ZENA will represent Belarus at Eurovision 2019 with her song “Like it”. It’s a dance-pop number that channels some timeless teenage vibes.
“Just to remind you, I don’t give up,” she sings. “I won’t give up no, I’ll always try!” Whether chasing the man of her dreams or fighting to make their romance work, you better believe ZENA is going to be there.
ZENA won the Belarusian national final in March. It proved to be an easy victory. She scored the maximum amount of points from six out of the seven jurors. The songstress is not a newcomer to the stage, however.
As Eurovision 2019 draws ever closer, here are 10 facts about Belarus’ ZENA. Let’s do this!
1. Her real name is Zinaida Kupriyanovich
ZENA was born in Minsk as Zinaida Kupriyanovich, a daughter of a musical producer and psychologist. She started out performing under under her birth name. However, some years ago she adopted the moniker ZENA. Be careful though, it’s pronounced “Zay-na”, not “Zeeh-na”.
2. ZENA is this year’s youngest participant
At sixteen years and eight months, ZENA will be this year’s youngest participant. She is also the first sixteen-year-old to participate in the contest since Anita Simoncini in 2015, who represented San Marino with Michele Perniola and “Chain of Light”.
3. She’s not just a singer
ZENA loves dancing just as much as singing. Want proof? She created the entire choreography for her Eurovision 2019 song “Like It” all by herself.
4. She released her first solo single aged 12
ZENA may be a young talent, but she’s got lots of experience. In 2014, the Minsk native released her first single and music video “Navstrechu veteru”. At the time, she had already particpated in several festivals and performed on Russian television together with pop band 5Sta Family.
5. She’s twice tried to sing at Junior Eurovision
In both 2015 and 2016, ZENA competed to represent Belarus at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Her 2015 bid “Mir” finished fourth. One year later, “Kosmos” came third.
6. She hosted Junior Eurovision 2018
By 2017 she was too old to compete in the contest, and her JESC dreams appeared to be over. However, she made it to Junior Eurovision eventually, albeit as a host. Alongside Junior Eurovision 2017 entrant Helena Meraai and Belarusian commentator Evgeniy Perlin, she compered the spectacle when it came to Minsk in 2018.
7. She came fourth on Fabrika Zvyozd
Fabrika Zvyozd is the Russian version of our favourite Spanish television programme — Operacion Triunfo. It used to be the biggest star maker in Russia and gave us many Eurovision alumns, including Polina Gagarina (Russia 2015), Koldun (Belarus 2007) and Elena Temnikova (Russia 2007). Barely 15 at the time, ZENA was selected to be part of the show in 2017. She initially took part as a solo artist but combined her strength with two others to form the group Sever-17. They finished fourth in the final.
8. She has dueted with Ani Lorak and Alexander Rybak
During her time on Fabrika Zvyozd, she regularly performed duets with famous Russian-language artists, including a few Eurovision stars. With Ukraine’s 2008 singer Ani Lorak she showed off some vocal power on “Ty echshyo lyubish'”. She teamed up with Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak to perform his Russian hit “Kotik”.
9. She has the backing of the President of Belarus
Success is nice, but it is also great if the government recognises your musical talent. In 2015, ZENA became a laureate of the Special Fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus to support talented young people. She received a scholarship to help her develop her creative abilities.
10. She is vlogging her Eurovision journey
Given her age, ZENA obviously had to follow the latest trend and set up her own vlog. So, if you want to see some backstage content from her journey to Tel Aviv, make sure to subscribe to her channel. You gonna like it!
Read more Eurovision 2019 artist facts here
Picture: Viktor Tolochko/Sputnik
11. she’s a homophobic enabler
This fact should be #1
Whoa she came up with the choreography herself? It was actually really good! We love a multitalented queen
She also has Polish roots from one of the sides of her family, dunno from which exactly tho…
Why do you have to be so mean to artists?
Fact #11: Zena voiced Moana for the Russian dub.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XNpDHXHUntE
vlogging is something what Ilinca did in 2017, so ur not being Original there Zena sweetie
creating your own choreo is something what i do like from you though 🙂
oh boo hoo, another eurovision act is vlogging, they never said anything about it being an original idea….
Xena on Xanax wearing Zara