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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Americans at Eurovision - performers from Flo Rida to Dita Von Teese and stars who won

Fans all over the world tuned in to the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday as a host of acts compete to be crowned the winner of the annual contest this year.

The latest contest - which was held in the UK this year, on behalf of Ukraine, who won last year - concluded after its highly-anticipated Grand Final.

Those who have been competing this year follow in the footsteps of numerous former entries, including the likes of ABBA and Celine Dion who are among past competitors.

A number of American performers have competed in the international song contest over the years, though for other countries as the US doesn't compete.

We've taken a look back at just some of these previous entries, including an act whose performance won the competition, and another who competed on two occasions.

Katrina Leskanich and Vince de la Cruz (UK, 1997)

Katrina Leskanich (centre left) and Vince de la Cruz (left) performed as part of Katrina and the Waves (BBC/PA)

The last time that the UK won Eurovision was back in 1997, when the country was represented by the band Katrina and the Waves, who performed the song Love Shine a Light.

The group included lead singer Katrina Leskanich, now 63, and lead guitarist Vince de la Cruz, who are understood to be the only American artists to have won Eurovision so far!

Katrina - who is said to have grown up in Kansas, but relocated to the UK with her family when she was around 16 - has continued to support and discuss Eurovision in the years since.

Flo Rida (San Marino, 2021)

Flo Rida was part of San Marino's entry in 2021 (Getty Images)

Flo Rida, now 43, took part in the international contest in 2021 as part of San Marino's entry. The rapper collaborated with singer Senhit, now 43, on the song Adrenalina.

He admitted during an interview with BBC News prior to his performances that he wasn't familiar with Eurovision. "I had no idea about it [until I was approached]," he said.

San Marino made it through the semi-final stage of the competition that year, which meant that Flo Rida - whose real name is Tramar Dillard - got to perform in the Grand Final.

Oscar Loya and Dita von Teese (Germany, 2009)

Dita Von Teese performed in the contest in 2009 (Getty Images)
She performed a burlesque routine alongside band Alex Swings Oscar Sings, which includes singer Oscar Loya (AFP/Getty Images)

Oscar Loya, now 44, and Dita Von Teese, now 50, performed during the contest in 2009 as part of Germany's entry. Oscar is a member of the band Alex Swings Oscar Sings.

Dita - whose real name is Heather Sweet - didn't showcase her vocals on the song Miss Kiss Kiss Bang, instead featuring as a stage performer and doing a burlesque routine.

The burlesque dancer said she'd been "intrigued" by the contest and although the act only placed twentieth, she later said it was "quite an experience that [she'll] never forget".

Romina Power (Italy, 1976 & 1985)

Romina Power (left) and Albano Carrisi (right), pictured in 2020, competed in the contest twice (Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Romina Power, now 71 - who is the daughter of the late actor Tyrone Power - has competed in Eurovision on two occasions, representing Italy both times.

She first took part in the contest with her then-husband Albano Carrisi in 1976 with the song We'll Live It All Again. They returned with the song Magic Oh Magic in 1985.

The former couple - who released a number albums together over the course of their relationship - placed seventh on both occasions that they competed in the contest.

Kalomira (Greece, 2008)

Kalomira represented Greece in the contest (WireImage)
She placed third with her song Secret Combination (Sari Gustafsson/REX/Shutterstock)

Greek-American singer Kalomira, now 38, competed in the contest back in 2008 with the song Secret Combination. She represented Greece and made it to the Grand Final.

The performer - who grew up on Long Island - placed third in the competition overall, behind Ani Lorak (representing Ukraine) and winning act Dima Bilan (representing Russia ).

Kalomira - who performs under her middle name - was already known in Greece, as she'd won singing contest Fame Story in 2004, after reportedly auditioning in New York.

Wess (Italy, 1975)

Wess competed in the contest in 1975 (Mondadori via Getty Images)

American-born Italian singer Wess - whose real name was Wesley Johnson - competed in Eurovision back in 1975, taking to the stage alongside Dori Ghezzi, now 77, for Italy.

The duo performed the song Era and placed third in the competition, behind the The Shadows (representing the UK) and Teach-In (representing the Netherlands).

Wess - who's said to have grown up in North Carolina but relocated to Italy sometime in the 1960s - went on to release five subsequent albums with Dori following the contest.

Timbaland and Jim Beanz (Russia, 2008)

Timbaland reportedly co-produced the song that won the contest in 2008 (Variety via Getty Images)
The track is said to have been co-produced and co-written by Jim Beanz (Startraks/REX/Shutterstock)

Timbaland, now 51, and Jim Beanz, now 42, didn't actually perform at Eurovision, but they're credited as having produced the song that represented Russia back in 2008.

The country was represented by singer Dima Bilan, now 41, with the song Believe - which is said to have been co-written by Jim Beanz - which ended up winning the contest.

Timbaland - whose real name is Timothy Mosley - and Jim Beanz - whose real name is James Washington - don't appear to have publicly commented on the song though.

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