Tinka Milinovic
Encyclopedia
Tinka Milinović is a Bosnian television star and personality, opera singer, recording artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, actress and model who has appeared on the covers of numerous magazines in Europe. Her current platform TheTinkaShow.com provides a commentary of Milinović's view on love, lifestyle and relationships. She has a reality show in development that helps enhance public understanding of issues related to the empowerment of women.
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
to Bosnian Croat and Bosnian Serb parents, at the time when the country was still Yugoslavia. She was raised by her mother Janja, father Drago-Ivan, and an older brother, Dren. Among many other activities as a child, she attended a school of music, playing flute. At age 16, she was chosen for the American foreign exchange student program, and in 1991 she moved to the United States
and attended Rapides High School in rural Louisiana. Soon after landing in the US, war broke out in her homeland, and when it reached Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, she was cut off from her family. At age 17 she was alone and with diminished family support, financially destitute, and stranded in the rural countryside of Louisiana. With only a student visa in hand, she was ineligible to work or to obtain student loans. For a number of years, she had no money and counted on the charity of friends to survive.
to study Vocal Performance/Opera with Dr. Loryn E. Frey. She graduated with Cum Laude honors with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1996, despite having no money to pay for college and the hardship of having to survive on as little as two dollars a day.
In 1998, Milinović received a Master of Music
degree in Opera/Vocal Performance from University of Louisiana at Lafayette
where she held a full graduate teaching assistant position in the School of Music. Milinović graduated at the top of her class, both as a scholar and a performer.
Starting at age 18, without the assistance of professional legal counsel, Milinović represented herself before the U.S. immigration system and became a U.S. citizen, a process that took Milinović several years.
Milinović performed roles in different operas both in the United States and Sarajevo, as well as musicals, recitals, and opera scenes. Additionally while a scholar in Louisiana, she further trained her voice with the Metropolitan Opera
primadonna Martina Arroyo
from New York. Apart from these stage roles, Milinović also held solo concerts and has collaborated with Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Sarajevo Philharmonics.
in Tallinn, Estonia, as a back-vocalist and dancer to a Bosnia-Herzegovina representative that year where she expanded her fan base to international circles.
After competing in several Eurovision Song contests with songs "I’m Never Gonna Fall" (2003), and “Sometimes I Wish I Were a Child Again” (2005), which was written by ESC most-rewarded composer Ralph Siegel from Germany and brought her 1st place tie, Milinović added pop star to her resume, further cementing her place in pop culture. In 2006, Milinović went on to represent Switzerland at Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, Greece, with the song "If We All Give A Little" as a member of the group Six4One gathered by Schweizer Fernsehen. Their album "If We All Give A Little" was released on five continents.
Her solo pop album T.I.N.K.A was released soon afterwards and was nominated in all 6 categories for Bosnian Music Awards 2007: Pop Album, Pop Song, Pop Video, Pop Artist of the Year, The Best New Artist, and the Best Female Performance.
Her foray into Jazz music took her on tour throughout Europe and abroad. Milinović traveled to the Middle East where she hosted a number of television shows.
Presently residing in West Hollywood, New York City, and Europe, Milinović is working on her The Tinka Show targeting the US audience and international television markets. Milinović's forthcoming book aims to give a glimpse into the international celebrity lifestyle. She is developing a reality show based on her life story, with all the battles and betrayals, thrills and chills, hardships and triumphs, and how she handles it all with her signature joie de vivre.
Milinović has commented on her perspective on life. "My life is a tapestry of interesting episodes and decisions, some good, some not so good. But it's all been worth it," says Milinović. "I've seen things, I've experienced things, I made it to the top by throwing myself into the unknown and not being afraid to experience what life has to offer. Now I have a lot to share and inspire others."
Milinović has returned to the US to further her American market commercial interests, tell her story and find a forum in which to share her story, and to empower women on their journey to discover themselves and follow their heart's desire.
Early life
Milinović was born in SarajevoSarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
to Bosnian Croat and Bosnian Serb parents, at the time when the country was still Yugoslavia. She was raised by her mother Janja, father Drago-Ivan, and an older brother, Dren. Among many other activities as a child, she attended a school of music, playing flute. At age 16, she was chosen for the American foreign exchange student program, and in 1991 she moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and attended Rapides High School in rural Louisiana. Soon after landing in the US, war broke out in her homeland, and when it reached Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, she was cut off from her family. At age 17 she was alone and with diminished family support, financially destitute, and stranded in the rural countryside of Louisiana. With only a student visa in hand, she was ineligible to work or to obtain student loans. For a number of years, she had no money and counted on the charity of friends to survive.
Education and Classical music
In 1992, after a series of college music auditions that granted her acceptance and partial music and academic scholarships, Milinović entered Louisiana CollegeLouisiana College
Louisiana College is a private institution of higher education located in Pineville, Louisiana, affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention, serving a student body of approximately 1,300 students. The college operates on a semester system, with two shorter summer terms...
to study Vocal Performance/Opera with Dr. Loryn E. Frey. She graduated with Cum Laude honors with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1996, despite having no money to pay for college and the hardship of having to survive on as little as two dollars a day.
In 1998, Milinović received a Master of Music
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
degree in Opera/Vocal Performance from University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
where she held a full graduate teaching assistant position in the School of Music. Milinović graduated at the top of her class, both as a scholar and a performer.
Starting at age 18, without the assistance of professional legal counsel, Milinović represented herself before the U.S. immigration system and became a U.S. citizen, a process that took Milinović several years.
Milinović performed roles in different operas both in the United States and Sarajevo, as well as musicals, recitals, and opera scenes. Additionally while a scholar in Louisiana, she further trained her voice with the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
primadonna Martina Arroyo
Martina Arroyo
Martina Arroyo is an operatic soprano of Puerto Rican and African-American descent who had a major international opera career during the 1960s through the 1980s...
from New York. Apart from these stage roles, Milinović also held solo concerts and has collaborated with Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Sarajevo Philharmonics.
Music career
Milinović's music career was chronicled in a stream of magazine covers and TV appearances in Europe, after she competed at the Bosnia-Herzegovina Eurovision Song Contest national final with song "Sve sto imas ti" (2002). Although not winning in 2002, Milinović's profile increased and resulted in her receiving offers to host her own TV and radio shows, as well as a lead role in Sarajevo Opera. Milinović further went on to Eurovision Song Contest 2002Eurovision Song Contest 2002
The Eurovision Song Contest 2002 was the 47th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place on 25 May 2002 at the Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in Tallinn, Estonia, as a back-vocalist and dancer to a Bosnia-Herzegovina representative that year where she expanded her fan base to international circles.
After competing in several Eurovision Song contests with songs "I’m Never Gonna Fall" (2003), and “Sometimes I Wish I Were a Child Again” (2005), which was written by ESC most-rewarded composer Ralph Siegel from Germany and brought her 1st place tie, Milinović added pop star to her resume, further cementing her place in pop culture. In 2006, Milinović went on to represent Switzerland at Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, Greece, with the song "If We All Give A Little" as a member of the group Six4One gathered by Schweizer Fernsehen. Their album "If We All Give A Little" was released on five continents.
Her solo pop album T.I.N.K.A was released soon afterwards and was nominated in all 6 categories for Bosnian Music Awards 2007: Pop Album, Pop Song, Pop Video, Pop Artist of the Year, The Best New Artist, and the Best Female Performance.
Her foray into Jazz music took her on tour throughout Europe and abroad. Milinović traveled to the Middle East where she hosted a number of television shows.
Television
Milinović's television career started overnight after TV producers saw her Eurovision 2002 performance and offered her to host TV Bingo Show on Federal Television (FTV) of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bingo Show opened to rave reviews and became the highest rated television show, airing live in prime time every Friday evening, which prompted Tinka to become a household name. Milinović hosted it for 6 seasons, which resulted in hosting over 550 live primetime TV shows. During this time, Milinović also hosted TV show Summer with FTV also airing live on FTV, and she was a television host for Knotika TV, Dubai, UAE.Radio
For two years, Milinović hosted her own radio show Tinka Show-No Offense on the national radio station of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH Radio 1). The station's director offered Milinović the deal she could not resist: Make a radio show that will embody everything Tinka is. The show successfully ran on Tuesdays evenings and was heard all over Europe and the internet. It was particularly popular among women due to Milinović's broadening women's perspectives, surpassing the limits, and breaking the molds of society.Personal life
Milinović was rumoured to be the reason why French President Sarkozy is separating from his wife sparking a European tabloid frenzy.Presently residing in West Hollywood, New York City, and Europe, Milinović is working on her The Tinka Show targeting the US audience and international television markets. Milinović's forthcoming book aims to give a glimpse into the international celebrity lifestyle. She is developing a reality show based on her life story, with all the battles and betrayals, thrills and chills, hardships and triumphs, and how she handles it all with her signature joie de vivre.
Milinović has commented on her perspective on life. "My life is a tapestry of interesting episodes and decisions, some good, some not so good. But it's all been worth it," says Milinović. "I've seen things, I've experienced things, I made it to the top by throwing myself into the unknown and not being afraid to experience what life has to offer. Now I have a lot to share and inspire others."
Milinović has returned to the US to further her American market commercial interests, tell her story and find a forum in which to share her story, and to empower women on their journey to discover themselves and follow their heart's desire.
Trivia
- She is the only opera singer in Bosnia and Herzegovina that has achieved any measure of mainstream, celebrity status.
- Invited by Eurovision fans to perform as the only artist from Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
ever to take part in Eurovision Fan Convention in Berlin, Germany in 2003. - Invited by growing number of German fans to perform at the Eurovision Fan Convention in Munich, Germany in 2006.
- Sarajevo Fashion Week 2003-2006, Celebrity runway model
- In October 2005, performed at Kenya Fashion Week in Nairobi, Kenya, as a special music guest at the Gala opening ceremony.
- Her promotional tours took her to Greece, Belarus, Sweden, Austria, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, and Balkan countries.
- Performed on the TV show "BENISSIMO" together with Pink, Mel C, and Tokyo Hotel group in Zurich, Switzerland.
- Was an honorable guest of Brazilian football team at Weggis, Switzerland and FIFA 2006 World Cup in Munich.
- TV hosting for Kuwait Boat Show 2007
- TV hosting and Celebrity appearances: Dubai, UAE
- Celebrity appearances and TV hosting in Muscat, Oman and Magna Leptis and Tripoli, Libya
- Performed at the opening ceremony of North Africa Climate Change Convention in Alexandria, Egypt.
- Jazz concert at Zur Tenne, Kitzbühel, Austria where she entertained the crowd of the jet-set winter ski resort in Austrian Alps with an emotional jazz and cabaret repertoire. She was accompanied by renowned Austrian pianist and conductor Frank Johnny Schütten. Among attendees were Fiona Swarovski, former Ministar of Finance Karl-Heinz Grasser, and Grammy-nominated American songwriter Denise Rich.
- Guest of Cannes Film Festival 2007-2009
- Guest of 2008 UEFA European Football Championship finals
- Shake The Lake Jazz Concert at Lehar Theater, Austria
- Between her jazz concerts, Tinka made an appearance at Miele Galerie Salzburg, Austria who were one of the jazz sponsors
- Croatian Playboy has been interested for several years in doing a cover with Tinka. She has thus far avoided it.
- The first artist from Bosnia and Herzegovina to be invited, sing, and compete for another country at Eurovision Song Contest.
- Performed at many music festivals around Europe and Balkan.
- Tinka's debut album T.I.N.K.A was sold in over 7,000 copies to fans who registered earlier before her album was officially released in 2007.
Endorsements
- Milinović signed a year long endorsement contract as the official face of world-renowned Slovenian jewelry company Zlatarna Celje 1844.
- After a campaign in Milinović's music video Ljubav za ljubav, Escada perfumes chose Milinović as its official face. Escada offered her an annual contract to appear as the national face of Escada perfumes.
- Milinović signed a year long endorsement contract with BH Telecom to star as herself in several of its TV and print commercials and live appearances.
- Phyris cosmetics endorsed Milinović, as well as Schwartzkopf Professional and Second Skin Spa.
Discography
- T.I.N.K.A (2007 BIG BEST COMPANY)
- Six4OneSix4onesix4one is a six-piece musical group formed in November 2005 for the sole purpose of representing Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The group is made up of six individuals who were chosen at a casting session, which took place from November 25-27 2005...
“If We All Give A Little” (2006 CHIPS RECORDS, EDEL, PHONAG)
External links
- The Tinka Show
- Tinka Official Website
- Music video "Ljubav za ljubav" (album T.I.N.K.A, 2006)
- Music video "Hit" (album T.I.N.K.A, 2006)
- Music video "Ja jos uvijek gledam" (album T.I.N.K.A, 2006)
- Tinka in Six4OneSix4onesix4one is a six-piece musical group formed in November 2005 for the sole purpose of representing Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The group is made up of six individuals who were chosen at a casting session, which took place from November 25-27 2005...