Blanka Stajkow (Polish pronunciation: [ˈblaŋ.ka ˈstajkɔf] Bulgarian: Бланка Стайков; born 23 May 1999), known mononymously as Blanka, is a Polish singer and model. She represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Solo", finishing in 19th place.
Blanka | |
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 Blanka in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Blanka Stajkow |
| Born | 23 May 1999 Szczecin, Poland |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels | Warner Music Poland |
Early life
editStajkow was born in Szczecin to a Polish mother who is a former model and a Bulgarian father who is a businessman.[1] According to Stajkow, neither of her parents have a musical background.[2] From an early age, she was encouraged by her mother to undertake various activities, including joining disco dance groups and going to music schools. She also said that in the mornings her mother would turn on either MTV or Trace Urban, which inspired her to go into the music industry.[2]
At age 13, she produced and released her first song, "Strong Enough".[2]
Career
editTop Model and Warner Music Poland (2021–2022)
editIn 2021, Stajkow participated in season 10 of the Polish reality television show Top Model, Poland's version of America's Next Top Model.[3] While on the show, she released her first official single, "Better".[4] The following year, she signed a record deal with Warner Music Poland, and released her second single, "Solo".[4] She also appeared in the music video for the song "Pijemy za lepszy czas" by Smolasty,[4] whom she dated at the time.[2]
Eurovision Song Contest (2023)
editOn 15 February 2023, Blanka was announced as one of ten competitors of Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję, the Polish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with "Solo".[5][6] She won the contest, receiving maximum points from the jury and coming second in public voting. As a result, she became Poland's entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.[7] Her victory in Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję sparked controversy in Poland due to alleged rigged votes and corruption within the jury panel for the national selection.[8]
At Eurovision, Blanka performed in the second semi final, placing third and advancing to the grand final. In the final, she finished 19th with 93 points.[9] "Solo" charted across Europe, and has been certified Diamond in Poland.
Post-Eurovision (2023–present)
editFollowing her participation in Eurovision, Blanka released the singles: "Boys Like Toys" and "Rodeo" in 2023, and "Cara mia", "If U Want Me" and "Asereje (Airplane Mode)" in 2024. "Rodeo" reached number four in the Polish charts, while "Boys Like Toys" and "Caria mia" charted in the country's top 20. In February 2024, Blanka appeared in the music video for the Kolors's song "Un ragazzo una ragazza".[10] In April 2024, she served as the opening act for the Polish date of Jason Derulo's worldwide Nu King World Tour.[11]
Discography
editSingles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POL [12] |
POL Stream. [13] |
POL Billb. [14] |
CZE [15] |
FIN [16] |
ICE [17] |
IRE [18] |
LTU [19] |
SWE Heat. [20] |
UK [21] | ||||
| "Better" | 2021 | — | * | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| "Solo" | 2022 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 24 | 11 | 85 | 1 | 3 | 56 | ||
| "Boys Like Toys" | 2023 | 19 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
| "Rodeo" | 4 | — | — | 2 | —[A] | — | — | — | — | — |
| ||
| "Cara mia" | 2024 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "If U Want Me" | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Asereje (Airplane Mode)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory. "*" denotes the chart did not exist at that time. | |||||||||||||
Promotional singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | 2022 | Non-album singles |
Notes
edit- ^ "Rodeo" did not enter the Official Finnish Singles Chart, but peaked at number 5 on the Official Finnish Radio Chart.
References
edit- ^ Wolther, Dr. Irving (14 May 2023). "Polens Herz schlägt für Blanka" (in German). Eurovision.de. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d Królak, Sergiusz (23 February 2023). ""Wszystko jest w rękach ludzi i Boga". 23-latka przed życiową szansą" ["Everything is in the hands of people and God." The 23-year-old has an opportunity of a lifetime]. Plejada (in Polish). Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Kruszakin, Dominika (8 September 2021). "Transpłciowa kobieta, trzeźwy narkoman i... złoty bilet! Oto drugi odcinek "Top Model"" [A transgender woman, a sober drug addict and... a golden ticket! Here is the second episode of "Top Model"]. Plejada (in Polish). Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Blanka zaczyna "Solo". Kim jest 23-letnia piękność z Polski?" [Blanka releases "Solo". Who is the 23-year-old beauty from Poland?]. Interia (in Polish). 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Eurowizja 2023: oto uczestnicy polskich preselekcji! Kto wystąpi 26 lutego?" [Eurovision 2023: here are the participants of the Polish preselection! Who will perform on February 26?]. Eurowizja.org (in Polish). 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "Poland reveals its Eurovision pre-selection lineup". Eurovision.tv. 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ Hendryk, Tom (26 February 2023). "Blanka wins Poland's Tu bije serce Europy 2023 and will sing "Solo" at Eurovision". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Eurowizja 2023: zagraniczne media o skandalu w Polsce. "Podejrzenie korupcji w wyborze"". Eurowizja.org (in Polish). 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ Morris, Lauren (14 May 2023). "Eurovision 2023 results: Full scoreboard and points". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ Kamiński, Mateusz (8 February 2024). "Ich przebój "ITALODISCO" pobił cały internet. Teraz łączą siły z... Blanką!". Interia. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Kopcik, Oliwia (28 March 2024). "Jason Derulo przyjedzie do Polski. Przed nim wystąpi polska gwiazda" (in Polish). Interia. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Poland:
- "Solo": "AirPlay Top: 12.11. – 18.11.2022" (in Polish). ZPAV. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- "Boys Like Toys": "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 22.07.2023–28.07.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- "Rodeo": "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 18.11.2023–24.11.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- "Cara mia": "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 02.03.2024–08.03.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- "If U Want Me": "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 24.08.2024–30.08.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Poland:
- "Solo": "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 12.05.2023–18.05.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- "Boys Like Toys": "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 07.07.2023–13.07.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles on Billboard Poland Songs chart:
- "Solo": "Billboard Poland Songs Chart (week of 20 May 2023)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Czech Republic:
- "Solo": "Rádio Top 100 – Blanka – Solo". ČNS IFPI (in Czech). Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- "Rodeo": "Rádio Top 100 – Blanka – Rodeo". ČNS IFPI (in Czech). Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Blanka" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Iceland:
- "Solo": "Streymi, spilun og sala viku 20. Birt 20. maí 2023 – Næst uppfært 27. maí 2023" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Discography Blanka". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "2023 18-os savaitės (balandžio 28 – gegužės 4 d.) Singlų Top 100". AGATA (in Lithuanian). 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 20". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "Blanka | full Official Charts history". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 May 2024. Click "WYKONAWCA" and enter Blanka in the search box.