In recent years, TV talent shows have been a good source of Eurovision performers, but it seems 2015 is a particularly strong year for artists who got their start on a television singing competition. We’ve already seen performers who started on The Voice, but there are plenty of other TV talent shows where this year’s crop of talent had their big breakthrough. Let’s take a look back.

Australia – Guy Sebastian

Guy Sebastian was 21 years old when he auditioned for the first series of Australian Idol back in 2003. He won the series, and soon after represented Australia as part of World Idol. Guy later joined the judging panel of The X Factor Australia for three series. Here’s his Idol winner’s single, “Angels Brought Me Here”.

Belarus – Uzari

His violin-playing performance partner Maimuna doesn’t have a talent show background, but in 2011, Uzari competed in New Wave, Russia’s international competition for young singers of pop music. Here he tackles Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish”.

Estonia – Elina Born

While Elina Born’s Eurovision singing partner Stig Rästa has more a traditional rock background, Elina got her start on a talent show. In 2012 she placed second in Eesti otsib superstaari (Estonia is looking for a superstar), the Estonian version of Idol. Here’s her very emotional performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U” from the final.

Georgia – Nina Sublatti

In 2013 Nina Sublatti won Sakartvelos Varskvlavi (Georgian Idol). Here she unleashes her warrior spirit on Alanis Morrisette’s saucy rock ballad “Uninvited”.

https://youtu.be/hi0UtwAY4i8

Israel – Nadav Guedj

The most recent talent show winner was Nadav Guedj, who won series two of the Israeli talent show HaKokhav HaBa (The Next Star) earlier this year. His win also earned him the right to represent his country at Eurovision. Here he impresses the audience with his performance of the Bruno Mars song “When I Was Your Man”.

Italy – Il Volo

As young teens, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble individually entered the Italian youth singing competition Ti lascio una canzone (Leaving you a song) in 2009. The three were stand-out performers of the series and were eventually put together as a trio. Here’s Ignazio duetting with fellow contestant Andrea Faustini, who went on to find success on The X Factor UK in 2014.

Latvia – Aminata

Aminata is a veteran of Latvian talent shows. In 2008 she performed on Krodzina pie Paula (At Pauls’ tavern) alongside Latvian maestro Raimonds Pauls, in 2010 she was on Muzikala banka (Musical bank), and she also took part in Koru kari 3 (Choir wars 3). Here she is at the age of 15 performing on Krodzina pie Paula.

Lithuania – Vaidas Baumila

Monika Linkyte found fame on The Voice in 2013, but back in 2005, aged 18, her singing partner Vaidus Baumila took part in the Lithuanian talent show Dangus (Heaven), where he placed third. Here, looking like a Lithuanian Lee Ryan, Vaidas shows off his vocal talents and frosted hair with “Myliu”.

Spanish Eurofans, don’t worry: We know Edurne was on Operación Triunfo. Check back for ANOTHER 8 acts who found fame on talent shows soon…

You can read more of our lists here

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Karl
Karl
8 years ago

Bojana was on the Serbian TV show Ja Imam Talenat (Serbia’s Got Talent).

DeEr
DeEr
8 years ago

Wow, Nina Sublatti amazes me more and more with her gorgeus style and performances. Great voice, looks like superstar and that eyes… God, she’s the best 🙂

JayG
JayG
8 years ago

I really liked the remark about the Spanish eurofans, I was scrolling down the article and I just though, where the hell is Edurne?

She’s very well known in Spain, mainly because of her participating in different reality shows, not only Operación Triunfo (Spanish Idol) also Dancing with the stars (Runner-up) and Your Face Sounds Familiar (Winner).

First comment ever on Wiwibloggs, I may apply for a post, I’d like to join the team and enhace my journalistic skills, and I love ESC!

paul
paul
8 years ago

Polina Gagarina won Star Factory 2 in 2003

best austria
best austria
8 years ago

Only nina sublatti. MY WINNER ESC 2015 TALANTED GIRL

aratunian toji
aratunian toji
8 years ago

ninaaaa my style singer

Murray
Murray
8 years ago

Daniel from Macedonia was on the x factor and I think he won it

Just Mario xoxo ~ My Vision of Gay Love....
Just Mario xoxo ~ My Vision of Gay Love....
8 years ago

*Uninvited* is one of my most ever beloved songs! <3
Nina's entry *Warrior* is my #1 most favorite entry among all the 40 in the Diamond Vision! <3
She really has an amazing voice! <3
She is gorgeous and her beauty can kill! <3
I would had a crush on her if i was not homosexual.. <3

alexandra
alexandra
8 years ago

Maria-Elena Kyriakoy was also in a talent show the voice of Greece and she won it!!

Carl Brown
Carl Brown
8 years ago

What about Spain… As someone has said, Edurne was also known in the tv program Operación Triunfo.

Sarah Boucher
Sarah Boucher
8 years ago

interesting fact: Dina Garipova was on the voice on perviy kanal.

LucyEAPercy
8 years ago

Two things from this video: 1. Wow, Nina was good. Warrior wasn’t in my top 10, but i might have to listen to it a couple of times now, jesus. 2. ANDREA FAUSTINI. Sorry, I know he wasn’t the whole point, but I was convinced he would rep Italy this year then he didn’t even go into Sanremo and i was gutted! I wanted him to win The X Factor sooooo bad this year! He looooove the puuuugs! If he repped Italy UK would give him 12 points for certain. Anyone who hasn’t heard of him before, youtube him! He… Read more »

PACO
8 years ago

DAVID BISBAL,DAVID BUSTAMANTE,CHENOA…

JAIRO
JAIRO
8 years ago

Yes, Edurne too!

jose
8 years ago

SPAIN:

Rosa (ESC 2002) + Beth (ESC 2003) + Ramón (ESC 2004) + Soraya (ESC 2009) + Edurne (ESC 2015) in Operación Triunfo.

Ruth Lorenzo (ESC 2014) in X Factor UK

Elly
Elly
8 years ago

Ignazio, you have such a beautiful voice!!! I can’t stop listening to you..:)