a TV host and journalist, which showcased her talents beyond singing. In her hometown of Mostar, she hosted a music program on local television, where she promoted young talents and entertained audiences. Nationally, she became the host of the BH Eurosong show, a program dedicated to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Eurovision selection process. Her role as a TV presenter made her a familiar face on Bosnian screens.

Mija Martina’s media involvement did not stop there. In 2004, she was chosen to be the spokesperson who announced Bosnia and Herzegovina’s voting results at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. Furthermore, Mija Martina took on a public service role as well. She worked as a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also spent around ten years organizing special events for the annual economy fair in Mostar, showing her abilities in event management.

Personal Life and Later Years

In 2015, Mija Martina married her longtime partner, Matthew DeRycker, and celebrated this new chapter in her personal life. Around the mid-2010s, after years in the Bosnian entertainment industry, she stepped back from the music spotlight. She eventually moved abroad and settled in Canada, where she shifted her career focus. By 2016, Mija Martina was living in Winnipeg, Canada, and was active as a fitness instructor, among other pursuits. Even though she is no longer performing as a pop singer on stage, her legacy in Bosnia’s pop music remains. It is worth noting that she encountered some controversy in her public life. In 2014, she faced criticism after posting a Croatian World War II-era slogan (“Za dom spremni”) on social media, which led to public backlash and a formal warning from her employer. She apologized for the incident, but it marked a turbulent moment in her otherwise positive public image.