Samanta Tina: “Last year, I took a break because my vocal teacher left this world” (Latvian candidate – Exclusive Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked to Samanta Tina, runner-up of the Latvian national selections 2012 and 2013, and this year’s Supernova participant. Samanta will perform “We live for love” in the first heat set on February 7 and “The Love is Forever” in the second heat set on February 14.

ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Latvian national selection for Eurovision 2016!

E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?

My name’s Samanta Poļakova, better known on stage as Samanta Tīna.  In 2010, I won the Latvian music show O!Kartes akadēmija, winning the chance to attend the Tech Music School in London, England. In 2011, I competed in the Moldovan singing competition Golden Voices and won the Moldovan Cup. I finished second in 2012 Slavianski Bazaar. That year, I took part in Eirodziesma getting the second place with “I Want You Back”. One year later, I finished second again in Dziesma with “I Need A Hero”. I also took part in Dziesma 2014 with “Stay” where I was third.  I competed on the third season of Lietuvos Balsas, the Lithuanian version of The Voice and I finished eight.

Currently, I’m taking part in the 2016 celebrity musical show “ŽVAIGŽDŽIU Duets” at the neighbouring country Lithuania, as Latvian star!

E+: What impelled you to take part in “Supernova 2016”?

Ehen, my vocal teacher, was always with us and not happy about the fact that I had not won the Eurovision Latvian selection yet. He said that he wanted to protect me… I took a year break because my vocal teacher left this world, but I know and I believe that this year he would have been happy because of my participation in Supernova.

E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the heats? Did you expect it?

That was my intention.:)

E+: What it would mean for you to represent Latvia?

So far, I have managed to bring Latvia to a high level in the world and I think that this time will not be different. It would be a great honor and a responsibility.

E+: Can you tell us about your songs? What is the story behind the lyrics?

Everything is about love!!! This time I laugh at themselves! I have always pointed the fact that I have a very loud voice, which God has given me and I use it only as a skill, with all my love.

E+: Why do you think one of your songs has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?

I can promise that it will be the loudest love on stage!

E+: Have you started to prepare your stages performances for “Supernova 2016”?

Yes, working a lot which is hard for me now because most of time I am in Lithuania taking part in the TV Show :”Žvaigždžiu duetai”. I can promise that the show on stage will be really colourful.

E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?

Ruslana:”Wild Dances”, Loreen:”Euphoria” Marie N:”I wanna”

E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?

With all of them!!!!

E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?

I want to win the Latvian Eurovision selection, continue in the Lithuanian show “ŽVAIGŽDŽIU Duets”, the top three best, work on my new album and get married!:)

E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?

I want you to appreciate every day what God has given you and call your mother more often and say how much you love her! 🙂

E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUeuSWtSr_I