Despina Vandi

At 55 years old, Despina Vandi has this physical status:

Despina Vandi (Greek: [espina vani]), born Despina Malea () on July 22, 1969, is a Greek singer who performed in Despina () [Greek: [espina vani] Vandi's family remigrated to Kavala, Greece, when she was six years old, after being born in Tübingen, Germany.

Vandi moved to Athens in the early 1990s and released two albums, Gela Mou (1994) and Esena Perimeno (1996). Deka Endoles (1997), followed by multi-platinum Profities (1999), her third album, becoming one of the most influential artists of the laguno/pop genre, she began a unique partnership with songwriter/producer Phoebus and found commercial success with her third album, Deka Endoles (1997).

In Greece, her single "Ipofero" (1999) became Greece's best-selling single of all time. Vandi and Phoebus joined Minos EMI and released Gia (2001), the first commercial success in Greece and Cyprus, as well as one of the best-selling albums of all time. Vandi also released the album in the region and "Gia," tops the US Billboard Hot Dance Airplay, making her the first Greek artist to top a Billboard chart. She resurfaced with Stin Avli Tou Paradeisou (2004), who was a platinum award-winning producer and became her fourth album to reach six figures. 10 Hronia Mazi, a ten-year anniversary of her Phoebus collaboration, was released in 2007, followed by her eighth studio album C'est La Vie. Allaxa, her first double platinum album since 2005, was released in 2012. She was awarded 2nd platinum sales and had her first double platinum record since 2005.

Vandi has received three Arion Music Awards, ten MAD Video Music Awards, seven Pop Corn Music Awards, and a World Music Award, becoming the first Greek artist to ever win the coveted award in Greece. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry of Greece ranked Vandi as the fourth top-certified Greek female artist in the country's phonographic period (since 1960). Vandi has achieved one million records in Greece as of 2007. Vandi was dubbed the "queen" of Greek music in the aftermath of her fame. She appeared on the Greek version of The Voice of Greece from 2013 to 2015. She was one of the four artists/coaches in Rising Star in 2016.

Personal life

Despite being born in Germany, Vandi's family immigrated from Kavala, Greece, where she and her family moved when she was six years old. As a result, she did not learn German, unlike the majority of her family. She has one older brother and an older sister. She aspired to become an actress or a singer as a child, but she soon realized that she should have more experience as a result, so she continued to study psychology, philosophy, and education at the University of Thessaloniki. Before adopting the "Vandi" moniker, she disguised herself from singing from her parents.

Vandi was married to Demis Nikolaidis, an ex-international soccer player and former president of the United Kingdom, from 2003 to 2021. They have two children: Melina (born February 2004) and Giorgos (born August 2007).

Vandi has been in a friendship with Greek actor Vasilis Bisbikis since 2021.

Vandi was involved in a car accident on Kifissia's Avenue on August 18, 2008. On an oil slick that leaked from a tanker truck, causing the car to crash into the truck ahead of her. She was taken by ambulance to Athens' general hospital after drivers helped her out of the car. Vandi only had a cut in her head and needed stitches.

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Life and career

Vandi's first album, titled Gela Mou (Smile at Me), was released in 1994 under the Minos EMI brand. The album was characterized by self-titled songs "Gela Mou" as well as the song "Den iparhi tipota" and her duet To Adieksodo (No Way Out) by Brazilian singer Giannis Parios, as well as the song "Den iparhi tipota" and her duet To Adibasodo (No Way Out) by the internationally popular and acclaimed singer Giannis Parios. Vassilis Karras wrote both songs.

Vandi's next album, Esena Perimeno, was released in 1996 (You're The One I'm Waiting For). Esena Perimeno, Den Pethainei I Agapi, and Efiges are among the album's singles. The majority of the songs were written by her companion and now musical director Tony Kontaxakis. Although a few of her first songs were not airplayed, her first two albums were nonetheless met with moderate success. The albums have been out of print in a row. According to a Vandi's remark, the album sales ranged from ten to 27 thousand copies.

Vandi's 1997 will be the year she makes her debut in mainstream Greek music, collaborating with renowned songwriter Phoebus. Phoebus wrote the lyrics of Vandi's upcoming album, Deka Entoles (Ten Commandments), which was certified double platinum and sold 100,000 copies in Greece. Vandi's relationship with Phoebus would be one of the most successful in the Greek recording industry for a decade and more (they unveiled their 10-year collaboration with the introduction of 10 Hronia Mazi (10 Years Together)). With a string of hits and appearances, Deka Entoles Vandi quickly became well-known in Greece's music market.

Vandia debuted the platinum cd-single "Spania" in 1998, but later this year, she tried acting. She was invited to appear in "Dio Xeni," a hit television series (Two Strangers). Vandi embraced the role and made her first appearance on television. She was a singer in a small city and was able to change the sexuality of the main gay character. She was able to gain acclaim for her portrayal abilities.

Vandi's next album Profits (Prophecies) was released in 1999 and was rated gold on the day of its introduction and platinum in two days. It eventually became triple platinum, with 150 thousand copies being sold. The songs "Apapa," "To Giatriko," "To Koritsaki sou," and "Sta Dosa Ola" were among the album's most popular songs: "Apapa," "To Giatriko," "To Koritsaki sou" and "Sta Dosa Ola" were two of the album's most popular songs. Vandi performed her first sold-out solo concert at Lycabettus' concert hall later this year, with 7,000 people in attendance.

Despina Vandi produced the single Ipofero (I Suffer) in 2000. Based on sales at the Virgin Megastores, which surpassed 150 thousand copies, the single was certified platinum six times platinum and was named as the most profitable single of all time in Greece. Richard Branson of Virgin in London, England, gave her an honorary award.

Despina Vandi and Phoebus, a 2001 singer and songwriter, joined Heaven Music, a new break-out record label owned by the Antenna Group. Gia (2001), Despina's next album, meaning "Hi" was a double album with 21 new songs. In just 11 days, the album was certified platinum and became one of Greece's best-selling albums of all time. Many of the songs on the album became popular not only in Greece, but also in neighboring countries, including Cyprus, Turkey, and Lebanon. Vandi gave an open free concert in Thessaloniki just over a crowd of more than 60,000 people.

Vandi was named as the World's Best-selling Greek Artist" at the 2002 World Music Awards. It was the first time a Greek artist who lived and worked in Greece that was a winner. Vandi's acceptance address: "I would like to thank my Greek followers around the world." This award goes to all the Greeks who have supported me with their love over the years, and it is because of them that I am here today."

Following Gia's success, Despina released "Ante Gia" (Goodbye) on 2002, with the title track being a remix of "Gia." The single received double platinum status. Gia and "Ante Gia" were then assembled and re-released as "Gia & Ante Gia: Collector's Edition," as well as four previously unreleased remixes.

In 2003, the singers' album "Despina Vandi Live" was released, containing live recordings from the singers' concerts around Greece. The collection featured the best personal hits of her 9-year tenure in Greece (1994–2003), as well as many other artists' songs, spanning a wide range of genres (from rock-entehno to lamo and traditional Greek music). "Fevgoume Kardia mou" and "O, ti Oneirevoun" were also on the album. It was certified platinum and was sold more than 60,000 copies.

In the meantime, Gia having been awarded multi-platinum in Greece and Cyprus, several of the songs have made it into the international market in neighboring countries. She began exploring her potential in a global career in 2003 and started a new one in 2003.

"Gia" (2003), "Opa Opa" (2004), and "Come Along Now" (2005), her first three international singles, followed the world's top charts. After the hits "Gia" and "Come Along Now," she released her first internationally distributed albums. Both "Gia" and "Opa Opa" have charted on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay charts, with Gia debuting at number one on the former for two weeks and "Opa Opa" debuting at number 3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Radio Airplay chart, with Gia's "Gia" and "Opa Opa" at number one. Gia debuted on the top radio stations in the United States, WKTU, KKDL, and WPYM, in addition to the Billboard Charts. In addition, Gia made it to number one in the Club Charts of Music Week in the United Kingdom and became the year's top dance song, including Germany, Austria, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Sweden. All three singles reached No. 102. On the Australian charts, there is a 1 on the top. Gia gave her the award for the best dance artist of the year 2004 in Portugal, and she holds a major concert in Lisbon for her European audience. Other than "Gia" and the album "Opa Opa" debuting in Russia, Turkey, and Australia, no. 1 has appeared on radios, Turkey, and Australia. Despina Vandi appears in four major concerts in New York, Atlantic City, Chicago, and Toronto in the first days of October 2004.

All these concerts was sold out

"Come Along Now" became Russia's second best-selling single and Russia's biggest to-scope radio station, receiving an honorary award in a special concert dedicated to her. Vandi also appeared on the hit international show Top of the Pops, where she performed her song "Gia" while being included in some of the week's top-selling popular music artists.

Among other things, Vandi's work has been remixed by respected global DJs and producers, including Armand Van Helden, Milk & Sugar, Nick Skitz, Roger Sanchez, Roger Sanchez, Junior Vasquez, Pete Tong, Bass Bumpers, Minimal Chic, and Highpass. On BBC Radio 1's dance shows, Gia and Opa Opa have both appeared. Despina appeared live at the Beatstock Festival in New York at the end of August 2004.

Vandi's new studio album, Stin Avli Tou Paradisou, was released at the end of 2004, titled "In The Garden of Paradise." Despite being less successful than Gia, it gained double platinum status in 2005, her fourth album to reach six figure sales.

The album was repackaged as a special edition, and it contained five new songs, including the song "Amane," a duet with Giorgos Mazonakis. Katiana Balanika, a guest on the song's music video, appears alongside Vandi and Mazonakis. In Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, Hungary, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, the album's special edition was released. The album debuted on the Turkish charts at number two, and Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News named Despina Vandi as the Queen of Greek Pop. Vandi appeared with Giorgos Mazonakis at Rex in the winter season 2005-06. Despina appeared in Athens' theater in July 2006, performing many of her hits.

On November 22, 2006, Despina Vandi released the CD single "Kalanta" (Carols) in Greece, gaining double platinum status after two weeks after the CD single's debut. "Kalanta" was released on December 19th, followed by the unveiling of her new hit single, "Mehri Mai Mina" (Till The Month of May). Vandi and Mazonakis teamed up for the winter season 2006-07. On February 18, 2007 she attended the Rex Music Theater for the final time, putting an end to her appearances there for seven years. Vandi did not plan any summer concerts for 2007, and Giorgos gave birth on August 21, 2007.

Vandi's new single "Thelo" (I Want) premiered on ten television and television stations around Greece on October 10th, 2007. (I Want) began simultaneously on ten radio and television stations around Greece at ten o'clock on October 10, 2007. It was her 10-year anniversary of collaborating with Phoebus. For six weeks in a row, the song ranked at the top of Nielsen's Radio Airplay chart for Greece. On November 16, 2007, the second single from the album and the title track "10 Hronia Mazi" (10 Years Together), a rock ballad honoring Phoebus' 10-year collaboration, was released. The album 10 Hronia Mazi was released on December 6, 2007, on three discs with fifteen new songs on it. In the first week, the album received platinum status. Vandi's lowest selling album in over a decade was 30 thousand copies, becoming Vandi's lowest selling album in more than a decade.

Vandi worked with Vasilis Karras at Diogenis Studio during the winter season 2007–08.

Vandi released "Agapi" (Love) on March 6, 2008, the album's third single. The single remained on the MAD TV charts for six weeks, with one week at number one. "Fantasou Apla," the fourth single released on April 24, 2008. (Simply imagine).

Vandi appeared on the gold-certified album Sehnsucht by German electronica act Schiller, which was released in early 2008, and he sang of the song "Destiny," composed by Phoebus. "I Gi Ki I Selini" (Earth and Moon), and she performed the track with Schiller on June 17, 2008 at the MAD Video Music Awards, where she also performed "I Gi Ki I Selini" (Earth and Moon).

The album Deka Hronia Mazi was repackaged with the title 10 Hronia Mazi: It's Destiny, which featured Despina Vandi's Despina Vandi on June 24, 2008. "I Gi Selini" and "Tha Thela" were two new singles; the first was her appearance at the MAD Awards, while the latter was the live broadcast of the song at the Love Radio party on May 12, 2008.

Vandi was a participant of the Global One music project. While attending the project's first official press conference, she attended a recording session in Beijing with Chinese pop star Wei-Wei and Brazilian samba singer Daniela Mercury. The project's aim, led by international recording producer Rob Hoffman, was to have one artist representing their country Global One songs in their native tongue, as well as in the English language, in an attempt to link as many languages and cultures as possible to promote their artistry on a global basis.

Vandi began a world tour in 2008, and on October 10–12, she headlined three sold-out concerts in Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. She appeared in charity concerts in Cyprus later that year, where she was rewarded the platinum award for her album 10 Hronia Mazi in Cyprus, after she had already been given the platinum label for the album's sales in Greece. She appeared on a five-venue tour of the United States and Canada from May 15-24, 2009. She joined Goin' Through for a long tour around Greece following her tour in America.

Vandi made a dramatic comeback on June 16th with the pop-rock song Iparhi Zoi (There's still life). Phoebus produced the song and it was released in the Mad Video Music Awards on June 24th, 2009. Despina performed the first concert in Thessaloniki on the Long Hot Summer Tour on June 29th. The tour attracted 150,000 people after 32 sold-out shows. Vandi set a new record for pre-sale tickets to the Olympia show "In the Olympia pre-selling 3,000 tickets, this tour was the best on record. The tour was also the most fruitful tour of 2009.

Vandi also revealed on November 2nd, 2009, after her songwriter and collaborator Phoebus' departure from Heaven Music, she finally announced that she had chosen to leave Heaven Music and signed in with Phoebus's The Spicy Effect, a music website.

Vandi returned to Greek nightlife on December 11th, appearing at club Politia in Thessaloniki with Goin' Through. Heaven Music released "Despina Vandi – Greatest Hits 2001-2009" on December 12th. Vandi appeared at the Thalassa People's Stage later with the group 48 Ores. On the 15th of April, the display opened on April 15 and continued until July. Vandi debuted on Chart Show, a show broadcast by Alpha TV, where her certifications and sales figures had been accumulated, putting her 4th place among Greek female singers in the phonographic era.

Vandi released "Kortesi Prama" in 2010 exclusively for those who had received VIP invitations from Dromos 89.8 FM radio. On March 22, a lead single from her eighth studio album, "C'Est la vie," was revealed. Phoebus's debut of the pop song was the first to be released by The Spicy Effect brand. "Diogenis Studio" was filming the music video on March 22nd. The song was the first half of a two-part series "Koretzi Prama, Part 2," a two-months later.

Despina Vandi's latest album, C'est La Vie, was released on Real News newspaper on June 13. Following a widespread trend in the Greek music industry, she was the first album to be released alongside a newspaper in an attempt to cope with the disc's declining sales. More than 100,000 copies were sold with the magazine and album. On the other hand, this release pick resulted in the album's first appearance after her early 1990s debuts on the first half of the 1990s. Vandia Sou's latest song "Kommati Ap' Tin Kardia Sou" appeared live at the MAD Video Music Awards on Thursday. The album C'est La Vie's following single was also released on June 7, 2010. The video clip was released on July 5th, 2010 and showed a "rock side" of Vandi, according to the filmmakers. On September 13, 2010, the album's third single, "Erota Theli I Zoi," was released to radio stations. Spicy's YouTube Channel posted the music video, which was shot on the Greek island of Hydra, on October 19, 2010.

In addition, the German band Schiller, who had collaborated with Vandi in the past, recorded a new song starring her as vocals on Sunday and included it in their album Breathless, Schiller's international version of Schiller's album Atemlos. The song was also included on the album C'est La Vie.

Vandi was also the first artist to appear in the MTV Unplugged concert series of MTV Greece's MTV Unplugged. On June 9, a free concert was held in the Teatro Hora in Kypseli. Elli Kokkinou and her sister Ellie Kokkinou followed her on a tour around Greece later this year. Vandi appeared on October 31 in London, after the successful concerts all over Greece. It was also a sold out for Vandi's first time in London. Following the performance, she appeared at VOX, the music festival, and, after five months, the show came to a close on March 6th. Despina Vandi performed "Gi' Alli Mia Fora" on June 14th on Mad Video Music Awards 2011. (For the first time).

Vandi's "Mou 'His Perasi" was released in November 2011 as a preview to Despina's forthcoming album. Gavrilis Mosas wrote the music and Phoebus wrote the lyrics. The video clip, shot in the Messolonghi lagoon area, was also released the same month. Girismata, the song's release, was followed by another digital single from her 9th studio album. Vandi, as well as Elli Kokkinou and Nikos Ikonomopoulos, started at the nightclub FEVER on late 2011 and began dancing with the nightclub FEVER.

Vandi's return to a more lasko style was announced on 2012, marking Vandi's return to a more lavatory market following his poor reception of the C'Est la vie album. Apart from Phoebus, there is also a joint project between Eleni Giannatsoulia, Olga Vlahopoulou, Vangelis Kostantinidis, and Gavrilis Mosas. The album was certified double-platinum sales and re-established Vandi's commercial success, with hits like Mou 'His Perasi, Girismata, To asteri mou, To nisi (its videoclip was shot on the island of Skiathos) and Katalavaino.

Despina has been invited many times to represent Greece in the Eurovision song competition, but she has declined many times. The Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) announced on January 15, 2013 that it had reached an agreement with private music company MAD TV to take on the company and production of a national final to select a song to represent Greece in the competition. Despina Vandi and actor Giorgos Kapoutzidis were chosen to host the function. It was the first time a well-known singer hosted such an event. Vandi and Kapoutzidis hosted the festival "Eurosong 2014: a MAD Show" the following year.

Vandi, Antonis Remos, Melina Aslanidou, and Michalis Kouinelis were among the four artists/coaches in The Voice's Greek version between 2013 and 2014. Maria Elena Kyriakou, the show's first season champion, was on Vandi's staff.

In the meantime, Despina's digital single Hano Esena, produced by Dimitris Kontopoulos, was released on 2013, drawing raves and remaining ten weeks at the top of the airplay chart.

Vandi's new album, 'De Me Stamatises,' debuted in December 2014 (which also includes 10 tracks). It was the first album since 1997, in which none of the songs was written by her long-time producer Phoebus. Rather, she worked with a number of writers, including Dimitris Kontopoulos, Eleni Giannatsoulia, Olga Vlahopoulou, Giorgos Sampanis, Nikos Moratatis, and Vasilis Gavriilidis. They were released right after her return to Heaven Music that three new singles, Kalimera, Ola allazoun, and Kane kati.

Heaven Music's album Afti Ine I Diafora Mas was released in October 2016. Vandi worked with several writers, among them Dimitris Kontopoulos, Thanos Papanikolaou, Nikos Moraitis, Eleni Giannatsoulia, Vasilis Gavriilidis, and Olga Vlahopoulou). 'Mia Anasa Sou', 'O,ti Thes Geniete Tora,' Gia Kaki Mou Tihi', is her eleventh album.

Vandi appeared in the Greek version of the musical theater performance show "Mamma Mia! "Mamma Mia! "Mamma Mia! "Mamma Mia! "Mamma Mia!" says Vandi, in addition to her recordings. Donna is the role of Donna, "I'm playing Donna." Critics and audiences alike applauded Vandi's portrayal as Donna.

"Mamma Mia!"

With a major tour all around Greece in the summer of 2018, the tour continued its success in the summer of 2018. In the span of two years, the show achieved a total of 300 shows and sold more than 100,000 tickets. (2016–18). Vandi continued her musical career in the role of "To Diko Mas Cinema" (2019), directed by the legendary creative team Papathanasiou. The show, as expected, was a huge commercial success, with over 90.000 tickets sold in the summer of 2019. It was the most commercial success of the Greek summer theatre season. She produced the album "To Diko Mou Cinema" (2019), which includes profiles of famous Greek films from the 1960s and 1970s.

"My Greece" was produced and presented by Helen in 2019. Vandi toured a variety of Greek towns and villages showcasing their traditions, culture, local food, and history. "My Greece" is now in its third season.

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