Eleni Foureira
Eleni Foureira (Greek: Ελένη Φουρέιρα; 7 March 1987) is a Greek singer and dancer. She began her music career in 2007 as a member of the Greek girl group Mystique, before pursuing a solo career after the group disbanded in 2009.
Eleni Foureira | |
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![]() Eleni Foureira at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 | |
Born | Entela Fureraj 7 March 1987 |
Nationality | Greek |
Musical career | |
Origin | Athens, Greece |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels |
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Website | www |
Foureira signed a solo contract with Universal Music Greece and released her self-titled debut album in 2010, which received a platinum certification in Greece. She later signed with Minos EMI, and went on to release her second and third studio albums Ti Poniro Mou Zitas and Anemos Agapis in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Both albums were well-received in Greece and Cyprus. Foureira left Minos EMI in 2015, and signed with Panik Records. Her fourth studio album Vasilissa was released in December 2017.
She represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Fuego". On 8 May 2018 she qualified from the first semi-final to the grand final, where she finished second with 436 points, the best result Cyprus has ever achieved in the contest.
In 2019, she released the EP "Gypsy Woman" to commercial success in Europe. This was followed in 2020 by the release of singles "Yayo", "Temperatura" and "Light It Up".
Early life
Foureira was born in Fier, Albania as Entela Fureraj. Her mother is a seamstress, while her father works in construction.[1] She has three siblings: Ioanna, Margarita, and Giorgos. When she was young, the family left Albania and settled in Greece due to the 1997 Albanian civil unrest.[2] She grew up in the Kallithea neighbourhood of Athens.
Foureira began pursuing music at a young age, learning how to play guitar and later working in a theatre for three years.[3]
Career
2007–2009: Early career and Mystique
Foureira began her music career as a member of the girl group Mystique. She was discovered by Andreas Giatrakos, and the group also consisted of Alkmini Chatzigianni and Maria Makri.[4] They released their debut single "Se alli selida" in 2007, and later achieved success with the single "Min kaneis pos de thymasai" featuring Greek hip hop group NEVMA the following year. They later broke up in 2009.
2010–2018: Pursuit of a solo career
![](../I/Eleni_Foureira.JPG.webp)
After the break up of Mystique in 2009, Foureira signed a solo contract with Universal Music Greece, the label which Mystique was signed to as well. She later appeared on the charity program Just the Two of Us, hosted by Mega Channel. She managed to win first place along with singer Panagiotis Petrakis.[5] Foureira released her self-titled debut studio album in December 2010, which went on to become certified platinum in Greece.[6] Afterwards, she signed with Minos EMI. Her second album Ti Poniro Mou Zitas was released in 2012, while her third Anemos agapis was released in 2014. From 2015 to 2016, she starred as Sofia in the musical Barbarella: the 80's Musical in Athens, alongside other Greek pop stars such as Ivi Adamou and Katy Garbi.[7][8][9][10] Following the release of Anemos agapis, she left Minos EMI and signed with Panik Records. She was a judge on season three of the Greek version of So You Think You Can Dance. Her fourth studio album Vasilissa was released in 2017.[11]
Eurovision Song Contest 2018
![](../I/Elenifoureiraeurovision.jpg.webp)
Foureira has made several attempts to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2010, she took part in the Greek national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with Manos Pyrovolakis, performing the song "Kivotos tou Noe". They placed second behind Giorgos Alkaios.[12][13] In 2013, she performed "Wild Dances" with Ruslana at Eurosong 2013 – a MAD show.[14][15] She later considered taking part in Eurosong 2015 - NERIT & MAD show, but ultimately did not.[16] She once again attempted to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Come Tiki Tam", but was rejected by Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).[17][18] In 2017, she was rejected by the broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 once again.[19]
In February 2018, it was confirmed that Foureira would represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Fuego".[20] The song was composed by Greek–Swedish songwriter Alex Papaconstantinou.[21][22] On 8 May 2018, she qualified from the first semi–final to the grand final.[23][24] In the final held on 12 May 2018, she finished as the runner–up to winner Netta from Israel, having received the fifth most votes from the international juries and the second most votes from the public televoting process; this marked Cyprus' best Eurovision placement in history.[25][26]
2018–present: Post–Eurovision success and international breakthrough
Shortly after her performance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, Eleni signed a record deal with Sony Music.[27] By doing so, she become only the second Greek artist to sign an international deal with a major record label after Helena Paparizou (who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2005).[28][29] In late June, she released her Greek single "Caramela", which topped the Digital Single Chart. In mid–October, she released the non–album single "Tómame", which was also number one hit.[30] Towards the end of the year, it was announced that "Fuego" has been certified platinum in Spain,[31] and gold in Norway and Sweden, becoming Eleni's first song to achieve this.[32][33]
On 17 May 2019, Eleni released her first international project, an extended play titled Gypsy Woman, which includes the song "El Ritmo Psicodelico" as the lead single.[34] To further promote her studio project, she embarked on a European tour in various cities in Greece, Spain, and the United Kingdom.[35][36] Around the same time, during the Host Broadcast press conference of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, Foureira was announced as one of the four artists from previous contests that will perform at the finals of the show, where performed the 2007 runner–up Verka Serduchka's song "Dancing Lasha Tumbai".[37] Throughout the rest of the year, she mostly took part in collaborations with artists such as Kaan and Snoop Dogg,[38][39] and Claydee.[40][41] In March 2020, she released the electropop and R&B single Yayo.[42][43][44] In June, she released a Greek single "Temperatura", which was later accompanied with a Spanish version.[45] [46]
Personal life
Origin controversy
Since the beginning of her career, Foureira's ancestral origins have garnered intense speculation from the Greek media. As a member of Mystique, she claimed to be Brazilian.[47] However, she later began claiming that her father was from Athens and her mother from Ioannina, although she had some Mexican ancestry as well.[48][49] In 2010, reports of Foureira attempting to naturalise as a Greek citizen further increased speculation regarding her origins.
In 2013, it was reported by the Greek media that Foureira was born in Albania and that her birth name was Entela Fureraj.[50] Foureira did not comment on the reports until 2014, when she confirmed them.[51] She claimed that she did not reveal her origin in order to be accepted in the music industry in Greece. She continued claiming she never understood the issue, since she always felt Greek and she has received only Greek education.[52] Andreas Giatrakos, who discovered Foureira and recruited her to join Mystique, later stated that he wanted Foureira to be proud of her origin and would not have rejected her if he knew she was born in Albania.[4] She was even reluctant to declare herself a Northern Epirote, because this would possibly harm her career. She simply declared that she was born in Albania.[53][54]
During the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, Foureira made the Albanian patriotic eagle gesture in a photo with Albanian singer Eugent Bushpepa. The image went viral in Albania and Greece, being well-received in the former but causing controversy in the latter.[55] After the first semi-final, Foureira stated that she is taking part in a musical competition that unites people, declaring that Greece is her home country, the country she grew up in, and that she has proved that she adores Greece, sο the controversy is unnecessary.[56]
Discography
- Eleni Foureira (2010)
- Ti Poniro Mou Zitas (2012)
- Anemos Agapis (2014)
- Vasilissa (2017)
- Gypsy Woman (2019)
- Light It Up (2021)
Filmography
Television | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2010 | Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 | Herself | Contestant 2nd place |
2010–2011 | Just the Two of Us | Greek edition season 1 Contestant/Coach 1st place | |
2017 | So You Think You Can Dance | Greek edition Season 3 Judge | |
2018 | Eurovision Song Contest 2018 | Contestant 2nd place | |
Golden Stag Festival | Romanian show Guest Judge | ||
Tu cara me suena | Spanish edition Guest Judge | ||
2019 | Eurovision Song Contest 2019 | Guest star | |
The Final Four | Greek edition Season 1 Judge | ||
Theater | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2015–2016 | Barbarella: the 80's Musical | Sophia | Pireos 131 Theater |
Film | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2018 | Aigaio SOS | Eleni Foureira | Guest star |
Awards and nominations
Year | Organization | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | MAD Video Music Awards | Sexiest Video | "To 'cho (Pom Pom)" | Won | [57] |
Best New Artist | Herself | ||||
Best Female Artist | Nominated | ||||
2012 | Sexiest Video | "Reggaeton" | Won | ||
Best Pop Video | |||||
Best Female Artist | Herself | Nominated | |||
Artist of the Year – Cyprus | |||||
2013 | Fashion Icon in a Video | "Pio Erotas Pethenis" | Won | [58] | |
Best Pop Video | Nominated | ||||
Best Song | "To Party Den Stamata" | ||||
Best Female Artist | Herself | ||||
2014 | Video of the Year | "Anemos agapis" | [59] | ||
Best Dance Act | |||||
Best Female Artist | Herself | ||||
Artist of the Year – Cyprus | |||||
2015 | Video of the Year – Cyprus | "Party Sleep Repeat (PSR)" | Won | [60][61] | |
Best Dance Video | |||||
Best Modern Female Artist | Herself | Nominated | |||
2016 | Video of the Year | "Sto theo me paei" | Won | ||
Best Pop Video | Nominated | ||||
Best Modern Female Artist | Herself | ||||
2017 | Best Video with a Cause | "Den sou chrostao agapi" | Won | [62][63] | |
Best Dance Video | "Ti koitas?" | ||||
Best Duet/Collaboration | Nominated | ||||
Superfans of the Year | Her fans | ||||
2018 | Best Modern Female Artist | Herself | Won | ||
Video of the Year | "To Kati Pou Echeis" | Nominated | |||
Marcel Bezençon Awards | Artistic Award | "Fuego" | Won | ||
2019 | Gaygalan | Song of the Year | Nominated | [64] | |
SMA Cyprus | Best Modern Female | Herself | Won | [65] | |
Best International Single | Fuego | Won | |||
MAD Video Music Awards | Best Modern Female | Herself | Won | [66] | |
Video of the Year | Fuego | Nominated | [66] | ||
MAD Radio 106.2 Song of the Year | Won | [66] | |||
2020 | MAD Video Music Awards | Best Duet | "Loquita" | Won | [67] |
Best female modern | Herself |
References
- Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Γιατί έκρυψα πως είμαι από την Αλβανία (in Greek).
- Φουρέιρα: Ηρθα από την Αλβανία 8 χρόνων -Θυμάμαι να μπαίνουν οι σφαίρες μέσα στο σπίτι μου. iefimerida.gr (in Greek). 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
- "Biography" (in Greek). PameBouzoukia. 15 June 2013.
- Ψέματα ότι είπαμε στην Φουρέιρα να κρύψει την καταγωγή της, λέει ο πρώην μάνατζερ της (in Greek). Protothema. 28 November 2014.
- "Eleni Foureira wons at the "Just the two of us". www.aggelioforos.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 19 January 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- "Eleni Foureira". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- Η Ελένη Φουρέιρα μετράει αντίστροφα για το θεατρικό της ντεμπούτο! [Eleni Foureira counts down to her theatrical debut]. Very Sorry (in Greek). 10 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- H Ελένη Φουρέιρα θα παίξει σε μιούζικαλ! [Eleni Foureira will play in a musical]. MAD (in Greek). 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- Mitsopolos, Odisseas (14 September 2015). Καίτη Γαρμπή: Σε ποιο μιούζικαλ θα πρωταγωνιστήσει; [Katy Garbi: In which musical will she star?]. Real.gr. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- Καίτη Γαρμπή – Ελένη Φουρέιρα – Ήβη Αδάμου: Σε ποιο μιούζικαλ θα πρωταγωνιστήσουν; [Katy Garbi - Eleni Foureira - Ivi Adamou: In which musical will they star?]. Get Greek Music (in Greek). 14 September 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- "Eleni Foureira - Vasilissa". Panik Records. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- Staff (12 March 2010). Και το τραγούδι είναι το... "OPA"! (in Greek). ERT. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
- Al Kaziri, Ghassan (15 March 2010). "60,000 votes cast; three songs tied". Oikotimes.coom. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
- "Ruslana Eleni foureira wild dances eurovision 2013 greece". 18 February 2013.
- Granger, Anthony (18 February 2013). "Greece: Tonight Greece Decides". Eurovoix.
- Granger, Anthony (27 December 2014). "Greece: Eleni Foureira Is Thinking About Eurovision Participation". Eurovoix.
- Gallagher, Robyn (15 October 2016). "Eleni Foureira releases rejected Greek Eurovision 2016 entry "Come Tiki Tam"". Wiwibloggs.
- Vasileiadis, George (28 January 2016). "Greece: Eleonora Zouganeli declines Eurovision participation, Eleni Foureira wants in". Wiwibloggs.
- Muldoon, Padraig (26 October 2017). "Eleni Foureira: "There must be a reason why the people at ERT didn't select me"". Wiwibloggs.
- Mercereau, Damien (7 March 2018). "Eurovision 2018 : Chypre joue avec le feu avec Eleni Foureira" (in French). Le Figaro. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- Farren, Neil (1 February 2018). "Cyprus: Eleni Foureira Officially Confirmed for Eurovision 2018". Eurovoix.
- Jiandani, Sanjay (1 February 2018). "Cyprus: Eleni Foureira to Lisbon!". ESCToday.
- Cremona, Patrick (9 May 2018). "Who is Cyprus's Eurovision 2018 entry Eleni Foureira?". RadioTimes.
- Debnath, Neela (9 May 2018). "Eurovision 2018 Cyprus: Who is representing Cyprus? Who is favourite Eleni Foureira?". Express.
- Kelly, Helen (2018-05-13). "Eurovision 2018 winner: Israel wins Eurovision Song Contest with Netta Barzilai". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
- "Live blog: The Grand Final of Eurovision 2018 - Eurovision Song Contest Lisbon 2018". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
- https://twitter.com/foureira_eleni/status/998290441517879296
- "Cyprus: Sony Music International has secured Fuego's rights abroad". infenetwork.net. 2018-05-18.
- "Eleni Foureira signs global deal with Sony Music International following Eurovision success". escxtra.com. 2018-05-20.
- "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 13/2020". ifpi.gr. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- "Spanish single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
Select Songs under "Chart", enter 2018 in the field "Year". Select 48 in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts".
- Bird, Lisa (28 October 2018). "Fuego sold over 15,000 copies in each Norway and Sweden". ESCXTRA. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- "Fuego certified gold in Norway and Sweden". Panik Entertainment Group. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- "I am incredibly happy to share that my new Mini album is ready. Here is a preview for you! Available worldwide on the 17th of May🌎 Go to pre-save-link in bio #newera". 14 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019 – via Twitter.
- "EP Review: Eleni Foureira – Gypsy Woman". abitofpopmusic.com. 2019-05-21.
- "Eleni Foureira is a Gypsy Woman setting the world on fuego in new EP". wiwibloggs.com. 2019-06-19.
- "Lots of Eurovision 2019 news during Host Broadcaster press conference". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
- "Eleni Foureira teams up with Snoop Dogg and K.A.N.N. for remake of "Sweet Dreams"". greekcitytimes.com. 2019-03-28.
- "Eleni Foureira to release collaboration with Snoop Dogg & KAAN". escxtra.com. 2019-03-29.
- "Eleni Foureira collaborates with Claydee on new single 'Loquita'". eurovision.tv. 2019-07-05.
- "Cyprus: Eleni Foureira and Claydee release ' Loquita'". esctoday.com. 2019-07-29.
- "New music this week: 17 songs from Eleni Foureira, Luca Hänni, Ani Lorak and more". wiwibloggs.com. 2020-03-08.
- "ELENI FOUREIRA estrena nuevo single y videoclip "YAYO"". tonyaguilar.es. 2020-03-10.
- "Yayo abre la nueva etapa musical de Eleni Foureira". moobys.es. 2020-03-12.
- "Listen to Eleni Foureira's new single "Temperatura"". eurovision.tv. 2020-06-20.
- "🇨🇾 Eleni Foureira unveils Spanish-language version of latest single "Temperatura"". escxtra.com. 2020-07-10.
- Η πλήρης μετάλλαξη της Ελένης Φουρέιρα (in Greek). Protothema. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- Είναι από την Αλβανία η Φουρέιρα (in Greek). 12 December 2010.
- Η απάντηση της Φουρέιρα... Είναι από το Μεξικό ή από την Αλβανία; (in Greek). iShow. 11 December 2010.
- Αποκάλυψη:Αυτό είναι το ΠΡΑΓΜΑΤΙΚΟ όνομα της Ελένης Φουρέιρα! (in Greek). Athens Timeout. 29 July 2013.
- Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Γεννήθηκα στην Αλβανία! (in Greek). Protothema. 27 November 2014.
- Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Γιατί έκρυψα πως είμαι από την Αλβανία (in Greek). Protothema. 28 November 2014.
- Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Ήρθα 8 ετών στην Ελλάδα από την Αλβανία. Newsbeast.gr (in Greek). 14 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
Ο παππούς μου είναι Έλληνας, αισθάνομαι Ελληνίδα. Αν έβγαινα τότε και έλεγα πως είμαι Βόρειο- Ηπειρώτισσα πάλι θα με έκριναν. Είπα ότι γεννήθηκα στην Αλβανία και αυτό είναι όλο
- Ελένη Φουρέιρα - Η εξομολόγηση για τα παιδικά χρόνια στην Αλβανία: "Έμπαιναν σφαίρες σπίτι μας" (in Greek). Retrieved 15 March 2018.
Γεννήθηκα σε άλλη χώρα, αλλά μεγάλωσα στην Ελλάδα. Αισθάνομαι Ελληνίδα. Το αστείο είναι ότι ο παππούς μου είναι Έλληνας. Αν έβγαινα όμως και έλεγα πως είμαι από τη Βόρειο Ήπειρο, θα έλεγαν πως πάλι δεν το λέω. Έτσι είπα ότι έχω γεννηθεί στην Αλβανία. Αυτό είναι όλο».
- "Shqiponja në "Eurovision" tërbon median greke". Gazeta Tema (in Albanian). 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
- Φουρέιρα: Η Ελλάδα είναι η πατρίδα μου - Ήθελα πολύ να την εκπροσωπήσω. ProtoThema (in Greek). Retrieved 2018-05-11.
- "Eleni Foureira MAD Video Music Awards". Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- Vranis, Michalis (25 June 2013). "Greece: MAD Video Music Awards 2013 tonight". ESCToday.
- Qendro, Helio (5 June 2014). "Greece: Eurovision stars nominated in MAD Video Music Awards". ESCToday.
- Laufer, Gil (2 July 2015). "Greece: Eurovision artists awarded at MAD VMA 2015". ESCToday.
- Weaver, Jessica (7 June 2015). "Greece: MAD VMA 2015; The Eurovision nominees". ESCToday.
- Agadellis, Stratos (10 July 2017). "Greece: MAD Video Music Awards 2017 airs; the show and wonners". ESCToday.
- Agadellis, Stratos (29 May 2017). "Greece: Eurostars among MAD VMA '17 nominations". ESCToday.
- "NU KAN DU RÖSTA FRAM VINNARE TILL QX GAYGALA 2019! OCH DE NOMINERADE ÄR …". Gala Magazine Sweden. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- "Best international single, Best female modern!!!!!! Thank you so much Cyprus 🇨🇾 thank you". Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "BEST FEMALE MODERN & Song OF THE YEAR MAD RADIO!!! I wanna thank you all from the bottom of my heart we keep on making our dreams come true last night was pure magic thank you - Eleni Foureira on her Instagram". Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- {{cite web|url=https://videomusicawards.gr/%7Ctitle=Winners at MAD VMA 2020|date=6 January 2021|publisher=MAD TV}
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eleni Foureira. |
Preceded by Hovig with "Gravity" |
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 |
Succeeded by Tamta with "Replay" |