Despina Vandi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Despina Vandi
Background information
Native name	Δέσποινα Βανδή
Birth name	Despina Malea
Born	(1969-07-22) 22 July 1969 (age 55) Tübingen, West Germany
Origin	Kavala, Greece
Genres	Laïko pop pop rock dance-pop eurodance
Occupation(s)	Singer actress
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Heaven Music The Spicy Effect Minos EMI Escondida Music
Associated acts	Phoebus

Despina Malea (born 22 July 1969), known as Despina Vandi, is a famous Greek singer. She was born in Tübingen, Germany. When she was six years old, her family moved back to Kavala, Greece. Despina Vandi is known for her powerful voice and energetic stage shows. She has released many successful albums and singles. She is one of the most popular artists in Greek music.

Despina Vandi's Music Journey

Despina Vandi started her music career in the early 1990s. She moved to Athens and signed with a record company called Minos EMI.

First Albums and Early Success (1994–1996)

Her first album, Gela Mou (meaning "Smile at Me"), came out in 1994. It included popular songs like "Gela Mou" and "Den iparhi tipota". She also sang a duet called To Adieksodo with singer Giannis Parios.

In 1996, she released her second album, Esena Perimeno (meaning "You're The One I'm Waiting For"). Songs like "Esena Perimeno" and "Efiges" were singles from this album. These first two albums had some success, but her biggest hits were still to come.

Working with Phoebus and Becoming a Star (1997–1999)

In 1997, Despina Vandi started working with the talented songwriter and producer Phoebus. This was a big turning point for her career. Their first album together, Deka Endoles (meaning "Ten Commandments"), was a huge hit. It sold over 100,000 copies in Greece. This made Despina Vandi very popular.

Their partnership became one of the most famous in Greek music. They worked together for over ten years. In 1998, she released the single "Spania". She also tried acting for the first time in the TV show "Dio Xeni". People liked her acting skills!

Her next album, Profities (meaning "Prophecies"), came out in 1999. It quickly became a triple-platinum album, selling 150,000 copies. Some of the big songs from this album were "Apapa" and "To Koritsaki sou". Later that year, she performed her first big solo concert in Athens. About 7,000 fans came to see her.

International Fame with "Gia" (2000–2002)

In 2000, Despina Vandi released the single Ipofero (meaning "I Suffer"). This song became the best-selling single of all time in Greece! She even received an award from Richard Branson of Virgin in London.

In 2001, Despina Vandi and Phoebus moved to a new record label called Heaven Music. Her next album, Gia (meaning "Hi"), was a double album with 21 new songs. It was a massive success, becoming one of the best-selling albums ever in Greece and Cyprus. Many songs from Gia became hits in other countries too, like Turkey and Lebanon. She even gave a free concert in Thessaloniki for over 60,000 people!

At the 2002 World Music Awards, Despina Vandi won the award for "Best Selling Greek Artist". This was a special moment because she was the first Greek artist living in Greece to win this award. She thanked her fans around the world for their support.

Following Gia's success, she released a CD single called "Ante Gia" (meaning "Goodbye") in 2002. This single also sold very well.

Live Performances and Global Reach (2003–2004)

In 2003, Despina Vandi released a live double album called "Despina Vandi Live". It featured her greatest hits and covers of other artists' songs. The album also included two new songs and sold over 60,000 copies.

Her songs started becoming popular outside Greece. She began an international career in 2003. Her first international singles were "Gia" (2003), "Opa Opa" (2004), and "Come Along Now" (2005). These songs became hits in many countries.

"Gia" reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart. This made her the first Greek artist to top a Billboard chart! "Opa Opa" also did very well, reaching number 3. Her songs were played on major radio stations in the US and reached number 1 on club charts in Great Britain. They were also top dance songs in many other countries.

In October 2004, Despina Vandi performed four sold-out concerts in the US and Canada. She even appeared on the famous international show Top of the Pops. Many famous DJs have remixed her songs, making them popular in dance clubs worldwide.

New Albums and Continued Success (2004–2008)

Despina Vandi's next studio album, Stin Avli Tou Paradeisou (meaning "In The Garden of Paradise"), was released in late 2004. It became a double-platinum album. A special edition of the album included new songs, like "Amane," a duet with Giorgos Mazonakis. This special edition was released in many countries, and in Turkey, the album reached number 2 on the charts.

In 2006, she released the CD single "Kalanta" (meaning "Carols"), which quickly went double platinum. She also had another hit single, "Mehri Mai Mina" (meaning "Till The Month of May").

On October 10, 2007, Despina Vandi released a new single called "Thelo" (meaning "I Want"). This song celebrated her 10-year partnership with Phoebus. The album 10 Hronia Mazi (meaning "10 Years Together") was released in December 2007. It quickly went platinum.

In 2008, she worked with the German electronic music group Schiller on the song "Destiny". She performed this song live at the MAD Video Music Awards, where she won "Best Female Artist." She also went on an international tour, performing in Australia, Cyprus, the United States, and Canada.

New Record Label and TV Appearances (2009–2014)

In 2009, Despina Vandi released the pop-rock song Iparhi Zoi (meaning "There's still life"). She also went on a very successful "Long Hot Summer Tour," selling 150,000 tickets.

Later in 2009, Despina Vandi left Heaven Music and joined The Spicy Effect, a new record label started by Phoebus. In 2010, she released her eighth studio album, C'est La Vie. The album included popular songs like "Koritsi Prama" and "Kommati Ap' Tin Kardia Sou". She also worked with Schiller again on the song Sunday.

Despina Vandi was the first artist to perform for the MTV Unplugged concert series in Greece. She also toured Greece with singer Elli Kokkinou.

In 2012, she released the album Allaxa (meaning "I Changed"). This album brought her back to a more traditional Greek music style. It was a big success, selling double-platinum and featuring hits like Mou 'His Perasi and To nisi.

From 2013 to 2014, Despina Vandi hosted the "Eurosong: A MAD Show" event, which chose Greece's song for the Eurovision contest. She was also one of the coaches on The Voice of Greece for two seasons. Her team's winner, Maria Elena Kyriakou, won the first season. In 2014, she released her album De Me Stamatises, which was her first album since 1997 not written by Phoebus.

Recent Years and New Projects (2016–Present)

In 2016, Despina Vandi released the album Afti Ine I Diafora Mas. She also started acting in musical theater. She played the main role of Donna in the Greek version of the musical "Mamma Mia!". Her performance was very popular, and the show had over 300 performances.

In 2019, she starred in another successful musical called "To Diko Mas Cinema". Inspired by the musical, she released an album with the same name, featuring covers of songs from old Greek films.

She also started producing and hosting her own travel show called "My Greece". In this show, Despina Vandi visits different Greek towns and villages. She shows their traditions, culture, local food, and history. The show is still running today.

As of October 2022, Despina Vandi is focusing on hosting TV shows. She is part of Barking Well Media and hosts shows like "Chart Show," "Just the 2 of Us," and "X-Factor."

Personal Life

Despina Vandi was born in Germany, but her family moved to Kavala, Greece, when she was six. She has an older brother and sister. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming an actress or singer. She also studied psychology, philosophy, and education at the University of Thessaloniki. When she first started singing, she used the stage name "Elli Mara" to keep it a secret from her parents. Later, she chose the name "Vandi."

From 2003 to 2021, Despina Vandi was married to Demis Nikolaidis, a former soccer player. They have two children: a daughter named Melina (born in 2004) and a son named Giorgos (born in 2007). Since 2021, she has been in a relationship with Greek actor Vasilis Bisbikis [el].

In August 2008, Despina Vandi was in a car accident in Greece. Her car crashed after slipping on an oil spill. She only had a cut on her head and recovered well.

Discography

• Gela Mou (1994)
• Esena Perimeno (1996)
• Deka Endoles (1997)
• Profities (1999)
• Gia (2001)
• Despina Vandi Live (2003)
• Stin Avli Tou Paradeisou (2004)
• 10 Hronia Mazi (2007)
• C'est La Vie (2010)
• Allaksa (2012)
• De Me Stamatises (2014)
• Afti Ine I Diafora Mas (2016)
• To Diko Mou Cinema (2019)

Tours

Concert Series

• Kypriaki Gonia (1992–93)
• Avantage (1993) (with Vasilis Karras and Eleni Peta)
• Posidonio (1993–94) (with Vasilis Karras, Katy Garbi, Dionisis Schinas, Lambis Livieratos, Kaka Koritsia)
• Palais Royale (1994–95)
• Club In (1995) (with Thanos Kalliris, Zafeiropoulos)
• Athens Show Centre (1995–96) (with Christos Nikolopoulos, Aggelos Dionisiou, Litsa Giagousi, Evridiki)
• Bio Bio (1996) (with Giorgos Mazonakis, Christina Farmaki, Kraousakis, Panagiotou)
• On the Rocks (1996) (with Paschalis, Dakis, Sofia Vossou, Elina Konstantopoulou)
• Posidonio (1996–97) (with Lefteris Pantazis, Stefanos Korkolis, Adelfoi Tzavara)
• Diogenis Pallas (1997) (with Giannis Parios)
• Teatro (1997) (with Notis Sfakianakis)
• Rex (1997–98) (with Notis Sfakianakis)
• Pili Axiou (1998) (with Notis Sfakianakis)
• Ribas (1998) (with Giannis Parios)
• Gazi (1998–99) (with Vasilis Karras)
• Teatro (1999) (with Vasilis Karras, Giorgos Lembesis)
• Gazi (1999–2000) (with Giorgos Mazonakis, Lambis Livieratos, Giorgos Lembesis)
• Pili Axiou (2000) (with Lambis Livieratos and Giorgos Lembesis)
• Rex (2000–01) (with Nikos Kourkoulis and Lambis Livieratos)
• Pili Axiou (2001) (with Lambis Livieratos and Kostas Doxas)
• Rex (2001–02) (with Sakis Rouvas and Kostas Doxas)
• Rex (2002–03) (with Tolis Voskopoulos)
• Rex (2004–05) (with Thanos Petrelis, Kalomira, and Giorgos Christou)
• Palai de sports (2005) (with Kalomoira and Giorgos Christou)
• Pili Axiou (2005) (with Thanos Petrelis, Kalomira, and Giorgos Christou)
• Rex (2005–06) (with Giorgos Mazonakis and Giorgos Christou)
• Boom (2006) (with Stamatis Gonidis)
• Rex (2006–07) (with Giorgos Mazonakis)
• Boom (2007) (with Sakis Rouvas)
• Diogenis Studio (2007–08) (with Vasilis Karras and Nino)
• Odeon (2008) (with Vasilis Karras)
• Politia Live Clubbing (2009–2010) (with Goin' Through and Giannis Apostolidis)
• Thalassa: People's Stage (2010) (with 48 Ores)
• VOX (2010–2011) (with Panos Kalidis and Elisavet Spanou)
• Fever (2011–2012) (with Elli Kokkinou and Nikos Economopoulos)
• Posidonio (2012–2013) (with Antipas and Vegas)

Concert Tours

• 1999 Summer Tour
• 2001 Summer Tour
• 2002 Summer Tour
• 2003 Summer Tour
• North American Tour (2004)
• 2005 Summer Tour
• 2006 Summer Tour
• 2008 Summer Tour
• World Tour (2008–09)
• Together Through Summer: Long Hot Summer Tour (2009) (with Goin' Through and Stelios Maximos)
• 2010 Summer Tour (with Elli Kokkinou)
• 2017 Summer Tour (with Helena Paparizou)

Filmography

Television Shows

Commercials

Theatrical Plays

Images for kids

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  Despina Vandi performing live in Thessaloniki, 2007.

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  Despina Vandi performing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut as part of her 2009 North American tour.