Jelena Rozga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jelena Rozga
Rozga in 2024
Born	(1977-08-23) 23 August 1977 (age 48) Split, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	1996–present
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Musical career
Genres	Pop folk electropop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Tonika Hit Records Croatia Records

Jelena Rozga (born on August 23, 1977) is a famous Croatian pop, folk, and electropop singer. She was born and grew up in Split, Croatia. As a child, Jelena was a talented ballet dancer.

She became well-known in 1996 when she joined Magazin. This was a popular pop band in Croatia. Jelena was the lead singer of Magazin until 2006. During her ten years with the band, they released five studio albums. They also had many successful songs like "Ginem" and "Minut' srca tvog".

In 2006, Jelena started her solo music career. Her first album was called Oprosti Mala (Forgive Little One). This album was very successful and helped her become a popular solo artist. It reached the top of the Croatian Albums Chart. It also had hit songs such as "Gospe moja" (My Lady) and "Oprosti mala".

Her second album, Bižuterija (2011), was also a big hit. The title song "Bižuterija" became a number-one song. Other popular songs from this album included "Rodit ću ti 'ćer i sina" and "Ona ili ja". To support the album, Jelena went on her first big tour, The Bižuterija Tour (2010–2012). She made history by being the first Croatian female artist to sell out a concert at the Spaladium Arena.

Jelena's third album, Moderna žena (Modern Woman), came out in 2016. It featured some of her most famous solo songs like "Nirvana", "Kraljica" (Queen), and "Tsunami". Moderna žena also topped the Croatian Albums Chart. It became the best-selling album in Croatia that year. In 2022, Jelena released her first acoustic album, Minut Srca Mog. She then started a tour called the Minut Srca Mog Tour (2022–2024) to promote it.

Besides singing, Jelena also tried acting and voiceovers for a short time. She is one of the most famous singers in Croatia. She has won many awards, including the Grand Prix award at the Split Festival. She is also very popular in other countries like Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Early Life and Ballet

The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb where Rozga started participating in ballet classes

Jelena Rozga was born on August 23, 1977, in Split, Croatia. Her mother, Marija, was a tailor, and her father, Antonio, worked as well. Jelena has an older sister named Julija.

As a child, Jelena was very active and loved to dance at home. She really wanted to be a ballet dancer. Her parents enrolled her in ballet classes when she was seven years old. She joined a group called KUD Mozaik and learned from a famous choreographer, Lepa Smoje. Jelena took part in many ballet competitions.

When she was 13, Jelena was invited to join the opera house La Scala in Milan. However, her parents could not afford to move abroad, so she could not go. Later, she joined the ballet group of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. She performed in famous ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Jelena has said that ballet taught her "order, dedication and discipline in life."

Even while dancing ballet, Jelena loved to sing. She dreamed of joining the Croatian pop band Magazin. She was a big fan of the band and knew all their songs. In 1992, she won an award at a singing competition. She sang "Uvenut će ružmarin" by Magazin. In 1994, she won another award for singing Magazin's "Ti si želja mog života".

Music Career

1996–2006: With Magazin

When Jelena was 18, her mother learned that Magazin's lead singer, Danijela Martinović, was leaving the band. Jelena's mother contacted the band leader, Tonči Huljić. She told him about Jelena's interest and sent him her daughter's picture and singing recordings.

Tonči Huljić was impressed by Jelena's last name and decided to meet her. Jelena auditioned for five minutes, singing parts of "Opusti se" and "Zlato ljubavi". Soon after, Tonči Huljić and his wife, Vjekoslava Huljić, wrote "Aha" for Jelena. This was the first song she ever recorded. Jelena then stopped her ballet classes to focus on her music career with Magazin.

In 1996, Jelena performed "Aha" at Dora. This is Croatia's contest for Eurovision. She finished second, dressed as a ballerina and performing a dance.

That same year, she officially became the lead singer of Magazin. The first song she recorded with the group was "Suze Biserne". This song quickly became popular. In 1996, Magazin released their first album with Jelena, called Nebo boje moje ljubavi. It was a big success and included hit songs like "Suze Biserne" and "Minut' srca tvog".

In 1998, the band's second album with Jelena, Da si ti ja, was released. It was very popular and had successful songs like "Gutljaj vina" and "Ginem". In 2000, their third album, Minus i plus, also had many popular songs. The band continued to release albums and singles, performing at various festivals.

The last album Magazin released with Jelena was Paa..? in 2004. It featured hit singles like "Ne tiče me se" and "Kad bi bio blizu". In 2006, Jelena left the group after ten years. She continued to work with Tonči Huljić, the band's founder.

2006–2009: Solo Career Begins

Jelena released her first solo album, Oprosti Mala, in 2006. It was a big success and topped the Croatian Albums Chart. That same year, she performed the album's title song at the Dora festival. This was her first solo performance. The album had six singles, including "Oprosti mala" and "Gospe moja". In 2007, Jelena won the Grand Prix award at the Split Festival for "Gospe moja".

Jelena has said that changing from a band member to a solo artist was hard. She had to learn about all the new responsibilities. Her career quickly grew, especially in 2008. She won another Grand Prix at the Split Music Festival for "Gospe moja" being the most played song from the previous year. She then released "Daj šta daš", which topped charts in Croatia and nearby countries. This song also won a Grand Prix in 2009.

In 2009, Jelena performed "Rodit ću ti 'ćer i sina" at the Split Festival. In 2010, she won the Grand Prix for this song too. She also released duets with Miligram and Klapa Iskon.

2009–2011: Bižuterija and Big Success

Rozga performing in 2011

In May 2010, Jelena worked with Željko Samardžić on the song "Ima nade". Later that year, "Bižuterija" became a huge hit after its debut at the Split Festival. It was the most played song of the summer and a number-one single across the Balkans. This song was a turning point in her career.

In early 2011, Jelena released her second album, Bižuterija. It sold over 15,000 copies in just one month. This earned it a gold certification. The album had several hit singles, including the title song and "Ona ili ja". To promote the album, Jelena went on The Bižuterija Tour. She became the first female artist to sell out all tickets at the Spaladium Arena in her hometown of Split. She also had a sold-out concert in Zagreb.

That same year, Jelena won a Porin award (like Croatia's Grammys) for "Bižuterija" as Hit of the Year. She also collaborated with the rap group Connection on "Dalmatinka", which was a summer hit. In the summer of 2011, she performed "Razmažena" at the Split Festival and won another Grand Prix. By the end of 2011, she released her Best of compilation album. It included her solo hits and her hits with Magazin. She also had her first solo concert in Belgrade.

2012–2017: Moderna žena Era

Rozga performing in Bjelovar, 2012

In 2012, Jelena released "Zanemari" and "Solo igračica". She performed "Solo igračica" at the Split Festival and won second place. She also released her summer single "Dobitna kombinacija". Jelena made a unique music video that combined both "Solo igračica" and "Dobitna kombinacija" into a short movie.

On March 26, 2013, Jelena released "Nirvana". This song became very popular in all former Yugoslav countries. Its music video is one of her most watched videos on YouTube. That summer, she released "Obožavam", and in November, the powerful ballad "Cirkus".

In 2014, Jelena released the ballad "Prsti zapleteni" with Klapa Rišpet. On March 14, 2014, she released "Okus mentola", which became a hit. She also released "Život je čudo" and "Odo' ja" for the TV show Kud puklo da puklo. On December 9, 2014, Jelena released "Tsunami". This song quickly became one of her biggest hits. It had over 400,000 views on YouTube in just 24 hours. It is now her most watched video on the platform. In 2015, she released "Kraljica" and "Otrov".

Rozga in 2015

After a short break, Jelena released the ballad "Udajem se" in February 2016. She also performed cover versions of songs by other famous Croatian singers. In July 2016, "Nasljednik" was released as a summer song. This was followed by the ballad "Pismo-Glava" and the title song "Moderna žena" in December 2016.

Six years after her last album, Jelena released her third studio album, Moderna žena, on December 16, 2016. The album had two discs: one with new songs and recent singles, and another with older singles. Moderna žena quickly reached the top of the Croatian Albums Chart and stayed there for many weeks. It received a gold certification and became the best-selling album of 2017 in Croatia.

In 2017, she released "Žileti" and "Ne pijem, ne pušim". That summer, she released two new songs: the ballad "Rodjena sam" and the folk-inspired "Svjetla neona".

2018–2020: New Songs and Performances

On March 27, 2018, Jelena released a new single called "Najbolji dan". She also performed an acoustic medley of her songs that became very popular online. In July, she released "Uzmem koliko mi daš".

In September, Jelena released "Ostani", a song written by Serbian singer-songwriter Emina Jahović. This song and its music video got a lot of attention because it showed a new style for Jelena. On January 29, 2019, she released the ballad "Moje Proljeće". She performed it at the 2019 Music Awards Ceremony (MAC) show in Belgrade. The music video for "Moje Proljeće" was praised by fans.

On January 28, 2020, Jelena released "Sveto Pismo" and performed it at the 2020 MAC Awards Show. The next month, she won the award for Most Popular Regional Singer at the Macedonian Golden Ladybug of Popularity awards. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jelena held weekly mini live concerts online from her living room.

2020–Present: Acoustic Album and Tours

In late 2019, Jelena announced she was working on an acoustic album. It would feature acoustic versions of her songs, including those from her time with Magazin. The album's release was delayed due to the pandemic.

On November 12, 2020, Jelena released a cover of "Kad nema ljubavi". She also performed acoustic covers of other songs during online events. On April 16, 2021, to celebrate 25 years in music, Jelena collaborated on a new version of "Suze Biserne".

In 2021, Jelena toured in Croatia, Serbia, and other countries. On December 15, 2021, she released "Ti i Ja", a collaboration with Saša Matić. On May 19, 2022, Jelena announced a concert at the Zagreb Arena. This concert was the start of her regional tour, the Minut Srca Mog Tour. For this tour, Jelena used some of the ballet moves she learned as a child.

On September 15, 2022, Jelena confirmed her acoustic album would be titled Minut Srca Mog. The first song from the album, "Zar je ljubav spala na to" featuring Matija Cvek, was released the same day. The album was released on November 14, 2022. Jelena held a special event to promote it, performing some of the songs.

In January 2023, Jelena performed "Samo se ljubit' isplati" at the Cesarica awards show. On June 26, 2023, she performed "Idi Ti" at the Melodije Hrvatskog Jadrana 2023. This song was very popular and won an award.

Rozga performing "Moje proljece" during the Minut Srca Mog Tour in Sarajevo.

In December 2024, Jelena held five sold-out concerts in Sava Centar in Belgrade. She was the first person to do this. Two other concerts were postponed due to an unfortunate event in Zagreb.

On March 22, 2024, Jelena released the single "Od čega sam ja". A music video for the song was released the same day. The song talks about a strong woman who can overcome challenges. On June 24, 2024, Jelena premiered the song "Lavica" at the Melodije Hrvatskog Jadrana Festival. The song was well-received by her fans. A music video for "Lavica" was released on July 24, 2024. Jelena hopes this song will become even bigger than her hit "Bižuterija". It won the Cesarica Award for Hit of August in 2024.

Personal Life

Jelena Rozga likes to keep her private life secret. She prefers to talk about her music in interviews. Her most public relationship was with Stjepan Hauser, a cellist from the band 2Cellos. They met in 2015 and got engaged in 2016. Their relationship ended in 2017. In August 2024, Jelena shared that she was in a new relationship.

Since 2006, Jelena has managed some health challenges. She has said that she enjoys slow mornings and likes to think about her music career. Her favorite foods include soups and the Balkan dish ajvar. In her free time, she enjoys sleeping, watching movies, and listening to music from the 1980s. Jelena says her parents' support has been very important for her success. She has a dog named Ringo.

Activism and Collaborations

Jelena Rozga has spoken out on important topics. In 2017, she supported women's rights, saying that personal choices should be respected. She also supports gender equality and the LGBTQ community. In 2013, Jelena took part in a concert to raise money for music education for the Roma minority. She also participated in events to help integrate the Roma minority into the education system. In 2016, she performed at a concert for World Down Syndrome Day.

Throughout her career, Jelena has worked with many fashion and cosmetic brands. Since 2015, she has been an ambassador for the French cosmetic brand Garnier in several countries. She has also worked with the fashion brand Liu Jo and the car brand SEAT Hrvatska. In 2020, Jelena collaborated with Max Factor. In April 2024, she promoted face and body treatments at a clinic.

Jelena often shares her feminist views. She believes women should support each other. In March 2024, she supported a feminist march in Croatia. She has also spoken out against bullying. In October 2024, Jelena became an ambassador for breast cancer awareness.

Music Style

Jelena Rozga's music is mostly pop. Her early songs had influences from Mediterranean and traditional music. Her music from the 2010s onwards includes more traditional regional styles, like folk and turbo-folk. This style is sometimes called "Croatian neofolk".

Her first two albums, Oprosti Mala and Bižuterija, had a consistent pop sound. However, her third album, Moderna žena, explored different music styles. These included mainstream pop, electronic dance music (EDM), traditional Dalmatian music, pop ballads, and rap.

Jelena has said that Magazin singer Ljiljana Nikolovska was her biggest musical inspiration. Jelena is credited with bringing back the popularity of Magazin to a high level. Since starting her solo career, Jelena performs with an all-male band.

Impact and Influence

The lyrics of Jelena's songs, often written by Vjekoslava Huljić, talk about women's experiences. They cover themes like love, independence, and overcoming challenges. The lyrics "žena, majka, kraljica" ("a woman, a mother, a queen") from her song "Bižuterija" became a popular phrase in the Balkans. It is used to describe a strong woman who can handle life's problems. This phrase is also used to support and empower women.

Besides her music, Jelena is known for her fashion style. She often wears mini-skirts and high platform heels, which are sometimes called "Rozgice". She describes her everyday style as different, usually involving jeans and comfortable shoes. Critics often praise her fashion choices, saying they suit her slim figure. She is seen as a symbol of elegance and positive energy. Jelena's music has inspired other singers, like Lorena Bućan.

Awards and Nominations

Jelena Rozga has received many awards for her songs and albums. In 2011, she won a Porin award for "Bižuterija" as Hit of the Year. She has won the Grand Prix award at the Split Festival five times. All three of her solo albums have received a gold certification.

Discography

Filmography

Tours

Headlining

• The Bižuterija Tour (2010–12)
• Minut Srca Mog Tour (2022–24)

Co-headlining

• Karlovačko live 2011. (with Bajaga i Instruktori)

See also

In Spanish: Jelena Rozga para niños

• Music of Croatia
• Popular music in Croatia
• Popular music in Yugoslavia