Biography
Who is Iolanda?
Early life and education
Born in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, Iolanda eventually moved to Pombal as a child. Her interest in music appeared early, prompting her parents to enroll her in music studies at Tecnimúsica in Pombal. She continued her formal training later at the Conservatory in Coimbra.
At seventeen, she relocated to Lisbon to pursue higher education. She earned a degree in Communication Sciences from ISCSP. Simultaneously, she studied Jazz Vocals at the Escola de Jazz Luís Villas Boas, also known as the Hot Club de Portugal. Seeking further development, she later attended BIMM University in London to focus on songwriting.
Early television appearances
Her public music career began at age fourteen when she joined the first season of the talent show Uma canção para ti. Broadcast by TVI in December 2008, she competed but faced elimination during the second gala, missing the final round. Four years later, she attempted to advance in the fifth season of the television program Ídolos on SIC, but she did not progress to the live performances.
In 2014, she auditioned for the second season of The Voice Portugal on RTP1. During the blind auditions, she performed Who You Are by Jessie J, though she did not secure a spot with any of the four mentors.
Career milestones and Eurovision
By 2022, Iolanda shifted toward composition, co-writing the track Mar no fim for the Festival da Canção. This song was performed by Blacci. She released her debut EP, titled Cura, in 2023, which she composed during the global pandemic.
In 2024, she competed in the Festival da Canção with the song Grito. She qualified for the final on 24 February 2024 and won the competition, earning the right to represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. During the Eurovision event, she successfully qualified from the first semi-final in eighth place. In the grand final, she secured tenth place out of twenty-six competitors, earning 152 total points from the juries and the public vote.
Advocacy and recent work
In March 2024, she joined other musicians in signing an open statement regarding the situation in Gaza, advocating for a lasting ceasefire and the safe return of hostages. She continued her musical activities into 2026, participating in the Amor ao Centro benefit concert held on 11 February. This event featured several Portuguese artists performing to provide support for victims affected by Storm Kristin.
Birthday and age
Iolanda was born on November 4, 1994, which makes Iolanda 32 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Iolanda shares the date with 26 other famous people.
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