ESCbubble has had the chance to talk to Teenah, a participant in this year’s Croatian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. The singer loves symphonic metal and is usually seen performing at weddings, receptions, and special events with her duo GemJams. She will sing Aurora at Dora 2025.

Hi Tenaah! Thank you very much for chatting with us ahead of Dora 2025!

Can you tell us about you? What have been your biggest achievements as a singer until date?

Hello everyone, my name is Teenah (Valentina Gyerek Pavlovic), and music has been part of my life since I was a child. I started playing piano at 10 years old and now work at a music school, where I teach children how to play the piano.
Singing has been a passion of mine since I was 14.
In 2003, I participated in the first Croatian music show, Story Super Nova Music Talents, and reached the top 9.
Later, in 2016, I took part in The Voice Croatia. After that I formed the acoustic duo GemJams. We perform popular song covers and we are active in live performances, often playing at cultural events, formal receptions, weddings and restaurants.
Recently, I’ve been focusing on original music, with plans to perform my own songs.
Symphonic metal is a genre I truly love, and I’d love to explore that direction further.

What made you submit a song for the Croatian national selection? Have you already tried to take part in the contest in previous years?

I’ve been following Dora and Eurovision for as long as I can remember, and as a musician, I’ve longed to participate in Dora. However, I like to say that everything has finally fallen into place and the timing is just right. This is the first time I’ve had a project that I believe could truly be competitive at such a festival. I find the concept of a performance that blends audio-visual elements, staging, costumes, and the overall presentation truly fascinating.

How was the process of selecting the song? Why do you think your entry is the best for Eurovision?

The songwriters, Ylva and Linda Persson, contacted me with an idea for a song, and together we developed a project for Dora. The project also involved Silvija Steiner, an English teacher who translated and adapted the original English lyrics into Croatian, and Siniša Reljić – Simba, who worked on the arrangement and production.
The song “Aurora” carries strong symbolism, inspired by the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis, which in the song represents the beauty and wonder of life. There’s also Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, who brings light after the dark of night each morning.
Through this song, I want to send a message of hope — that even in the darkest moments, light is on its way, that every night has its end, and every day brings a new opportunity. The song has an unusual melody and energy, different from the rest, and I believe it stands out and will be interesting to the audience.

What were your first thoughts when you got the news you were among the finalists of Dora 2025? Did you expect it?

I’ve been hoping to be selected, dreaming about my performance, and already had a basic concept in mind even before the announcement. But I know how fierce the competition is every year, and it’s always uncertain who will be chosen. I was definitely very excited, and emotions overwhelmed me when I saw my name.

It took me a moment to gather my thoughts and realize that it wasn’t a dream.

What do your family and friends think about your participation in the Croatian national selection? They are as happy and excited as I am. They know how long I’ve wanted this, and they’re glad to see my dream come true.

How are you preparing your performance for Dora? Can you reveal anything about the staging?

I’m going to vocal coaching sessions and working on the choreography. I wouldn’t want to give too much away, but I think the performance is beautifully crafted to complement the song, and the rest you’ll see soon 😀

If you won the Croatian final, would you change anything from your song for Eurovision? Would you make a revamp?

I haven’t thought about it, but I would definitely consult with my team. If there’s an idea for improvement, why not?

What did it mean to you to see your country finishing in the second place of  Eurovision last year? Did it change your opinion about the contest?

I’m extremely proud of Baby Lasagna. He achieved phenomenal success and encouraged many to experiment, and also expanded the audience’s horizons. Of course, I’m sad he didn’t win, but still, it’s all part of the show, and in the end, I think the most important thing is that he gained a huge fan base and sold out his European tour. What more could a musician ask for?
I’m aware that Eurovision is unpredictable, and there are many factors that influence the final result.

Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favourite songs from past editions?

I do watch it! From the winning songs, I especially remember: Euphoria, My Number One, Wild Dances, Zitti e buoni.
From last year, I listened to Mon Amour and La Noia the most.

Can you send a message to our readers and Eurovision fans?

Being part of Dora and Eurovision is a huge honor. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to share my music with you, the fans, who make this competition special with your enthusiasm. Eurovision is more than a contest – it’s a community of people who come together because of their love for music and creativity. Thank you for always being there, supporting us performers, and creating an incredible atmosphere. I hope my song brings joy and inspiration to everyone who listens to it.

Thank you very much for your time! Good luck!

You can vote for Teenah on our Dora 2025 polls: