Gabriela Gunčíková (Czech pronunciation: [ˈɡabrɪjɛla ˈɡuntʃiːkovaː]; born 27 June 1993), also known as Gabriela Gun, is a Czech singer. Her singing voice has been described as a cross between Sheryl Crow and Ann Wilson from the band, Heart. She was the runner-up of the second season of Česko Slovenská SuperStar and won the New Artist award at the 2011 Český slavík awards.[1] Gunčíková was a touring vocalist of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra from 2014 until 2015. She represented the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm with "I Stand".[2][3]

Gabriela Gunčíková
Gunčíková in 2016
Gunčíková in 2016
Background information
Also known asGabriela Gun
Born (1993-06-27) 27 June 1993 (age 31)
Kroměříž, Czech Republic
Genres
OccupationSinger
Years active2011–present
LabelsUniversal
Websitewww.gabrielagun.com

Life and career

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2011–2015: SuperStar 2011 and work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra

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In 2011, Gunčíková became a finalist on the second season of the Czech-Slovak version of Pop Idol, titled Česko Slovenská SuperStar. She ended up as the show's runner-up, placing behind the Slovak winner Lukáš Adamec.[4] She was the highest placing Czech contestant during the season. Following the show's ending, she was signed to Universal Music Group and released her debut album Dvojí tvář later in the year. Gunčíková appeared on the fifth season of the Slovak version of Dancing with the Stars, Let's Dance, which began airing on 9 September 2011. She was paired with professional dancer Peter Modrovský until the dance couple was eliminated on 14 October 2011, finishing in seventh place. She became one of the highest placing Czech celebrities on the show. Gunčíková went on to win the New Artist award at the 2011 Český slavík awards, also known as the Czech Grammys.[1]

Let's Dance

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In 2011 she was part of Slovak dancing competition Let's Dance where she was paired with dancer and two-time champion Peter Modrovský.

Week Dance/Song Judges' score Result
Bednárik Chlopčík Rolins Ďurovčík
1 Quickstep/ "99 Luftballons" 3 3 4 4 Safe
2 Cha cha cha/ "Forget You" 3 3 3 4 Safe
3 Tango/"Bust Your Windows" 8 9 10 6 Safe
4 Salsa/"Acuyuye" 6 6 7 4 Last to be called safe
5 Slowfox/"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" 8 6 7 5 Safe
6 Samba/"Dr. Beat" 7 4 9 4 Eliminated

In 2013, Gunčíková began working with American vocal coach Ken Tamplin.[5] She released her second studio album Celkem jiná this year as well. She graduated from Tamplin's classes in 2014 and subsequently joined the American progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra as a touring vocalist. She departed from the band the following year.[6]

2015–present: Eurovision Song Contest 2016

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In March 2016, Gunčíková was announced as the Czech entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "I Stand".[2][3] She competed in the second half of the first semi-final on 10 May 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden,[7] and qualified for the grand final (she was the first Czech entrant to do so), where she performed second, and finished in 25th place.[8]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details
Dvoji Tvar
Celkem Jiná
  • Released: 29 May 2013[10]
  • Format: Digital download, CD
  • Label: Lewron Music Center

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CZE
(Dig.)

[11]
"I Stand" 2016 48 Non-album single

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominated work Award Category Result Ref
2011 Herself Český slavík Best New Artist Won [1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Poslechněte si, co vydává Gunčíková, letošní "slavičí" Objev roku". idnes.cz (in Czech). 29 November 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b Česká Televize
  3. ^ a b "Eurovision Czech Republic: Gabriela Gunčíková to Stockholm!". esctoday.com. Retrieved 10 March 2016. In the Eurovision Gunčíková scored the highest place ever achieved by a Representative from The Czech Republic, being the first ever entry to make it to the Grand Final.
  4. ^ Argyriou, Giannis (21 March 2016). "Talent shows as stepping stone for Eurovision Song Contest". EuroVisionary.
  5. ^ "Gabriela Guncikova, Sängerin des berühmten Trans-Siberian Orchestra, mit Gastauftritt" (in German). PaderZeitung. 22 March 2016.
  6. ^ Kardáš, Jarda (12 March 2016). "Gunčíková má v Eurovizi slušnou šanci. Od dob SuperStar prošla obdivuhodnou proměnou" (in Czech). Aktuálně.cz.
  7. ^ Jordan, Paul (25 January 2016). "Allocation Draw: The results!". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  8. ^ Brey, Marco (10 May 2016). "The First Semi-Final winners' press conference". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  9. ^ "Dvoji Tvar by Gabriela Guncikova". Apple Music.
  10. ^ "Celkem Jiná by Gabriela Guncikova". Apple Music.
  11. ^ "CZ - SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 GABRIELA GUNČÍKOVÁ" (in Czech). ČNS IFPI.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest
2016
Succeeded by