Born in the USA - Americans who have competed at Eurovision

Americans are world leaders in the music industry it is no surprise to see a number of them have competed in the 64 Eurovision Song Contests since 1956. To mark 4th July let's have a look at the ones who have.

Four Americans have reached the top five, they are:

1st: Katrina and The Waves - Love Shine a Light (UK 1997)

Katrina Leskanich was born in Topeka, Kansas and was the lead vocalist for Katrina and the Waves, representing the United Kingdom with the song “Love Shine a Light” and won the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 which was held in Dublin.

3rd: Wess & Dori Ghezzi - Era (Italy 1975)

Wess Johnson was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and sung with Dori Ghezzi as Wess & Dori Ghezzi with the song “Era” representing Italy in 1975 which came in at third place.

3rd: Kalomira - Secret Combination (Greece 2008)

Kalomira Sarantis known simply as Kalomira was born in West Hempstead, New York. The previous Fame Story winner represented Greece with her Greek inspired R&B song “Secret Combination” in 2008 which was held in Belgrade and came in at third place.

5th: Andras Kallay-Saunders - Running (Hungary 2014)

Andras Kallay-Saunders who was born and raised in New York represented Hungary in 2014 and reached 5th place with the song called “Running”.

Other American Eurovision singers include:

• Debbie Cameron - Tommy Seebach & Debbie Cameron “Krøller eller ej” (Denmark, 11th place, 1981)

• Jeane Manson – “J'ai déjà vu ça dans tes yeux" (Luxembourg, 13th place, 1979)

• Kim Cooper – The Rounder Girls “All To You” (Austria, 14th place 2000)

• Trey Campbell and Johnny Manuel – Equinox “Bones” (Bulgaria, 14th place, 2018)

• Tamar Kaprelian - Genealogy “Face the Shadow” (Armenia 16th place, 2015)

• Oscar Loya and Dita von Teese – Oscar Swings Oscar Sings “Miss Kiss Kiss Bang” (Germany, 20th place, 2009)

• Tamara Gee – Isis Gee “For Life” (Poland, 24th place, 2008)

• Natalia Kelly – “Shine” (Austria, 14th place semi final, 2013)

• Annet Artani – “Why Angels Cry” (Cyprus, 15th place in semi final, 2006)

• Hannah Mancini – “Straight into Love” (Slovenia, 16th place in semi final, 2013)

• Jimmie Wilson – Valentina Monetta & Jimmie Wilson “Spirit of the Night” (San Marino, 18th place in semi final, 2017)

It was also announced during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest that Eurovision Song Contest Producer, Christer Björkman and others with the support of the EBU have begun organising the “American Song Contest”. Still in its early stages of planning its expected to take place in 2021 or 2022 and it will feature the states of the USA. There will be opportunities for other countries to join as the competition grows into the future.