The Spin

Natalia Barbu is one of the most loved singers from Moldova. She has the chance now to be known not only in her country but in the whole Europe representing Moldova at Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki with the song "Fight".

Natalia is slim, red-haired, with slightly slanting eyes and has a beautiful smile. "It is a great happiness for me that my songs are loved. I want this to last forever, because I can't imagine my life without songs", said Natalia in an online interview.

Her mother is the one who gave Natalia the passion for music. Anisoara Barbu is a folk singer that`s why she sings popular folklore songs like "Mugurel". Initially, at her mother insistence, the young singer studied violin. Her passion for music made her to refuse a fantastic offer to become a model in Belgium.

Eurovision Song Contest is not the first competition that Natalia take part at. In 1998 she obtained the first prize at the Music Festival "Mihaela Runceanu" and the trophy of "Maluri de Prut" Festival and "Mamaia" at the interpretation section. In 1999 she took place at "Sleveanski Bezar" from Belarus where she achieved the FIDOF diploma which allowed her to participate at FIDOF contests like San Remo.

Natalia thinks that the competition had always existed "it makes us better. Today spectators can make a choice by themselves whose songs to listen to". And she has a right point of view knowing that for ESC the show matters very much. "Also if you want to receive national recognition you should make video clips. All these require a lot of money and therefore interpreters need sponsors".

Talking about money Natalia admits that the Moldovan singers receive low honorariums like the ones from Russia, for example. She also admit that Moldovans can`t afford to buy property abroad, but their salaries allow them to lead a normal way of life. She doesn't believe in celebrity: "an idol is an ideal person that you want to imitate in everything. I want to be myself; I want to be different from others".

Natalia recently managed to become a star in Romania as well as Moldova . Her song "Ingerul meu" (My angel), an impressive balad, is for 11 weeks in Romanian Top 100, and is considered by her Record Label one of the most important achievements of the year.
Natalia Barbu was selected by a jury composed of four music industry professionals and four members of the general public to reflect both the Moldovan music industry and the musical tastes of the country. The jury was supervised by a chairman, who did not vote. Because only three songs were carried forward to the final selection round, each jury member awarded 8, 10 and 12 points to the three songs. Natalia received top marks from 7 of the 8 jury members! The final result was as follows:

1. 94 points Natalia Barbu - Fight (Brasoveanu/Buga)
2. 76 points Zdob si Zdub - Space Cowboys (Ghincu/Iagupov, Jaro)
3. 70 points Olia Tira - Your place or mine? (Taranu/Taranu)

The result will come as a surprise to many, who expected Moldova's first Eurovision Song Contest entrant, Zdob si Zdub to be selected for a second time. However, Moldova has gone to great lengths in recent weeks to ensure that they will participate in Helsinki with the best possible chance of success, having only decided to participate on the final day of submissions for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest.