Jerry Heil & alyona alyona are the winners of this year’s Vidbir, and they will represent Ukraine in Eurovision 2024. Eurovision fans were mesmerised by their songs from the very start, as the incredible women were instantly among the fans favourites this year. Now that they have won, it’s time to see who Jerry and Alyona are offstage.
Scroll down for 10 Facts about Jerry Heil and alyona alyona
10 Facts about Jerry Heil and alyona alyona
1. Jerry’s name stage comes from Tom and Jerry
When Yana Oleksandrivna Shemaieva decided to become active on social media and to make her first steps towards her career, she opted for a shorter name. Drawing inspiration from the famous mouse character in the cartoon Tom and Jerry, she chose Jerry. Heil, the first American surname she came across and liked on the internet, seemed to complement the chosen first name well.
2. alyona alyona had a different stage name before
Jerry isn’t the only one who opted for a stage name. Aliona Olehivna Savranenko also decided that a shorter name would be useful for her career as an artist. In the mid-2000s, when she began her rap music journey, she adopted the stage name Alyona Al.kaida. However, she later transitioned to alyona alyona in 2018.
3. Jerry was a well-known YouTuber
Jerry gained popularity as a YouTuber, running a channel called “Jerry’s Dreams”, where she regularly uploaded covers of songs by both Ukrainian and foreign artists, as well as vlogs. With a substantial number of subscribers and acknowledgment from some of the Ukrainian artists she covered, Jerry began to take her first steps into a musical career.
4. alyona alyona was a teacher before being a rapper
Before rising to prominence in the music industry, Alyona Alyona worked as a kindergarten teacher for four years. Initially, she taught in Baryshivka and later continued her teaching career in Dernivka.
5. Jerry is a declared vegan
Jerry is a vegan and she expressed this loudly and clearly, especially because in 2020 she competed in Vidbir with a song called “Vegan.” She finished on the 6th position.
6. alyona alyona holds two bachelor’s degrees
alyona alyona was deeply committed to her university studies and now proudly holds two bachelor’s degrees. One of these degrees is from the prestigious Gregory Skovoroda Pedagogical State University of Pereiaslav.
7. Jerry competed in X Factor Ukraine
Jerry participated in X Factor Ukraine in 2018, specifically in the ninth season. During her time on the show, she delivered several impressive performances that caught the attention of both the judges and the audience. However, her journey on the show came to an end during the bootcamp phase of the competition.
8. alyona alyona participated in numerous festivals
In 2019, Alyona Alyona was invited to perform at the renowned Hungarian music festival Sziget Festival, held in Budapest. However, this is not her only festival participation. She has traveled and shared her music in numerous countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, all 3 Baltic nations, and many more.
9. Jerry competed in Vidbir 3 times
In addition to this year’s victorious participation with alyona alyona and the previously mentioned entry in 2020 with “Vegan”, Jerry made another attempt in Vidbir in 2023 with the song “When God Shut The Door”. She finished in 3rd place in that edition of the competition.
10. alyona alyona won Public’s Choice Award
Among alyona alyona’s numerous awards, she can claim the Public’s Choice Award that she won in 2021 at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards contest.
Come back for more exciting stories and facts about Jerry Heil and alyona alyona as we head towards pre-parties and Malmö 2024.
