In a selection process surrounded by controversy, Nina Žižić was chosen by broadcaster RTCG to represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2025 after securing second place at Montesong. She will lead the country’s long-awaited return to the contest with her powerful ballad “Dobrodošli.”
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is gearing up for an unforgettable show in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17, 2025. As participating countries finalize their entries, Montenegro marks its comeback after a two-year absence — with Nina Žižić taking center stage.
A Look at Nina Žižić: Returning to Eurovision After 12 Years
Nina Žižić was born on April 20, 1985, in Nikšić, Montenegro’s second-largest city. Her talent blossomed early; by the age of 10, she made her first TV appearance in Serbia and Montenegro, gaining attention for impersonating famous singers and actors.
Though she pursued Language and Literature studies at the University of Montenegro, her passion for music remained unwavering, balancing academics with vocal and dance training.
Her professional career kicked off in 2002, performing at venues and festivals across Montenegro and the Balkans. She placed second at the Montenegrin National Music Festival, and went on to win the International Festival of Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, releasing her debut single “Odlazi” in 2003.
Her Journey with Girl Group Negre
In 2004, Nina joined the girl group Negre alongside Milena Vučić and Jelena Kažanegra, earning widespread recognition and performing at top venues throughout the Balkans.
Negre tried to represent Serbia and Montenegro at Eurovision through Evropesma 2004 with “Ko Nijedna Druga”, finishing in an impressive third place. The following year, they secured third place at Sunčane Skale with “Kao.”
These successes made them household names across the region, cementing their place in the Balkans’ pop music scene.
Going Solo: Nina Žižić’s Early Solo Career
In 2006, Nina left Negre to pursue a solo career. Her debut solo single was “Rijeka Suza.” That year, she also competed at Montevizija 2006 with “Potraži Me,” aiming for Eurovision but finishing 17th out of 20.
Despite setbacks, she kept releasing music, scoring a chart-topping hit with “Strogo Povjerljivo” in 2007, followed by singles like “Sve Što Želim” (2008), “Ja Te Moliti Neću” (2009), and “Zabranjujem” (2011).
In 2012, she performed at the Kardeşlik Senfonisi concert in Sarajevo, sharing the stage with prominent Balkan and Eurovision stars, promoting peace and unity.
Nina Žižić at Eurovision 2013
In 2013, Montenegro’s broadcaster internally selected Who See to represent them in Malmö, later announcing Nina Žižić would join them on stage for “Igranka.” Despite its futuristic vibe and energetic hip-hop style, the entry finished 12th in the semi-final, narrowly missing the Grand Final.
After Eurovision, Nina signed with VivaMusic Montenegro, releasing tracks like “Sama Kriva” and the popular collaboration “Klik” with Wikluh Sky, one of “Igranka’s” composers.
A Pause and New Projects
Nina took a short break from music before releasing “Kiss You Goodbye” in 2016 for the soundtrack of Azerbaijani film Too Many Coincidences. In 2017, she dropped “Druga U Meni.”
In 2021, she joined Montenegro’s internal selection committee for Eurovision 2022, ironically helping select Vladana Vučinić with “Breathe.” For Eurovision 2025, the roles reversed: Vladana became Montesong’s artistic director as Nina re-entered the competition.
Her latest projects include “Paranoičan” (2023), receiving critical acclaim and showcasing her evolving sound, co-written with Darko Dimitrov and Violeta Mihajlovska Milić—the team behind “Dobrodošli.”
How Nina Žižić Was Chosen for Eurovision 2025
Montenegro’s Montesong 2024 kicked off with 36 submissions, narrowing to 16 finalists. After a spectacular live show, NeonoeN initially won but was disqualified due to a rule breach over song eligibility. The professional jury’s favorite, Nina Žižić, was officially announced as Montenegro’s Eurovision representative on December 8, 2024, live on RTCG 1’s ‘Dobro Jutro Crna Goro.’
“Dobrodošli”: Montenegro’s Eurovision 2025 Entry
At Eurovision 2025, Nina Žižić will perform “Dobrodošli”, a powerful Montenegrin-language ballad blending emotional depth with vocal strength.
The song explores resilience and female empowerment, tackling themes of loneliness, societal expectations, and overcoming adversity. According to Nina, it’s a message for women: despite facing countless challenges, “Smile, endure everything, and it will pass.”
The final version, revealed on March 9, 2025, incorporates orchestral drama and Bond-like cinematic elements, enhancing Nina’s vocal performance with bold instrumentation and backing vocals.
Written by Boris Subotić, Darko Dimitrov, and Violeta Mihajlovska Milić, “Dobrodošli” aims for a cathartic, empowering Eurovision moment.
Lyrics of “Dobrodošli” – Montenegro Eurovision 2025 (Montenegrin & English Translation)
Before diving into the lyrics, here’s what you need to know: “Dobrodošli” carries a layered message of hope, survival, and inner strength, resonating beyond language barriers.
Below you’ll find the original Montenegrin lyrics side-by-side with their English translation:
Montenegrin
Budi se noć koja je kriva,
Umorne oči trlja bez stida.
Hoće li doć il’ će da sniva,
Zora rujna rane da vida?
Gdje su sad svi? Iza su medja,
Pletu vijenac od cvijeca.
Nasmij se, izdrži sve, proći će,
Izdrži sve, proći će, nasmij se,
Proći će, nasmij se, izdrži sve,
Nestaće, prestaće. A kada će?
Dobrodošli meni vi,
Na predstavu o ljubavi.
Kako si ti, da li si dobro?
Gdje su sad svi,
čisti pred Bogom?
Ko da su nijemi,
Stoje bez riječi,
Oni što tu su u zlu i u sreći.
Lica su im crvena,
Tugom krpljena, a ko mi je kriv.
Nasmij se, izdrži sve , proći će
Izdrži sve, proćiće, nasmij se,
Proći će, nasmij se, izdrži sve,
Nestaće, prestaće. A kada će?
Dobrodošli meni vi,
U hotel mojih slabosti.
Dobrodošli meni svi,
Na predstavu o ljubavi.
English
Slowly creeps in the night that bears all the blame,
Shamelessly wiping the tired eyes away,
Is the ruddy dawn coming at all,
To put balm on the wounds,
Or is it just dreaming,
Where’s everyone now? They are behind the walls,
Braiding flowery wreaths.
Put a smile on your face, endure it all, it’ll pass
Endure it all, it’ll pass, put a smile on your face
It’ll pass, put a smile on your face, endure it all.
It’ll disappear, it’ll be gone. Yeah, but when?
Welcome, ye all
To this staging of love.
How are you hon, are you alright?
Where’s everyone now, is their conscience clean before God?
They just stand here speechlessly, as if mute,
The same ones that should be here in both good and evil.
Their faces are blushing
Patched up with sadness. Still, nobody’s fault but my own
Put a smile on your face, endure it all, it’ll pass
Endure it all, it’ll pass, put a smile on your face
It’ll pass, put a smile on your face, endure it all.
It’ll disappear, it’ll be gone. Yeah, but when?
Welcome ye all
To the hotel of my weaknesses
Welcome, ye all
To this staging of love.
Montenegro at Eurovision: A Quick Look Back
Since debuting as an independent nation in 2007, Montenegro has reached the Eurovision Grand Final twice: Sergej Ćetković’s “Moj Svijet” (19th in 2014) and Knez’s “Adio” (13th in 2015). Recent years have seen struggles, but “Dobrodošli” brings renewed hopes for 2025.