Jonida Maliqi
{{Short description|Albanian singer (born 1983)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jonida Maliqi
| image = Jonida Maliqi.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|3|26|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Tirana, Albania
| other_names =
| education = University of Arts, Tirana, Albania
| occupation = Singer
| years_active = 1995–present
| notable_works =
| style =
| television =
| parents =
| relatives =
| awards =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre =
| instruments = Vocals
| label =
}}
}}
Jonida Maliqi ({{IPA|sq|jɔˈnida maˈlici}}; born 26 March 1983) is an Albanian singer and media personality.
Throughout her career, Maliqi has won six awards at Kënga Magjike and first place in 2008. She is also a double winner of accolades at the Top Fest in 2006 and 2010 respectively. Maliqi played Bithia in the Albanian version of The Ten Commandments: The Musical and starred as Juliet in the Albanian theatre production of Roméo et Juliette. In 2012, she was appointed as the captain of her team at the Albanian version of the Dutch TV series I Love My Country{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3738724/?ref_=nm_knf_i3|date=23 December 2018|title=Dua Vendin Tim – Cast & Crew|publisher=IMDb|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123820/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3738724/?ref_=nm_knf_i3|url-status=live}} whereas in 2014 she co-hosted the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars. In 2016, Maliqi appeared as a judge on the fifth season of The Voice of Albania{{cite web|url=https://telegrafi.com/jonida-maliqi-trajnere-ne-the-voice-of-albania/|title=Jonida Maliqi trajnere në "The Voice of Albania"|language=sq|date=11 September 2015|website=Telegraph - Telegrafi.com|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123206/https://telegrafi.com/jonida-maliqi-trajnere-ne-the-voice-of-albania/|url-status=live}} and in 2018 she became the sixteenth representative of Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, finishing 9th in the second semi-final with 96 points and ended in the 17th place in grand final.{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/jonida-maliqi-albania-2019|title=Albania picks Jonida Maliqi and presents the first song of 2019|date=23 December 2018|publisher=Eurovision Song Contest|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123210/https://eurovision.tv/story/jonida-maliqi-albania-2019|url-status=live}}
Life and career
Jonida Maliqi was born on 26 March 1983 into an Albanian family hailing from Gjirokastër in the city of Tirana.{{cite web |publisher=TeksteShqip |title=Jonida Maliqi–Biografia |url=https://www.teksteshqip.com/jonida-maliqi/biografia |access-date=21 March 2021 |language=sq |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304004459/https://teksteshqip.com/jonida-maliqi/biografia |url-status=live }}{{cite web |work=Gjirokastra Online |title=Jonida Maliqi:'Gjirokastritët janë me kulturë, të hapur dhe mikëpritës. Më ka thënë nëna ime. Gjirokastra ka nxjerrë vetëm koka' |date=30 November 2020 |url=https://gjirokastraonline.com/aktualitet/jonida-maliqi-gjirokastritet-jane-me-kulture-te-hapur-dhe-mikeprites-me-ka-thene-nena-imegjirokastra-ka-nxjerre-vetem-koka/ |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321171539/https://gjirokastraonline.com/aktualitet/jonida-maliqi-gjirokastritet-jane-me-kulture-te-hapur-dhe-mikeprites-me-ka-thene-nena-imegjirokastra-ka-nxjerre-vetem-koka/ |archive-date=21 March 2021 |language=sq}} Maliqi attended the elementary and music school Dëshmorët e Lirisë in Tirana and thus took guitar and violin lessons at an early age.{{cite web |last=Hoxha |first=E. |publisher=Iconstyle |title=Evoluimi i Jonida Maliqit, nga kënga te moda |url=https://iconstyle.al/evoluimi-i-jonida-maliqit-nga-kenga-te-moda-foto/ |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321172501/https://iconstyle.al/evoluimi-i-jonida-maliqit-nga-kenga-te-moda-foto/ |archive-date=21 March 2021 |language=sq |date=14 October 2016}}{{cite web |last=Pinzon |first=Diego |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Jonida Maliqi: 10 facts about Albania's Eurovision 2019 singer |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/05/02/jonida-maliqi-10-facts-about-albanias-eurovision-2019-singer/237670/ |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130110057/https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/05/02/jonida-maliqi-10-facts-about-albanias-eurovision-2019-singer/237670/ |archive-date=30 November 2020 |date=2 May 2019}} Following this, the singer enrolled at the Jordan Misja Lyceum, later studying canto at the Academy of Arts in Tirana.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2019{{spaced ndash}}Participants: Jonida Maliqi |url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/jonida-maliqi |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128143237/https://eurovision.tv/participant/jonida-maliqi |archive-date=28 November 2020}} Maliqi started her early forays into the music industry at age 13 in 1995 as she participated at the 34th edition of Festivali i Këngës.
After her solo debut in 1999, Maliqi participates at "Festivali i Këngës" for another three consecutive years with songs "Çast", "Ik" and "Do Humbas Me Ty" which placed third at the 41st edition. In 2001, Maliqi pursued studies at the Academy of Arts under the mentorship of the Albanian professor Nina Mula, the mother of Albanian soprano Inva Mula. Meanwhile, her participation at various music festivals continued. In 2003, Maliqi won "The Best Performer" category at Kënga Magjike for "Vetëm Një Natë", whereas in 2004, she won the "Ethno Music Award" for "Nuk Kam Faj Që Robëroj". In 2005, Maliqi announced a work on her debut album Nuk Të Pres and won the "Best Interpretation Award" at Kënga Magjike for "Papagalli i Dashurisë".
After her graduation in 2006, Maliqi starred in the Albanian version of The Ten Commandments: The Musical as Bithia, and in the same year she released her debut album Nuk Të Pres upon her birthday.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Jonida-Maliqi-Nuk-T%C3%AB-Pres/release/13057141/|title=Jonida Maliqi's Discography|date=26 March 2006|publisher=discogs|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228082004/https://www.discogs.com/Jonida-Maliqi-Nuk-T%C3%AB-Pres/release/13057141|url-status=live}} That year, her collaboration with Macedonian-Albanian singer Tuna spawned the hit "Forca e Femrës" which won the "Best Female Award" at Top Fest. The performance attracted much comment due to their antics on stage that were interpreted by many as a likely titillated lesbian act. Meanwhile, some tabloids instated Tuna as "protégée in Jonida's same-sex erotica and polymorphous sexuality".{{cite web|url=https://universalgayarchive.pagexl.com/|title=Jonida Sapphic Sensation: Jonida & Tuna VS Madonna & Britney!|website=Universal Gay|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328012446/https://universalgayarchive.pagexl.com/|url-status=live}} However, both artists denied the allegations about their lesbian relationship. In 2008, Maliqi returned with a new single "Njëri Nga Ata" which entered "Kënga Magjike" and won the competition alongside the "Best Song" and the "10th Anniversary Award". In 2010, she collaborated with Albanian rapper Big Basta and their song "Sot t'i Japim Fund" won the "Best Pop & R&B Song" at the Top Fest.
In 2011, Maliqi returned to "Kënga Magjike" with "Thesar pa Emër" which won "Çesk Zadeja Award" whereas in 2012 she became the captain of her team at the Albanian version of the Dutch TV-series "I Love My Country". In 2013, she won "Jon Music Award" for "Ti" and then was announced as a host of the first season of The Voice Kids but withdrew.{{cite web|url= http://www.standard.al/2013/03/02/jonida-maliqi-drejtuese-e-the-voice-kids/|title= Jonida Maliqi to host The Voice Kids?|language= sq|website= Standard.al|date= 2 March 2013|access-date= 28 March 2019|archive-date= 28 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190328012448/http://www.standard.al/2013/03/02/jonida-maliqi-drejtuese-e-the-voice-kids/|url-status= live}} On the same year, Maliqi starred at the musical "Romeo and Juliet" as Juliet opposite Albanian Skënderaj. In 2014, she co-hosted the fourth season of "Dancing with the Stars" whereas in 2015 she released a new song called "Jam Bërë Si Ti".
In 2016, Maliqi appeared as a judge on the fifth season of "The Voice of Albania" between 9 January 2016 and 16 April 2016. On 10 May 2018, Maliqi released the song "N’Errësirë".{{cite web|url=http://mcnradio.al/jonida-maliqi-ka-nje-lajm-te-mire-paralajmeron-kengen-n-erresire/#http://mcnradio.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/77777.jpg|title=Jonida Maliqi Në Errësirë|language=sq|website=MCN Radio|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328031406/http://mcnradio.al/jonida-maliqi-ka-nje-lajm-te-mire-paralajmeron-kengen-n-erresire/#http://mcnradio.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/77777.jpg|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i50-JngYcM|title=Jonida Maliqi – Në Errësirë|website=VEVO|date=10 May 2018|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518214307/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i50-JngYcM|url-status=live}}
File:Eurovision 2019 Albania (cropped).jpg
On 20 December 2018, Maliqi participated and won the 57th edition of the Festivali i Këngës thus becoming Albania's sixteenth representative at Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Ktheju tokës".{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/video/jonida-maliqi-ktheju-tokes-albania-official-music-video-eurovision-2019|title=Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokes (Albania Official Music Video Eurovision 2019)|website=The official website of the Eurovision Song Contest|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328020606/https://eurovision.tv/video/jonida-maliqi-ktheju-tokes-albania-official-music-video-eurovision-2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Ticket to Tel Aviv: Meet Jonida Maliqi from Albania |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ticket-to-tel-aviv-albani-jonida-maliqi |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |access-date=28 April 2019 |date=13 April 2019 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719102313/https://eurovision.tv/story/ticket-to-tel-aviv-albani-jonida-maliqi |url-status=live }} The song finished seventeenth in the final.
In 2021, Maliqi co-hosted Festivali i Këngës 60.{{Cite web |date=29 December 2021 |title=Albania 2022: The second night of Festivali i Këngës #60 |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/albania-2022-the-second-night-of-festivali-i-kenges-60 |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb |archive-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229113940/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/albania-2022-the-second-night-of-festivali-i-kenges-60 |url-status=live }}
Other ventures
Jonida launched her own haute couture boutique in 2009 and another shoe salon in 2017.
= Philanthropy =
Maliqi's diverse charitable activities include campaigns for encouraging awareness about breast cancer; promoting the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, as well as consistent benefit performances at charity concerts.{{cite web|url=https://www.classlifestyle.com/news/32076/famous-albanian-women-come-together-for-a-great-cause/eng/|title=Famous Albanian Women Come Together for a Great Cause|date=31 October 2018|website=Class – ClassLifestyle.com|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328012445/https://www.classlifestyle.com/news/32076/famous-albanian-women-come-together-for-a-great-cause/eng/|url-status=live}} One of her notable publicised case took place during the live broadcast of "Top Show Magazine" at Top Channel in which she surprised a girl born with Down syndrome and presented her with a new iPad.{{cite web|url=http://www.tiranapost.al/jonida-maliqi-surprizon-vajzen-sindromen/|title=Jonida Maliqi Surprizon Vajzën Me Sindromën Down|language=sq|date=29 January 2017|website=Tirana Post|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328012447/http://www.tiranapost.al/jonida-maliqi-surprizon-vajzen-sindromen/|url-status=live}} Maliqi's other charitable endeavours cover a wide range of causes.
Personal life
Maliqi was previously married to Albanian businessman Gent Prizreni. In March 2017, the couple announced their divorce. Jonida and Gent have a son together.{{cite web|url=https://www.anabelmagazine.com/artikull/35887/jonida-maliqi-speaks-for-the-first-time-for-divorce-by-her-husband/eng|title=Jonida Speaks for the First Time About Divorce|date=12 July 2018|website=Anabel Magazine|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123158/https://www.anabelmagazine.com/artikull/35887/jonida-maliqi-speaks-for-the-first-time-for-divorce-by-her-husband/eng|url-status=live}}
Discography
= Albums =
- Nuk të pres (2005)
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;" | Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" | ALB Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
|
| scope="row" | "Planeti i fëmijëve" {{Small|(with Aleksandër Rrapi)}} | 1995 | rowspan="29" {{n/a}} | rowspan="33" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Flas me ëngjëllin tim" {{Small|(with Kastriot Tusha)}} | 1997 |
| scope="row" | "Do jetoj pa ty"
| rowspan="3" | 1999 |
| scope="row" | "Përse të adhuroj" |
| scope="row" | "Do jetoja pa ty" |
| scope="row" | "Çast"
| 2000 |
| scope="row" | "Ik"
| 2001 |
| scope="row" | "Ti s'më meriton"
| rowspan="3" | 2002 |
| scope="row" | "Larg teje" |
| scope="row" | "Do humbas më ty" |
| scope="row" | "Vetëm një natë"
| 2003 |
| scope="row" | "Ne të dashuruar"
| rowspan="3" | 2004 |
| scope="row" | "Nuk kam faj që roberoj" |
| scope="row" | "Frikëm se më pëlqen" |
| scope="row" | "Fli tani"
| rowspan="2" | 2005 |
| scope="row" | "Papagalli i dashurisë" |
| scope="row" | "Forca e femrës" {{Small|(with Tuna)}} | rowspan="2" | 2006 |
| scope="row" | "Pa identitet" |
| scope="row" | "Parfum nate"
| rowspan="2" | 2007 |
| scope="row" | "S'ka fajtor në dashuri" |
| scope="row" | "Mother (Kthehëm të dielën)" {{Small|(with Gjergj Leka)}} | rowspan="2" | 2008 |
| scope="row" | "Njëri nga ata" |
| scope="row" | "Sot t'i japim fund" {{Small|(featuring Big Basta)}} | 2010 |
| scope="row" | "Një orë më shumë"
| rowspan="3" | 2011 |
| scope="row" | "Fantastik" |
| scope="row" | "Thesar pa emër" |
| scope="row" | "Sonte" {{Small|(featuring Dj Blunt and Real 1)}} | rowspan="2" | 2013 |
| scope="row" | "Ti" |
| scope="row" | "Jam bërë si ti"
| 2015 |
| scope="row" | "N'errësirë"
| 2018 | 85 |
| scope="row" | "Ktheju tokës"
| 2019 | rowspan="3" {{n/a}} |
| scope="row" | "Need You" {{Small|(with Obie Kellz)}} | 2022 |
| scope="row" | "Asnjë tjetër"{{cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/11/24/new-music-olly-alexander-luna-helena-paparizou-and-more/282412/ |title= New music this week: Songs from Olly Alexander, LUNA, Helena Paparizou and more |website=wiwibloggs|date=24 November 2024|access-date=25 November 2024}}
| 2024 |
| colspan="11" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| before=Aurela Gaçe
with "Hape veten"
| title=Kënga Magjike
| years=2008
| after=Eliza Hoxha and Rosela Gjylbegu
with "Njëri nga ata"
}}
{{succession box
| before=Eugent Bushpepa
with "Mall"
| title=Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years=2019
| after=Arilena Ara
with"Fall from the Sky"
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Albanian music}}
{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest |state=autocollapse}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2019 |state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maliqi, Jonida}}
Category:21st-century Albanian women singers
Category:21st-century Albanian actresses
Category:Albanian businesspeople in fashion
Category:Festivali i Këngës winners
Category:Kënga Magjike winners