Sara Jo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sara Jo
Jovanović performing at the 2021 Belgrade Pride
Background information
Native name	Сара Јо
Birth name	Sara Jovanović
Born	(1993-10-29) 29 October 1993 (age 31) Rome, Italy
Origin	Belgrade, Serbia
Genres	Pop R&B dance-pop
Occupation(s)	Singer model actress
Years active	2011–present
Labels	IDJTunes Bassivity Digital
Associated acts	Moje 3 Coby Bojana Vunturišević Edita Franka

Sara Jovanović (born on October 29, 1993), known professionally as Sara Jo, is a talented Serbian singer, songwriter, model, and actress. She was born in Rome, Italy. Sara Jo became famous after competing in the singing show Prvi glas Srbije in 2012, where she finished in 3rd place.

Later, as a member of the group Moje 3, Sara Jo represented Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden. Their song was called "Ljubav je svuda". They placed 11th in the semi-final, which meant they did not reach the grand final.

Her first official solo song, "Ko je ovde ko", came out in 2014. She then released many other popular songs like "Nemam vremena za to" (2017), "Mili mili" (2019), and "Muškarčina" (2022). Her first album, Bez kontrole, was released in June 2023. It included the hit songs "Divlja" (2021) and "Zar ne" (2022).

Besides singing, Sara Jo has also acted in theater and on television. She has also done voice acting for movies. She is also a model and has worked with brands like Adidas in Serbia for a long time.

Early Life and Interests

Sara Jovanović was born on October 29, 1993, in Rome, Italy. She grew up speaking both Serbian and Italian. Her mother, Jasna, was a kindergarten teacher, and her father, Saša Jovanović, worked for the Serbian government.

In 2009, Sara's family moved to Belgrade, Serbia. There, she finished high school at the Third Grammar School. She later studied Italian language at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology. From a young age, Sara loved music and performing. She practiced ballet and hip-hop dance. She has said that singers from the late 1990s and early 2000s, like Britney Spears, TLC, Jennifer Lopez, and Destiny's Child, were her biggest inspirations.

Music Career

Starting Out and Eurovision

Moje 3, with Jovanović on the right, performing at a dress rehearsal of the 2013 Eurovision

Sara Jo started her career by posting cover songs on YouTube. After winning a singing contest, she got to record her first song and music video, called "Zauvek," in 2011.

In 2012, she joined the singing competition Prvi glas Srbije. She made it to the grand final and finished as the second runner-up. People noticed her amazing stage presence and called her a "new energy on the music scene."

The next year, the producers of Prvi glas Srbije created a girl group called Moje 3. It included Sara Jo and two other finalists, Mirna Radulović and Nevena Božović. They competed to represent Serbia in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. On March 2, Moje 3 won the national selection with their song "Ljubav je svuda". They performed in the Eurovision semi-final on May 14, 2013. They placed 11th and did not make it to the grand final.

After Eurovision, Sara Jo worked with singer Marko Mandić on the song "Ujutru" in June 2013. In September, she joined the reality competition Tvoje lice zvuči poznato, where she finished as the runner-up.

In June 2014, Sara Jo released her first solo song, "Ko je ovde ko." She also released other songs like "Mahovina" (2014) and "Probaj" (2016). In 2016, she acted in a musical play as Cinderella, which toured around Serbia.

New Music and Success

In May 2017, Sara Jo released "Nemam vremena za to," which was produced by Coby. This song's music video was very popular, getting over ten million views on YouTube. She also released "Samo ti" and "Lava" in 2018.

In 2019, she released "Bez sna" and "Mili, mili." That summer, she performed at the Exit music festival for the first time. She also had a role in the TV series Sinđelići. Sara Jo also helped mentor young singers in a contest called Discovered by Coke.

In January 2020, Sara Jo performed a mix of her hit songs at the 2020 Music Awards Ceremony. In April, she released "Kaži mi." The following July, she worked with Edita Aradinović on the song "Varalica."

In February 2022, Sara Jo competed in Pesma za Evroviziju '22, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. Her song was "Muškarčina." She was a favorite to win and placed first in her semi-final. In the final, she finished as the runner-up. "Muškarčina" reached number 12 on Billboard's Croatia Songs chart.

Debut Album Bez kontrole

On June 21, 2023, Sara Jo released her first album, Bez kontrole. The album included the popular songs "Divlja" (released in 2021) and "Zar ne?" (released in 2022).

Activism and Charity Work

Sara Jo is known for supporting LGBT rights in Serbia. In 2019, she was named the "Godmother" of Belgrade Pride. In August 2021, she performed at the closing ceremony of WorldPride in Copenhagen.

In November 2013, Sara Jo joined other artists on a charity song called "Molio sam anđele." This song helped raise money for a young woman who was sick. In October 2020, she spoke at the TEDxMasarikova conference, where she talked about her personal challenges with being famous. In 2021, Sara Jo also became an ambassador for the Council of Europe to help fight against hate speech.

Personal Life

Sara Jovanović was in a relationship with volleyball player Aleksandar Atanasijević for about a year, ending in May 2014. In February 2015, she was reported to be dating Serbian actor Viktor Savić, but they broke up the next year. From 2016 to 2018, she was in a relationship with rapper and writer Marčelo.

Currently, she is in a relationship with Slovene choreographer, Žiga Sotlar.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Bez kontrole (Released: June 21, 2023)

Singles

• "Zauvek" (2011)
• "Ljubav je svuda" (as part of Moje 3) (2013)
• "Ko je ovde ko" (2014)
• "Mahovina" (2015)
• "Probaj" (2016)
• "Nemam vremena za to" (2017)
• "Samo ti" (2017)
• "Lava" (2018)
• "Bez sna" (2019)
• "Mili, mili" (2019)
• "Kao nikada pre" (with Predrag Simić) (2020)
• "Kaži mi" (2020)
• "Varalica" (with Edita) (2021)
• "Divlja" (2021)
• "On" (with Franka) (2021)
• "Muškarčina" (2022)
• "Zar ne" (2022)
• "U glavi" (2023)
• "Pokvariš mi san" (2025)

Film and Television

Film

• Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) - She voiced Lola Bunny in the Serbian version.

Television

• Prvi glas Srbije (2012) - Contestant; 3rd place
• Beosong (2013) - Contestant with Moje 3; winner
• Eurovision Song Contest (2013) - Contestant with Moje 3; 11th place in semi-finals
• Tvoje lice zvuči poznato (2013) - Contestant; runner-up
• Sinđelići (2019) - Played Luna in 7 episodes.
• JoJo na točkovima (2020) - Herself in a reality show.
• Pesma za Evroviziju '22 (2022) - Contestant; runner-up

Awards and Recognitions

Sara Jo has received several awards and nominations for her music and performances:

• 2013: Barbara Dex Award for Worst Dressed Act (with Moje 3) - Won
• 2017: MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Adria Act - Nominated
• 2018: MTS Vision Festival for Best Choreography ("Nemam vremena za to") - Won
• 2019: Music Awards Ceremony for Alternative/Electropop Song of the Year ("Nemam vremena za to") - Nominated
• 2019: Music Awards Ceremony for Music Video of the Year ("Lava") - Nominated
• 2020: Music Awards Ceremony for Alternative Song of the Year ("Mili, mili") - Nominated
• 2020: Music Awards Ceremony for Music Video of the Year ("Bez sna") - Nominated
• 2020: Popularity Oscar in Banja Luka for Best Alternative Singer - Won
• 2022: Pesma za Evroviziju for "Muškarčina" - 2nd place
• 2023: Music Awards Ceremony for Alternative Pop Song of the Year ("Zar ne") - Nominated
• 2023: Music Awards Ceremony for Urban Pop Song of the Year ("Muškarčina") - Nominated
• 2023: Music Awards Ceremony for Music Video of the Year ("Divlja") - Won