They’re the Balkan nation who has successfully turned out their fortunes at Eurovision in recent years. But Croatia is one of the few countries that hasn’t revealed how it will select its act for Lisbon. But now rumours are starting to emerge in local media.
Late last year, Croatian media claimed that broadcaster HRT would “definitely” bring back the national final Dora. Croatian newspaper JutarnjiLIST claimed there would be a national final held in either late February or early March, and it would involve one semi-final and a grand final.
But as the months have passed, dreams of a Dora return have died. Now JutarnjiLIST is claiming that HRT will select their artist internally. And three artists are rumoured to be under consideration: Indira Levak, Franka Batelic and Damir Kedzo.
Indira Levak
Seasoned singer Indira Levak is best known for her previous gig as the lead singer for popular and successful dance group Colonia. She even had a bit of a try at Eurovision when Colonia entered in Dora 1998. Their song “U ritmu ljubavi” placed fourth.
Indira was also a judge on the Croatian version of the reality singing show, The Voice, alongside Croatian 2017 representative, Jacques Houdek. She has released two singles since going solo, “2 Ludjaka” and “Dodi”.
Known for her bold and strong voice, Indira would certainly make an impact for Croatia at Eurovision. Since launching her solo career, Eurovision would give her the freedom to promote herself and her music. New single “Dodi” has recently been released and could potentially be her Eurovision song if she was selected.
Franka Batelic
Franka Batelic rose to fame in Croatia after winning the reality show Showtime in 2007. Since then she attempted to represent Croatia at Eurovision by participating at Dora in 2009 with “Pjesma za kraj”, and again in 2010 where her song “Na tvojim rukama” placed a very close second.
Since then, things have been a little quiet for Franka but late last year she made a comeback and released the ballad, “S Tobom”, complemented with a picturesque music video. Like Indira, if Frank is selected for Eurovision, her latest single would be eligible to use as her Eurovision entry.
Damir Kedzo
Damir Kedzo has been a prominent and multi-award-winning singer in the Croatian music scene for a number of years. He was also one of the participants in Dora 2011, when HRT reformatted the national final as an X Factor-style talent show.
Recently, Kedzo won the Croatian version of Your Face Sounds Familiar (we love his Lady Gaga!). His most recent single is “Ljubavi Moja” which he also performed at the annual summer Splitski Festival last year.
Addressing those rumours
Rumours are one thing — but what do the artists themselves have to say? Representatives of the artists have responded to the chatter.
Miroslav Levak, husband of Indira has said “I can not confirm or deny that information. There was talk of Indira going to Eurovision, but nothing yet confirmed”. Indira Levak has also expressed her interest in participating in which she said, “Eurovision is a challenge for all musicians. It is a wonderful project to represent your country in a competition like Eurovision”.
The manager for Franka Batelic, Sinisa Bevanda declined to comment on the matter.
And speaking Damir Kedzo, his manager Goran Belosevic said, “Nobody contacted us, but I know Kedzo has a great desire not only to participate in Eurovision but also to win it”.
Based on the comments and rumours for each singer and each singers’ past history, it does sound like that potentially one of these artists could represent Croatia this year at Eurovision. Given the talent and experience that these three artists offer, HRT would be smart to consider them.
What do you think of the three singers rumoured to represent Croatia at Eurovision this year? Who is your favourite? Let us know in the comment section down below!
N i k i t a from Croatia is the best !
Kedzo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgZPhFuxBs
As a matter of fact, Vanna will be representing Croatia in Lisbon.
Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvKFXeVKtGk
Nina Kraljic and Jacques Houdek were also rumoured for Eurovision in the past 2 years and rumours turned out to be true, so there could be something in this years’ rumours too. If any of these artists turn out to go to Eurovision, it will be a good choice, but only with a strong song!
I like all but Damir would be the best of them. Indira’s act becomes to monotone after some time..
idiot.
Kedzo is the best choice!! Very charismatic and talented! Indira reminds me of kaliopi, you know what happened:-) and franka? Sorry, only good Looking doesn’t garantiy you a place in the final
For me, Damir is the best choice. That boy has a beautiful voice, and he is also very charismatic artist who is great in singing live. In 2015. Damir was the winner of prestigious international musical competition of young singers “New wave” in Sochi. Indira is great entertainer, all her live performances are full of energy, knows how to make the atmosphere, but I think that she is not good choice for ESC, because live, she does not sound so good. I saw some of her performances live, her voice sounds a bit worn out, has changed from the beginning… Read more »
Franka or Damir Kedzo. Their voices sound current and fresh. I like Damir’s tone and with the right song, he has huge potential. Franka’s recent release, a ballad sounds very current and would be ideal for ESC stage in Lisbon. Her voice sounds perfect for a live audience. If the rumours are correct either these two mentioned would be an ideal choice for Croatia.
I N D I R A .
Franka Batelic unfortunately only came 7th in Dora 2010 instead of finishing “a very close second”.
Damir or Franka please!
Kedzo eurowizja 2018 jest dla ciebie trzymam kciuki by? ty zosta? reprezentantem masz potencja? wokal i do?wiadczenie ?
I see some Jacquesian nepotism in this process lol.
EscAU, She is not in Colonia anymore…
Franka Bateli? would be perfect. She was at Berklee college, plus She opened for Beyonce in Croatia and She is hot as hell. And She represent LGBT, and She include gay couple in her music video !!!
Indira! Colonia is so fun with their ethnic dance stuff like ‘lei lei’ that would be so good
@ EscAU
Indira is not anymore in Colonia. In summer 2017, after 21 years, she decided on a solo career. Now Colonia has a new singer whose name is Ivana Lovri?.
All three would be good, but why not a mini Dora where those three go head to head?
I didn’t expect Dora to return this late in the selection process, even if it would’ve been great if it did. Indira is a powerhouse and if she is our representative, I would expect a catchy banger more on the upbeat side of music. She also comes off as a nice person on The Voice.