Croatia: Teenah Interiew – “The blend of intensity and beauty is something I deeply admire.”

Hopefully, you enjoy meeting the artists from Dora 2025 because we are not done yet. The next artist who is going to present herself through Q&A is Teenah!

First and foremost, tell us about your beginnings. How did you start and do you have someone who inspires you?

Hello, and thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and share a bit about myself with your readers. I’m really excited to be part of this interview and to connect with all the Eurovision fans out there.

I’ve been involved in music since I was a child. I started playing piano at 10 years old, and singing has been a part of my life since I was 14. My journey in music truly began when I participated in the first Croatian music show, Story Super Nova Music Talents, in 2003, where I reached the top 9. Later, I took part in The Voice Croatia in 2016 and then formed the acoustic duo GemJams, which gave me the opportunity to explore live performances more deeply.

As for inspiration, I’ve always been drawn to artists who blend powerful emotions with strong, unique musical styles. I love symphonic metal, which brings together complexity, emotion, and beauty. Some of my biggest inspirations include Sharon den Adel, Sarah Brightman, Secret Garden and Beyond the Black. I hope to incorporate more of these influences into my own music in the future.

Over the years, you participated in many singing competitions of various formats: Story Super Nova Music Talents and The Voice Hrvatska. How can that experience help you in your preparations for Dora?

Participating in various singing competitions like Story Super Nova Music Talents and The Voice Croatia has been an invaluable experience. These competitions helped me grow as an artist, teaching me how to handle the pressure, stay focused, and adapt to different performance situations. I learned how to refine my vocal technique, work with coaches, and understand the dynamics of stage presence. Most importantly, they gave me the confidence to trust my own voice and abilities. For Dora, all these experiences are helping me prepare mentally and emotionally. I’m more comfortable with the idea of being in the spotlight, and I know how to manage the nerves and expectations that come with such an important event. They also gave me the chance to understand the importance of storytelling through music, which I plan to bring into my performance at Dora.

Could you walk us through the songwriting process of your song “Aurora” and what the song means to you?

The songwriting process for “Aurora” was a wonderful and collaborative journey. The song was created together with the talented Ylva and Linda Persson, who initially reached out to me with the idea, Silvija Steiner, who translated and adapted the lyrics into Croatian, and Siniša Reljić – Simba, who handled the arrangement and production. The English version of the lyrics was also co-written by Charlie Mason, a songwriter who was part of the team behind Roko Blažević’s song when he represented Croatia at Eurovision 2019. Charlie is also a co-writer of the winning Eurovision song of 2014 “Rise Like a Phoenix” by Conchita Würst. For me, “Aurora” is more than just a song – it’s a symbol of beauty and hope. Inspired by the phenomenon of the Northern Lights, the song reflects the idea that even in the darkest times, there is always light on the horizon. It also draws from Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, who brings light after the night. The song carries a message of hope, reminding us that every dark night ends with a new dawn, offering a fresh start and new opportunities.

I read that you enjoy a variety of genres, including jazz and symphonic metal. Does your music reflect elements of these two genres and what do you like about them?

Yes, I enjoy a variety of genres, and both jazz and symphonic metal are particularly meaningful to me. While my music doesn’t fully reflect both genres, their influence is definitely present in the way I approach performance and creativity. What I love about jazz is its freedom and the emotional depth it brings. Symphonic metal, on the other hand, combines heavy rock with orchestral elements, which creates a powerful and dramatic sound. The blend of intensity and beauty is something I deeply admire, and I can see myself exploring that direction more in the future. While I’m not there yet, these genres inspire me and are a big part of what drives my desire to experiment and evolve musically.

How do you feel knowing Dora will be watched not only in Croatia but by people from all over Europe, if not beyond?

It’s incredibly exciting and also a bit overwhelming to think that Dora will be watched not only in Croatia but by people from all over Europe, and even beyond. Eurovision is such a huge event, and knowing that my performance could reach so many people is both an honor and a big motivation. It makes me feel proud to represent my country on such a prestigious stage, and I’m excited to share my music with an international audience. At the same time, it’s a reminder of how much music can bring people together, no matter where they’re from, and that’s a really special feeling.

Since this will be your debut in Dora, what has been the most fulfilling part of the whole journey as of today? Also, what challenges or struggles have you encountered along the way that you may have not expected?

Being part of Dora for the first time has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, and one of the most rewarding parts has been seeing my hard work come together. From working on the song with my team to rehearsals and developing the stage performance, it’s been amazing to witness everything evolve. The process has given me the opportunity to challenge myself creatively and grow as an artist, which is something I truly value. As for challenges, I think the most unexpected one has been balancing everything—preparing for such a big event while managing my other responsibilities. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with a health issue recently, which has slowed down some of my preparations. It’s been a challenge, but I’m focusing on resting and regenerating so that I’m fully ready for the performance and can give it my all when the time comes. In the end, these challenges have made the journey even more meaningful, and I’m learning to embrace them as part of the process.

We are very curious about your performance. Can you share any hints of what we might expect to see on stage?

I’m really excited about my performance too! While I don’t want to give too much away just yet, I can tell you that the performance will be visually and emotionally engaging. I want it to reflect the themes of the song—hope, light, and new beginnings. The whole performance will work together with the music to create an atmosphere that takes the audience on a journey. But you’ll have to wait a little longer to see all the details come to life on stage. One of the elements you’ll see on stage is the symbol of infinity. Just like how night and day change constantly, the symbol reflects our continuous growth and transformation. It also reminds us that setbacks are part of the journey. After every fall, there is growth, success, and a phase where we “blossom”,  having become stronger and learned valuable lessons. When we face difficulties or sadness, it’s easy to feel helpless, but remembering that these moments are temporary can help us get through the challenges that lie ahead. I believe this message of renewal is something powerful to share with the audience.

If you could single out one Eurovision artist you admire, who would that be and why?

If I had to choose one Eurovision artist I truly admire, it would definitely be Loreen. Her performance of “Euphoria” in 2012. Her vocal ability, combined with the emotional depth she brought to the stage, was extraordinary. Moreover, being a two-time Eurovision winner is incredibly impressive and really speaks to the lasting impact she has had on the contest.

To finish our Q&A session, do you have any final messages for the readers of ESCUnited?

First of all, I want to thank you all for your support and for taking the time to learn more about me and my journey. Being part of Eurovision and Dora is an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful to be able to share my music with you. I hope that “Aurora” brings you some joy, hope, and inspiration. I truly believe in the power of music to unite people, and I’m excited to be part of such a wonderful community of fans. Thank you for your love and encouragement, and I can’t wait to see you all at Dora!

Thank you so much Teenah and we wish you the best of luck in Dora 2025! 

If #YOU want to support Teenah on her Dora 2025 journey, make sure you tune in to the Dora first semi-final show on February 27th and vote! Share your thoughts with us on Discord, or on our forum page!