Sopho Nizharadze

Sopho "Sofia" Nizharadze (, ) is a Georgian singer, actress, and songwriter who represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Shine". Nizharadze was a judge on the TV shows Georgia's Got Talent, Only Georgian and The X Factor Georgia.

Early life

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1985, Nizharadze started singing at a very early age. She graduated with honors from the Musical Academy under the Tbilisi State Conservatory, where she studied piano and vocals. She later continued her studies at the Academy of Theatre and Arts in Russia (GITIS) and graduated with honors from the Gnessin State Musical College in Moscow.

Through her singing she has brought international attention to Georgia.

Nizharadze's great-grandmother, Dürye, was of Turkish origin who immigrated to Tsarist Russia during the Ottoman Empire. She married the son of a Georgian-born professor and then settled in Georgia. In 2010, Nizharadze was reunited with her Turkish relatives on the Beyaz Show during her Eurovision tour in Turkey.

Nizharadze performs at events throughout Europe and Asia. She has sung duets with José Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Chris de Burgh and Julio Iglesias. In 2013 she recorded a single "When We Danced." She released a new album with this single and also with Eurovision Song Contest hit "Shine" in March 2014.

In 2016 she was a judge at the Georgian format of X Factor alongside Nika Gvaramia, Nina Sublatti and Giorgi Gabunia.

Awards and achievements

1995: "Crystal fir tree", the international festival nominated at the "Best Vocal" category 1996: Special award – "The League", the first Georgian festival; award owner at the festival Mini La Scala 1997: participant of "Crystal note" International Festival in Moscow (850 anniversary of Moscow city) 1999: Diploma of the First category for the best vocal within the frame of the festival "Pushkin weeks"; Diploma of the Tbilisi Mayor's Office for the "Unique vocal features" 1998: 2001- Scholarship of President Eduard Shevardnadze 2000: "Golden Star" for the best vocal granted by Forte Cinematographic Studio and Star Scale Studio 2003–2004: leading part in the musical The Wedding of the Jays 2004–2006: leading part on Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour The Musical 2005: participant, a finalist of the young pop star contest at the New Wave Festival 2005–2007: leading parts in shows and production of RATI; was invited for Esmeralda part to the Musical Notre Dame De Paris 2010: performed a duet with José Carreras, extract from the musical West Side Story 2010: performed with Chris De Burgh 2011: performed with Andrea Bocelli 2012: performed a duet with Julio Iglesias 2012–2013: leading role in Redha Bentifour's musical Melodies of Vera District 2013: recorded single "When We Danced" and a music video with the participation Joaquin Cortes unknown: main role in the first Georgian musical Keto and Kote

Stage roles Musical Svadba Soek "The Wedding of the Jays" (Ketevan – main role) Musical Romeo & Juliette – Juliet (Original Russian Main Cast) Musical Hello, Dolly (RATI) Keto and Kote The Musical (Keto – leading role) Melodies of Vera District The Musical by Redha Benteifour (Vardo – leading role)

Albums The Wedding of the Jays Original Cast Recording (2003) Musical Romeo & Juliette "Ot Nenavisti Do Lubvi" Original Cast Recording (2005) Where are you... (2008) Track listing: "My Dream" "Every Moment" "Where Are You..." "Leave Me Alone" "I'm Running Away" "Over and Over" "Leave Me Alone (rmx)" "Over and Over (rmx)" We Are All (2014) Track listing: "No Way Out" "Hero" "Why Won't You Love Me" "When We Danced" "We Are All" "Without Your Love" "The Reason I Go On" "Shine" "So in Love" "Call Me" "Without Your Love (Remix)" "Two of a Kind"

Personal life On 31 December 2021, Mikheil Saakashvili recognized to have an extramarital daughter, Alice Maria, with Sofia Nizharadze, calling her "my most lovely girl and youngest child".