Vanilla Ninja

Formation and Early Years (2002–2003)

Vanilla Ninja is an Estonian girl band formed in 2002 in Tallinn. The original lineup included Maarja Kivi, Lenna Kuurmaa, Katrin Siska, and Piret Järvis. They released their self-titled debut album in 2003, featuring songs in both English and Estonian. That same year their catchy first single “Club Kung Fu” became a hit. With the song, they were the favourite of the audience in Eurolaul. That was the Estonian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, the expert jury did not vote in favour of Vanilla Ninja.

The group quickly gained popularity at home and in Central Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Their energetic pop-rock style and short, upbeat songs won them many fans in these early years.

Eurovision 2005 and International Success

In 2004, Vanilla Ninja released a successful second album, “Traces of Sadness.” Around this time, the band saw its first lineup change: original bassist Maarja Kivi left in mid-2004 and was replaced by Triinu Kivilaan. The new lineup’s popularity continued to grow. In 2005, Vanilla Ninja reached a career highlight by representing Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Cool Vibes.” They finished in 8th place in the final. The same year, the band’s third album “Blue Tattoo” topped charts in various countries. Vanilla Ninja’s catchy singles like “Tough Enough” and “When the Indians Cry” became radio staples across Europe. This period cemented their status as one of Estonia’s most famous musical exports.

Albums and Line-Up Changes (2005–2006)

By late 2005, another change hit the Vanilla Ninja girl band. Triinu Kivilaan departed in December 2005 to focus on school and a solo career. From then on, Vanilla Ninja continued as a trio (Lenna, Katrin, and Piret).

In 2006, the group released their fourth studio album, “Love Is War,” which featured a more mature rock sound. Despite the lineup shifts, the band maintained a loyal fan base. They kept performing and promoting their music across Europe. Another attempt to represent Estonia in Eurovision came in 2007 with the song “Birds of Peace”, which placed 4th in Eurolaul. In early 2008, Vanilla Ninja scored a hit in Estonia with the single “Crashing Through the Doors,” a song co-written by Per Gessle of Roxette. However, after 2006–2008 the group’s momentum slowed. The members decided to put the band on hold, and by 2008 the band had effectively disbanded.

Hiatus and Solo Projects (2009–2019)

For over a decade, Vanilla Ninja remained on hiatus. During this time, the members pursued individual careers. Lead singer Lenna Kuurmaa launched a successful solo career as a singer-songwriter and even became a popular actress in Estonia. Maarja Kivi (the former bassist) moved to the United States and reinvented herself as a hard-rock singer under the stage name Marya Roxx. She released a heavy metal album and toured with renowned rock artists. Other members also explored media and music projects on their own. Despite their separate paths, fans kept the band’s legacy alive, and hopes for a reunion persisted throughout the 2010s.

Reunion and Recent Activity (2020–Present)

In late 2020, Vanilla Ninja officially announced a comeback after more than 12 years apart. The reunion brought back original members Lenna, Piret, Katrin, and also saw Triinu Kivilaan rejoining the group for the first time since 2005. The band soon went to work on new material. They released a long-awaited comeback album, “Encore,” in October 2021. This was Vanilla Ninja’s first studio album in 15 years, and it returned them to the music charts. Following the album’s release, there were a few lineup changes: in early 2022, Triinu Kivilaan and Katrin Siska both left the band again.

To keep the group going, the remaining members welcomed a new addition – Kerli Kivilaan, Triinu’s younger sister, joined as the band’s bassist in 2022. Now Vanilla Ninja is performing as a trio once more. They continue to record and release new music. For example, in 2024 the band put out a fresh single called “Sting Of A Scorpion,” showing that Vanilla Ninja is still active and evolving with the times.