Eurovision is full of surprises — and we saw that again last week when the EBU announced Croatia’s return to Eurovision after a two-year hiatus. The country, which withdrew in 2014 after a string of poor results and supposed financial problems within the national broadcaster, is now taking baby steps towards Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm and the Globe Arena. While HRT — the state broadcaster — hasn’t yet revealed their selection plans for next year, the answer may already be out there.
Croatia at Eurovision 2016
It all started in November 2014, when we reported on the news that the winner of The Voice of Croatia may represent the Mediterranean country at Eurovision — not in 2015, but most likely in 2016. Fast forward to late April 2015 and the Croatian public crowned Nina Kraljic the show’s winner. The 23-year old immediately became a hot subject of speculation among Eurovision fans.
HRT has remained silent on the topic, but thankfully fans have been pushing the issue — and Miss Nina is happy to respond to them publicly.
Following a question from one fan, Nina revealed on her Facebook page that her debut album will be released sometime during the next year, with “some interesting projects linked to that”. Hmmm.
Calendar-wise, it seems that she might have a few spare months to promote a potential Eurovision bid. She is currently touring Croatia, potentially getting all those gigs out of the way so she can clear her schedule in the spring. Given how new she is to the scene, it’s highly unlikely she will have a pan-Balkan or European tour scheduled for March to May.
There’s more. Over this summer we ran a poll asking our readers who should sing for Croatia at Eurovision if they ever returned — and Nina was among them. She shared the poll on her Facebook page along with the message, “Let’s play!” We agree: play that game, girl!
Croatia returns to Eurovision 2016
Taking all of that into account, it wouldn’t surprise us if she performed one of the songs from her forthcoming album at Eurovision. Then again, maybe the secret project is actually a collab with Beyoncé or a tour with Lady GaGa. (Okay, not likely).
Do you want to see Nina on the Eurovision stage? Do you think all of these dots connect to form HRT’s plans for Stockholm? Tell us your thoughts below!
Nina would actually allow Croatia a spot in the final. She’s actually got something of a small internet fandom across the world, meaning she could get the public vote. And her style of music would appeal to the juries, it’s somewhat evocative of Aminata, who if not for Mans, would have won the jury vote.
If it’s with a song as good as Zaljuliaji Smo Svijet then HELL YES!!
Pleaaaseee HRT!
HRT already stated that if she gets chosen for Eurovision 2016, winner of the second season of Croatian The Voice will represent Croatia at Eurovision 2017.
I wanna have Daria Kinzer!!!!
Nooooooo!….#Dora
I hope she’ll represent us!
I would be okay with that. She has a great voice!
One word: YES
Hopefully she’ll represent Croatia. She’s got one hell of a voice 😀
No! Jelena Rozga goes for us! 😉
Yes, please