Eleni Foureira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eleni Foureira
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| Ελένη Φουρέιρα | |
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Foureira in May 2018
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| Born |
Entela Fureraj
7 March 1987 |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Athens, Greece |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels |
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Eleni Foureira (Greek: Ελένη Φουρέιρα; born Entela Fureraj, Greek: Εντέλα Φουρεράι; 7 March 1987) is a famous singer. She was born in Albania and grew up in Greece. Eleni started her music journey in 2007. She was part of a Greek girl group called Mystique. After the group split up in 2009, she began her solo career. So far, she has released five studio albums.
Eleni signed with Universal Music Greece for her solo career. Her first album, named Eleni Foureira, came out in 2010. Later, she joined Minos EMI. She released her second and third albums, Ti Poniro Mou Zitas and Anemos Agapis, in 2012 and 2014. Both albums were very popular in Greece and Cyprus. In 2015, Eleni moved to Panik Records. Her fourth album, Vasilissa, was released in December 2017.
Eleni tried many times to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest. Finally, in 2018, she represented Cyprus with her song "Fuego". She was one of three singers with Albanian roots in that contest. On May 8, 2018, she made it through the first semi-final. In the grand final, she finished second with 436 points. This was Cyprus's best result ever at Eurovision!
In 2019, Eleni released an EP (a shorter album) called Gypsy Woman. In 2020, she released popular songs like "Yayo" and "Temperatura". In 2021, she hosted a Greek TV talent show called House of Fame - La Academia. She also worked with Greek rapper MadClip on the song "Mporei". This song became one of the biggest hits in Greece that year. Another successful song, "Aeraki (To Thiliko)", followed. On June 3, 2022, she released her fifth studio album, Poli_Ploki. A special deluxe version of this album came out in 2024.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Eleni Foureira was born as Entela Fureraj on March 7, 1987. She was born in a city called Fier in Albania. Her mother worked as a seamstress, and her father was in construction. Eleni has three siblings: Ioanna, Margarita, and Giorgos. Her family followed the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. She also has a grandfather who was from Greece.
When Eleni was four, her family moved to Vlorë, another city in Albania. In 1997, they moved to Greece because of the Albanian Civil War. Life in Albania was tough; they only had electricity for a few hours a day. They left for Greece after bullets hit their home. Once in Greece, Eleni and her family settled in Athens.
Eleni started loving music when she was very young. She learned to play the guitar. She also worked in a theatre for three years, gaining experience on stage.
Music Career Highlights
Starting Out with Mystique (2007–2009)
Eleni Foureira began her music career as part of a girl group called Mystique. Andreas Giatrakos discovered her. The group also included Alkmini Chatzigianni and Maria Makri. Their first song, "Se alli selida," came out in 2007. They became more popular with their song "Min kaneis pos de thymasai" in 2008. This song featured the Greek hip hop group NEVMA. Mystique broke up in 2009.
Becoming a Solo Star (2010–2018)
After Mystique disbanded, Eleni signed a solo contract with Universal Music Greece. This was the same record label Mystique was on. She appeared on a TV charity show called Just the Two of Us. She tied for first place with singer Panagiotis Petrakis. Eleni released her first solo album in December 2010.
Later, she signed with Minos EMI. Her second album, Ti Poniro Mou Zitas, came out in 2012. Her third album, Anemos Agapis, was released in 2014. From 2015 to 2016, she acted as Sofia in the musical Barbarella: the 80's Musical in Athens. Other Greek pop stars like Ivi Adamou also starred in it. After Anemos Agapis, she left Minos EMI and joined Panik Records. She was also a judge on the Greek version of So You Think You Can Dance in 2017. Her fourth album, Vasilissa, was released in 2017.
Eurovision Song Contest 2018
Eleni Foureira tried several times to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2010, she competed in the Greek national final with Manos Pyrovolakis. They sang "Kivotos tou Noe" and came in second place. In 2013, she performed "Wild Dances" with Ruslana at a Eurovision selection show. She also thought about joining the 2015 contest but didn't. She tried again for Eurovision 2016 with "Come Tiki Tam" but was not chosen. She was also rejected for the 2017 contest.
In February 2018, it was announced that Eleni would represent Cyprus with the song "Fuego". A Greek-Swedish songwriter named Alex Papaconstantinou wrote the song. Eleni was one of three singers with Albanian roots competing that year. Each represented a different country. Eleni took a photo with the Albanian contestant Eugent Bushpepa. They made a special hand gesture that looks like the double eagle on the Flag of Albania. Some people in Greece were upset by this, but Cyprus continued to support her.
On May 8, 2018, Eleni qualified from the first semi-final to the grand final. The final was held on May 12, 2018. She finished as the runner-up, coming in second place after Netta from Israel. Eleni received many votes from both the international judges and the public. This was Cyprus's best Eurovision result ever!
After Eurovision (2018–Present)
After her success at Eurovision 2018, Eleni signed a record deal with Sony Music. She became only the second Greek artist to sign such a big international deal. In June, she released her Greek song "Caramela". It quickly became number one on the Digital Single Chart in Greece. In October, she released "Tómame", which was also a number one hit. By the end of 2018, "Fuego" was certified platinum in Spain and gold in Norway and Sweden. This was a huge achievement for Eleni.
On May 17, 2019, Eleni released her first international project, an EP called Gypsy Woman (EP). The song "El Ritmo Psicodelico" was the main single from it. To promote her music, she went on a European tour. She performed in cities in Greece, Spain, and the United Kingdom. At the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, Eleni was one of four past artists invited to perform. She sang "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" by Verka Serduchka. Throughout the rest of 2019, she collaborated with artists like Kaan, Snoop Dogg, and Claydee. In March 2020, she released the song "Yayo". In June, she released a Greek song "Temperatura," which also had a Spanish version.
In December 2019, Eleni performed as a surprise guest at a music festival in Albania. She sang her own songs and international hits. She also sang some traditional Albanian folk songs and spoke about her Albanian roots.
Towards the end of 2020, Eleni released two dance-pop songs: "Light It Up" (October) and "Dokimase Me" (December). Both songs had a cool 1980s retro style. She also announced that her second EP, Light It Up, would be released in early 2021. In May 2021, she released "Mporei" with Greek rapper MadClip. This song won an award for best duet.
In May 2022, she worked with Greek singer Konstantinos Argiros on "Mono Esy Kai Ego". On June 3, 2022, Eleni released her fifth studio album, Poli Ploki. The songs "Mporei" and "Aeraki (To Thiliko)" were released before the album.
Starting in May 2023, Eleni began her "Reborn Tour." She performed in big stadiums and theaters in Greece, Cyprus, and other countries. In April 2023, she announced that the deluxe version of her album had achieved "diamond certification." This means it sold a huge number of copies. She was the first Greek female artist to have a diamond album in the region. She also featured in APON's song "Gdysou," released in November 2023.
On May 7, 2024, Eleni performed as one of the opening acts at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. After her performance, she teased her new song "Aeroplano," which came out on May 24, 2024. A remix with rapper Fy was released on June 21. She performed this remix and her next single, "Aristourgima," at the MAD Video Music Awards. Eleni won awards for Best Performer and Best Duet (for "Gdysou" with Apon) at this event. In August, she was featured on the song "10'" on Saske''s album.
Personal Life
Relationships and Family
Since 2017, Eleni has been in a relationship with Alberto Botía. He is a Spanish football player who used to play for a team in Greece. On November 13, 2022, Eleni announced on Instagram that she was expecting a baby. She gave birth to a baby boy on February 7, 2023. They later named him Ermis.
Her Background
Since the start of her career, people in Greece wondered about Eleni's background. When she was in Mystique, she sometimes said she was Brazilian. Later, she claimed her father was from Athens and her mother from Ioannina, with some Mexican family history. In 2018, Eleni confirmed she became a Greek citizen. She also said her grandfather was Greek.
In 2013, Greek media reported that Eleni was born in Albania and her birth name was Entela Fureraj. Eleni did not comment on this until 2014, when she confirmed it. She explained that she didn't reveal her Albanian origin earlier. She wanted to be accepted in the music industry in Greece. She said she always felt Greek and had a Greek education. Andreas Giatrakos, who discovered Eleni, later said he would have been proud of her origin. He would not have rejected her if he knew she was born in Albania.
During the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, Eleni made the Albanian patriotic eagle gesture in a photo with Albanian singer Eugent Bushpepa. This photo became very popular. People in Albania liked it, but it caused some discussion in Greece.
Albums and EPs
- Eleni Foureira (2010)
- Ti Poniro Mou Zitas (2012)
- Anemos Agapis (2014)
- Vasilissa (2017)
- Gypsy Woman (EP) (2019)
- Poli_Ploki (2022)
Awards and Achievements
Eleni Foureira has won many awards throughout her career, especially at the MAD Video Music Awards in Greece. These awards celebrate the best music videos and artists.
- In 2011, she won for her video "To 'cho (Pom Pom)" and was named Best New Artist.
- In 2012, her song "Reggaeton" won Best Video and Best Pop Video.
- In 2013, she won the Fashion Icon in a Video award for "Pio Erotas Pethenis".
- In 2015, her video "Party Sleep Repeat (PSR)" won Video of the Year in Cyprus and Best Dance Video.
- In 2016, "Sto theo me paei" won Video of the Year.
- In 2017, she won Best Video with a Cause for "Den Sou Chrostao Agapi" and Best Dance Video for "Ti koitas?".
- In 2018, she was named Best Modern Female Artist. Her song "Fuego" also won the Artistic Award at the Marcel Bezençon Awards during Eurovision.
- In 2019, she won Best Modern Female Artist and MAD Radio 106.2 Song of the Year for "Fuego" at the MAD Video Music Awards. She also won Best Modern Female and Best International Single for "Fuego" at the Super Music Awards Cyprus.
- In 2020 and 2021, she continued to win Best Female Modern Artist.
- In 2022, her song "Mporei" won Video of the Year, and she won Best Female Modern Artist again.
See also
In Spanish: Eleni Foureira para niños
