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Eleni Foureira

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Eleni Foureira
Foureira performing in 2013
Born
Entela Fureraj

(1987-03-07) 7 March 1987 (age 37)
Fier, Albania
CitizenshipGreece
PartnerAlberto Botía (2016–present)
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actress
  • dancer
  • fashion designer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2007–present
Labels
Websitewww.elenifoureira.gr

Eleni Foureira (Greek: Ελένη Φουρέιρα; born 7 March 1987) is a Greek singer, actress, dancer, and fashion designer. 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.

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 2017.

She will represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Fuego".

Early life

Foureira was born in Fier, Albania to parents Marjeta and Kristaq Fureraj as Entela Fureraj. Her mother is a seamstress, while her father works in construction.[1][2] She has three siblings: Ioanna, Margarita, and Giorgos. When Foureira was young, the family left Albania and settled in Greece due to the civil war in the country.[3] She grew up in the Kallithea neighborhood of Athens.

Foureira began pursuing music at a young age, learning how to play the guitar and later working in a theatre for three years.[4]

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.[5] 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–present: Solo career

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.[6] Foureira released her self-titled debut studio album in December 2010, which went on to become certified platinum in Greece.[7][failed verification] 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.[8][9][10][11] 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.[12]

Eurovision Song Contest

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.[13][14] In 2013, she performed "Wild Dances" with Ruslana at Eurosong 2013 – a MAD show.[15][16] She later considered taking part in Eurosong 2015 - NERIT & MAD show, but ultimately did not.[17] 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).[18][19] She was rejected by the broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 again.[20]

In February 2018, it was confirmed that Foureira would represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Fuego".[21] The song was composed by Greek-Swedish songwriter Alex Papaconstantinou.[22][23]

Personal life

Since 2016, Foureira has been in a relationship with Spanish footballer Alberto Botía of Olympiacos F.C.[24]

Origin controversy

Since the beginning of her career, Foureira's country of birth garnered intense speculation from the Greek media. As a member of Mystique, she claimed to be Brazilian.[25] However, she later began claiming that her father was from Athens and her mother from Ioannina, although she had some Mexican ancestry as well.[26][27] In 2010, reports of Foureira attempting to naturalize 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.[28] Foureira did not comment on the reports until 2014, when she confirmed that she was indeed of Albanian origin.[29] She claimed that she hid her Albanian roots due to Albanophobia in Greece, and that she would have been denied from record labels if she was known to be Albanian. She continued claiming she never understood the issue, since she always felt Greek and she has received only Greek education.[30] 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.[5]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
GRE
[31]
Eleni Foureira 1[failed verification]
Ti poniro mou zitas 7
Anemos agapis 3
Vasilissa 15

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions
GRE
[31]
"Chica Bomb" 2010 —
"To 'cho (Pom Pom)" 8
"Ase me" —
"Mia nychta mono"
(with Thirio) 		2011 7
"Paixe mazi mou (Fun)"
(with Ciprian Rodu) 		—
"Reggaeton" 6
"To party de stamata"
(with Midenistis) 		2012 3
"All I Need" —
"Stou erota tin trela" —
"Fotia"
(with NEVMA) 		—
"Pio erotas pethaineis" 6
"Sweetest Love" 2013 —
"Rantevou stin paralia" —
"Anemos agapis" —
"Pes to kathara"
(with Vasilis Karras) 		—
"Vazo tin kardia" 2014 —
"Party Sleep Repeat (PSR)" —
"Tranquila"
(with J Balvin) 		1
"Mou pan i agapi" —
"Ladies (Stand Up)" 2015 —
"Pio dinata" —
"Sto theo me paei (Golden Boy)" 9
"Den sou chrostao agapi" 2016 —
"Delicious"
(with Butrint Imiri) 		—
"Ti koitas?"
(with Mike) 		—
"2017 S'agapo" —
"Mono gia sena" 2017 —
"To kati pou echeis" —
"Send for Me"
(with A.M. SNiPER and Afro B) 		—
"Vasilissa" —
"2018 S'agapo" —

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Greek national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Herself Contestant
2nd place
2010–2011 Just the Two of Us Herself Season 1 contestant
1st place
2017 So You Think You Can Dance Herself Season 3
Judge
Theater
Year Title Role Notes
2015–2016 Barbarella: the 80's Musical Sophia Theatrical debut
Pireos 131 Theater

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2011 MAD Video Music Awards Sexiest Video "To 'cho (Pom Pom)" Won [32]
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 pethaineis" Won [33]
Best Pop Video Nominated
Best Song "To party de stamata"
Best Female Artist Herself
2014 Video of the Year "Anemos agapis" [34]
Best Dance Act
Best Female Artist Herself
Artist of the Year – Cyprus
2015 Video of the Year – Cyprus "Party Sleep Repeat (PSR)" Won [35][36]
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 [37][38]
Best Dance Video "Ti koitas?"
Best Duet/Collaboration Nominated
Superfans of the Year Her fans

References

  1. ^ "Beyonce shqiptare në Greqi! - PRIVE" (in Albanian).
  2. ^ "Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Γιατί έκρυψα πως είμαι από την Αλβανία" (in Greek).
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Biography" (in Greek). PameBouzoukia. 15 June 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Ψέματα ότι είπαμε στην Φουρέιρα να κρύψει την καταγωγή της, λέει ο πρώην μάνατζερ της" (in Greek). Protothema. 28 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Eleni Foureira wons at the "Just the two of us". www.aggelioforos.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Eleni Foureira". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "H Ελένη Φουρέιρα θα παίξει σε μιούζικαλ!" [Eleni Foureira will play in a musical]. MAD (in Greek). 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Eleni Foureira - Vasilissa". Panik Records. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  13. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Al Kaziri, Ghassan (15 March 2010). "60,000 votes cast; three songs tied". Oikotimes.coom. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  15. ^ "Ruslana Eleni foureira wild dances eurovision 2013 greece". 18 February 2013.
  16. ^ Granger, Anthony (18 February 2013). "Greece: Tonight Greece Decides". Eurovoix.
  17. ^ Granger, Anthony (27 December 2014). "Greece: Eleni Foureira Is Thinking About Eurovision Participation". Eurovoix.
  18. ^ Gallagher, Robyn (15 October 2016). "Eleni Foureira releases rejected Greek Eurovision 2016 entry "Come Tiki Tam"". Wiwibloggs.
  19. ^ Vasileiadis, George (28 January 2016). "Greece: Eleonora Zouganeli declines Eurovision participation, Eleni Foureira wants in". Wiwibloggs.
  20. ^ Muldoon, Padraig (26 October 2017). "Eleni Foureira: "There must be a reason why the people at ERT didn't select me"". Wiwibloggs.
  21. ^ Mercereau, Damien (7 March 2018). "Eurovision 2018 : Chypre joue avec le feu avec Eleni Foureira" (in French). Le Figaro. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  22. ^ Farren, Neil (1 February 2018). "Cyprus: Eleni Foureira Officially Confirmed for Eurovision 2018". Eurovoix.
  23. ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (1 February 2018). "Cyprus: Eleni Foureira to Lisbon!". ESCToday.
  24. ^ "Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Τη ρωτούν on camera αν έχει σχέση με τον Αλμπέρτο Μποτία" (in Greek). Protothema. 1 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Η πλήρης μετάλλαξη της Ελένης Φουρέιρα" (in Greek). Protothema. 31 January 2011.
  26. ^ "Είναι από την Αλβανία η Φουρέιρα" (in Greek). 12 December 2010.
  27. ^ "Η απάντηση της Φουρέιρα... Είναι από το Μεξικό ή από την Αλβανία;" (in Greek). iShow. 11 December 2010.
  28. ^ "Αποκάλυψη:Αυτό είναι το ΠΡΑΓΜΑΤΙΚΟ όνομα της Ελένης Φουρέιρα!" (in grekiska). Athens Timeout. 29 July 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  29. ^ "Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Γεννήθηκα στην Αλβανία!" (in Greek). Protothema. 27 November 2014.
  30. ^ "Ελένη Φουρέιρα: Γιατί έκρυψα πως είμαι από την Αλβανία" (in Greek). Protothema. 28 November 2014.
  31. ^ a b "Eleni Foureira Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  32. ^ "Eleni Foureira MAD Video Music Awards". Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  33. ^ Vranis, Michalis (25 June 2013). "Greece: MAD Video Music Awards 2013 tonight". ESCToday.
  34. ^ Qendro, Helio (5 June 2014). "Greece: Eurovision stars nominated in MAD Video Music Awards". ESCToday.
  35. ^ Laufer, Gil (2 July 2015). "Greece: Eurovision artists awarded at MAD VMA 2015". ESCToday.
  36. ^ Weaver, Jessica (7 June 2015). "Greece: MAD VMA 2015; The Eurovision nominees". ESCToday.
  37. ^ Agadellis, Stratos (10 July 2017). "Greece: MAD Video Music Awards 2017 airs; the show and winners". ESCToday.
  38. ^ Agadellis, Stratos (29 May 2017). "Greece: Eurostars among MAD VMA '17 nominations". ESCToday.
Preceded by Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest
2018 		Succeeded by
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