Jamala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jamala
Shevchenko National Prize laureate
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Jamala in July 2024
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| Background information | |
| Native name |
Джамала
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| Birth name | Susana Alimivna Jamaladinova (Susana Alim qızı Camaladinova) |
| Born | 27 August 1983 Osh, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union (present day Kyrgyzstan) |
| Origin | Crimea |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels |
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Susana Alimivna Jamaladinova (born on August 27, 1983), known professionally as Jamala, is a Ukrainian singer. She became famous for representing Ukraine and winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with her song "1944". Jamala has also been a judge on Vidbir, which is Ukraine's show to pick their Eurovision entry, in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Contents
Jamala's Early Life
Susana Dzhamaladinova was born in Osh, which was part of the Kirghiz SSR in the Soviet Union (now Kyrgyzstan). Her father was a Crimean Tatar and her mother was Armenian. Her Crimean Tatar family members were forced to move from Crimea to Central Asia during World War II by Joseph Stalin. However, some of her relatives fought for the Soviet side in the war. In 1989, her family was able to return to Crimea.
Jamala grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother taught at a music school, and her father was a conductor. For about four years, her parents were divorced so that her mother could buy a house in Crimea. At that time, people of Crimean Tatar background, like her father, were not allowed to buy property there.
Jamala's Music Career
Starting Out (2010–2015)
Jamala loved music from a very young age. She made her first professional recording when she was nine years old. She sang 12 traditional folk and children's Crimean Tatar songs. She studied at the Simferopol Music College and later at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine to become an opera singer. However, she decided to pursue a career in pop music instead.
On February 14, 2010, Jamala released her first song, "You Are Made of Love." This song was from her first album, For Every Heart, which came out in April 2011. She also released other songs like "It's Me, Jamala" and "Smile." In 2011, she tried to enter the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with "Smile" but later decided not to compete.
In 2012, she released "Ya Lyublyu Tebya" ("I Love You"), which was the first song from her second album, All or Nothing. This album was released in March 2013. She continued to release new music, including the EP Thank You in 2014 and her third album, Podykh (meaning "Breath"), in October 2015.
Eurovision Success and Beyond (2016–Present)
Jamala famously won the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 for Ukraine with her song "1944". This song tells the story of the forced movement of Crimean Tatars in 1944. It is especially about her great-grandmother, who lost her daughter during this difficult time. Jamala wrote the lyrics for the song in 2014.
During the Eurovision competition, Jamala performed very well. She qualified for the final and then won the entire contest with a total of 534 points. After her big win, the Ukrainian president gave her the title of People's Artist of Ukraine.
Jamala has continued to release new music since her Eurovision victory. She performed her song "I Believe in U" at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. In October 2018, she released her fifth album, Kryla (meaning "Wings"). The main song from this album, "Kryla," was performed by her at the 2018 Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision.
In 2022, Jamala appeared on the Polish TV show Taniec z Gwiazdami (Dancing with the Stars). She also performed "1944" at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 alongside other past Ukrainian Eurovision artists. In 2024, she was the spokesperson for Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, announcing their votes.
Jamala's Personal Life
On April 26, 2017, Jamala married Bekir Suleimanov. They had been seen together since September 2016. They got married in a traditional ceremony at the Kyiv Islamic Cultural Center. Bekir Suleimanov is an activist for the Muslim Crimean Tatar community.
In November 2017, Jamala announced that they were expecting their first child. Their son, Emir-Rahman, was born on March 27, 2018. In 2024, she announced she was expecting her third child.
Jamala can speak several languages, including Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar, Russian, and English.
In February 2022, due to the conflict in Ukraine, Jamala and her two children left Ukraine. They first found safety in Romania and later moved to Turkey. Since then, she has been involved in charity projects, like the GIDNA project from the Future for Ukraine Charity Foundation.
Jamala's Music Albums
Jamala has released several studio albums, live albums, and extended plays throughout her career. Some of her studio albums include:
- For Every Heart (2011)
- All or Nothing (2013)
- Подих (Breath) (2015)
- Крила (Wings) (2018)
- Ми (We) (2021)
- Qırım (Crimea) (2023)
She has also released many popular singles, including her Eurovision-winning song "1944."
Jamala in Film and TV
Jamala has also appeared in some films and television shows.
Film
- The Guide (2014) - She played the role of Olha Levytska.
- Jamala.UA (2017) - She appeared as herself.
- Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) - She appeared as herself.
Television
- Like Cossacks... (2009) - She played a singer in a bar.
- Anatomy of a Voice. Jamala (2010) - She appeared as herself.
- The True Story Of Scarlet Sails (2010) - She played a Cuban singer.
- Kvitka. A voice in a single copy (2013) - She appeared as herself.
- Trading Lives (2013) - She was a host.
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2014) - She played the Caterpillar.
- My truth (2016) - She appeared as herself.
- Look at yourself! (2016) - She appeared as herself.
- Jamalas kamp (2017) - She appeared as herself.
- Crimea: Russia’s Dark Secret (2018) - She appeared as herself.
- Grimsburg (2024) - She played Ekaterina.
See also
In Spanish: Jamala para niños
