Franka Batelić (born 7 June 1992), also known as Franka, is a Croatian singer-songwriter. She rose to fame as the winner of the first season of Showtime.[1] She represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Crazy".

Franka Batelić
Batelić in 2018
Batelić in 2018
Background information
Born (1992-06-07) 7 June 1992 (age 32)
Rijeka, Croatia
OriginRabac, Croatia
GenresPop, rock, dance
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • voice actress
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2007–present
Labels
Websitefranka.com.hr

Life and career

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1992–2006: Early life and education

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Franka Batelić was born on 7 June 1992 in Rijeka to Ingrid and Damir Batelić.[2] She has a younger brother Nikola who is the singer and guitarist of the Labin-based band "Storm".[3] Batelić began singing at the age of three, initially singing as a soloist with the "Minicantanti" choir and also sang in the church choir of St. Andrew Catholic parish in Rabac.[3][4] Batelić learned to play piano at the Music school, while her father thought her guitar.

After finishing elementary and high school in her hometown, Batelić spent two semesters at the Berklee College of Music, and later enrolled at the Zagreb School of Law.[5] She also attended English language course at the London South Bank University.

2007: Career beginnings

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Batelić auditioned for the first series of Showtime in 2007, singing "Come saprei" by Giorgia for judges Jacques Houdek, Ivana Husar and Boris Banović.[6] Batelić won the competition on 22 December 2007 by receiving the highest number of cast televotes in the finals.[7] As a prize, she signed a recording contract with the Hit Records record label.[8] Batelić's winner single "Ovaj dan" was released officially on 14 November 2007.[9]

2008–2013: Breakthrough and continued success

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Batelić's second single, "Ruža u kamenu", produced and written by Miro Buljan, Boris Đurđević and Neno Ninčević, was released in May 2008 in Croatia.[10] It was performed at the "12th Croatian Radio Festival" in Opatija where it won the Public's Award in the Pop/Rock category by receiving the most televotes.[11] Later that year, "Ruža u kamenu" was chosen to represent Croatia at the 2008 OGAE Song Contest, an audio event organized by a network of 42 Eurovision Song Contest fan clubs. She won the contest.[12]

"Pjesma za kraj" was released as Batelić's third single in January 2009.[13] The song was recorded for the Croatian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 where it finished 7th with a total of 18 points.[14] In December 2009, Batelić and her dance partner Ištvan Varga won the 4th season of Ples sa zvijezdama, the Croatian version of Dancing with the Stars.[15]

In April 2013, Franka was the opening act on the Beyoncé's concert at the Arena Zagreb, performing in front of 18,000 people.[16][17] In November 2013, Franka released the single "Ljubav je" whose lyrics were signed by one of the most performed and awarded Croatian pop musician-songwriter Antonija Šola. "Ljubav je" was the first Franka's single to appear on the Croatian national HR Top40 list.[18]

2017–2018: Comeback, Eurovision Song Contest 2018 and S tobom

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On 27 November 2017, Batelić confirmed via social media that she will release her comeback single "S tobom" on 4 December 2017.[19] The song was first played on Nives Čanović's 385 Show on Narodni radio on 4 December with Batelić interviewed live.[20] The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Sandra Mihaljević and Igor Ivanović and premiered on RTL Televizija's HR Top show on 10 December 2017.[21] It was announced on 13 February 2018 that Batelić would represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Crazy". She came in 17th in the first semi-final thus not qualifying for the grand finale.[22][23]

Batelić's debut studio album S tobom was released on 6 December 2018 and peaked at number 19 on the Top of the Shops albums chart in Croatia.[24] The album's third single, "Kao ti i ja", was released in June.[25] Its fourth single "Ti mi nosiš sreću" was released in October, while the fifth single "Tajno" was released in December.[26]

2019–present: Second studio album

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On 17 June 2019 Betelić released "Ljubav, ništa više" as the first single from her upcoming second studio album.[27] In October "Sve dok sanjaš" was released as the album's second single.[28] "Sve dok sanjaš" debuted at number two on the HR Top 40, eventually peaking at number one, becoming Batelić's first chart topping single in Croatia.[29][30] She performed the song at the 2020 Cesarica Awards and won the "Song of the Year" award with it.[31]

On 7 July 2023, Batalić released the single "Putuj s poljupcima".[32]

Activism

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Batelić is an LGBT rights advocate,[33] and an animal rights activist. She was the face of the Croatian 2009 "Animal's Friend" campaign.[34]

Personal life

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Batelić married her long-time boyfriend, Croatian football player, Vedran Ćorluka, on 21 July 2018.[35][36] In August 2019, Batelić announced that she and Ćorluka were expecting their first child.[37] In January 2020, she gave birth to their son, Viktor Ćorluka.[38] In November 2022, she gave birth to their second child.[39]

Discography

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  • S tobom (2018)

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominee / work Result Ref.
2008 12th Croatian Radio Festival Public's Choice Ruža u kamenu Won [11]
2009 HR Top 20 New Artist of the Year Franka Batelić Won [40]
Porin Best New Artist Franka Batelić Nominated [41]
2010 Zlatna koogla Best Female Singer Franka Batelić Nominated [42]
Best Music Video Možda volim te Nominated [42]
2018 Cesarica Song of the Year S tobom Nominated [43]
Kao ti i ja Nominated
2019 Ljubav, ništa više Nominated [44]
Sve dok sanjaš Won [31]
Pop Hit of the Year Won
2nd Music Awards Ceremony Music Video of the Year Ljubav, ništa više Nominated [45]
TOP.HR Music Awards Female Artist of the Year Franka Batelić Won [46]
2020 Cesarica Song of the Year "Prvi osjećaj" Nominated [47]

References

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  1. ^ "Franka Batelić priprema povratak na scenu". Gloria (in Croatian). 22 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Franka Batelić se do zore zabavljala na maturalnom plesu". Večernji list (in Croatian). 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Franka Batelić: Biografija". franka.com.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Mlada zvijezda Franka Batelić: Danju plešem, noću učim". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 15 November 2009. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  5. ^ "FRANKA BATELIĆ Ekskluzivno o karijeri i vezi s Vedranom Ćorlukom".
  6. ^ "Franka Batelić: Došlo je vrijeme da pobjegnem i kažem 'zbogom'". Story (in Croatian). 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Franka Batelić Showtime". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 23 December 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  8. ^ "Franka Batelić dobila svoj hit, pjesmu "Ruža u kamenu"". 24 sata (in Croatian). 27 February 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Slavuji showtimea premijerno s vlastitim pjesma". Index.hr (in Croatian). 15 November 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Franka Batelić – najslađi izazov otkad postoji reality!". Index.hr (in Croatian). 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Pobijedila sam na tri natjecanja u godinu dana". Dnevnik Nove TV (in Croatian). 5 November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  12. ^ "Who should represent Croatia at Eurovision 2014?". wiwibloggs. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Poslušajte skladbu Franke Batelić s kojom planira pohod na Doru". Index.hr (in Croatian). 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Franka Batelić nije pobijedila na Dori 2009" (in Croatian). Labin.com. 1 March 2009. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Franka Batelić i Ištvan Varga pobjednici su "Plesa sa zvijezdama"". Večernji list (in Croatian). 19 December 2009. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Franka Batelić: "Beyonce mi je zahvalila što sam došla"". Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  17. ^ "Beyonce oduševila Zagreb: "Za Hrvatsku me vežu lijepe uspomene"". Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  18. ^ "Antonija Šola iznimno vjeruje u pjesmu koju Franka naziva "stilskom prekretnicom u karijeri"".
  19. ^ "Vraća se Franka Batelić, a u kojem obliku – još nije poznato!". Music Box (in Croatian). 27 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  20. ^ "S kim je Franki život muzika?". Narodni radio (in Croatian). 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Franka Batelić o povratku na scenu: 'Sada se mogu u potpunosti dati glazbi'". Novi list (in Croatian). 10 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  22. ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (13 February 2018). "Croatia: Franka Batelić to Lisbon!". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  23. ^ Farren, Neil (13 February 2018). "Croatia: Franka Batelić to Eurovision 2018". Eurovoix.
  24. ^ "Franka Batelić ima novi album naziva S tobom". Radio Labin (in Croatian). 6 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Svakako poslušati: Neodoljiva Franka Batelić ima novi zarazni hit, hoće li nadmašiti "S tobom"?". Dnevnik (in Croatian). 28 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  26. ^ Gršić, Mario (18 January 2019). "Franka predstavila prekrasnu baladu "Tajno"". Petrinjski radio (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Franka Batelić ne može sakriti emocije". tportal (in Croatian). 17 June 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Franka objavila novi singl: "Za mene je to najposebnija pjesma dosad"". Dnevnik (in Croatian). 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  29. ^ "HR Top 40: Franka ostvarila najviši ulaz". top-lista (in Croatian). 21 October 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  30. ^ "HR Top 40: Franka se popela na broj 1, Marku Tolji pripao najveći skok". top-lista (in Croatian). 28 October 2019. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  31. ^ a b Milla, Samir (21 January 2020). "Franka zapjevala prvi put nakon poroda i dobila Cesaricu za hit godine" (in Croatian). Večernji list. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  32. ^ "Franka predstavila novi ljetni singl "Putuj sa poljupcima"" (in Croatian). Običan Radio. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  33. ^ "Ljubav za sve: Poznati hrvatski glazbenici zajedničkom pjesmo pozvali na glasanje protiv". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  34. ^ "Franka Batelić..." Archived from the original on 14 October 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  35. ^ "Vedran Ćorluka i Franka Batelić u novoj godini uživaju na plaži". Story (in Croatian). 2 January 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  36. ^ Benčić, Luka (21 July 2018). "Franka i Vedran izrekli sudbonosno 'da' na hrvatskom vjenčanju godine!". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  37. ^ "Pjevačica i Ćorluka objavili radosnu vijest: 2020. će biti posebna, naša mala obitelj se povećava". tportal (in Croatian). 12 August 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Stigao je sinčić". Gloria (in Croatian). 5 January 2020. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  39. ^ "Franka i Vedran Ćorluka dobili djevojčicu, objavljeno je i ime" (in Croatian). 5 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  40. ^ "Franka Batelić nada godine HrTop20" (in Croatian). Labin.com. 5 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  41. ^ "Dobar dio nominiranih zaobišao "Porin"" (in Croatian). Slobodna Dalmacija. 9 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  42. ^ a b "Franka Batelić nominirana za "Zlatnu kooglu"" (in Croatian). Moj.tv. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  43. ^ Jurčević, Dario (3 January 2019). "Publika odlučila – varaždinska pjevačica Zsa Zsa u finalu nagrade Cesarica" (in Croatian). eVaraždin. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  44. ^ "Cesarica – Nominirani" [Cesarica – Nominations] (in Croatian). cesarica.org. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  45. ^ "Počeo je MAC 2020: Muzički spektakl koji okuplja izvođače najrazličitijih žanrova" (in Bosnian). Azra. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  46. ^ "Najveća glazbena imena uveličala prvu dodjelu TOP.HR Music Awards" (in Croatian). hdu.hr. 7 February 2020. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  47. ^ "Franka s pjesmom "Prvi osjećaj" u finalu Cesarice" (in Croatian). Radio Šibenik. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
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Achievements
Preceded by
Mario Valentić & Ana Herceg
Ples sa zvijezdama winner
Season 4 (2009 with Ištvan Varga)
Succeeded by
Nera Stipičević & Damir Horvatinčić
Preceded by Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest
2018
Succeeded by