You won Idols, released a hit album and now UMK. If you win UMK
and go to Eurovision, does it mean more to you than winning Idols?
I've always wanted to be a singer and a performer, so winning the Idol was magical. I've studied music since the age of 3, but Idols was the thing that started my career. It’s very exciting to be competing in UMK. Performing on the Eurovision stage would be an absolute dream come true.
I've always wanted to be a singer and a performer, so winning the Idol was magical. I've studied music since the age of 3, but Idols was the thing that started my career. It’s very exciting to be competing in UMK. Performing on the Eurovision stage would be an absolute dream come true.
You were spotted by David Lee Brewer, Beyonce's vocal couch. Tell us a bit about the collaboration.
David is an amazing vocal coach. He’s taught me a lot about singing and performing and he is really nice and supportive. It’s an honor to get to work with him.
David is an amazing vocal coach. He’s taught me a lot about singing and performing and he is really nice and supportive. It’s an honor to get to work with him.
Are you already planning your second album?
Yes, we are planning the second album. We’re looking for songs and I’ve been to the studio writing songs. I love writing music and planning the second album is really exciting.
Yes, we are planning the second album. We’re looking for songs and I’ve been to the studio writing songs. I love writing music and planning the second album is really exciting.
If you could work with any musician (living or not), who would it be?
It would be a dream to work with Ne-Yo and the Norwegian production team Stargate and Kanye West.
It would be a dream to work with Ne-Yo and the Norwegian production team Stargate and Kanye West.
How do you feel about covers and is there a song or two that
you'd like to cover?
Yes. I love to cover songs. Idols was an amazing experience also because I got to perform my favorite songs every Sunday on TV. I love music and I have SO many favorite songs! One of the songs that I’d love to cover is an old song called “Always” by Atlantic Starr.
Yes. I love to cover songs. Idols was an amazing experience also because I got to perform my favorite songs every Sunday on TV. I love music and I have SO many favorite songs! One of the songs that I’d love to cover is an old song called “Always” by Atlantic Starr.
Ideal duet partner? Mikael Saari admitted he wants to duet with you, what do you think about that?
My dream artists would be Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Ne-Yo. They're incredible! Mikael is so great, it would be nice to work with him. When we were younger we actually worked together at a summer teather. He was the Big Bad Wolf and I was Little Red Riding Hood!
My dream artists would be Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Ne-Yo. They're incredible! Mikael is so great, it would be nice to work with him. When we were younger we actually worked together at a summer teather. He was the Big Bad Wolf and I was Little Red Riding Hood!
Who are your idols, musical influences?
My Idols are Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Whitney Houston, Rihanna and a Finnish singer/songwriter Osmo Ikonen. And there are plenty of other artists that I admire and love. I’m influenced by all kind of music. I have a strong backround in classical music, so I get inspired by that a lot. I love pop, soul, r’n’b, disco, dance, hiphop, old songs… Music is the best thing in the world.
My Idols are Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Whitney Houston, Rihanna and a Finnish singer/songwriter Osmo Ikonen. And there are plenty of other artists that I admire and love. I’m influenced by all kind of music. I have a strong backround in classical music, so I get inspired by that a lot. I love pop, soul, r’n’b, disco, dance, hiphop, old songs… Music is the best thing in the world.
Did you watch UMK last year and if so, what did you think?
Yes sometimes. I thought it was a fresh and positive new music competition in Finland.
Yes sometimes. I thought it was a fresh and positive new music competition in Finland.
I think the quality of songs is much better this year, do you agree?
I like this year’s songs, and last year Mica Ikonen was in the competition with his song that I really liked
I like this year’s songs, and last year Mica Ikonen was in the competition with his song that I really liked
Are you happy how everything is progressing in UMK this year?
Yes. I’m really excited for the Circus Live show! I’ve had rehearsals with my super talented dancers Jeffrey & Akim and the great choreographer Virpi Kurki. We’ve had meetings with my amazing “style-group”. They’re fantastic and it’s an honor to get to work with these fashion professionals., Mert Otsamo designed my outfit, Tom Wennerstrand does my hair & make-up and Tommy Kilponen is styling.
Yes. I’m really excited for the Circus Live show! I’ve had rehearsals with my super talented dancers Jeffrey & Akim and the great choreographer Virpi Kurki. We’ve had meetings with my amazing “style-group”. They’re fantastic and it’s an honor to get to work with these fashion professionals., Mert Otsamo designed my outfit, Tom Wennerstrand does my hair & make-up and Tommy Kilponen is styling.
You are an Eurovision fan, we know that. When did you start watching it?
My first memory of the Eurovision was when I was around the age of 5. We had kids in our home for a sleepover. I was supposed to play with them, but I was hypnotized by the big music show that was on the television.
My first memory of the Eurovision was when I was around the age of 5. We had kids in our home for a sleepover. I was supposed to play with them, but I was hypnotized by the big music show that was on the television.
Any Eurovision all time favourites?
I have so many favorites. I love Euphoria, Sata Salamaa, Lejla, Fairytale, Un Bloody Mary, Shady Lady, Stronger Every Minute, Satellite, Yassou Maria, Qele Qele, Jan Jan, Believe, My Number One, Molitva… and so many others
I have so many favorites. I love Euphoria, Sata Salamaa, Lejla, Fairytale, Un Bloody Mary, Shady Lady, Stronger Every Minute, Satellite, Yassou Maria, Qele Qele, Jan Jan, Believe, My Number One, Molitva… and so many others
Any Eurovision song that you would have wanted to perform in the past?
I think Shady Lady. It’s a very catchy song, or My Number One. And I really love the beautiful ballad Stronger Every Minute and Lejla.
I think Shady Lady. It’s a very catchy song, or My Number One. And I really love the beautiful ballad Stronger Every Minute and Lejla.
We just saw this Thursday your first performance to the judges.
How did you feel it went? Were you nervous? Was it a kind of flashback
to Idols?
It was exciting. It was kind of a flashback to the Idols but the difference was that we weren’t told who the judges were and we got to sing the whole song with a band.
It was exciting. It was kind of a flashback to the Idols but the difference was that we weren’t told who the judges were and we got to sing the whole song with a band.
What do you think about their advice and opinions?
The judges had good opinions and advice.
The judges had good opinions and advice.
Are you going to act on them? What can we except in the live
gig at Circus?
Yes, the song has some changes compared to the demo version. I have cool clothes and make-up/hair and amazing, young male dancers with me on stage at Circus Liveshow.
Yes, the song has some changes compared to the demo version. I have cool clothes and make-up/hair and amazing, young male dancers with me on stage at Circus Liveshow.
Where were you when
Lordi won Eurovision? Did you think one day you would be very close to
that stage as well (well, not Athens but Malmö...)
I was 11 and at my Grandpa and Grandma’s house. The show ended so late that my Grandma was already sleeping, so we tried to be very quiet with my grandpa, but we couldn’t! We were so excited and celebrating and jumping on the sofa! We were super proud and happy that our country had won the Eurovision! It would be a big honor and so amazing to perform on the Eurovision stage representing my beautiful country.
How will you get your fans to vote for you in UMK? Are you busy in social medias and what plans do you have on that?
I have my Official Facebook page where I tell my fans what’s going on with my life, the UMK, album making and everything.
I was 11 and at my Grandpa and Grandma’s house. The show ended so late that my Grandma was already sleeping, so we tried to be very quiet with my grandpa, but we couldn’t! We were so excited and celebrating and jumping on the sofa! We were super proud and happy that our country had won the Eurovision! It would be a big honor and so amazing to perform on the Eurovision stage representing my beautiful country.
How will you get your fans to vote for you in UMK? Are you busy in social medias and what plans do you have on that?
I have my Official Facebook page where I tell my fans what’s going on with my life, the UMK, album making and everything.
A question from your Spanish fans: Do you speak Spanish?
I spoke Spanish very well when I was little. Unfortunately I’ve forgotten quite a bit of the language. When I was 14 we visited Barcelona with my orchestra and while we were there Spanish started coming back. People always tell me that if I study Spanish for a while it will come back to me. Maybe someday I have the time to study it back, it'd be great.
We surely think so! Go Spanish! Thanks for the interview, Diandra. Would you like to say hi to the readers of Blogilkar?
I would like to wish an exciting, lovely and positive, sunny and music filled Eurovision spring to all the readers of Blogilkar!
Originally published January 13, 2013
I spoke Spanish very well when I was little. Unfortunately I’ve forgotten quite a bit of the language. When I was 14 we visited Barcelona with my orchestra and while we were there Spanish started coming back. People always tell me that if I study Spanish for a while it will come back to me. Maybe someday I have the time to study it back, it'd be great.
We surely think so! Go Spanish! Thanks for the interview, Diandra. Would you like to say hi to the readers of Blogilkar?
I would like to wish an exciting, lovely and positive, sunny and music filled Eurovision spring to all the readers of Blogilkar!
Originally published January 13, 2013
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