Zhana Bergendorff (Bulgarian: Жана Бергендорф; born Zhana Vladimirova Brankova, Bulgarian: Жана Владимирова Бранкова, on 20 October 1985) is a Bulgarian singer and songwriter. She is known for winning the second series of Bulgarian X Factor in 2013.[1]

Zhana Bergendorff
Жана Бергендорф
Birth nameZhana Vladimirova Brankova
Born (1985-10-20) 20 October 1985 (age 39)
Sofia, Bulgaria
Genres
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active2003–present
LabelsSymphonix International
Universal Music Austria

Biography

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Early life

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Zhana was born in Sofia, Bulgaria under the name Zhana Vladimirova Brankova, adopting the father and family name of her second father.[2] She started singing at the age of 7. Her mother (a paratrooper) played the piano, and her maternal grandparents (both practicing jurists) played the violin. When she was 18 years old she moved to sing in South Korea. She lived there until 2010 and later moved to Denmark, her husband's country of origin. In Denmark she entered X Factor Denmark.[3]

2013: X Factor Bulgaria

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Zhana participated in X Factor Bulgaria 2013. In all the weeks of the show, she was never threatened by elimination. She reached the finals with Ana-Maria Yanakieva and Atanas Kolev. Ana-Maria gained 3rd place, Zhana won the public vote by 69,9% winning the 2013 X factor title.[1]

2014–2017: Virginia Records and VIP Brother Bulgaria

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On 12 June 2014, Bergendorff's debut single, titled "Samuray" was released by Virginia Records. The song was written by Rushi Vidinliev, and the music and arrangement were done by Ray Hedges and Nigel Butler.[4][5] In December, a collaboration between Zhana and Kristo was released, with the name "Igraem S Teb Do Kraya".[6] Few months later, on 9 May 2015, her second single was released, titled "Nevazmozhni Sme Sami".[7] In 2016, Zhana took part of the VIP Brother 2016 season, where she entered second, lasted 41 days and was the fourth person eliminated from the house.[8] Her last record with Virginia Records, called "Dokrai", was released on 7 January 2017[9] and she announced her departure from the company in mid–August when her contract wasn't renewed.[10]

2018: Eurovision Song Contest

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On 12 March 2018, it was announced that Bergendorff will be part of the group named Equinox, which will represent Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with their song "Bones". They finished 14th in the Grand Final.[11][12]

Personal life

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Zhana has one son Leon, born in 2010. She is married to Stefan Bergendorff, a Danish ship engineer she met in South Korea. She has lived in South Korea and Denmark. She speaks Bulgarian, English, Korean and Danish.[3]

In 2016, she was arrested and charged for usage of cocaine.[13]

Discography

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List of singles as main artist
Title Year Album
"Samuray" 2014 Non-album singles
"Igraem s teb do kraya"
(Kristo featuring Zhana Bergendorff)
"Nevazmozhni sme sami" 2015
"Vreme"
(Moisey featuring Zhana Bergendorff)
"Dokrai" 2017
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

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  • The Voice of Summer Tour 2014
  • Coca-Cola Happy Energy Tour 2014
  • The Voice of Summer Tour 2015
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References

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  1. ^ a b "Zhana is the new X Factor". Dnes bg. 21 December 2013. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Жана Queen Бергендорф неукротимата". Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Zhana before X Factor". 24 Chasa. 2 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Zhana Bergendorff - Samuray / Жана Бергендорф - Самурай (Official HD)". Youtube. 12 June 2014.
  5. ^ ""Самурай" на Жана Бергендорф окупира класациите". Standart News. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Kristo feat. Zhana Bergendorff - Igraem S Teb Do Kraya (Official HD)". Youtube. 9 December 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Zhana Bergendorff - Nevazmozhni sme sami (Official HD)". Youtube. 9 May 2015. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Вторият звезден Съквартирант е Жана Бергендорф". NOVA. 11 September 2016. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Zhana Bergendorff - Dokrai (Official HD)". Youtube. 7 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Жана Бергендорф вече не е артист на "Вирджиния рекърдс"". 24 Chasa. 14 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Коя е българската песен за "Евровизия"? (ВИДЕО)". NOVA. 12 March 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Чуй/ Bones – българската песен за Евровизия 2018". Signal. 12 March 2018. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  13. ^ Жана Бергендорф – арестувана и обвинена в употреба на кокаин
Awards and achievements
Preceded by X Factor Bulgaria
Winner

2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest
(as part of Equinox)
2018
Succeeded by