Monica Anghel

Monica Anghel is a Romanian pop singer and TV personality. She rose to fame in Romania in the late 1980s and 1990s, winning many music festivals. She represented Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, she has released successful songs, acted on stage and screen, and become a beloved media figure in her country.

Early Musical Beginnings in Romania

Monica Anghel was born on June 1, 1971, in Bucharest, Romania. At just 14 years old, she made her debut by winning a major youth music contest in 1986. That same year, she performed at the Mamaia Music Festival, Romania’s top pop music competition, and won First Prize in the interpretation section. This early success announced her as a rising star.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Anghel trained formally in music and even took singing classes in New York to improve her skills. She also studied acting at the Theatre Faculty in Bucharest, which later helped her on stage and television. Renowned Romanian composers like Ionel Tudor and Marius Țeicu wrote songs for her, and she competed in almost every Mamaia Festival through the 1990s. She won numerous awards there, including multiple First Prizes for best song and performance. By the mid-90s, Monica Anghel was one of Romania’s most acclaimed pop singers.

National Fame and Awards in the 1990s

During the 1990s, Monica Anghel became a household name in Romania. She earned 11 music trophies at prestigious international festivals. For example, she won competitions in countries like Australia, Macedonia, Finland, and Germany. In 1996, she achieved a major milestone by winning the Golden Stag Festival in Brașov, one of Eastern Europe’s biggest international music contests. This victory solidified her national fame. She released pop albums and hit songs throughout the decade. Her 1995 song “Dau viața mea pentru o iubire” (“I’d Give My Life for a Love”) became popular, and in 1996 she released the album “Destine” (Destinies). Monica also collaborated with other Romanian stars. In 1996 she recorded “Încrederea” (“Trust”) as a duet with singer Aurelian Temișan. The song appeared on her album and on a Best Of collection by its composer, Dragoș Docan. 

Eurovision Song Contest Journey

Monica Anghel’s persistence and passion led her to the Eurovision Song Contest, a stage beloved by fans of European pop music. She attempted several times to represent Romania. In 1996, Monica (along with the band Sincron) won Romania’s national selection for Eurovision with the song “Rugă pentru pacea lumii” (“Prayer for World Peace”). However, that year Eurovision had an audio-only pre-qualification round, and Romania’s entry did not advance to the international final. Despite this setback, Monica gained valuable experience and kept trying.

Her Eurovision dream finally came true in 2002. Monica Anghel teamed up with singer Marcel Pavel to perform the duet “Tell Me Why” on behalf of Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. Monica’s commanding vocals and Marcel’s smooth voice earned Romania a 9th place finish in the Grand Final. Her 2002 appearance remains a highlight of her career.

Continued Music Career and Collaborations

After Eurovision 2002, Monica Anghel continued to thrive as a Romanian pop singer. She explored new musical projects and collaborations. In the 2000s, she diversified her repertoire by working with artists from different genres. In 2003, she began a long-running collaboration with the Romanian comic ensemble Divertis, where she sang humorous songs and performed in comedy sketches on television. Musically, she recorded memorable duets with famous actors and singers. In 2006, composer Dan Iagnov wrote “Continent pierdut” (“Lost Continent”), a duet for Monica and pop rocker Gabriel Cotabiță. Monica also joined forces with legendary Romanian actor Ștefan Iordache, recording three soulful songs with him for the 2007 album Magazinul meu de vise (“My Dream Shop”). 

Monica’s discography grew with new albums and singles. She released “XXI” in 2001 and O nouă zi (“A New Day”) in 2009. In 2010, she teamed up with the popular Roma band Mahala Rai Banda to record the album Lacrimă de jar (“Tear of Ember”), which featured 14 songs in a traditional lăutărească folk-pop style.

Showing her ability to adapt to modern trends, Monica made a comeback to mainstream pop in 2012. She released the single “Bad Love Story”, a catchy pop track composed by the Romanian star Smiley. That same year she collaborated with rock band Vunk on the song “Ploaie fără nori” (“Rain Without Clouds”). In 2016, Monica put out another single, “Ne iubește cineva” (“Somebody Loves Us”), written by Alexandru Anghel. Throughout these years, she also performed live in many concerts and tours abroad. She even had the honor of singing alongside the legendary Ray Charles during a special concert in Germany. 

Acting and Television Career

Besides her music, Monica Anghel developed a notable acting and television career. Thanks to her early theater training, she expanded into acting roles in film, theater, and TV. In the early 2000s, Monica appeared in Romanian movies such as Proprietarii de stele (2001) and Zăpadă, Ceai și Dragoste (Snow, Tea and Love, 2020). She also performed on stage in theatrical productions, demonstrating her range as a performer. Many television viewers, however, know Monica best for her comedic roles on television. A few years after Eurovision, she joined Divertis, a famous Romanian comedy troupe, as their only female member. On Divertis’s weekly TV shows, Monica showed off her humor and acting talent. She played in funny sketches and performed parody songs, often poking fun at daily life. Her strong personality and quick wit made her a standout in the comedy group. 

Monica Anghel’s voice acting is another highlight of her career. Walt Disney Pictures selected her to provide the Romanian voice for one of the muses in the animated movie Hercules. She first voiced the muse Thalia in 2003, singing and speaking in Romanian for the film’s local release. She even returned to that role in 2017 for a new project related to Hercules, again lending her voice to the character. Her rich and powerful voice made her perfect for voice acting in musical cartoons. Over the years, Monica also made guest appearances on various Romanian TV entertainment shows. For example, she served as a judge on the popular celebrity impersonation show “Te cunosc de undeva!” in 2014. Later on, she even participated as a contestant in special editions of that show, demonstrating her ability to imitate other artists. 

Radio Career and Public Life

In addition to singing and acting, Monica Anghel has had a successful radio career. In 2008, she joined the team of Europa FM, one of Romania’s major radio stations. She became a co-host of the popular morning show “Deșteptarea” (“Wake Up”). Monica hosted this daily radio show for about seven years, building a close connection with her audience. Her role as a radio presenter showed a down-to-earth and friendly side of her, beyond the glamorous stage life. After becoming a mother (to her son Aviv), she took a short break from the music scene to focus on family. However, she soon returned to showbiz with fresh projects and renewed energy.

Monica Anghel has also been active in public life and charity. She often participates in humanitarian campaigns, such as the Romanian Red Cross gala and food bank projects. Recognizing her public influence, authorities appointed her as an ambassador for the 112 emergency service – the emergency call number in Romania. In this role, she helped raise awareness about the proper use of emergency lines. Monica has received numerous accolades over the years. Along with her festival trophies, she is frequently honored on TV music award shows and invited to anniversary concerts celebrating Romanian pop music.