While Eurovision is the biggest television singing competition of them all, the TV talent shows of Europe have proved a good starting place for many stars who will soon represent their country in Vienna this year. We’ve already covered a lot of them here and here. But let’s continue with eight more stars with TV talent show backgrounds.
Macedonia – Daniel Kajmakoski
Daniel Kajmakoski won the first series of X Factor Adria in 2013, the best of the very strong Over-27s category. Here is his scorching hot performance of “Sex on Fire” at the super final.
https://youtu.be/xPiOl_92YTU
Poland – Monika Kuszynska
In 2012, while reinventing herself after her accident, Monika Kuszynska was a celebrity coach on Bitwa na glosy (Clash of the choirs), with her choir coming fifth. She also premiered her comeback single “Ocaleni” (Survivors) on the show. Here she joins her choir to rock out on their performance of Toto’s “Hold the Line”.
Romania – Calin Goia (Voltaj)
In 1995, a teenage Calin Goia participated in the Romanian youth series Scoala vedetelor (Star School). His stint on the show led to him joining Voltaj as their new lead singer in 1998, and the band consequently enjoyed unprecedented success. Here’s a much hairier Calin spreading some love around (from 1:27).
Russia – Polina Gagarina
In 2003, 17-year-old Polina Gagarina won the second series of Russian talent show Fabrika zvyozd (Star Factory). Here she performs “My Heart Will Go On” by former Eurovision winner Celine Dion.
San Marino – Michele Perniola
Both Michele Perniola and Anita Simoncini were stars of Junior Eurovision, but Michele started with the Italian youth singing show Ti lascio una canzone (Leaving you a song), which he won in 2012. Here he shows off both his vocal and dance skills with a Michael Jackson medley.
Serbia – Bojana Stamenov
Bojana Stamenov was a contestant on the Serbian show Ja imam talenat! (I’ve got talent!) in 2012, where she placed fourth. Here Bojana brings her trademark sass to a cover of Chaka Khan’s soul-funk classic “I Feel For You”.
Spain – Edurne
In 2005, Edurne made it to the final of Spanish singing/reality show Operación Triunfo (Operation triumph), where she placed sixth. Here Edurne struts her way through “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'”.
Sweden – Måns Zelmerlöw
Måns Zelmerlöw got his start aged 19 on the second series of Sweden’s Idol in 2005, after auditioning with Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero”. He eventually came fifth in the competition, but cheekily returned two years later disguised as gothic metalhead “Martin Nilsson” and punked the judges by auditioning with his Melodifestivalen song “Cara Mia”. Here’s Måns performing Roxette’s “The Look” from ’80s week.
And here’s Måns and fellow Idol contestant and Melfest star Danny Saucedo opening the 2011 Idol final with “Yeah 3x”.
You forgot Elhaida Dani, she was on The Voice Italy.
This year in Cyprus’NF there were how many hot babes that previously had took part in talent shows…
Hovig… <3 Really hot babe…Very talented as an artist too.. <3 Has great potentials to shine in the future making it big in the music industry.. 🙂
Nearchos Evangelou..
Panagiotis Koufogiannis..
Doody..
Stavros Michalakakos that won the 2nd X Factor of Greece should represent my country in the Vision.. <3 🙂
I don’t like these talent shows like X Factor & The Voice.. Back then before these lame shows we had better ones… In these talent shows that menoors/judges exist of course give priority to their own players with saving them so i do not find this format fair.. Here in Greece we had Louka Yiorka that was the winner of the 1st X Factor…I like him as both an artist & man…He deserved to do great in Dusseldorf’s Vision with our great entry *Watch My Dance*.. <3 In the 2nd season of X Factor there was dear Hovig {although he… Read more »
@ Well NOW you do! 🙂 🙂
Huuuugs! <3
hehehe 🙂
Mario is gay ? I had no idea!
i never knew someone could be that annoying @mario
@ Well if you had actually really read my comment paying attention to it you would had understood what i actually wrote about Mans..
Im gay too if you didn’t REALLY notice & i like Mans & his song..
———————————————————————
@ Fine….You can think whatever of me….I won’t try to change your opinion as i don’t really care anyway dude..
—————————————————————-
Jeez….Its not worth at all to bother explaining ”why this or why that” with these people that always misunderstand pretty much anything someone writes..
Agree, Mario is such a pain in the ass with his gay preaching, his emojis (28? really?) and his ubicuity. And all his posts are as long as empty.
I’m gay too by the way.
Speak for yourself BOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING mario.
I’m gay and I’ll vote for Mans. Problem??
…
@Davve, rude.
Really unbelievable that i have the same age with Polina Ga(y)Ga(y)rina! She really looks so mature! <3 I do not mean that she looks old but compared to her i am so immature.. It feels like she could pass as much older than me.. I still feel like im teenager & so young in my mentality & way of thinking/acting.. Im 28 years old but everyone says to me that i look much younger.. Polina back then must was the type of a 17 y.o. teenager girl that had the air & confidence of a mature grown up real woman…Really… Read more »
@Mario
It actually gets more interesting once you get to know that Måns was among the potential canditates to sing “Hero” in 2008, a job which was eventually given to Charlotte Perrelli. It’s like word of destiny 😉
Y no noto el mismo problema el año pasado con, Rhut Lorenzo,no generalice
Really irony & cool coincidence that Mans Zemerlow audioned in the Swedish Idol with the song *HERO*… 😉
He is indeed the Hero that anyone of us gay eurofans really need in our lifes to get saved by this hot babe <3 😉
Never a homophobic seemed hottier & so much gayer than Mans! <3 😉
{{of course Mans is NOT homophobic at all & im just only joking.. hehe 😉 }}
Polina has amazing vocals in the video. it will be great to see her in esc.
lol, you can tell that spanish people have a hard time with the english language when you hear edurne 😀
Måns is the best talent show alumni of the bunch
Sweden will win ESC