2016 Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Eurovision Universe

ZAA Sanja Vučić

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameSanja Vučić Born08 August 1993 Nationality🇷🇸 Serbian National SelectionInternal selection 2021Beovizija 2020Internal selection 2016 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam (Hurricane)2020 Rotterdam (Hurricane, canceled)2016 Stockholm Song2021 Loco Loco2020 Hasta La Vista2016 Goodbye (shelter) Biography Sanja Vučić (Kruševac, August 8, 1993) is a Serbian pop, reggae, ska, jazz, dub, rhythm and blues, and punk rock singer. She was born on August 8, 1993, in Kruševac. She attended the Stefan Hristić Music High School, majoring in solo singing. She wanted to become an opera singer. During high school, Sanja sang in the Church Choir Knez Lazar and an ethnic ensemble called Bela vila. At the age of 18, she moved to Belgrade and attempted to enroll in music academy but was unsuccessful. Instead, she honed her musical skills with opera diva Katarina Jovanović. In 2012, she enrolled in the Faculty of Philology at the University of Belgrade, studying Arabic language. Sanja Vučić was the fourth vocalist of the ZAA group, and they released several singles and the album “What about” in 2014. Ivana Peters offered her the song “Iza osmeha” after seeing her perform with ZAA on the show Tri boje zvuka on RTS. Sanja accepted it. On March 7, 2016, the Radio-Television of Serbia announced that Sanja Vučić would represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest name ZAA (later changed to ZAA Sanja Vučić) with the song “Goodbye (Shelter),” an English version of “Iza osmeha”. The song deals with the issue of violence against women. It was presented in a special program on RTS called “Pesma Srbije za Evropu” on March 12, 2016, and recorded on March 7, 2016. In the Eurovision Song Contest, Sanja reached an 18th place in the Grand Final. In 2017, Sanja became part of the original lineup of the group Hurricane, along with Ksenija Knežević and Ivana “Boom” Nikolić, with the initial goal of recording for the international market. The group released their first songs in English, and they gained popularity in Serbia and the region after releasing their first song in Serbian, “Favorito,” in 2019. Meanwhile, Sanja has appeared several times in the series “Psi laju, vetar nosi” (2017-2019) as a supporting character, a beautiful Roma woman. As a member of Hurricane, Sanja competed at Beovizija 2020 with the song “Hasta la Vista.” The group won Beovizija and earned the right to represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. However, the competition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song “Loco Loco” was selected as Serbia’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam. On December 17, it was announced that Hurricane would represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. On March 5, 2021, the song “Loco Loco” was released. In the final, they finished 15th overall. Following the Eurovision contest, Hurricane released a series of singles and collaborated with other artists. However, on May 4, 2022, the group announced their disbandment, with each member deciding to pursue their solo careers. Sanja Vučić, as part of her solo journey, released her debut single titled “Omađijan” on September 20, 2022. This was followed by the release of her second solo single, “Đerdan,” featuring Serbian rapper Nucci, on November 29 of the same year. On February 18, 2023, she released the single “Hanuma” in collaboration with Južni vetar. The song addresses the ongoing issue of violence against women, shedding light on the current situation that many women still face. Sanja has also written lyrics for various songs, including “Hajde” (Tea Tairović), “Hej, srce” (Sandra Afrika), “Voli me, voli me” (Teodora Džehverović and Em-Cee), and “Muni, mani” (Cvija and 2Bone). She has also written songs for the group Hurricane, such as “Avantura,” “Brzi prsti,” “Loco Loco,” “Do neba,” “Legalan,” and “Hasta la Vista.” Entries Loco Loco (Hurricane) Country🇷🇸 Serbia Year2021 LanguageSerbian LyricsSanja Vučić MusicNemanja AntonićDarko Dimitrov BackingsJelena PajićOlga Popović-VulovićMladen Lukić Results Semi Points: 124Position: 8Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 102Position: 15Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/Q1lkpIqf7a4 Hasta la vista (Hurricane) Country🇷🇸 Serbia Year2020 LanguageSerbian LyricsSanja VučićKosana Stojić MusicNemanja Antonić Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/7fqZevYLUMs Goodbye (shelter) Country🇷🇸 Serbia Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsIvana Peters MusicIvana Peters BackingsJelena Đurić-MitićLena KuzmanovićIva PletikosićDunja VujadinovićMiloš Isailović Results Semi Points: 105Position: 10Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 115Position: 18Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/yTlxLiSQWjk

Minus One

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts MembersFrançois MichelettoHarrys PariConstantinos AmerikanosAntonis LoizidesChristopher Ioannides Founded2009 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionInternal selection 2016Eurovision Song Project 2015 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongAlter Ego (2016) Biography Minus One is a Cypriot rock band. Formed in 2009 in Limassol, Cyprus, Minus One initially consisted of lead vocalist François Micheletto, guitarist Harrys Pari, bassist Constantinos Amerikanos, and drummer Chris J (Christopher Ioannides). In 2015, Minus One participated in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, their song “Shine” reached a third position in the final. Minus One reached new heights when they were internally chosen to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest a year later. Their entry, “Alter Ego,” reachted the final, earning them a respectable 21st place finish. After Eurovision, Loizides and Micheletto left the band and were replaced by Constantinos Amerikanos and Maxim Theofanides. Building on their Eurovision success, Minus One released their debut album, “Red Black White,” in 2016. The release was met with critical acclaim, further establishing the band as a rising force in the rock music scene. Songs like “The Reason I Stay” and “Save Me” showcased their ability to craft catchy, radio-friendly tunes without compromising their edgier rock roots. Since then, Minus One has continued to evolve and grow as a band. They have toured extensively, performing in renowned venues and festivals across Europe, including supporting legendary rock band Bon Jovi on their “This House Is Not for Sale” tour. Their dynamic stage presence and infectious energy have made them a favorite among concert-goers, and their reputation as a must-see live act continues to grow. In 2021, Minus One released their highly anticipated second album, “Got it covered,”. Tracks like “Girl”, “What’s up” and “My girl – where did you sleep last night” were released on single. In 2021, the new single “Pretty woman” was released. Entries Alter Ego Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsMinus OneThomas G:son MusicMinus OneThomas G:son BackingsLars Säfsund Results Semi Points: 164Position: 8Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: 96Position: 21Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/idUxTqmCFR0

Dami Im

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameDami Im Born17 October 1988 Nationality🇦🇺 Australian National SelectionInternal selection 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongSound of Silence (2016) Biography Dami Im is a Korean born Australian singer. She was born on October 17, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea. At the age of five, Im began learning the piano and taught herself to sing by imitating her favorite artists. When she was nine years old, Im and her family emigrated to Australia. At the age of 11, Im started studying piano at the Young Conservatorium of Music program at Griffith University. She excelled in piano competitions and won several scholarships and awards. During her school years, she mainly played the piano for the choir and violin for the school’s Silver Strings group. Im went on to graduate from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Music degree and later completed a Masters of Music Studies degree in contemporary voice at Griffith University. Before participating in The X Factor Australia in 2013, Im had a brief career as a gospel singer in South Korea and released her debut studio album called “Dream” in 2010. She later re-released the album with additional tracks and also released a Christmas extended play called “Snow & Carol” in 2011. In 2012, Im released her second extended play called “Intimacy.” During the fifth season of The X Factor Australia, Im auditioned with Mariah Carey’s “Hero” and impressed the judges. She made it to the live finals and emerged as the winner of The X Factor Australia in 2013. Following her victory on The X Factor, Dami Im’s debut single as the winner, “Alive,” was released. She secured a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Within four days of its release, “Alive” debuted at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart, achieving platinum certification for selling over 70,000 copies. Im’s self-titled second studio album, featuring studio recordings of her X Factor performances, was released on November 15, 2013. It debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart and also received platinum certification. Im also became an ambassador for the children’s charity Compassion Australia. In early 2014, Im was signed as the face of fashion label Alannah Hill’s autumn and winter 2014 collection. She collaborated with fellow X Factor contestants and released a cover of “I Am Australian” to coincide with Australia Day celebrations. The song reached number 51 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Her third studio album, “Heart Beats,” was released on October 17, 2014, and debuted at number seven on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album produced the singles “Super Love” and “Gladiator,” both peaking at number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Im served as the supporting act for John Legend’s Australian leg of his All of Me Tour. Her sixth lead single, “Smile,” was released in May 2015. Im was invited to participate in the BTV Global Spring Festival Gala, an international cast presentation by Chinese television station BTV. The event took place on the second day of Spring Festival, February 10. The Global Spring Festival Gala is known as one of the world’s most-watched TV programs, reaching over 200 million viewers worldwide. On March 3, it was announced that Im would represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, performing the song “Sound of Silence.” She also revealed that she would release a new album called “Classic Carpenters” in April, featuring cover versions of The Carpenters’ biggest songs. The album included music videos for the songs “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” “There’s a Kind of Hush (All Over the World),” and “Yesterday Once More.” “Classic Carpenters” achieved massive success, reaching number three on the ARIA charts and number 23 on the South Korean charts. In the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, Im performed in the second semi-final and advanced to the final with the highest score in her semi-final.In the final, Im achieved the top score from jury and received and ended up in 2nd place overall. Her single “Sound of Silence” charted at number three on the ARIA charts and gained success across Europe, earning gold certifications. Following Eurovision, Im released the single “Fighting for Love” in October 2016. In 2017, Im signed a modeling contract with THE.mgmt agency. She also released a new recording of “Hold Me in Your Arms” with Jack Jones, the original singer of Southern Sons. Im received gold certification for “Classic Carpenters” and platinum certification for “Sound of Silence.” Im’s fifth studio album, “I Hear a Song,” was released in March 2018 and achieved significant success, reaching number three on the ARIA album chart and number 11 on the Gaon Korean charts. In March 2019, Im released her first Live EP titled “Live Sessions EP.” Following that, she parted ways with Sony Music Australia and independently released her original song “Crying Underwater” on September 13, 2019. On January 3, 2020, she released another single titled “Kiss You Anyway.” In October 2019, Im had the opportunity to perform in Korea at the Asia Song Festival alongside popular K-pop artists such as Sunmi, Eric Nam, Stray Kids, and Itzy. In early 2020, Im was revealed as a participant in the seventeenth season of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with the new professional dancer Shae Mountain. Unfortunately, they were eliminated as the sixth couple and finished fifth overall in the competition. On February 8, 2020, Im performed “Walk with Me” alongside Måns Zelmerlöw at Eurovision – Australia Decides, the event that determines Australia’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. She also performed her new single “Marching On,” which she wrote as a tribute to her mother. During the event, she surprised everyone by announcing her intention to compete in Australia Decides 2021, but the competition was later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 31, 2020, Im confirmed her signing with ABC Music and announced her upcoming album. On September 17, she released “Paper Dragon,” her first single under the new label. The song was originally intended

Michał Szpak

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameMichał Szpak Born26 November 1990 Nationality🇵🇱 Polish National SelectionKrajowe Eliminiacje 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongColor Of My Life (2016) Biography Michał Szpak is a Polish singer. He was born into a family with musical traditions: his father sang in a choir, and his mother sang and played the guitar. At the age of nine, he made his debut on stage at the Culture House in Jasło during a competition for Christmas carols, where he won an award. He then joined the local choir. During his middle school years, he took a three-year break from singing due to voice mutation. During his high school years, he was the vocalist of a heavy metal band called Whiplash, where he performed with his friend Kamil Czapla. He unsuccessfully tried to enter the Vocal Department of the Fryderyk Chopin State Music School in Warsaw. He was rejected due to his appearance and makeup, which was, according to the examiners, it was considered shocking. In the spring of 2011, he auditioned for the first season of the talent show X Factor. His androgynous appearance sparked disapproval and dismissive reactions from the audience during his performance in front of the judges. However, after singing, he received a standing ovation from the audience. In the end, he became the overall runner up in the X Factor. In July of the same year, he opened for Suzanne Vega’s concert in Poland. In the autumn, he participated in the thirteenth edition Taniec z gwiazdami (Dancing with the Stars). At the end of the year, he released his debut studio mini-album titled “XI”. On August 17, 2013, thanks to his performance of the song “Oczy czarne,” he won the Russian Song Festival in Zielona Góra, receiving the Golden Samovar and a check for 50,000 Polish złoty. In April 2015, Michał released the single “Real Hero,” which heralded his debut full-length studio album. On June 12, he released the Polish version of “Real Hero” – “Jesteś bohaterem” (You Are a Hero), with which he won the “SuperPremiery” competition during the 52nd National Festival of Polish Song in Opole on June 13. On October 23, he released the music video for the song “Byle być sobą” (Just to Be Myself), and on November 13, his album titled “Byle być sobą” was released, dedicated to his late mother. The album reached the top position on the official sales chart and achieved double platinum status, selling over 60,000 copies. In December, Michał released the music video for the song “Such Is Life,” which was supposed to be his Eurovision entry sent to Telewizja Polska. Eventually, he entered the national selection with the song “Color of Your Life”and won the national selection, becoming the representative of Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest. He finished in eighth place in the Eurovision Song Contest, getting especially high votes from th televote. In June, he performed at the 53rd National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, where he received the title “SuperArtist of the Year” for the single “Byle być sobą” and won the Grand Prix of Opole for his performance of the song “Jesteś bohaterem”. In the same year he provided the voice for one of the characters in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. In the summer, he embarked on a multi-week concert tour in Baltic cities. In the autumn, he performed at the Eurovision Live Concert in Setúbal, and in October, he gave a concert in Aarhus. In November, he performed at the Rock & Chanson Festival in Cologne, and at a concert in Dublin. From the beginning of 2017, he performed concerts incessantly. In April of that, he gave a concert in Brussels. In addition to outdoor concerts, such as during the Lato z Radiem tour, he embarked on a coastal tour called Color of Your Life. In June, he released the music video for the single “Tic Tac Clock” and was announced as one of the coaches for the eighth season of the TVP2 program The Voice of Poland. On November 25, during the finale of The Voice of Poland, he premiered the song “Don’t Poison Your Heart” in a duet with his protégée, Marta Gałuszewska, who ultimately won the public vote. In 2018, Michał went on a concert tour called Classica Tour, featuring his sister, soprano Marlena Szpak. He also became a coach on the ninth season of The Voice of Poland. On May 14, he released the music video for the single “Dreamer,” the title track from his second studio album. The album was released on May 25 and achieved gold status in Poland. In June, he performed at the Orange Warsaw Festival and the 55th National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, where he received the title “SuperArtist of the Year” for the album “Dreamer”. In the autumn, he went on the Dreamer Tour, performing concerts in Poland and abroad. In February 2020, he participated in the charity event “Siepomaga” in Zielona Góra. In April 2021, he released the single “Soldier of Love”. On May 22, he performed at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, where he received the “MediaTory” award. On November 5, he released the album “NIE” with the singles “Puk Puk” and “Mój Wiatr”. In February 2022, he released the single “Halo Waterfall” , to which a music video was published in April. In the spring, he took part in an advertising campaign for Pantene shampoo. In June, his single “24na7” premiered. In august, he published the single “(dark) Warszawianka”. In 2023, he took part in Prime Video LOL: Who Laughs Last. Entries Color Of My Life Country🇵🇱 Poland Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsKamil Varen MusicAndy Palmer BackingsAdrian AdamskiWeronika JanikOliwia KędzioraEwa LeszczyńskaEwelina Osowska Results Semi Points: 151Position: 6Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: 229Position: 8Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/87BBmxm7IJU

Amir Haddad

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameLaurent Amir Khifla Khedider Haddad Born20 June 1984 Nationality🇫🇷 French National SelectionInternal Selection 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongJ’ai cherché (2016) Biography Laurent Amir Khalifa Khedider Haddad was born in Paris in 1984, into a Sephardic Jewish family originally from Tunisia and Morocco. The singer has a disability from birth, deafness; he only hears with his left ear. After living in Sarcelles, in Val-d’Oise, his family made went to live in Israel when he was 8 years old. Since that age, he has used his middle name, Amir, as his usual first name. Amir rose to fame in Israel in 2006, reaching the final of Kokhav Nolad, the Israeli version of Pop Idol. After this, Amir Haddad began studying dentistry, in parallel with the continuation of his musical career. In 2011, he released his debut album, “Vayehi”, which he recorded in 2008 and wrote with musician Omri Dagan while they were still students. The album included the Hebrew version of Patrick Bruel’s “J’te l’dis encore”, as well as a collaboration with DJ Offer Nissim, covering the 1991 hit “Désenchantée” by Mylène Farmer. In August 2013 he participated in The Voice, la plus belle voix. As one of the four finalists, he finished in third position. After the end of the show, Amir participated in the compilation “Forever gentleman 2” in which he performed the song “Le Soleil de ma vie” with Camille Lou. On February 29, 2016, France 2 announced that Amir would represent France at the 61st Eurovision Song Contest with the song J’ai cherché”. He finished sixth in the competition. “Au coeur de moi”, the album including “J’ai cherché”, was released two weeks before, on April 29, 2016. It will became triple platinum. On November 6, 2016, during the MTV Europe Music Awards, he received the trophy for best French artist. On November 12, 2016, during the 18th edition of the NRJ Music Awards 2016, he won two awards: Francophone Revelation of the Year and Francophone Song of the Year for “J’ai cherché”. He was part of Les Enfoirés, a group that annually gives charity performances, from 2017 to 2019 and then 2021. He also commented the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 for France 2. A few days later a duet with the group OneRepublic was released, called “No vacancy”. On August 25, 2017, “États d’amour”, the first single from his third album “Addictions” was released. The album itself came out on October 27, was released. The album was certified triple platinum disc, Amir participated in the French dubbing of the American animated film Lego Ninjago, the film with the song “Higher. In 2019, Amir announced a break in his career on social networks. However. in 2020, he was a juror in the show Good Singers. In the same year, he starred in the film Adorables. On October 16, 2020, his third studio album, entitled “Ressources”, was released. He collaborated with the singer Sia on the title “1+1”, which was released on July 13, 2021. In 2021, in the show of The Voice All Stars, Amir came to support Jenifer as a coach. From April 26, 2022, he played tge role of Alfred Nakache, nicknamed the swimmer from Auschwitz at the play Sélectionné. Entries J’ai cherché Country🇫🇷 France Year2016 LanguageFrenchEnglish LyricsAmir HaddadNazim Khaled MusicAmir HaddadNazim KhaledJohan Errami BackingsFred d’AngeloDelphine ElbéLars HäglundIvan Pavlak Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 257Position: 6Running order: 11 https://youtu.be/-aLPsiyavcU

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz

© Thomas Hanses/EBU About Quick Facts NameJamie-Lee Kriewitz Born18 March 1998 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionUnser Lied für Stockholm 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongGhost (2016) Biography Jamie-Lee Kriewitz is a talented German singer and songwriter who was born in Hanover and grew up in the town of Springe. They developed an interest in music at a young age and began singing in a choir when they were just six years old. They later started writing her own songs and performing at local events, gaining a small but dedicated following. In 2015, Jamie-Lee auditioned for “The Voice of Germany” and quickly made an impression with her unique style and powerful voice. They were eventually chosen by coach Michi Beck of the hip-hop group Die Fantastischen Vier and went on to win the competition with her performances of songs by artists such as Adele and Lana Del Rey. Following their win, Jamie-Lee signed a record deal with Universal Music and released their debut single “Ghost” in December 2015. The song was a huge success, reaching number one on the German charts and earning their a nomination for Best National Single at the 2016 Echo Awards. In May 2016, Jamie-Lee represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest withtheir song “Ghost.” Jamie-Lee unfortunately reached the 26th and last position in the Eurovision Song Contest. In the same year, Jamie-Lee released their debut album “Berlin”, which also hit the album charts in Germany. They won a Napster Fan Award for Top Individual Artist. In 2017, Jamie-Lee were nominated for an Echo Music Prize in the category Artists Pop National. Jamie-Lee have since released several more singles, including “Wild One,” “Berlin,” and “Heartbeat distance” and have collaborated with other artists such as Michael Schulte and Liont. They have also performed at a number of music festivals and concerts throughout Europe. On 26 February 2021, their single “Seoul” was released. In May 2022, they released “Oh-oh”. In addition to they music career, Jamie-Lee is also known for her unique and colorful style, often incorporating Japanese-inspired fashion and anime-inspired makeup into her looks. They recently came out as non-binary. Entries Ghost Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnna Leyne MusicAnna LeyneThomas BurchiaConrad Hensel BackingsTina FrankHelen KaiserAnna LeyneRay Lozano Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 11Position: 26Running order: 10 https://youtu.be/bHDHi37bboE

Frans

About Quick Facts NameFrans Osifoh Jeppsson Wall Born19 December 1998 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongIf I Were Sorry (2016) Biography Frans Osifoh Jeppsson Wall, often just Frans (which is also his stage name), was born in Ystad in 1998. Frans, who has a twin sister and a younger brother, is bilingual as his father has roots in Nigeria (Frans’ grandmother is from Nigeria, his grandfather is British) and from the age of eight lived in England. Frans has also lived in London intermittently throughout his life. At the age of fifteen, he studied, among other things, music there for a year. He attended the nature program at the high school in Ystad. As a seven-year-old, Frans Jeppsson Wall became nationally famous when, before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he sang the backing track to the group Elias’ song “Who’s da Man”, a tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimović. The song was followed by an entire album, “Da man”. Jeppson Wall participated in Melodifestivalen 2016 with the song “If I Were Sorry”. He won and thus represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. He reached a 5th place in the final. The song became a hit in Sweden, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The follow up song “Young like us” also reached the Swedish charts. In 2017 the song “Liar” reached the no. 4 spot in the Swedish Heatseeker Charts. In 2019, Frans won the Polish music award “Bursztynowy Słowik” (Amber Nightingale) which is the annual music award given at the Sopot Festival in Sopot, Poland. On July 24, 2020, he released his first album, “Present”, digitally, with nine songs. Entries If I Were Sorry Country🇸🇪 Sweden Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsFredrik AnderssonMichael SaxellFrans Jeppsson WallOscar Fogelström MusicFredrik AnderssonMichael SaxellFrans Jeppsson WallOscar Fogelström BackingsJonathan Jaarnek Norén Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 261Position: 5Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/2AIPrVchJN8

Hovi Star

© EBU About Quick Facts NameHovav Sekulets Born19 November 1986 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionHaKokhav HaBa La’Eirovizion 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongMade of Stars (2016) Biography Hovav Sekulets (born in Kiryat Ata in 1986), known by the stage name Hovvi Star, is an Israeli singer, actor, composer, writer, voiceover and presenter. Hovi studied at the religious youth village, near Kfar Hassidim, until the age of 14. In the 10th grade, he decided to drop out of school in order to release an album, so after this didn’t work out, he returned to school a year later. He did his military service in military bands. About six months before his release from the IDF, he auditioned for the seventh season of the reality show Kokhav Nolad, and was accepted. After being eliminated from the show in tenth place, he returned to the program using the “Lifebuoy” mechanism, and finally finished in seventh place. Immediately after “Kokhav Nolad”, he participated in “The Children’s Song Festival 2009” with the song “Little boy, big boy”, which he wrote and composed together with Assaf Aberbuch. On January 29, 2010, he appeared at a fundraise for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and sang Ilanit’s song “Bashana Nehsah” in his own arrangement. In 2010, he hosted the show “Kokhav Live”, which followed the contestants behind the scenes of “Kokhav Nolad 8”, and at the same time presented a column on Kokhav Nolad in a morning show. In June of that year, he appeared at the opening event of the Pride Week in Tel Aviv. In 2016, he participated in the reality program HaKokhav HaBa La’Eirovizion. As part of a collaboration with the Israel Broadcasting Authority, the program was designed to select Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2016. Hovi Star won the contest and represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song “Made of Stars”. In the Grand Final of the contest, Hovi reached a 14th place. Hovi Star played roles in children’s plays “Little mermaid” and “Aladdin”. On 3 March 2019, Hovi Star made a comeback with a new song, “Silver spoon”. In January 2020 he opened a new YouTube channel called Mr. Star. He published cover versions of songs on the channel. In 2021 he released a new single in Hebrew. Entries Made Of Stars Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsDoron Medalie MusicDoron Medalie BackingsMatan AgamiAlmog KapachImri ZivJennifer CohenAmir Ner-Goan Results Semi Points: 147Position: 7Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 135Position: 14Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/SS5TB2XUdgs

Freddie

© EBU About Quick Facts NameGábor Alfréd Fehérvári Born08 April 1990 Nationality🇭🇺 Hungarian National SelectionA dal 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongPioneer (2016) Biography Alfréd Gábor Fehérvári or Freddie (Győr, April 8, 1990 –) is a Hungarian singer and performer. Before his musical career, he worked as an office assistant. In 2010 he started playing guitar and singing in a band. Alfréd Gábor Fehérvári first appeared in the TV2 talent show, Rising Star. In the final of the competition, he finished in fourth place. After Rising Star, Alfréd Gábor Fehérvári’s first own song “Mary Joe” topped Petőfi Rádió’s Top 30 list and became one of the domestic summer hits of 2015. In the fall of 2015, the singer presented his new song – this time under the stage name Freddie: after the bluesy-sounding “Mary Joe”, the Hungarian-language “Neked nem kell”. Freddie participated in A Dal 2016, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with his song “Pioneer”. Freddie managed to win the contest and thus represented Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. In 2017, he became the Hungarian commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest with Krisztina Rátonyi, and in 2018 he hosted A Dal. In 2018 and 2019, together with Krisztina Rátonyi, he performed the commentary duties of the Eurovision Song Contest. On December 16, 2018, he won the sixth season of the tv show Sztárban sztár. In 2019, he hosted Hungary’s Eurovision song selection show, A Dal 2019, alongside Dallos Bogi. In the same year, he was nominated for the Playboy Man of The Year competition in the “performer” category and won. From August 22, 2020, he hosted the program SzerencseSzombat, where he replaced Áron Kovács. In 2020, Rókusfalvy co-hosted with Lili, and in 2021 with Reni Orsovai, the talent search show A Dal. Entries Pioneer Country🇭🇺 Hungary Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsBorbála Csarnai MusicZé Szabó BackingsDávid BaranyaTamás MészárosGábor MolnárBarnabás Wodala Results Semi Points: 197Position: 4Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 108Position: 19Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/bT2DcpqvorI

Samra

© EBU About Quick Facts NameSəmra Rəhimli Born20 October 1994 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionInternal selection 2016Milli Seçim Turu 2012 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongMiracle (2016) Biography Samra Rahimli was born in Baku. She studied at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. In 2012, Samra Rahimli participated in the National Selection of Azerbaijan to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest. But the fact that 18-year-old Samra is young and inexperienced resulted in her defeat in the very first stage of the national finals. In 2014, Samra Rahimli took part in O Ses Türkiye (The Voice Turkey). In 2016, Samra Rahimli took part in Səs Azərbaycan (The Voice Azerbaijan). She performed the song “Wrecking Ball” in the first stage and all 4 judges turned to Samra khanum. Samra reached the final and became 4th in the overall contest. On March 10, 2016, it was decided that Samra Rahimli was going represent Azerbaijan in the 61st Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Miracle”. She reached the final there. After the Eurovision Song Contest, she released many non-album singles, like “Badminton” in 2017, “Ters gedir”, “Hypnotized” and “Pidzhak” in 2018, “Armas” in 2019 and “Queen” in 2020. On 1 December 2020 she released a single “Şuşa, biz qayıtmışıq” (Susha, we are back) about the war in Karabakh. Her debut album “Göz” came out in 2021. In 2023, the book “Mahnılarımız monitorinq aynasında” (Our songs in the monitoring mirror) prepared by the Monitoring Center under the Azerbaijan State Language Commission compiled a list of songs that promote the use of harmful habits, immoral lifestyles, behaviors that are contrary to mental values, and encourage aggressive actions and suicide. Defective songs are listed with the names of their authors and performers. Samra’s songs “Bandam”, “Armas” and “Göz” were also included in the list. Entries Miracle Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsAmir AliJakke “T.I. Jakke” ErixsonHenrik Wikström MusicAmir AliJakke “T.I. Jakke” ErixsonHenrik Wikström BackingsLars SäfsundJessica MarbergerAndrea NorbergZain OdelstålPatrik Riber Results Semi Points: 185Position: 6Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 117Position: 17Running order: 4 https://youtu.be/cB8eSLyffsI