- Source: Aiko (Czech singer)
Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova (Russian: Алёна Ширманова-Костебелова, pronounced [ɐˈlʲɵ.nə ʂɨrˈma.nə.və kə.stʲɪˈbʲe.lə.və]; born 26 December 1999), known by her stage name Aiko, is a Russian-Czech singer and songwriter based in Brighton, England. She represented the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Pedestal".
Early life
Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova was born in Moscow, Russia. At the age of 5, she moved with her family to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.
Career
In 2015, Shirmanova participated in season 4 of the reality talent show Česko Slovenská SuperStar. She then moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a musical career, first settling in London and later in Brighton. Under the stage name Aiko, she released her debut self-titled album in 2018, followed by Expiration Date in 2020, when she released her first single "Hunt". Her stage name originates from a combination of her love for Japanese culture and her childhood nickname 'Ajka'.
She was the first Czech artist to feature on the Times Square screens and the first Czech female to take part in the Spotify Equal Campaign. She performed at the Rock for People, ESNS, Metronome Prague, The Great Escape, Grape, Nouvelle Prague, Sziget and Waves Vienna festivals, as well as following Alice Merton, Black Honey, Lauren Ruth Ward and Tamino in some of their tours as a supporting artist. Some of her songs were included in the TV shows Teen Mom and Love Island.
Aiko released her third album Fortune's Child on 13 October 2023. On 28 November 2023, she was announced as one of the contestants of the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, competing with the song "Pedestal". On 13 December, it was revealed that she had won the selection. At the event, she failed to qualify from the second semi-final, placing 11th out of 16 with 38 points.
Personal Life
Aiko is currently in a relationship with Spanish drummer Kat Almagro, who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 for San Marino as a member of Megara.
Discography
= Studio albums
== Extended plays
== Singles
=As lead artist
As featured artist
References
External links
Official website
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Lana Del Rey
- Aiko (Czech singer)
- Aiko
- Pedestal (Aiko song)
- Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024
- Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest
- Alena
- Karlovy Vary
- List of singer-songwriters
- Iko Iko
- Teya (singer)
