Earlier in the summer, we traveled down memory lane to review 10 Eurovision artists who first found fame on TV talent shows. We watched Margaret Berger, Jedward and Tom Neuwirth (aka, Conchita Wurst without the wig) make their first foray into showbiz. But you guys wanted to see more—and your wish is our command. So, without further ado, here are ten more Eurovision stars who found fame on talent shows.

Jonatan Cerrada (France 2004)

Jonatan rose to prominence in 2003, when he won A La Recherche De La Nouvelle Star—the French version of Idol. He auditioned with the Jackson 5 song “I Want You Back” and his dance moves furthered the stereotype that white men can’t dance. When Jonatan performed on the Eurovision stage a year later, he sung a ballad and stood in place, surrounded by backing dancers headed to a Gothic wedding.  What a difference a year makes…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guUnKJc0mEo

Hanna Pakarinen (Finland 2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUagGZ21Cbo

Ten year ago, Hanna won the first edition of Idols. She went on to become one of the top 50 best-selling female solo artists in Finland. (Please don’t joke that there are only 50 female solo artists in Finland—the country has 5.4 million people). She’s a diva of pop and pop-rock, and you can hear that in her Eurovision entry Leave Me Alone, which climbed the charts in Sweden.

Elena Temnikova (Russia 2007) 

I know, the quality of the video isn’t that great, but I wanted you guys to hear this duet between Elena and another Star Factory competitor. Elena was the lead singer of the group Serebro, which sang for Russia in Helsinki. They were the girls with those amazing lyrics: “Oh! Don’t call me funny bunny, I’ll blow your money money, I’ll get you to my bad ass, Spinning for you.”

http://youtu.be/N-AoAUnPhU0?t=2m53s
Hind (The Netherlands 2008)

This confident 18-year-old is the Dutch singer Hind Laroussi. She found fame in the first editition of Idols in 2003. The jury loved her, saying that they could listen to her sing all day. She managed to make the semi-final, ultimately placing third. Eurovision didn’t go so well. Despite a flash of thigh, she finished 13th in her semi-final, so missed out on Saturday’s show.

Ivi Adamou ( Cyprus 2012)

La la love is a guilty pleasure for countless Eurovision fans, myself included. Ivi gave a great performance, even if her voice sounded a bit hoarse and led us to create the The Ivi Adamou Award for Worst Live Vocals. Nevertheless, she participated in the Greek version of X Factor and managed to come sixth. Don’t ask me how…

Ott Lepland ( Estonia 2012)

Ott won the first version of the Estonian Idol, Eesti Otsib Superstaari. The same stirring vocals, dashing good looks and stage presence that ultimately helped him place sixth at Eurovision were already on show. Here’s a man who understands emotion.

Loreen (Sweden 2012)

You might not recognise her without her black clothes and sleek long hair with bangs, but this girl is Loreen, performing on the Swedish version of Pop Idol in 2004. You probably won’t see her in pink clothes ever again, and you most certainly won’t see her in this Pink Monster (it was probably killed by producers afterwards). This may shock some of you, but I have to admit that I really like her old hairdo. She ended up finishing fourth.

Marco Mengoni (Italy 2013)

Jonatan Cerrada isn’t the only one who tried to seduce the judges with his Michael Jackson dance moves. Marco, who won the Italian version of X Factor, proved that he could bust a move with the best of them. Be sure to watch the last 15 seconds of his performance, when he puts the cherry on the cake with a choreographed crotch-grab.

Nikolas Raptakis (Greece 2014)

Nikolas finished as first runner-up in our 2014 search for Eurovision’s Next Top Male Model. According to our readers, he’s hot, but boy has he changed. He looked totally different when he auditioned for X Factor in 2009. His looks aren’t the only thing that improved. Check out his voice…

Jessica Mauboy ( Australia 2014)

Okay, I’m cheating a little by showing Jessica’s audition. She isn’t an official Eurovision contestant but she did sing on the Eurovision stage which does make her a Eurovision star. And guys: you must admit that she is amazing! Can you believe that she is only 16 here?! She was the runner up on Australian idol.

Which audition is your favourite and which one suprised you the most? Let us know in the comments box below!

 

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Joel
Joel
9 years ago

What about the marvelous Ruth Lorenzo? She was on the British X Factor 😀

JayEm
9 years ago

I’m not sure if ‘Just Being Honest’ was using sarcasm, but I love Kelly Clarkson and Jessica mauboy =)

JayEm
9 years ago

I really like Hind, Hanna Pakarinen and Ivi Adamou’s entries. I especially think that Hind’s is underrated as it is a really cool song

Just being honest
Just being honest
9 years ago

Jessica Mauboy, really? Ok then! let’s have Kelly Clarkson as interval act next year. Make sure you include her on your list next time 😉 lol jks

Hollandique
9 years ago

Jessica Garlick

OM
OM
9 years ago

Denise, this post should include Ott Lepland and Sandra Nurmsalu performing Randajad at Idol: youtu.be/0lMOEpv0_Pk Ott’s already such a silent killer. Cheers!

Youngman
Youngman
9 years ago

CLEO was in the X FACTOR OF POLAND

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
9 years ago

You sure delivered, Denise! Great stuff – can’t believe the awkward pink Loreen in high heels became the all-conquering whirling dervish of 2012! Fave is Jonatan Cerrada … anyone who can look that cute in a suit that doesn’t fit while being upstaged by a manic stilt-walker deserves a medal. SIGH …

Sami Luukela
Sami Luukela
9 years ago

How I haven’t found the clip of Ott Lepland performing Permanent, which might be the most beautiful song ever?! Thank you Denise!

Aless
Aless
9 years ago

Ruth Lorenzo

George
9 years ago

@ Denise
Can we joke for the fact that she (caughs) is considered a female artist ?
And this is Ivi’s first live. She was fifteen or something so she’s totally justified.

vvg
vvg
9 years ago

@davve they DID mention him, actually, in the first article about Eurovision stars in talent shows; what we’re reading is the second one.

davve
davve
9 years ago

Loreen is the biggest ESC star to have performed in a talent television show amongst the people mentioned.

you forgot that Alexander Rybak also participated in Idol!

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

Totally surprised by Loreen, it looks nothing like her!!
Totally shocked!