Aurela Gaçe | |
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_(cropped).jpg) Gaçe in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1974-10-16)16 October 1974 (age 51) |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Website | aurelagace |
Aurela Gaçe (pronounced[auˈɾɛlaˈɡatʃɛ]; born 16 October 1974) is an Albanian singer-songwriter, actress and television personality. Her music career made her to be called as the diva of South Albania.
A three-timeFestivali i Këngës winner, a three-timeKënga Magjike winner and a two-timeBalkan Music Award winner forBalkan's Song of the Year andBest Singer from Albania. She was a judge on the third season ofThe Voice of Albania.[1][2]
In 2010, she won the 49th edition ofFestivali i Këngës with the song "Kënga ime" and represented Albania in theEurovision Song Contest 2011 held inDüsseldorf, Germany.
Aurela Gaçe was born on 16 October 1974 into an Albanian family in the village of Llakatund,Vlorë, then part of thePeople's Socialist Republic, presentAlbania.[3]
In 2010 Gaçe won the49th edition of "Festivali i Këngës" with "Kënga Ime", written by Shpëtim Saraçi.[4] Her most successful songOrigjinale(feat.Dr. Flori & Marsel) has more than 20 million views on YouTube.[5]
After experiencing success during the late 1990s and early 2000s, Gaçe quit singing and moved to the United States where she spent 8 years. She returned to the music industry in 2010 releasing "Origjinale", a song composed byFlori Mumajesi, that became a success in Albania. In late 2010, Gaçe was invited by Shpëtim Saraçi to participate in the Festivali i Këngës. Initially she denied the request, as she stated "It is time for new artists to be promoted with original music performed by an orchestra". However, she later decided to participate.
Gaçe participated in the Festivali i Këngës, 10 years after her last participation. She won for the third time, and was chosen to represent herAlbania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Gaçe flew toLos Angeles, California to record the final version of her song, cooperating withCapitol Records. Later, it was announced that the song title would be "Feel the Passion", as the song was translated to English. The final version was released on 12 March 2011.
Gaçe appeared on the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, performing third. She finished 14th in total with 47 points, thus failing to qualify to the final of the competition.
| Awards and achievements | ||
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| Preceded by | Performer ofThe Best Song in Balkans 2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 | Succeeded by |
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