In Georgia performing at Eurovision can turn singers into treasured national icons. The latest Eurovision star to prove the point is Sopho Khalvashi, who has been selected as deputy mayor of the city of Batumi.
She is a well-known face — and voice — among our readers. Born in Batumi, she represented Georgia on its Eurovision debut during the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song “Visionary Dream”— a tweaked version of a song that was originally titled “My Story”. It finished in 12th position.
She took her time deciding to pursue her latest gig. As she said: “I had this offer for a long time, somehow I didn’t get the decision, I thought and I decided today. I wanna say thanks to everyone for the confidence. Now I can realize my plans and ideas.”
After the contest, she continued her musical career and even worked as TV presenter. Now she assumes a new position. She will work as deputy mayor of the second-largest city of Georgia. Batumi is located on the coast of the Black Sea in the country’s southwest. It’s known as the Las Vegas of the Black Sea.
Sopho isn’t the only one Eurovision star who went to the public service or into politics. Eurovision winner Ruslana and Zlata Ognevich sat in the Ukrainian Parliament, while Iceland’s Óttarr Proppé — one of the Pollapönk backing singers — sat in parliament at the time he sang at Eurovision and he later became Minister of Health.
We congratulate Sophia and wish her much success in her new field.
Are you happy about the news? Do you want to see Sopho back at the Eurovision Song Contest? Let us know in the comments box below!
I don’t know about politics, but her 2007 entry was amazing. Very edgy and modern. I think she should have been in top 5.
Loved this song back in the day was one of my favourites of 2007 stuck out as having a bit of originality in what I call the lost years of eurovision 2001_2007, a few gems but a lot of dross in that period, but yeah loving the random news about her becoming deputy mayor of somewhere I’ve never heard off.
Dont forget Ase kleveland and vicky leandros
I don´t know her political views… Having said that I am happy for her and still remember very well what for me is one of the best entries in the 21st century. Epic! Very unfairly treated, however.
Visionary is one of my favourite entries ever.
I’ve always wished she returned to Eurovision 🙂
What? That make no sense GOOD FOR HER
Aw, congrats to her!! “Visionary Dream” is such a bop and is one of my favorites from 2007. I hope she does really well in her job as mayor.
Omg I didn’t expect you to publish an article about this! Visionary Dream is my favourite Eurovision entry ever and I couldn’t be happier for Sopho, I’m sure she’ll do an amazing job for her home city just like she did in 2007 for the whole country