Platin

Platin is a Slovenian pop duo formed by husband-and-wife Diana Lečnik and Simon Gomilšek. They are best known for representing Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with their song “Stay Forever.” 

Early Career and Formation of Platin

Diana and Simon’s musical partnership began around 2000, when they decided to form Duo Platin while still performing with a band. The couple originally met as members of the Slovenian band Karavans. The band was known for touring in Europe and featuring singer Nuša Derenda (who herself represented Slovenia at Eurovision 2001). At the time, Simon Gomilšek was an experienced musician. He had been active in bands since the 1980s. Diana Lečnik was a former model developing her singing talent. In 2001 they left Karavans to focus on their new duo. Platin made their public debut on Slovenian television in 2001. The duo performed an original song titled “Grafit,” and soon began appearing in music festivals and competitions. Their early performances at events like the Festival of Slovene Pop Songs and Melodije morja in sonca helped them hone their pop style and stage presence.

In 2002, Platin released their debut album Pet minut. It was a collection of Slovene pop songs that introduced their melodic pop sound to the local audience. These formative years established Platin as a promising Slovenian pop duo. Simon composed the music while Diana wrote lyrics.

Road to Eurovision 2004

Platin’s big breakthrough came via Slovenia’s national Eurovision selection, Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA). The duo first attempted to reach Eurovision in 2003, entering EMA with the song “Sto in ena zgodba” (meaning “One Hundred and One Stories”). That initial effort was unsuccessful. They finished in last place in the 2003 EMA final. However, Diana and Simon did not give up on their Eurovision dream.

They returned to EMA in 2004 with a new ballad “Stay Forever.” This time Platin won the competition, earning the right to represent Slovenia at Eurovision 2004. “Stay Forever” is a pop song that the couple wrote themselves. Their victory at EMA 2004 marked Platin’s rise to national fame. Notably, during the EMA final performance, Simon surprised everyone by proposing to Diana – the couple became engaged that night in front of the TV audience. This personal twist added to their popularity and set the stage for a very special Eurovision journey.

Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and a Real-Life Love Story

At the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul, Platin performed “Stay Forever” in the semi-final round. Their song had a classic pop-ballad feel and was sung in English to reach the broader European audience. Despite their performance, Slovenia’s Eurovision 2004 entry did not manage to qualify for the grand final. Platin finished 21st in the semi-final.

Even though the contest result was disappointing, Platin’s Eurovision experience became memorable for another reason – their real-life love story. The duo had planned to marry during the Eurovision event. After the semi-final they went through with their wedding in Istanbul. Diana and Simon got married the very next day after their Eurovision performance. In a delightful crossover of Eurovision camaraderie, the bride’s witness (maid of honor) at the ceremony was none other than Sertab Erener, the Turkish singer who had won Eurovision the year before. This unique event garnered media attention and endeared the couple to fans. Platin’s song “Stay Forever” itself unfortunately did not become a big chart hit in Slovenia or internationally.

Post-Eurovision Career and International Performances

After Eurovision 2004, Platin shifted their focus and adapted their career to find success beyond televised competitions. In the years following 2004, the duo concentrated on live performances, especially abroad. They became popular on the international entertainment circuit, frequently performing in countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. With a versatile repertoire spanning pop, rock, and even country hits, Platin often performed at festivals, corporate events, and galas. The duo usually appeared with a full band (a five-member ensemble) to deliver dynamic live shows, which made them in demand for large European events. In 2008, Diana and Simon took on a new venture in Austria – they became the leaders of a well-known Austrian show band called Smash. Under their direction, the group Smash performed at major events across Europe and even served as a backing band for prominent schlager music stars.

Studio works

Meanwhile, Platin continued to record and release music on a smaller scale. In late 2004, following Eurovision, they released a second studio album titled “Ich lieb’ dich viel zu sehr” (German for “I love you much too much”). Uniquely, this album was recorded in the German language, aiming to cater to the Austrian/German market that the duo had been entertaining. It included German versions of some of their songs – for example, “Stay Forever” was recorded in German as “Bleib für immer”. They also released a few German-language singles such as “Nur Du” and “Total machtlos,” further showcasing their adaptability. None of these songs achieved major commercial success or chart-topping status.

Throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, Diana and Simon were less visible in the Slovenian mainstream pop charts, but they remained very active as professional musicians. They built a career performing hundreds of shows (reportedly having a repertoire of around 600 cover songs in multiple genres) and were often nicknamed a “Slovenian pop duo for all occasions.” Their decision to work mostly abroad was also practical: the Slovenian music market is relatively small and can be difficult to navigate without insider connections. 

Recent Developments and Return to the Spotlight (2015–2025)

In the 2010s, Platin kept a lower profile in terms of releasing original music, focusing on live gigs and behind-the-scenes work (they also wrote songs and produced music for other artists in their own Studio Platin). However, the early 2020s brought a renewed burst of creativity for the duo.

After a long gap since their last album, Platin made a comeback on the Slovenian music scene. In 2021 – nearly 17 years after their Eurovision moment – Diana and Simon announced that they had been working on new material for a forthcoming album. This project was largely a result of unexpected downtime: the global situation in 2020 forced them to pause their busy touring schedule, giving them time at home to write and record fresh songs. As Simon and Diana humorously noted, “it was high time” to release something of their own again, since so many years had passed since their previous album.

They debuted a new single called “Vesolje srca” (translated as “Universe of the Heart”) in early 2021, a pop song released just in time for Valentine’s Day. This single was the first taste of their new album and marked Platin’s return to original songwriting. The duo shared that the new album – written and produced in their Maribor studio – would feature entirely new tracks and was planned for release in 2021. This return was greeted positively by fans who remembered Platin’s 2004 fame and introduced the duo to a new generation of listeners in Slovenia.

The renewed visibility of Platin also led to nostalgic tributes. In 2022, a popular Slovenian TV show (the local version of Your Face Sounds Familiar) featured a young duo impersonating Platin’s Eurovision performance, which brought Diana and Simon back into pop culture conversations. Media outlets ran stories updating the public on what Platin is doing today, noting changes like Diana’s switch from blonde to her natural red hair and how the couple still performs together after two decades. In 2024, Platin celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.