"Omar's favourite personal driver is his brother Anis"

Omar Naber was born on 7 July 1981 as Omar Kareem, which in Arabic (his father is Jordanian) means 'a friend for every occasion'. Omar is a dental technician but is far more interested in music than in drilling teeth - although, when it comes to girls, he does like a gleaming smile! He plays piano (his mother is a music teacher), guitar and bass piano. And apart from singing, composing, writing lyrics and musical arrangements, he is interested in the music industry as a whole.

At the moment he has ambitions to be a solo artist, but also loves to perform with his group 'Kareem'. The group performs in various clubs and open-air festivals, such as Rock Otocec. Omar says he is a punk rocker at heart. Nevertheless, one of his musical idols was Michael Jackson and his 'Dangerous' album was the first record that Omar bought with his own money.

Omar entered 'The Battle of the Talents' competition that was part of the Sunday evening TV show 'Home Again' after being encouraged by Matjaž Vlašic from the record label Nika Records. (Matjaž also wrote the previous Eurovision song 'Energy' which was performed by Nuša Derenda). And Omar decided that the show would be a good opportunity for him to promote his group.

Compared to the majority of the other contestants, Omar is an experienced performer, but he never thought he would win - at least not at first. Apparently, he was seemed calm when he was told that he had won a competition, with a great rendition of the Robbie Williams's song 'Feel'.

His reaction after winning the Slovenian national competition for the Eurovision Song Contest with his song 'Stop' was more or less the same. Of course, Omar was happy, but he prefers to avoid big emotional outbursts, both on stage and privately! Apart from a professional voice and a good song, Omar is well aware that looks are important. But please don't compare him to Robbie Williams! He doesn't want to be seen as a teenage pin-up alongside other artists. Omar is sure to stay realistic and sincere despite the enormous media attention in Kiev.

Unusually for such a young and enterprising man, Omar hasn't mastered computers and doesn't hold a valid driving licence. Instead, Omar's favourite personal driver (and best friend) is his brother Anis who is four years younger and to whom Omar is very attached.

The Singer

A lively fellow, Omar, who writes a cheesy personal blurb. In fact you have to wish the cheeky scamp well, even though he's a dentist, can't drive, and doesn't do emotional outbursts in private. He's clearly not a bashful fellow and will surely bestride the stage like so many olive skinned balladeers before him. He thinks of himself as a punk rocker and hates to be compared to Robbie Williams. I think John Lydon's position is safe.

The Past

Slovenia are one of those needy nations that may require a solid result soon to re-affirm their desire to stay in the contest. Nusa's Energy in 2001 punched above its weight, but barring this they've been a featherweight contender in the Euro-ring.

The Song
Well my predictions came up with a shocking conclusion on this one, namely that it would romp into the final. This song is an acid test for my prediction machine because my ears tell me that it won't make it.
I have to say that these predictions were made before Omar decided that a rock beat would go really well with the standard ballard composition...I remain to be convinced by this. His voice is good enough to succeed, and at 2mins 40seconds, it's one of the shortest of the contest, which is great news for everyone concerned.

Gestures - 4 He works himself into a revolving frenzy at the end, but before this he's dull as the dishwater he's standing in. The wet ballerinas/rockers at the back just pass muster.
"Wanna" Count - 0

Overall
One on the cusp this. The dentist from Ljubljana may be the performer of the contest. He can seemingly belt out a song of sorts, and providing there's no too much heavy guitar, it could qualify. As another mega-star Omar once said "There's Nothing Like This"...not in the least bit true in this case.

In a Nutshell
"No crown for Omar, and likely extraction from the contest"

"The Shrink Says"

Omar ("Ultimate Devotee" in Arabic) needs to find a closure. A psychological term now twisted by years of mis-use by New Yorkers such as Woody Allen, Closure is in fact a Gestalt principle of perceptual organization that explains how humans fill in visual gaps in order to perceive disconnected parts as a whole object. It does not necessarily mean one last sexual session nor the slashing of your partner's dinner suit.

Omar must define the reasons for his break-up and come to a logical conclusion on the finality of the situation presenting himself. Or just get out more.

Omar "Billy Idol" Naber
Will "Pop Idol" Young

Stop

Na prasen zid naslonim se,
z vso mocjo umirim se,
potrkam in upam, da sploh ne slisis me,
ko vrata odpres, kot da ti vseeno je.

Zakaj se oba pretvarjava,
z njegovim poljubom si ti podpisana.

Daj zvezi mi roke, da se utopim,
v tvojem narocju, lazeh izkrvavim,
vsaj reci mi stop, ko v oci gledam te,
vsaj nocoj!

Daj zvezi mi roke, da se utopim,
v tvojem narocju, lazeh izkrvavim,
vsaj reci mi stop, ko v oci gledam te,
vsaj nocoj brani me!

Ze dolgo skrivas mi,
s poljubi med dlanmi,
in tezkega srca, dvomis v naju dva.

Kot prah obrsi me
pod prsti zrusi vse,
da ne spotaknem se ob upanje!

Daj zvezi mi roke, da se utopim
v tvojem narocju, lazeh izkrvavim
vsaj reci mi stop, ko v oci gledam te,
vsaj nocoj brani me, brani me!

Stop

I lean on a dusty wall
With all my forces, I resist it
I knock and hope that you don't hear me
But you open the door, as if you don't care

Why are we both pretending?
You've been marked by his kiss

Bind my hands and let me drown
In your embrace because of lies I bleed to death
Tell me stop when I look you in the eyes
At least tonight

Bind my hands and let me drown
In your embrace because of lies I bleed to death
Tell me stop when I look you in the eyes
At least tonight protect me

For long you've been hiding with kisses in your hands
With a heavy heart you doubt us
Like dust wipe me off

Destroy everything through your fingers
So I don't stumble because of hope

Bind my hands and let me drown
In your embrace because of lies I bleed to death
Tell me stop when I look you in the eyes
At least tonight protect me

Prediction Semi Final A surprising 4th
Final 13th