Jonida Maliqi
Jonida Maliqi | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 26, 1983 Tirana, Albania |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, television figure |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Representing Albania at Eurovision Song Contest 2019; multiple awards at Kënga Magjike and Top Fest; roles in Albanian musical theatre; television hosting and judging |
Jonida Maliqi (; born 26 March 1983) is a renowned Albanian vocalist and television figure.
Throughout her career, Maliqi has secured six accolades at Kënga Magjike, including the top prize in 2008, and has twice triumphed at Top Fest in 2006 and 2010. She took on the role of Bithia in the Albanian staging of The Ten Commandments: The Musical and played Juliet in the Albanian adaptation of the musical Roméo et Juliette. In 2012, she led a team as captain on Albania’s version of the Dutch TV format I Love My Country. She was a co-presenter for the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars in 2014 and acted as a judge during the fifth season of The Voice of Albania in 2016. Representing Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, Maliqi qualified ninth in the second semi-final with 96 points and ultimately finished seventeenth in the grand final.
Life and career
Born on 26 March 1983 to an Albanian family from Gjirokastër, Jonida Maliqi grew up in Tirana. She began her musical education at the Dëshmorët e Lirisë music school, where she learned guitar and violin at an early age. Subsequently, she attended the Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum before pursuing canto studies at the Academy of Arts in Tirana.[1][2][3] Maliqi embarked on her musical journey at age thirteen in 1995 by taking part in the Festivali i Këngës.
Following her solo launch in 1999, she competed for three consecutive years at "Festivali i Këngës," culminating in a third-place finish. In 2001, she studied under Professor Nina Mula at the Academy of Arts. Her festival achievements continued: she earned "Best Performer" at Kënga Magjike in 2003 for "Vetëm Një Natë"; was awarded the "Ethno Music Award" in 2004 for "Nuk Kam Faj Që Robëroj"; and released her first album, Nuk Të Pres, in 2005, also winning "Best Interpretation" at Kënga Magjike for "Papagalli i Dashurisë".
After graduating in 2006, Maliqi starred as Bithia in Albania’s production of The Ten Commandments: The Musical and launched her debut album on her birthday. That same year, her duet with Macedonian-Albanian artist Tuna, titled "Forca e Femrës", earned them the "Best Female Award" at Top Fest. Despite rumors about their stage chemistry, both artists refuted any personal involvement. In 2008, Maliqi claimed victory at "Kënga Magjike" with "Njëri Nga Ata", also receiving accolades for "Best Song" and a "10th Anniversary Award". Her collaboration with rapper Big Basta on "Sot t'i Japim Fund" secured "Best Pop & R&B Song" at Top Fest in 2010.
Returning to "Kënga Magjike" in 2011 with "Thesar pa Emër", Maliqi was honored with the "Çesk Zadeja Award". In 2012, she captained a team on Albania’s adaptation of "I Love My Country". The following year, she received a "Jon Music Award" for "Ti" and was initially announced as host for the inaugural season of The Voice Kids, although she later withdrew. Additionally, she portrayed Juliet in the musical "Romeo and Juliet". In 2014, she co-hosted "Dancing with the Stars"' fourth season and released the single "Jam Bërë Si Ti" in 2015.
In 2016, Maliqi served as a judge on season five of "The Voice of Albania". On 10 May 2018, she released her single "N’Errësirë".[4]
On 20 December 2018, Maliqi won the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës with "Ktheju tokës", earning her position as Albania’s sixteenth representative at Eurovision. The entry ultimately finished seventeenth in the grand final.[5]
In 2021, Maliqi took on co-hosting duties for Festivali i Këngës 60.
Additional Enterprises
In 2009, Jonida established her own haute couture fashion house, followed by the opening of a footwear boutique in 2017.
Charitable Work
Maliqi's philanthropic initiatives encompass raising awareness about breast cancer, advocating for the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome, and regularly participating in charity concerts to support various causes. A memorable moment occurred during a live episode of Top Show Magazine on Top Channel, where she gifted an iPad to a young girl with Down syndrome. Her humanitarian efforts cover a broad spectrum of charitable activities.
Private Life
Maliqi was previously married to Albanian entrepreneur Gent Prizreni; their separation was publicly confirmed in March 2017. The couple shares one son.
Albums
- Nuk të pres (2005)
As main performer
| Song Title | Release Year | Highest Chart Position |
Album Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALB | |||
| "Planeti i fëmijëve" (with Aleksandër Rrapi) |
1995 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Flas me ëngjëllin tim" (with Kastriot Tusha) |
1997 | ||
| "Do jetoj pa ty" | 1999 | ||
| "Përse të adhuroj" | |||
| "Do jetoja pa ty" | |||
| "Çast" | 2000 | ||
| "Ik" | 2001 | ||
| "Ti s'më meriton" | 2002 | ||
| "Larg teje" | |||
| "Do humbas më ty" | |||
| "Vetëm një natë" | 2003 | ||
| "Ne të dashuruar" | 2004 | ||
| "Nuk kam faj që roberoj" | |||
| "Frikëm se më pëlqen" | |||
| "Fli tani" | 2005 | ||
| "Papagalli i dashurisë" | |||
| "Forca e femrës" (with Tuna) |
2006 | ||
| "Pa identitet" | |||
| "Parfum nate" | 2007 | ||
| "S'ka fajtor në dashuri" | |||
| "Mother (Kthehëm të dielën)" (with Gjergj Leka) |
2008 | ||
| "Njëri nga ata" | |||
| "Sot t'i japim fund" (featuring Big Basta) |
2010 | ||
| "Një orë më shumë" | 2011 | ||
| "Fantastik" | |||
| "Thesar pa emër" | |||
| "Sonte" (featuring Dj Blunt and Real 1) |
2013 | ||
| "Ti" | |||
| "Jam bërë si ti" | 2015 | ||
| "N'errësirë" | 2018 | 85 | |
| "Ktheju tokës" | 2019 | — | |
| "Need You" (with Obie Kellz) |
2022 | ||
| "Asnjë tjetër"[6] | 2024 |
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHoxha - ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2019[[:Template:Spaced ndash]]Participants: Jonida Maliqi". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ↑ "Jonida Maliqi – Në Errësirë". VEVO. 10 May 2018.
- ↑ "Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokes (Albania Official Music Video Eurovision 2019)". Eurovision Song Contest.
- ↑ "New music this week: Songs from Olly Alexander, LUNA, Helena Paparizou and more". wiwibloggs. 24 November 2024.