Samanta Tina will be joined by three backing singers for her performance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
The Latvian Delegation will begin their travels to Rotterdam tomorrow, including Samanta, Guntars Gulbiņš, who will be managing the delagation during their time in Rotterdam, her three backing singers: Kitiju Blūmu, Unu Danielu and Paulu Saiju, Krišjānis Geidāns who is their sound director, Juris Matuzelis, their TV directing consultant and Jana Kozlova, the costume designer who will also be doing the hair and makeup for the delegation.
Who Is Samanta Tīna?
Samanta Poļakova, better known as Samanta Tīna, was born on March 31 1989 in Tukums in western Latvia. She first came to public attention after winning the music show O!Kartes akadēmija, which allowed her to study in the Tech Music School in London.
Samanta has attempted to compete at Eurovision on a number of occasions. In 2012, she finished second in Eirodziesma, performing the song “I Want You Back” along with Dāvids Kalandija. In 2013, she finished second as solo artist with the song “I Need a Hero”. The same year, she took part in the Lithuanian national selection with Vudis performing “Hey Chiki – Mama”, which did not advance from the first heat.
In 2016, Samanta participated in Supernova with two songs. “We Live for Love” did not advance from the first heat. “The Love Is Forever” advanced to the semi-final from the second heat. After performing in the semi-final, Samanta decided to withdraw. In 2017, she participated in the Lithuanian national selection with Tadas Rimgaila. Their song “Tavo oda” did not advance from the first heat. In 2019, Samanta finished 7th in the final of Supernova with “Cutting the Wire”.
Image Source: LTV / Arturs Martinovs | Source: NeatKariga
Latvia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, being the last of the Baltic nations to join the contest. On their debut, Brainstorm finished in 3rd place with the song “My Star”. Latvia won the contest for the first and only time in 2002, with Marie N’s “I Wanna”. Latvia only participated in 2002 thanks to the withdrawal of Portugal from the contest, as Latvia’s poor result in 2001 had relegated them from the 2002 contest. Latvia struggled in to the contest after 2002, failing to qualify for the final for six years between 2009 and 2014. In 2015 and 2016 Latvia has finished 6th and 15th in the final respectively.
