Turkey first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1975, but after a series of poor results, didn't manage a Top 5 finish until 1997. In 2003 Turkey finally won the contest with Sertab Erener's "Every Way That I Can" and followed up with a Top 5 result when hosting the contest. However after a
disappointing result in Kyiv, Turkey has to qualify for this year's final.
In selecting it's entrant for Athens, Turkish broadcaster TRT decided to re-establish the same system as it used in 2003, when the country achieved its only Eurovision win. Once again Turkey will be represented by a well known local female singer, chosen internally by the national broadcaster. Sibel Tuzun goes to Athens, with her
own song "Superstar".
Sibel was born in Istanbul on 29th September 1971 and showed an interest in music from an early age. She received her early music training in the children"s chorus of Radio Istanbul, part of TRT, the Turkish Broadcasting Corporation. After progressing to the youth chorus of the same institution, she was taught by a select group of
music teachers and chorus masters.
During her high school years, Sibel displayed a keen interest in pop and rock. In 1986, she came second in a prestigious music competition, open to all secondary schools in Turkey. During this competition, she got to know Melih Kibar, one of Turkey's most distinguished composers. On the back of this success, she got to work with
celebrities such as Ajda Pekkan, Nukhet Duru and Erol Evgin, as well as taking part in various advertisements and promotions.
In 1988, Sibel was accepted in the opera and concert section of Istanbul University State Conservatory. As well as classical training, Sibel continued to perform jazz and pop. This isn't her first involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1990 she came 9th in the Turkish national final with the song "Kime Me" (Hardly
Important). In 1991, she chose to pursue a professional career in music and she found success in several prominent competitions, including TRT Altin Anten, Kusadasi Altin Guvercin and the Eurovision selection competition.
In 1992, Sibel signed a contract with RAKS Music Productions. Her first album "Ah Biz Kizlar" (Us Girls) enjoyed a large success, partly due to the collaboration of song writers like Sehrazat, Iskender Paydas, Ümit Kuzer and Ozan-Kenan Dogulu, but also due to her unique performance and endearing stage presence. Three tracks of this
album became hits and led her to tour extensively for two years both in Turkey and abroad.
1994 saw her in London training her voice with Robert Bricknell. Afterwards, she started work on her second album with RAKS music. "Nefes Keser Asklar" (In Love, Breathless) achieved similar success with several of her songs entering the charts. After completing her 1997 tour of Europe, Sibel started her own production company
Arinna Music.
Her album "Hayat Buysa Ben Yokum Bu Yolda" (If This Is Life, Count Me Out) was released in 1998 and contained eight songs with lyrics written by Sibel. This album also demonstrated Sibel's production talents, adding to her reputation as an artist. The video of the title track, directed by Charles Richards, raised considerable
interest in the French music channel MCM.
Following various collaborations, the most significant of which was "Yine Yalnizim" (Alone Again) in 2001, Sibel returned to her own production company Arinna Music. In 2002, she wrote ten songs and the ensuing album "Kirmizi" (Red), released in 2003, is still enjoying healthy sales and air play.
After the publication of the songbook of Kirmizi at the end of 2004, Sibel put her music on hold to devote her full attention to her baby daughter Elaya. In September 2005, she returned with "Seviyorum Sevecegim"', the first single from her latest album, "Satin". The album was released in December and can be
bought over the internet in MP3 format. To top all this, Sibel will represent Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens.
Away from music, Sibel is a keen sailor and an accomplished co-driver, having assisted the renowned rallye driver Ethem Genim for two racing seasons.
in January TRT announced that Sibel would represent Turkey in Athens and three potential entries were submitted for consideration. on March 10th, at a special new conference "Superstar was unveiled as this year's Turkish entry. Sibel's website stage a poll asking whether the song should be sung in English or Turkish, and the
Turkish entry came out on top. Althrough Turkey has to qualify through the semi-final Sibel and TRT have stated that their aim is a Top 3 finish in Athens.
Sibel has visited countries from Greece to Finland to promote her entry. "Superstar" is considered to be a serious challenger for a place in the final, but is not seen as being a potential winner by bookmakers or most fans, although it is doing quite well in several fan polls.
TURKEY @ EUROVISION