Lisa Jayne Porter (née Large; 22 December 1987), better known by the stage name Lisa Andreas (Greek: Λίζα Αντρέας), is an English-Cypriot singer, dancer and artist, best known for representing Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Stronger Every Minute".
Lisa Andreas | |
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Lisa Andreas during a rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul | |
Born | Lisa Large 22 December 1987 |
Occupation | Singer |
Musical career | |
Origin | Kent, England |
Instrument | Vocals |
Early life
editAndreas was born in England to a British father and Greek Cypriot mother. She was christened in Cyprus, where she lived for two-and-a-half years, before moving with her family to Gillingham.[1][2]
She attended Chatham Grammar School for Girls.[3] She graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a bachelor's degree in Voice and Musical Theatre.[4][5]
Career
editAt the age of 13, Andreas began performing as a solo artist, singing mainly in pubs and karaoke competitions; winning one held at The Strand in Gillingham, Kent.[3][6]
On 26 January 2004 it was announced that Andreas had been selected to compete in the Cypriot national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Stronger Every Minute".[7] She later went on to win the competition with 96 points, earning her the right to represent the country at the contest.[8] Following her selection, the song, which featured one line in Greek, was reworked to be performed entirely in the English language.[9] In Istanbul, she performed 14th during the semi-final and qualified for the grand final, where she later placed 5th overall with a total of 170 points.[10][11]
Following her participation, Andreas joined a female hip-hop dance troupe, performing at the London Palladium and Her Majesty's Theatre. She later worked as a teacher at a dance school.[12]
In 2007, she participated in the fourth series of The X Factor, where she advanced to the second round.[13]
Personal life
editIn 2014, she moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she currently resides with her family.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ Bakker, Sietse (5 April 2004). "An interview with Lisa Andreas!". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Kent girl is Cyprus Eurovision star". BBC News. 22 February 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Top five for Kent Eurovision girl". BBC News. 16 May 2004. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ a b Argyriou, Giannis (29 June 2021). "Lisa Andreas: "Never Say Never" to a Eurovision comeback for Cyprus!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Meet Lisa Jayne Porter | Artist, Singer, Dancer, Actor, Writer". Shoutout Arizona. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Delaney, Sean (16 May 2020). "Eurovision 2020: Kent's winners, flops and other odd entries at Europe's greatest song contest including Bucks Fizz and Blue". Kent Online. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Christodoulides, Louis (26 January 2004). "Cyprus announces national final candidates". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Barak, Itamar (17 February 2004). "Lisa Andreas will represent Cyprus in Turkey". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (6 May 2004). "Lisa: "Politics shouldn't be involved"". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Semi-Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Grand Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Lisa Andreas (Cyprus 2004) speaks to ogaespain.com". OGAE Spain (in Spanish). 13 July 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Yazıcıtunc, Gunec Gulun (6 January 2021). "Eurovision 2004: Cyprus' Lisa Andreas in focus". EuroVisionary. Retrieved 14 April 2024.