Eurovision's Springboard to Stardom: Five Artists Who Achieved Global Recognition through Eurovision Competition
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In the world of music, the Eurovision Song Contest has proven to be a significant platform for launching or boosting international careers. Over the years, several renowned artists have used this stage to catapult themselves into the global spotlight.
One of the most famous examples is ABBA, the Swedish group that achieved Sweden's first victory in 1974 with the song "Waterloo." Their triumph at Eurovision propelled them to worldwide fame, leading to estimated sales of 380 million albums and singles [1][4].
Another artist who benefited from Eurovision's exposure is Céline Dion. Representing Switzerland in 1988, she won with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi" and her victory helped launch her international career, especially in English-speaking markets. This led to her selling about 200 million records worldwide [1][4].
Julio Iglesias, a relatively unknown artist before Eurovision, also found success after his 1970 performance. Placing fourth with the ballad "Gwendolyne," he accelerated his global success, with around 100 million records sold [1].
Olivia Newton-John, who came fourth behind ABBA in the same year, also gained international stardom. She sold roughly 100 million records and won multiple Grammys, all before her starring role in the cinematic version of 'Grease' [1].
More recently, the Italian rock band Maneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with "Zitti e buoni." Since their victory, they have achieved international fame with hits boosted by social media platforms like TikTok. Their lead singer, Damiano David, has also launched a solo career, marking Eurovision as a significant career accelerator [2][4].
Loreen, another notable artist, won twice with "Euphoria" in 2012 and "Tattoo" in 2023, becoming a prominent international music figure respected in the industry [2][5]. Conchita Wurst, who won with "Rise Like a Phoenix" in 2014, also became an international phenomenon and a symbol for acceptance and diversity [2].
Alexander Rybak, who won with the violin-driven song “Fairytale” in 2009, is another example of an artist who found success after Eurovision. He became a beloved figure in Europe and established a lasting music career [3].
Lys Assia, an incomparable singer, obtained Switzerland's first victory in the inaugural edition of Eurovision in 1956. Olivia Newton-John's Eurovision appearance served as a showcase before her cinematic success [1].
The program "Journey to the Heart of TV - Eurostars" is now available on the website Play, diving into the archive to highlight artists who became consecrated thanks to Eurovision. In 2025, Céline Dion appeared in the First Semifinal of Eurovision with a surprise message, expressing that Switzerland will always have a special place in her heart. In the same year, Damiano David made his first appearance on Spanish television on the program 'La Revuelta' performing "Born With a Broken Heart."
In 2024, Eurovision paid an emotional tribute to ABBA during the final held in Malmö, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of their triumph. Julio Iglesias solidified as Spain's great heartthrob after his Eurovision performance [1].
These artists illustrate how Eurovision can serve as an important platform for launching or significantly boosting international music careers.
[1] Eurovision.tv - History of Eurovision Winners [2] BBC News - Eurovision winners and their impact on music [3] The Guardian - Eurovision winners: the artists who made it big [4] Billboard - The Eurovision Song Contest: A Launchpad for International Stardom [5] The Independent - Loreen: the Swedish singer who won Eurovision twice and became a global star
- The average music enthusiast is familiar with the remarkable impact of the Eurovision Song Contest, as it has consistently launched and boosted the international careers of celebrities, such as ABBA, Céline Dion, Julio Iglesias, Olivia Newton-John, and more recent winners like Maneskin.
- Pop-culture, especially entertainment news, often highlights the success stories of Eurovision contestants who have gained fame and sold millions of records thanks to their performances, becoming significant figures in the music industry worldwide.
