The children's choir Zvjezdice served as the early training ground for Nina Badrić, who began performing with the group at age nine. Born in 1972 in Zagreb, Croatia, she transitioned from backing vocals for established acts like Parni valjak to a multifaceted career as a prominent singer-songwriter, recording artist, and model within the regional pop music scene.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Discovered by Dino Dvornik in the early 1990s, Badrić secured her first professional contract with Croatia Records. She gained initial traction through collaborations with Rajko Dujmić and Jasenko Houra, later achieving widespread recognition for the duet Ja sam vlak with Emilija Kokić. Her debut album, Godine nestvarne, launched in 1995, followed by the successful 1997 release Personality, which earned her two Porin awards.
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Badrić expanded her musical scope by covering the Pointer Sisters' song I'm So Excited, gaining traction in Italy and resulting in the English-language dance album Me! She frequently participated in the Dora competition, the Croatian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2012, she represented Croatia in Baku, Azerbaijan, performing the song Nebo, though she did not qualify for the grand final.
Artistic Development and Touring
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, she maintained a consistent output with albums such as Ljubav, 07, and NeBo. Her work often features notable collaborations, ranging from Romani singer Ljiljana Petrović-Buttler to Serbian performer Željko Vasić. Beyond studio recordings, Badrić has performed at the Dom sportova for UNICEF charity initiatives and embarked on extensive regional arena tours, including the ongoing Moji Ljudi Tour.
Fast facts
- Born: 1972, Zagreb, Croatia
- Primary Occupations: singer, singer-songwriter, model, recording artist
- Eurovision appearance: 2012, Baku
- Selected awards: Golden Studio Award (2024, 2022, 2019)
- Notable album: Moji ljudi (2026)
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Languages: Croatian
Questions readers ask
Did Nina Badrić win the Eurovision Song Contest?
No, she represented Croatia in 2012 with the song Nebo but finished 12th in the second semi-final and did not advance to the final.
What is the scope of her award recognition?
She has received multiple honors, including several Golden Studio Awards and Večernjakova Ruža Awards, in addition to Porin awards for vocal and album achievements.
Achievements
- Genres: pop music
