Vanna

Vanna is the stage name of Ivana Ranilović-Vrdoljak, a Croatian pop singer born on 1 September 1970. She emerged in the early 1990s and became famous as the lead vocalist of the dance-pop band Electro Team (ET). Later, Vanna launched a successful solo career and even represented Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001. Her career has spanned over three decades, marked by numerous hit songs and music awards.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

As a child, Vanna participated in youth music festivals in the former Yugoslavia and won several prizes. In 1990, she made her debut performance at the Zagrebfest music festival in Zagreb. That same year, she moved from her hometown of Koprivnica to Zagreb to attend university and pursue music. While studying, Vanna performed as a backup singer in the band BOA, gaining valuable stage experience.

Rise to Fame with Electro Team (ET)

Vanna’s professional breakthrough came in 1992 when she joined the Croatian dance-pop group Electro Team (ET) as the lead vocalist. She was the lead singer and co-wrote all the band’s songs. ET quickly rose in popularity on the Croatian music scene. In 1993, they scored a major hit with “Tek je 12 sati,” a dance track that was later hailed by critics as the Croatian “hit of the decade” for the 1990s. In 1998, Vanna left ET to embark on a solo career.

Solo Career and Musical Evolution

Vanna’s solo career began in 1997 with the release of her debut album I to sam ja. This first record featured mostly cover versions of songs. The following year, she released Ispod istog neba (1998), her first album of entirely original songs. It included the duet “Ja ću budna sanjati” with rock singer Gibonni. The album won two Porin awards (Croatia’s top music honors) for Best Female Vocal Performance and Best Vocal Collaboration.

In 2000, Vanna delivered one of her most successful records, the pop album 24 sata. It spawned several hit singles and became her biggest commercial success. The album also earned a gold certification in Croatia. During this time, she also won the Zadarfest festival three years in a row (1999, 2000, 2001).

After 2001, Vanna continued to evolve her musical style. Her fourth studio album Hrabra kao prije (2003) introduced a more soulful pop sound with elements of R&B and pop-rock. She further demonstrated her versatility on later albums like Ledeno doba (2007) and Sjaj (2011), which incorporated pop-rock elements and acoustic ballads.

Eurovision Journey and National Selections

Vanna’s path to Eurovision opened through the Croatian national selection known as Dora. In 2000, she entered the Dora competition with the song “Kao rijeka” and finished as the runner-up. In 2001, she returned and won Dora with the song “Strune ljubavi”.

At Eurovision 2001, held in Copenhagen, Vanna performed her song in front of a European audience. She sang “Strune ljubavi” in English under the title “Strings of My Heart”. In the grand final, she achieved 10th place out of 23 participating countries, scoring 42 points for Croatia.

Awards and Recognitions

Over the course of her career, Vanna has received numerous awards and recognitions. Early in her solo career, she won two Porin music awards in 1998 for her album Ispod istog neba, including the award for Best Female Vocal Performance. During the 1990s, while she was part of Electro Team, the band also earned several Porin awards for their hit songs and music videos.

In recent years, Vanna’s work continues to earn recognition. In 2020, her album Izmiješane boje won the Porin Award for Best Pop Album and became her first record to reach number one on the Croatian album chart. Additionally, Vanna received another Porin in 2021 for Best Female Vocal Performance, thanks to her ballad “Puna memorija”. These accolades underscore her enduring place in Croatian pop music.

Recent Activities

Vanna remains an active figure in Croatian music. She continues to perform live and record new songs. In May 2022, she celebrated her 30th anniversary in the music industry with a large concert at the Arena Zagreb. She later released the concert recording as a double live album titled Live @ Arena.

Beyond recording and concerts, Vanna has also engaged with a new generation of talent through television. In 2023, she became a coach on The Voice Hrvatska, Croatia’s version of The Voice. She led her team’s contestant to victory in the show’s fourth season. This television role introduced Vanna to younger audiences and highlighted her continued relevance.