Igor Cukrov is a Croatian singer-songwriter, musician and television personality. He came to media attention as one of sixteen contestants of talents show Operacija trijumf, Balkan version of Endemol's Star Academy. Cukrov represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, alongside Andrea Šušnjara, with the song "Lijepa Tena", written by Tonči Huljić. The song qualified to the final from the second semi-final as the jury's selected qualifier. It eventually finished in the 18th place with 45 points.
Career
Early career
Since early childhood, Cukrov showed interest for music, in 1991. He won the first prize in "Moj prvi nastup" led by Remi Kazinotti. In 1993, he won first prize for first voice of "Pojišan" school, than later third place in category of all schools of Split. In 1994, Cukrov participated in children's version on Split Festival, singing the song "Mali vrabac". In 2003 he won the first prize for the first voice of Šibenik-Knin County. Cukrov performed at the Split Festival, where he was awarded a prize for best debutant and he has also gained experience as a tenor of the a cappella Cambi singers.
''Operacija trijumf''
The Operacija trijumf was the Balkan version of Endemol's talents show Star Academy. It included the young talents from whole former SFR Yugoslavia – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The show began on 29 September 2008. Cukrov showcased his singing abilities through a wide repertory, singing opera songs such as "Con te partirò" of Andrea Bocelli, but also rock songs such as "Angie" of the Rolling Stones and "I Don't Want toMiss a Thing" of Aerosmith. The contestants of the Operacija trijumf, including Cukrov, supported Goran Karan at his concert in Belgrade, singing "Stand by Me". Igor Cukrov was expelled on the 13th gala event, losing in telephone voting to Vukašin Brajić. During the show, there were some rumors that the judge Tonči Huljić is very protective about Cukrov, because he was never nominated, until the twelfth gala; Huljić later stated that expelling Cukrov was an injustice. During the Operacija trijumf, Igor Cukrov performed the following songs:
After the Operacija trijumf, all the contestants expressed the will to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which was held in Moscow. The Croatian OT contestants Cukrov and Ana Bebić immediately qualified for the final event. The song "Lijepa Tena" was written and composed by famous Croatian musician Tonči Huljić. The Croatian final for the Eurovision Song Contest – Dora – was held on 28 February 2008, and Igor Cukrov won with the total of 30 points. The song competed in the second semi-final where it won qualification for the final as the jury's selected pick. It finished in 18th place.
Discography
Albums
2009: Upcoming compilation of Operacija trijumf contestants
