Blanka (Polish singer)
Blanka Stajkow, known mononymously as Blanka, is a Polish singer and model. She represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Solo", finishing in 19th place.
Life and career
Early life
Stajkow was born in Szczecin to Polish mother who is a former model and Bulgarian father who is a businessman. According to Stajkow, neither of her parents have a musical background. From an early age, she was encouraged by her mother to partake in various activities, including joining disco dance groups and attending music schools. She also said that in the mornings her mother would turn on either MTV or Trace Urban, which inspired her to pursue a career in the music industry.At age 13, she produced and released her first song, "Strong Enough".
''Top Model'' and Warner Music Poland (2021–2022)
In 2021, Stajkow participated in season 10 of the Polish reality television show Top Model, Poland's version of America's Next Top Model. While on the show, she released her first official single, "Better". The following year, she signed with Warner Music Poland, and released her second single, "Solo". She also appeared in the music video for the song "Pijemy za lepszy czas" by Smolasty, whom she dated at the time.Eurovision Song Contest (2023)
On 15 February 2023, Blanka was announced as one of ten competitors of Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję, the Polish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with "Solo". She won the contest, receiving maximum points from the jury and coming second in public voting. As a result, she became Poland's entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Her victory in Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję sparked controversy in Poland due to alleged rigged votes and corruption within the jury panel for the national selection.At Eurovision, Blanka performed in the second semi final, placing third and advancing to the grand final. In the final, she finished 19th with 93 points. "Solo" charted across Europe, and was certified Diamond in Poland.
Post-Eurovision (2023–present)
Following her participation in Eurovision, Blanka released the singles: "Boys Like Toys" and "Rodeo" in 2023, and "Cara mia", "If U Want Me" and "Asereje " in 2024. "Rodeo" reached number four in the Polish charts, while "Boys Like Toys", "Caria mia" and "If U Want Me" charted in the country's top 20. "Asereje " was featured in season three of the HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls. In February 2024, Blanka appeared in the music video for the Kolors's song "Un ragazzo una ragazza". In April 2024, she served as the opening act for the Polish date of Jason Derulo's worldwide Nu King World Tour.In 2025, Blanka was a contestant on season 29 of the Polish version of the dancing show Dancing with the Stars. Together with her dancing partner Mieszko Masłowski, she finished fifth. In 2026, she will debut as a coach on the ninth season of The Voice Kids alongside Cleo and Tribbs.