Natalia Barbu wins Moldova's Etapa Națională 2024 with "In the Middle"
A new artist and song have been selected for Eurovision 2024. It's Natalia Barbu and "In the Middle" that will represent Moldova in Malmö after winning Etapa Națională
The 11 finalists of Moldova's Etapa Națională performed live tonight hoping to convince both the jury and the public that they had what it takes to represent the country at Eurovision 2024.
Once all the votes were in, Natalia Barbu was declared as the winner with the song "In the Middle" as the jury vote was prioritized.
"In the Middle" was written by Khris Richards and Natalia Barbu.
Etapa Națională 2024
Held in TRM's studios in Chișinău, Etapa Națională was the chosen format to select Moldova's Eurovision entry for a second year in a row. From 30 initial songs, only 11 made it through tonight's final.
TV hosts Ion Jalbă and Doina Stimpovschii conducted the three-hour show. Daniela Postica also served as a host as she interviewed audience members.
As stated above, the decision was split between the televote, who could vote free of charge, and the jury vote. Etapa Națională's jury panel featured five people:
- Elena Stegari (head of broadcasting at TRM);
- Andrei Zapșa (deputy general manager for development at TRM);
- Aliona Moon (Moldova 2013);
- Paul Gămurari (President of the Union of Composers of Moldova);
- Liviu Știrbu (composer).
Romanian rock band Holograf performed as the interval act.
Natalia Barbu
Natalia Barbu, 44, is a Moldovan singer, songwriter and violinist.
She was born in the city of Bălți in a musical family. At a very young age, she began learning how to play violin. Later, she'd graduate from the State Conservatory with a major in violin.
Natalia first touched fame in 1998 when she won a competition, but it wasn't until 2006 that she signed with Cat Music records and released the single "Îngerul meu," which topped the charts for 11 weeks.
She was eventually selected to represent Moldova in Eurovision 2007 with her song "Fight," qualifying for the Grand Final.
Since her breakthrough, Natalia Barbu has released four studio albums and 20 singles.
Moldova in Eurovision
Moldova has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since their debut in 2005.
Their best result was in 2017, when Sunstroke Project finished 3rd with the hit Hey Mamma.
Out of the 18 times we've seen Moldova in Eurovision, they've managed to qualify for 13 Grand Finals.
