Sara Jovanović

Sara Jovanović
Background information
Birth name	Sara Jovanović
Also known as	Sara Jo
Born	29 October 1993 Rome, Italy
Origin	Belgrade, Serbia
Genres	Pop, dance, dance-pop, R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer, dancer, television personality, fashion designer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Prva Records
Associated acts	Moje 3, Mirna Radulović, Nevena Božović, MCN, Marko Mandić

Sara Jovanović (Serbian: Сара Јовановић; born 29 October 1993), also known as Sara Jo, is an Italian-born Serbian singer. She rose to national media prominence as a contestant on the second season of Prvi glas Srbije, a Serbian talent show similar to The Voice. As a part of the girl group Moje 3, along with Nevena Božović and Mirna Radulović, Jovanović represented Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Ljubav je svuda", but failed to qualify for the final.

Career

Early life and career beginnings

Sara Jovanović was born on 29 October 1993 in Rome, Italy, to Serbian parents Saša and Jasna, and was raised bilingually in Serbian and Italian. Her family moved back to Belgrade, Serbia, when she was fifteen years old.^[1] Jovanović cites Britney Spears, Jessie J, Rihanna, Ciara, Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera as her strongest musical influences.^[2] She also trained in classical ballet, modern ballet and hip-hop dance.^[3]

In early 2011, Jovanović posted her cover versions of various songs, such as "Halo" by Beyoncé Knowles and "Hold It Against Me" by Britney Spears, on her official YouTube channel in order to take part in a musical contest organized by Serbian magazine Story.^[4] She subsequently won the competition^[5][6] and, as a reward, recorded her debut single "Zauvek" (English: Forever).^[7] Jovanović promoted the song on Veče sa Ivanom Ivanovićem (An Evening with Ivan Ivanović), a popular Serbian talk show.^[8]

In 2012, Jovanović was featured in four songs released by rapper MCN from his self-titled debut album, "Ona" (She), "Momenat" (Moment), "Ti i ja" (You And I) and "Neka ti lice prekrije smeh" (Let a Smile Cover Your Face). The official music video for "Ti i ja" was released on 23 August 2013 on YouTube.^[9]

Prvi glas Srbije and Eurovision Song Contest: 2012–13

Jovanović became known to wider audience in Serbia as the contestant and the second runner-up of the second season of Prvi glas Srbije, a Serbian music talent show similar to The Voice. She successfully went through the audition and the battle phase to progress to the live performances. During her participation in Prvi glas Srbije, Jovanović became well known for her fierce performances and dance routines.^[10][11] She was nominated for elimination once, in the semifinal episode on 12 January 2013, but was saved by the judges and progressed to the final,^[12] where she placed the third.^[13]

Jovanović performed live the following songs:

• Jessie J — "Domino"^[14]
• Amy Winehouse — "Valerie"^[15]
• Lady Gaga — "Poker Face"^[16]
• Ceca — "Beograd"^[17]
• Leona Lewis — "Run"^[18]
• Rihanna — "S&M"^[19]
• Tijana Bogićević — "Tražim"^[20]
• Michael Sembello — "Maniac" / Tanja Bošković — "Tango smrti"^[21]
• Aleksandra Kovač — "Da te volim" / Britney Spears — "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"^[22]
• Madonna — "Like a Prayer" / Aleksandra Radović — "Čuvaj moje srce" / Marija Šerifović — "Ne voliš je, znam"^[12]
• Beyoncé — "End of Time" / Zemlja gruva — "Najlepše želje" / Eurythmics — "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"^[13]

Moje 3 performing at the first dress rehearsal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. Left to right: Mirna Radulović, Nevena Božović and Sara Jovanović.

On 31 January 2013, Jovanović and her Prvi glas Srbije colleagues Nevena Božović and Mirna Radulović participated in charity cooking at the Drinka Pavlović Orphanage in Belgrade.^[23] The following day, Jovanović and other finalists of the second season of Prvi glas Srbije held a concert in Podgorica, Montenegro, in front of several thousand people.^[24] Later in February, Jovanović appeared on the cover the Serbian edition of Cosmopolitan.^[25]

In February 2013, it was announced that Jovanović, Nevena Božović and Mirna Radulović would take part in Beosong 2013, Serbian national election for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, under the name of Moje 3 with the song "Ljubav je svuda" (Love Is Everywhere); their song was written by Saša Milošević Mare, who was part of the songwriting duo that wrote "Molitva", the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007.^[26][27] Radulović, Božović and Jovanović explained that they would not be forming a band and that they would perform as a trio only for Beosong.^[28] Eventually, Moje 3 convincingly won Beosong, receiving 10,994 votes in the semifinal^[29] and 25,959 votes in the final.^[30][31] It was subsequently announced that Moje 3 would perform the last in the first semifinal event, which would be held on 14 May 2013 at Malmö Arena.^[32]

Moje 3 went on to perform at the Eurovision In Concert in Amsterdam on 13 April 2013^[33] and release several different versions of "Ljubav je svuda" in both Serbian and English to promote the song.^[34][35] Moje 3 performed at the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 that was held on 14 May 2013 and failed to qualify for the final, placing 11th in the semi-final and scoring 46 points.^[36][37] The girls subsequently won the Barbara Dex Award, a humorous award given to the worst dressed artist each year in the contest.^[38]

Shortly after the Eurovision Song Contest, Moje 3 announced their disbandment as the members continued working on their solo careers.^[39]

Recent solo career: 2013–present

In June 2013, Jovanović and her friend Marko Mandić released a duet song "Ujutru" (In the Morning).^[40] A month later, in July, Jovanović made her debut as a fashion designer when she released her collection of shirts, Sara Jo by Philosophy, through Serbian fashion brand Philosophy.^[41]

From September to December 2013, Jovanović was a participant in Tvoje lice zvuči poznato, a Serbian version of Your Face Sounds Familiar,^[42] in which she finished as the runner-up. During the show, she impersonated the following artists and their songs:

• Rihanna — "We Found Love"
• Oliver Mandić — "Ljuljaj me nežno"
• Milan Stanković — "Ovo je Balkan"
• Britney Spears — "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" / "Oops!... I Did It Again"
• Aleksandra Radović — "Kao so u moru"
• Miley Cyrus — "We Can't Stop" / "Blurred Lines" with Wikluh Sky as Robin Thicke
• Bebi Dol — "Brazil"
• Shakira — "Loca" / "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"
• Liza Minnelli — "Money" with Tamara Dragičević as Joel Grey
• Katy Perry — "Unconditionally"
• Olivera Katarina — "Alaj mi je večeras po volji"
• Leona Lewis — "Bleeding Love"

In the meantime, Jovanović, along with Tropico Band, Dženan Lončarević and Andrej Ilić, recorded the charity single "Molio sam anđele" (I Prayed to the Angels).^[43] In early 2014, she became a spokesperson for Rosal, a line of lip balms.^[44] On 19 June 2014, Jovanović released her first solo single since her participation in Prvi glas Srbije, "Ko je ovde ko" (Who Is Who Here).^[45] She also covered Boban Rajović's song "Provokacija" (Provocation) for the film Mali Budo (Little Budo).^[46] In December, Jovanović released her newest single, "Mahovina" (Moss).^[47]

Personal life

Jovanović studies Italian language at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology.^[10] From July 2013 to early 2014, she dated Serbian volleyball player Aleksandar Atanasijević.^[48][49]

Discography

Singles

As a leading artist

Title	Year	Album	Notes
"Zauvek"	2011	N/A
"Molio sam anđele" (with Tropico Band, Dženan Lončarević and Andrej Ilić)	2013	Non-album single	Charity single
"Ko je ovde ko"	2014	TBA
"Mahovina"

As a featured artist

Title	Year	Album	Notes
"Ujutru" (Marko Mandić feat. Sara Jovanović)	2013	N/A
"Ti i ja" (MCN feat. Sara Jo)		Ćelija 44

Other appearances

Title	Year	Album	Notes
"Ona" (MCN feat. Sara Jo)	2012	Ćelija 44
"Momenat" (MCN feat. Sara Jo)
"Neka ti lice prekrije smeh" (MCN feat. Sara Jo)
"Ljubav je svuda"	2013	Moje 3	As a member of Moje 3
"Provokacija"	2014	N/A	From the film Little Budo

See also

• Moje 3
• Prvi glas Srbije (series 2)
• Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013
• Tvoje lice zvuči poznato (season 1)

References

1. Krutenjuk, O. (7 December 2012). ""Blic" sa porodicama takmičara "Prvog glasa": Zaplačemo dok ih gledamo". Blic (in Serbian). Retrieved 31 July 2013.
2. "Sara Jovanović". Prvi glas Srbije (in Serbian). Retrieved 31 July 2013.
3. Marković, Moni (8 May 2011). "Sara Jovanović: Sigurno koračam ka uspehu". Story (in Serbian). Retrieved 31 July 2013.
4. "Bila je slavna i pre šoua: Takmičarka "Prvog glasa" senzacija na internetu". S Media. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
5. "Pogledajte pobednički nastup Story Zvezde Sare Jovanović". Story (in Serbian). 18 April 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
6. "Proglašeni dobitnici Story Awards 2011.". Story (in Serbian). 18 April 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
7. "Story zvezda Sara Jovanović premijerno izvela pesmu Zauvek". Story (in Serbian). 28 September 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
8. "Story zvezda Sara Jovanović u gostima kod Ivana Ivanovića" (in Serbian). 13 October 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
9. "Creative Mind Videos". Facebook (in Serbian). 23 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
10. "Мoje 3". Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 17 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
11. "Moje 3 – Ljubav je svuda (Serbia)". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
12. "Prvi glas Srbije — 21. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 12 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
13. "Prvi glas Srbije — superfinale". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 20 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
14. "Prvi glas Srbije — vikend dueli". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 10 November 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
15. "Prvi glas Srbije — 13. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 17 November 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
16. "Prvi glas Srbije — 14. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 24 November 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
17. "Prvi glas Srbije — 15. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 1 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
18. "Prvi glas Srbije — 16. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 8 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
19. "Prvi glas Srbije — 17. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 15 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
20. "Prvi glas Srbije — 18. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 22 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
21. "Prvi glas Srbije — 19. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 29 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
22. "Prvi glas Srbije — 20. epizoda". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 5 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
23. "Finalistkinje PGS kuvale za decu bez roditelja". Tračara.com (in Serbian). 1 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
24. "Finalisti Prvog glasa Srbije okupili nekoliko hiljada fanova u Podgorici". Scandal (in Serbian). 2 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
25. "Sara Jovanović: Nova energija na domaćoj sceni". Cosmopolitan (in Serbian). January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
26. "Prvi glas Srbije 2. sezona". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). Retrieved 31 July 2013.
27. Списак извођача и аутора на "Беосонгу 2013". Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 6 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
28. "Finalistkinje "Prvog Glasa Srbije" neće oformiti bend: Zajedno samo na "Beosongu"". Scandal (in Serbian). 25 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
29. p. 1. "Polufinale Beosonga – rezultati" Check |url= value (help) (PDF). Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 3 March 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
30. "Finale Beosonga – rezultati" (PDF). Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 3 March 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
31. "Moje 3 to represent Serbia!". Eurovision Song Contest. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
32. "Semi-Final running order revealed". Eurovision Song Contest. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
33. Мирна, Сара и Невена путују у Амстердам. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 5 April 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
34. Нема одмора за "Моје 3". Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 17 March 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
35. Нове верзије евровизијске песме Србије. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 27 April 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
36. Leon, Jakov (14 May 2013). "We have our first ten finalists!". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
37. "Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Semi-Final (1)". Eurovision Song Contest. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
38. Roxburgh, Gordon (26 May 2013). "Moje 3 wins the Barbara Dex Award". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
39. "Moje 3 split up after Eurovision". Oikotimes. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
40. Leon, Jakov (July 2012). "Moje 3 – busier than ever!". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
41. "Da li nosiš majicu Sara Jo?". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 2 July 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
42. "Tvoje lice zvuči poznato". Prva Srpska Televizija (in Serbian). 21 October 2013.
43. M.V., M. (26 November 2013). "Poznati snimili pesmu u dobrotvorne svrhe". Blic (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 February 2014.
44. "Sara Jovanović ambasadorka novih ROSAL Lip Balmova". Tračara (in Serbian). 10 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
45. "Ko je ovde ko - Single by Sara Jo". iTunes. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
46. "Sara Jovanović prepevala Bobana Rajovića u r'n'b verziji". Tračara.com (in Serbian). 26 September 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
47. Nikolić, Ivana. "Sara Jovanović u društvu kolega i prijatelja promovisala pesmu „Mahovina“". Hello (in Serbian).
48. "Sara Jovanović u ljubavi sa odbojkašem: Srećna sam sa Aleksandrom". Blic (in Serbian). 26 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
49. "Sara Jovanović: Potvrdila raskid sa Aleksandrom Atanasijevićem". Hello (in Serbian). 23 May 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.

External links

• Sara Jovanović on Twitter
• Sara Jovanović on YouTube
• Sara Jovanović on iTunes