Natalia Gordienko: 10 facts about Moldova’s Eurovision 2020 singer

Natalia Gordienko was due to represent Moldova at Eurovision 2020 with her song “Prison”.

Natalia Gordienko got her return ticket to Eurovision 2020 by winning Moldova’s revamped selection Finala Națională. The accomplished Moldovan star has long been on many fans’ wishlists to see back at Eurovision — and 2020 was to have been her year.

Let’s take a look at 10 facts you need to know about Natalia Gordienko. Let’s do this!

Moldova at Eurovision 2020: Facts about Natalia Gordienko

1. She’s a Eurovision veteran

Natalia first represented Moldova at Eurovision 2006. She performed alongside boyband star Arsenium and Moldovan rapper Connect-R. They brought Latin vibes to the Athens stage with their song “Loca”. The song placed 20th in the grand final.

2. She got her big break at the age of ten

Natalia has performed since the age of five, but had to wait a few years to get her big break. At the age of ten, she featured on the Moldovan children’s television show Cheiţa de aur (Golden Key) and became a star.

3. She placed second at the Slavianski Bazaar

In 2006, Natalia was the runner-up at Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, an annual Belarusian music festival dedicated to Slavic music. The prestigious contest has previously been won by future Eurovision stars like Ruslana, Željko Joksimović, Donny Montell and Croatia’s intended act for Eurovision 2020, Damir Kedžo.

4. She’s a New Wave winner

The following year, Natalia went on to win New Wave, the international contest for young performers. New Wave has previously been won by future Eurovision stars like Sergey Lazarev (as part of  Smash!!!), Jamala, DoReDos and Croatia’s Damir Kedžo. We haven’t been able to find any performance clips from the contest, but here’s Natalia backstage with Romania’s Mihai Traistariu.

5. She collaborated with Mohombi

Natalia is an established pop performer and in 2016, she collaborated with the Swedish R&B star and Melodifestivalen regular Mohombi. Their song “Habibi” combined Middle Eastern and Latin vibes, creating a breezy, summer vibe. To date, the video has clocked up over one million views on YouTube.

6. She’s an award-winning DJ

In 2009, Natalia started the DJ Star project. She even took to doing some DJing herself, despite having no experience behind the decks. Natalia went on to win first prize in her competition.

7. She’s an Honoured Artist of Moldova

In 2008, Natalia was given the Artist Emerit honour, awarded by the President of Moldova. She was the youngest singer to have ever received this award. It might seem a little premature to give such an award to an artist who was only 20, but as Natalia has shown in the 12 years since, her career has only gone from strength to strength.

8. She hosts the Moldovan national lottery show

Every week, Moldovans tune into the Loteria Națională to see who will strike it lucky. Natalia helps to host the half-hour show, which includes different games of chance.

9. She worked with the Dream Team

“Prison” — Natalia’s intended entry for Eurovision 2020 — was co-written by the so-called “Dream Team”. Behind the song was the Russian maestro Philipp Kirkorov, the successful Greek songwriter Dimitris Kontopoulos and “Scream” lyricist Sharon Vaughn.

10. She’s a mother

As well as having a busy showbiz career, Natalia is also a mother. In 2017 she gave birth to a baby boy. And it’s a family affair — Natalia’s grandmother helps raise her great-grandson.

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Eurovision 2021 update

To date, the Moldovan broadcaster TRM has not confirmed its participation or selection plans for the next edition of Eurovision. However, during the Spanish PreParty home concert, Natalia confirmed her desire to go again in 2021.

What do you think of Natalia’s career? Would you like to see her return to Eurovision? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Eurovision 2020 artist facts here.