Eleftheria Eleftheriou

Eleftheria Eleftheriou (Greek: Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου; Greek pronunciation: [elefθeˈria elefθeˈriu]; born 12 May 1989) is a Greek Cypriot singer, musician, and actress. She came to prominence through her participation in the second season of the Greek version of The X Factor. Shortly after her elimination, Sony Music Greece signed her and submitted her as a candidate to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. She was later disqualified from the national final, following the leak of her song onto the internet by an unknown party.

Eleftheria Eleftheriou
Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου
Eleftheriou performing in August 2012
Background information
Birth nameEleftheria Eleftheriou
Born (1989-05-12) 12 May 1989
Frenaros, Cyprus
GenresDance, pop
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, actress
InstrumentsVocals, piano
Years active2010–present
LabelsSony Music Greece (2010–2011)
Universal Music Greece (2011–present)

Eleftheriou had previously participated in the Cypriot national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Play That Melody To Me" featuring Maria Zorli, finishing seventh in the final. Eleftheriou represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, with the song "Aphrodisiac", where she placed 17th (9th on the televoting).[1]

Early life

Eleftheriou was born and raised in Frenaros.[2] She enjoyed singing, drawing, dancing, and sports as a child. At the age of nine, she started courses at a conservatory. From a young age, she started learning piano, theory, harmony, and history of music. At the age of 15, she started voice lessons, and at age 16, she started participating as a soloist in the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation's national folk orchestra.[2]

That same year, Eleftheriou was a candidate to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Play That Melody to Me" featuring Maria Zorli.[3] Although she qualified to the final from the first semi-final, she finished seventh overall in the national final.[3] Despite not winning the national final, Eleftheriou decided to continue studying music and performance, enrolling at the University of Surrey. She started singing solo in the Cypriot music scenes at the age of 18, and performed in the musical Rent in Nicosia for one season.[4]

Career

2008–2009: The X Factor

In 2008, Eleftheriou auditioned for the first season of new talent show The X Factor Greece.[4] Although she received three out of four yeses from the judges and was granted a spot in boot-camp, she decided not to participate in the show. A year later in 2009, Eleftheriou once again tried out for the show, and received four out of four yeses. Despite being a favourite to win, Eleftheriou was voted off the show during the fifth live episode. The host and singer Sakis Rouvas offered her a spot to sing with him at the Club he was appearing for the winter season live on the show, which she accepted.[5]

Performances
  • Live 1 – "Den Milo Gia Mia Nihta Ego" (Original Singer: Eleftheria Arvanitaki)
  • Live 2 – "Kopse Kai Mirase Sta Dio" (Original Singer: Eleonora Zouganeli)
  • Live 3 – "Kathe Fora Pou Me Kitazeis (Original Singer: Alkistis Protopsalti)
  • Live 4 – Opening: "Girls Just wanna have fun"; Competition: "Stin Diskotek" (Original Singer: Elpida)
  • Live 5 – "No One" (Original Singer: Alicia Keys)
  • Live 9 – "Methismeni Politeia" (Original Singer: Anna Vissi) (Special guest singer on Christmas live special)

2010–2011: Professional debut and Eurovision 2010

Shortly after her elimination, Sony Music Greece signed Eleftheria and submitted her as a candidate to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.[4][6] A week before the formal presentation of the songs by Greek broadcast ERT, Eleftheriou's song "Tables are Turning" was leaked onto the web by an unknown party.[7] As a result, the song was disqualified from the national final, while the leak also forced the broadcaster to release the rest of the national final songs prematurely the next day, in fear of further leaks.[8]

Despite the disqualification, she released the song in Greek as "Kentro Tou Kosmou" as the first single off her debut album. A music video was shot and released shortly after. Both Greek and English versions of the song were released as digital downloads on 5 March 2010.[9][10]

Eleftheriou started appearing with Sakis Rouvas and Tamta at S-Club on 11 December 2009.[5][11] On 19 August 2010, she started appearing with Nikos Vertis at club Orama in Thessaloniki.[12] Initially scheduled to end by the beginning of October, the shows proved to be a success and have been extended throughout October.[13]

On 6 October 2010, Eleftheriou released her new single titled "Otan Hamilonoume To Fos" (When we dim the lights) with music by Giannis Iermias and lyrics by Faidon Samsidis.[14] In March 2011, Eleftheria was featured on DJ duo HouseTwins' track "Never", credited under the name Elle.[15] An accompanying music video featuring her was also released.[16]

On 1 December 2011, Eleftheriou announced that she had left Sony Music Greece and signed with Universal Music Greece.[17] She stated that it was her choice to leave Sony Music, as Universal Music made her a very good proposal. Eleftheriou further stated that she was currently in the process of searching for new songs to record.[17]

2012–present: Eurovision 2012

On 5 March 2012, it was announced that Eleftheria was one of four acts competing to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, with the song "Aphrodisiac".[18] On 12 March 2012, Eleftheria won the national selection and represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan.[19] During the contest, Eleftheria was reunited with fellow The X Factor contestant Ivi Adamou who represented Cyprus. In the final she placed 17th (9th on the televoting[1])

Following Eurovision, in June 2012 Eleftheriou embarked on a summer tour around Greece named the "Aphrodisiac Tour".[20] In July 2012, Eleftheriou released the English language single "Hearts Collide". A music video shot and directed by Kostantinos Rigos on 14 June 2012 at the port of Piraeus, was released on 4 July 2012.[21] "Hearts Collide" is pop-dance song penned by Obeda and Lunggren, and set the style and tone of Eleftheriou's artistic direction going forward.[21]

For the winter season of 2012–2013, she appeared alongside Panos Kiamos at his residency at Club 22 in Athens, Greece.[22] Additionally, she will accompany Kiamos on his Australian tour in June 2013, as well as his summer concerts around Greece.[22] In May 2013, Eleftheriou was featured on Romanian house project Deepcentral's new song "Raindrops". The video was filmed on the island of Cephalonia, and will be released in June 2013 in Greece and Romania.[22] Eleftheria followed up the release with her own solo single in mid-2013 with the name "Teleiosame".[22] She appeared in the series Your Face Sounds Familiar in March 2014. Her first album, Teleiosame, was released in March 2014.[23]

Discography

Albums
  • 2014 – Teleiosame

Digital singles
  • 2010 – "Kentro Tou Kosmou" (English version: Tables are turning) #3 at Turkish Singles Top 100 as a Tables Are Turning
  • 2010 – "Otan Hamilonoume To Fos"
  • 2011 – "Never" (Housetwins feat. Elle)
  • 2012 – "Aphrodisiac"
  • 2012 – "Hearts Collide"
  • 2012 – "Pumpin/Apokleistika" (Lucky Man Project feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2012 – "Mystiko Mou" (Goin' Through feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2012 – "Taksidi Sti Vrohi"
  • 2013 – "Raindrops" (Deepcentral feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2013 – "Pes Pos Me Thes" (TNS feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2013 – "Teleiosame"
  • 2014 – "Gia Sena"
  • 2014 – "Eternally" (Mindtrap feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2014 – "Oso Kai Na Thes" (James Sky feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2015 – "Nyxtes Kaftes"
  • 2016 – "Ston Kosmo Ton Diko Tis"
  • 2017 – "Eish El-Donia" (MKE LDN feat. Tamer Ashour - Eleftheria)[24]
  • 2018 – "S' Efharisto"
  • 2019 – "Bonita"
  • 2019 – "Den Ehoume Shesi" (Eleftheria feat. Tartar)
  • 2020 – "Calm Down" (Eleftheria feat. Koki)
  • 2020 – "Oi Istories Mas" (Eleftheria feat. Katerina Stikoudi)

Music videos
  • 2010 – "Kentro Tou Kosmou"
  • 2011 – "Never" (Housetwins feat. Elle)
  • 2012 – "Aphrodisiac" (Promotional music video)
  • 2012 – "Hearts Collide"
  • 2013 – "Mystiko Mou" (Goin' Through feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2013 – "Raindrops" (Deepcentral feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2013 – "Pes Pos Me Thes" (TNS feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2013 – "Teleiosame"
  • 2014 – "Gia Sena"
  • 2014 – "Oso Kai Na Thes" (James Sky feat. Eleftheria)
  • 2015 – "Nyxtes Kaftes"
  • 2019 – "Bonita"
  • 2019 – "Den Ehoume Shesi" (Eleftheria feat. Tartar)
  • 2020 – "Calm Down" (Eleftheria feat. Koki)
  • 2020 – "Oi Istories Mas" (Eleftheria feat. Katerina Stikoudi)

Awards and nominations

MAD Video Music Awards 2012
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 "Never" Video Clip Dance Nominated

Cyprus Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Herself Best Cypriot Artist Won

Madame Figaro Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Herself Best Cypriot Artist Nominated

Lalore02 Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "Hearts Collide" Best Song of the year Nominated
2013 "Taksidi Sti Vroxi" Best Song of the year Nominated
2014 "Teleiosame" Best Song of the year Won

References
  1. Staff. "ESC 2012 Televoting results". Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  2. Staff. ΒΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟ. (in Greek). Sony Music Greece. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  3. Bakker, Sietse (12 February 2006). "Tonight: second semifinal in Cyprus". ESCToday.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  4. Hamilothori, Katerina (10 May 2010). "NewComers – Η Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου στο Music Corner! (10/5/2010)" (in Greek). Musiccorner.gr. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  5. Tasos, Evaggelou (8 December 2009). Στο πλευρό του Σάκη (in Greek). Sigmalive.com. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  6. Staff. "Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου & Ήβη Αδάμου ανήκουν πλέον στο δυναμικό της Sony Music" (in Greek). Sony Music Greece. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  7. Floras, Stella (25 February 2010). "Greece: Eleftheria Eleftheriou disqualified". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  8. Floras, Stella (26 February 2010). "Greece: Final songs online ahead of schedule". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  9. https://itunes.apple.com/gr/album/to-kentro-tou-kosmou-tables/id359952443
  10. https://itunes.apple.com/gr/album/tables-are-turning-single/id360179296
  11. Gritz (14 March 2010). "Ο Sakis επιστρέφει στο S Club!" (in Greek). neolaia.gr. Archived from the original on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  12. Staff (13 August 2010). Βέρτης, Θεσσαλονίκη (in Greek). ourgreektv.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  13. Staff (1 October 2010). Παράταση για Νίκο Βέρτη & Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου! (in Greek). Tralala.gr. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  14. Staff (6 October 2010). "Χαμηλώστε τα φώτα" και ακούστε τη νέα Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου! (in Greek). Musiccorner.gr. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  15. Staff (29 March 2011). "Άκουσε το πρώτο single των House Twins!" (in Greek). Tralala.gr. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  16. Staff (2 May 2011). "Το νέο video clip των "House Twins" με την Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου !" (in Greek). Tralala.gr. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  17. Staff (1 December 2011). "Η Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου μετακομίζει στην Universal Music!" (in Greek). Tralala.gr. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  18. "ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ – VIDEO CLIPS ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΩΝ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΩΝ" (Press release) (in Greek). Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  19. "ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ – ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΣ ΤΕΛΙΚΟΣ" (Press release) (in Greek). Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  20. Lopez, Virginia (13 June 2012). "Aphrodisiac Tour kicks off this Friday in Ioannina". eurovisionary.com. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  21. Staff (4 July 2012). "Ελευθερία Ελευθερίου – Hearts Collide" (in Greek). Universal Music Greece. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  22. Meleti, Eleonora (22 May 2013). "Interview on "Mesimeriani Meleti"". Star Channel. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  23. Her own "answer to the fans" video
  24. "Eish El Donia - MKE LDN Ft.Tamer Ashour - Eleftheria Eleftheriou". youtube.com. Mazzika - مزيكا. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
Preceded by
Loukas Giorkas
(and Stereo Mike)
with "Watch My Dance"		 Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest
2012		 Succeeded by
Koza Mostra feat. Agathon Iakovidis
with "Alcohol Is Free"
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