Nuša Derenda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nuša Derenda
Nuša Derenda in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Anuška Žnideršič
Born	(1969-03-30) March 30, 1969 (age 56) Brežice, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia
Genres	Pop
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Vocalist, accordion
Years active	1980s-

Nuša Derenda (born Anuška Žnideršič on March 30, 1969) is a famous singer from Slovenia. She was born in Brežice, which was part of Yugoslavia back then. Nuša is best known for representing Slovenia in the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. She did really well, finishing in 7th place!

About Nuša Derenda

Her Early Life and Music Journey

Nuša Derenda loved music from a very young age. Her parents noticed her singing talent when she was only two and a half years old. As a child, she enjoyed singing and performing for people.

Music was a big part of her growing up. She sang in choirs and as a solo artist. Nuša also went to music school and learned to play the accordion. Before finishing primary school, she joined a band with other young musicians.

Nuša first wanted to become a preschool teacher. But she kept singing with her band and traveled across Europe. In 1990, her band broke up. Nuša then started a new group with her partner, Frenk.

They became professional musicians. They toured in Yugoslavia, Germany, and Switzerland. They even visited the United States three times! For seven years, they worked hard and performed up to 150 concerts each year. Since 1998, Nuša has mostly worked with a group called Happy Hour. They record music and perform live shows together.

Winning Music Awards

In 1995, Nuša Derenda and Frenk got married. They decided to settle down in Slovenia. Nuša had always dreamed of making her own music album. In 1999, her dream came true with the CD Vzemi me veter (Take Me, Wind).

A friend named Majda Arh wrote the title song. This song helped Nuša win first place in a TV contest called Orion in November 1998. At the Slovene Pop Contest in 1999, Nuša won the award for best singer.

She also won second prize from the audience at the MMS festival (Melodies of the Sea and the Sun). This was for her song "Boginja" (The Goddess). The same team of songwriters helped her win the Orion 2000 contest. This time, it was with the song "Čez dvajset let" (In Twenty Years).

Nuša sang "Ne kliči me" (Don't Call Me) at the MMS 2000 festival. She won the audience prize for the second time! In November 2000, Nuša won the first HIT Festival. Her winning song was "Ni mi žal" (I'm Not Sorry). She released a CD with the same title in December that year.

Eurovision Song Contest 2001

Winning the EMA 2001 contest made Nuša very popular. She then represented Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 in Copenhagen. Her song was "Energy" (Ne, ni res). She finished in 7th place, which was the best result for Slovenia at that time!

Here's how the points were given to Slovenia at Eurovision 2001:

Points	Country
12	—
10	Bosnia and Herzegovina
8	Croatia
7	Sweden
6	Norway,  Iceland,  Poland
5	Estonia
4	Netherlands,  Russia,  Lithuania,  Germany
3	—
2	Spain,  Ireland
1	Israel,  France

More Achievements

In 2001, after Eurovision, Nuša went to the International Golden Stag Festival in Braşov, Romania. She won a special award for singing a Romanian song very well. Nuša also visited Germany for a Eurosong Fan Club Party. She even held her own concert there.

In October 2001, she was invited to Zadarfest in Croatia. There, she won second place from the judges. She also got an award for the best song lyrics. In 2001, she won the Victor of Popularity award in music. This award is chosen by readers of Stop magazine. She also received the Zlati petelin (Golden Rooster) award for her song "Ni mi žal" (I'm Not Sorry).

Nuša was even a candidate for Slovene Woman of the Year in 2001. In 2002, she won the Slovenska popevka (Slovene Pop Contest) with her song "Pesek v oči" (Deception). In December 2002, she released her third CD called Na štiri oči (In Private).

In 2003, Nuša won the HIT Festival again. Her song "V ogenj zdaj obleci me" (Dress Me With Fire) won the prize for best music and lyrics from the judges.

Her album of Greatest Hits from 1998–2003 was released in April 2004. This CD had many of her popular songs from the start of her career. On September 5, 2004, Nuša hosted the Slovenska popevka 2004 show in Ljubljana. She did a great job as a TV host!

International Mediterranean Song Contest

From September 6 to 12, 2004, Nuša took part in the 3rd Megahit-International Mediterranean Song Contest. This festival was held in Fethiye, southern Turkey. It's an international music festival that promotes pop music from Mediterranean countries. Its goal is "Music Unites Peace and Friendship." Nuša won a great third place with her song "Devil." She scored 91 points at the award ceremony.

Her Music Contests

EMA (Slovenia) Performances

EMA is a contest where Slovenia chooses its song for Eurovision. Nuša has participated many times:

• 1998: Usliši me, nebo
• 1999: Nekaj lepega je v meni - 9th place
• 2001: Ne, ni res - 1st place
• 2003: Prvič in zadnjič – 2nd place
• 2005: Noe, Noe - 4th place
• 2010: Sanjajva – 9th place
• 2016: Tip Top

Slovenian Song Festival Performances

Nuša has also done well at the Slovenian Song Festival:

• 1999: Vzemi me veter – won by jury's choice
• 2000: Čez dvajset let
• 2002: Pesek v oči – 1st place
• 2012: Naj nama sodi le nebo – 1st place (with Marko Vozelj)
• 2014: Noč čudežna – 4th place
• 2016: Grafit - 2nd place

Her Albums

• 1999 Vzemi me veter (Take me, wind)
• 2000 Ni mi žal (I'm not sorry) (Her best-selling album!)
• 2001 Festivali (Festivals)
• 2002 Na štiri oči (On four eyes)
• 2004 Največje uspešnice (1998 - 2004) (Greatest hits (1998–2004))
• 2005 Nuša za otroke (Nuša for children)
• 2008 Prestiž (Prestige)
• 2013 Za stare čase (For old times)

Her Singles

• 1998: Usliši me nebo
• 1999: Nekaj lepega je v meni, Vzemi me veter
• 2000: Ne kliči me, Čez dvajset let
• 2001: Ne, ni res, Energy, Ako moj je grijeh
• 2002: Pesek v oči
• 2003: Prvič in zadnjič
• 2004: Devil, V dobrem in v zlu
• 2005: Noe, Noe
• 2008: Danes vračam se, Za Slovenijo živim
• 2010: Sanjajva, Kada zvijezda padne z neba, Edina
• 2011: Duša moje duše, Kakor ptica, kakor pesem, Nepremagljivi, Zavrtel si me
• 2012: Ja u sebe vjerujem, Za stare čase, Naj nama sodi le nebo, Za nobeno ceno, Ona ve, Svako ima nekog (koga više nema)
• 2014: Blues in vino, Noč čudežna
• 2015: Mi smo s teboj, Dobro se imej
• 2016: Grafit, Tip Top, Beat in ti

See also

In Spanish: Nuša Derenda para niños