Way back in 1776, the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain to establish the United States of America. Today — on the 4th of July — the country celebrates its history and, despite ongoing political tensions, its endearing values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
America’s contributions to the world of pop don’t need repeating. But less obvious to many is the nation’s contribution to Eurovision. Here’s a quick look at 17 Eurovision alums from the U S of A who bleed red, white and blue.
Trey Campbell (Bulgaria 2018)
Birthplace: North Carolina
Trey Campbell was born in North Carolina, and is now a Los Angeles-based artist and producer. A member of the Symphonix songwriting collective, he played a significant part in the production of “Bones” — Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2018 song. Trey has also penned songs for major artists in the music industry such as Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha, Adam Lambert and Kehlani. He’s the real deal, y’all!
Johnny Manuel (Bulgaria 2018)
Birthplace: Flint, Michigan
Johnny Manuel captured the hearts of many Americans during his triumphant journey on America’s Got Talent 2017. He has racked up millions of views on Youtube; his rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’ sealed him a golden buzzer.
At the tender age of 14, Johnny got his first taste of stardom and the heated spotlight. He was spotted covering a Run-D.M.C hip-hop song, which eventually led to him singing a record contract with the stage-name Lil’ Johnny. This gave him the chance to tour and open for major artists such as N Sync and Lil’ Bow Wow.
Jimmie Wilson (San Marino 2017)
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
The handsome crooner teamed up with Valentina Monetta in 2017 to deliver the guilty pleasure “Spirit of the Night” for San Marino.
But long before that he had honed his voice in gospel choirs as a child before studying acting in Hollywood. Born in Detroit, he had his first major lead role in the musical “Sisterella” — produced by Michael Jackson. He’s also performed with the likes of DJ BoBo, The Weather Girls and Lionel Ritchie. That’s what we call A-list!
Jimmie, who currently lives in Frankfurt, Germany, has also competed on the Polish singing show Must Be The Music. During the third season in 2012 he performed songs including “SexyBack” and “Sex Bomb” — suggesting a strong affinity for songs that mention sex.
Tamar Kaprelian (Armenia 2015)
Birthplace: Scottsdale, Arizona
Her parents are British-born Armenians, but she grew up in Arizona, Georgia and California. Now in drastically colder New York, she continues to release music — including Depi Evratesil 2018 fan favourite number “Poison”. She also runs a summer program for Armenian young people through her Nvak Foundation. In 2015 she competed as part of Armenia’s Genealogy’s. Most importantly, she won Eurovision’s Next Top Model, solidifying her place in the pantheon of Eurovision greats. We weren’t surprised at all when Vogue decided to cover her recent wedding…
Katrina Leskanich (UK 1997)
Birthplace: Topeka, Kansas
Katrina lived all over America, Germany, and the Netherlands before finally settling in Norfolk in the UK at the age of sixteen. She’s been a UK resident for forty years.
Kalomira (Greece 2008)
Birthplace: Hempstead, New York
Despite her extremely Greek first name, Kalomira is a Long Island girl – inside and out. Her parents are immigrants who own a restaurant.
Oscar Loya and Dita von Teese (Germany 2009)
Birthplace: Indio, California
Oscar is a Cali boy who currently lives in Munich. Dita, however, is of German heritage but is American-born and lives in America.
Kim Cooper of the Rounder Girls (Austria 2000)
Birthplace: Long Island, New York
Kim isn’t Austrian. However, the trio she was in did have an Austrian member.
Andras Kallay-Saunders (Hungary 2014)
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
Born and raised in New York City, he moved to Hungary in his early twenties to join his grandmother and later auditioned for the show Megasztar.
Jeanne Manson (Luxembourg 1979)
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
A former Playboy model, she lived in France throughout the 1970s with her then-husband, a film producer.
Isis Gee (Poland 2008)
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington
Born Tamara Gee, she is of Polish descent, but lives between Los Angeles and Italy.
Hannah Mancini (Slovenia 2013)
Birthplace: Fresno, California
Originally from a town equidistant from Los Angeles and Las Vegas, she moved to Slovenia to be with her husband.
Annet Artani (Cyprus 2006)
Birthplace: Queens, New York
She actually used to be Britney Spears’ BFF and backing vocalist. Annet has no ethnic connection to Cyprus, as her family came from Greece almost one hundred years ago.
Wess (Italy 1975)
Birthplace: North Carolina
Wess moved from North Carolina to Italy in the 1960s in order to pursue a musical career.
Natalia Kelly (Austria 2013)
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut
Born to an Austrian father, Natalia moved to Austria from America at the age of six.
Debbie Cameron (Denmark 1981)
Birthplace: Miami, Florida
Debbie moved to Denmark in 1978 to join her mother, a jazz singer who had settled in Copenhagen after losing her passport in East Germany.
Do you think more American singers should compete for their ancestral countries in Eurovision? Who is your favorite singer from America who has competed? Comment below!
Omg Isis Gee, the FIRST Eurovision song I’ve heard in my entire life! She’s the most American-looking person I’ve ever seen, those perfect teeth especially. (I’m from Italy and I was born in the late 90s, I had no Eurovision growing up.)
Fresno is only 3 hours away from both San Francisco & Los Angeles, so y’all could’ve just said that.
Diane Solomon is from USA. She was in group who sang for Luxembourg 1985.
Rhonda Heath is also from USA. She sang in group Silver Convention for Germany 1977, and sang backing vocals for Austria 1985 for Gary Lux, and Germany 1994 for Mecado.
Canada had Canada day recently, why not make something about them?
Also might be old but where is Al Bano & Romina Power? One of them or both are from US
Annie Cotton, 3rd place for Switzerland 1993! French Canadian, just like Celine. A great song too.
Singer for Luxembourg 1986 is also from Canada
Female singer for Luxembourg 1986 is also from Canada.
Alannah Myles once participated in MF:)
And Roger Pontare had a Canadian with him on stage. The native one.
Wow. I had no idea there had been so many. Thanks 🙂
How many winning songwriters have been American?
Julie Frost in 2010, and Jim Beanz in 2008. Any others?
Happy Fourth!
Charlie Mason (one of the writers of Rise Like a Phoenix). That’s all I can come up with.
Jack White (Israel 2018) 😉
Happy 4th of July to all American Eurovision Fans and especially to William Lee Adams! He is an American citizen if I am well informed, and that passion he brings to wiwibloggs every single day (Felix Sandman quote haha) is amazing!
William, we all love you so much! <3 <3 <3
What a lovely message. Thank you so much!
Lindita Halimi too.
God Bless USA??
Lindita is an Albanian from Kosovo, she moved to USA later in life.
If Americans want to compete for their ancestral countries, I see nothing wrong with that. It’s great to rediscover one’s roots, and I’d be willing to represent Norway (my birth country) or Poland (my ancestral country) at any opportunity.
However, I don’t wanna see Americans just jumping on the Eurovision train to further their musical careers and represent a country they have absolute no connection to, something some Europeans even do with countries that have no restrictions on nationality in their national final. That nearly destroys the point of Eurovision to me.
I agree, but it can get a bit complex in some cases.
I agree…except if you happen to be Celine Dion (a Canadian, but same idea), then it’s okay.
Well that’s complex hahaha considering the vast majority of Americans can trace their roots to Europe, the biggest ones are to Ireland and Germany as well to Britain, most Latinos in the US can trace their ancestry back to Spain and Portugal.
By going to your logic, 93% of all Americans would be able to represent their country of ancestry at Eurovision. Hell even Rihanna could represent Ireland considering her grandfather is Irish.
Most Latinos are actually of a Native American bloodline (for the most part). The Spanish or Portuguese they speak is the result of colonization.
Also: honorable mentions to Daniela Ruah and Maria Menounos, the Americans who have co-hosted (in Portugal and Greece, respectively).
Good call!
you can add eddie butler(israel 1999,2006) who is an american citizen.
I think there was also another American in Eden.
that was Eddie Butler! he was in Eden..along with his brother
THANKS!
I find it surprising that you say so little about Katrina despite the fact that she’s the only American to actually win Eurovision. That clip wasn’t even from their performance!