Sofia Nizharadze facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sofia Nizharadze
სოფო ნიჟარაძე |
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Sopho Nizharadze in Oslo (2010)
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sopho Nizharadze |
| Also known as | Sofia |
| Born | 6 February 1985 Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Origin | Georgian |
| Genres | Pop, soul, musical, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Bravo Records |
Sopho "Sofia" Nizharadze is a talented singer, actress, and songwriter from Georgia. She is well-known for representing Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with her song "Shine". Sofia has also been a judge on popular TV shows like Georgia's Got Talent, Only Georgian, and The X Factor Georgia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sofia Nizharadze was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1985. She started singing when she was very young. She studied music at the Musical Academy, which is part of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire. There, she learned to play the piano and trained her voice.
Later, she continued her studies in Russia at the Academy of Theatre and Arts (GITIS). She also graduated with honors from the Gnessin State Musical College in Moscow. Through her singing, Sofia has helped bring international attention to Georgia.
Sofia's great-grandmother, Dürye, was from Turkey. She moved to Tsarist Russia during the Ottoman Empire. She married a Georgian professor's son and settled in Georgia. In 2010, Sofia met her Turkish relatives on the Beyaz Show while she was on her Eurovision tour in Turkey.
Music Career Highlights
Sofia Nizharadze has a beautiful singing voice, known as a light lyric soprano. She began performing at just three years old and was very well received. When she was seven, Jansug Kakhidze, a famous Georgian conductor, invited her to join a children's music studio. She became the main singer for many shows and TV projects.
At age 11, she sang "Sous le ciel de Paris" at the French Embassy. A journalist named Bernard Pivot noticed her and invited her to his TV show on TV5.
By the time she was 17, Sofia had won several international singing competitions for young artists. These included "Bravo, Bravissimo!" in Mini La Scala (Italy) and "Crystal Note" (Moscow, Russia). She also participated in many festivals across Russia, Turkey, Italy, Latvia, and Georgia.
Sofia later took on main roles in musicals like The Wedding of the Jays and Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour. She started gaining international fame as a singer while living in Moscow. In 2004, she played a main part in Gerard Presgurvic's musical (the original Russian version). In 2005, she reached the final of the New Wave Festival in Jūrmala, Latvia.
In 2008, Sofia decided to leave her career in Russia and return to Georgia. This was because of the war between the two countries. She also performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" when Vice President Joe Biden visited Georgia.
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The GPB chose Sofia Nizharadze to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. They asked for songs, and over 100 were submitted. The broadcasters picked six songs, and Sofia performed all of them in a national final on February 27 in Tbilisi. Her song "Shine" was voted as the winner.
After Eurovision 2010
After her performance at Eurovision, the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili suggested that Sofia might become the nation's Minister of Culture.
Sofia continues to perform at events across Europe and Asia. She has sung duets with famous artists like José Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Chris de Burgh, and Julio Iglesias. In 2013, she released a single called "When We Danced." She released a new album in March 2014, which included this single and her Eurovision hit "Shine."
In 2016, she was a judge on the Georgian version of X Factor. She judged alongside Nika Gvaramia, Nina Sublatti, and Giorgi Gabunia.
Awards and Achievements
Sofia Nizharadze has received many awards and achieved great things throughout her career:
- 1995: Won "Crystal fir tree" for "Best Vocal."
- 1996: Received a special award from "The League," the first Georgian festival. She also won an award at the Mini La Scala festival.
- 1997: Participated in the "Crystal note" International Festival in Moscow.
- 1999: Received a First Category Diploma for best vocal during "Pushkin weeks." The Tbilisi Mayor's Office also gave her a diploma for her "Unique vocal features."
- 1998–2001: Received a scholarship from President Eduard Shevardnadze.
- 2000: Awarded "Golden Star" for best vocal by Forte Cinematographic Studio and Star Scale Studio.
- 2003–2004: Played a main role in the musical The Wedding of the Jays.
- 2004–2006: Played a main role in Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour The Musical.
- 2005: Was a finalist in the young pop star contest at the New Wave Festival.
- 2005–2007: Played main roles in shows and productions by RATI. She was also invited to play Esmeralda in the musical Notre Dame De Paris.
- 2010: Performed a duet with José Carreras from the musical West Side Story.
- 2010: Performed with Chris De Burgh.
- 2011: Performed with Andrea Bocelli.
- 2012: Performed a duet with Julio Iglesias.
- 2012–2013: Played a main role in Redha Bentifour's musical Melodies of Vera District.
- 2013: Recorded the single "When We Danced" and a music video with Joaquin Cortes.
- She also played the main role in the first Georgian musical Keto and Kote.
Stage Roles
Sofia has performed in several musicals:
- Musical Svadba Soek (The Wedding of the Jays) – played Ketevan (main role).
- Musical Romeo & Juliette – played Juliet (Original Russian Main Cast).
- Musical Hello, Dolly (RATI).
- Keto and Kote The Musical – played Keto (leading role).
- Melodies of Vera District The Musical by Redha Benteifour – played Vardo (leading role).
Albums
Sofia Nizharadze has released several albums:
- The Wedding of the Jays Original Cast Recording (2003)
- Musical Romeo & Juliette "Ot Nenavisti Do Lubvi" Original Cast Recording (2005)
- Where are you... (2008)
- We Are All (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Sopho Nizharadze para niños
