Kalomoira Saranti
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| Kalomira Saranti | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Maria Kalomoira Saranti |
| Also known as | Kalomoira (Stage Name) |
| Born | January 31, 1985 |
| Origin |  Greece |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Label(s) | Heaven Music |
| Website | http://www.kalomoira.com |
Kalomira Saranti (Καλομοίρα Σαράντη in Greek characters; born Maria Kalomira Sarantis, January 31, 1985, Long Island, New York, United States), also known simply as Kalomira or K-Moira, is a Greek-American singer, famous in Greece and Cyprus.
Kalomira hails from Nassau County, New York (born to Greek-American restaurateurs Nikos (Nick) and Eleni (Helen) Sarantis), an affluent part of the United States.
She was Ms. West Hempstead (Homecoming Queen) at her high school in 2003.
Despite speaking primarily English, Kalomoira went to Greece on a tip from her cousin to compete on Fame Story (licensed from Star Academy, a reality talent show similar to American Idol in the United States and Pop Idol in the United Kingdom). She has learned Greek to a much better level, having been previously mocked and criticised for her poor skills in the language.
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After auditions in NY, time passed quickly for Kalomira. In a week’s time, she comes to Greece, ready for brand new experiences that will change her life. The Fame Story show begins, and Kalomira immediately wins the Greek audience’s attention by singing Kaiti Garbi’s “Μια φορά κι ένα καιρό” and making a change in the song lyrics. She swapped “είμαι η Καίτη που αγαπούσες” (“I am Kaiti you used to love”) with “είμαι η Καλομοίρα που αγαπούσες” (“I am Kalomira you used to love”). This marked the beginning of her story in Fame Story. Her difficulties with the Greek language, and therefore Greek songs, were not significant enough to hold her back. The support of fans, who were won over by her character, talent, innocence, the interest she showed for fellow participants and her positive energy, proved to be a strong "weapon" for success.
Each of her performances was marked by her personality. In her first performance described above, she got the audience's attention, while a week later, she comes back for another performance in popular song “Stand By Me” that caught everyone by surprise. The next week the challenge was even bigger for her, when she was given a Greek song called “H Γκαρσόνα” ("The Waitress"), which even though seemed totally out of reach for Kalomira's vocal and style capability. Everyone was wrong Kalomoira nailed the song, managing to make it sound like her own. The majority of the world saw in Kalomira's kindness and energy the late National Actress Aliki Vougiouglaki, that impression was reinforces when Kalomira was given Aliki’s song “Γατούλα” ("Pussycat"), written by Manos Xatzidakis, which gives the chance to Kalomira to show her talent once again. The songs started becoming even more challenging for the young singer as her teachers in the academy would push her in singing Greek songs. Her next mission was “Ανάβεις φωτιές” ("You are lighting fires"), which proved to be very difficult for her, but she still managed to be pull it off. A sweet performance in “Dancing Queen” and a great choreography in “Conga” follow and Kalomira makes the whole entertainment industry of Greece talk about her. She was then assigned Barbara Streisand’s “Woman in Love”, a song with special vocal requirements, the little one surpasses herself and achieves a magnificent performance which surprises everyone with her skills. In the week that followed Kalomira failed in Stavros Ksarxakos’ “Ένα πρωινό” ("One morning") and she was challenged in a televoting contest against a fellow student of hers. She then chooses to perform a song from her idol, Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” and managed to stay in the game. This was followed by a duet with another participant (Nikos Mixas) in “Gucci των Μασάι” ("Massai's Gucci"), which gives her a chance to remain another week in the show. Marinella’s “Γιατί Φοβάσαι” was a bit difficult for her, but Kalomira saves the day. However, next week’s “Περιττός” is pretty easy for her. Her longevity in the game continues with one of her favorite songs, Britney’s “Oops, I Did It Again”. After many weeks of work, Kalomira is in the final six of the game with only two performances left. Her rendition of “Εϊ Καζανόβα” ("Hey Cazanova") is topped only by her performance of Madonna’s “Expresse Yourself” in the final show. Kalomira won the contest, earned 200,000 euros and a recording contract with Heaven Records.
Intro.- "Μια φορά κι ένα καιρό” ("Once up on a time")
Week 1-“Stand By Me” duet with Giorgos Xristou
Week 2-“H Γκαρσόνα” ("The Waitress")
Week 3-“Γατούλα” ("Pussycat")
Week 4-“Ανάβεις φωτιές” ("You are lighting fires") duet with Maro Litra
Week 5-"Dancing Queen"
Week 6-“Ένα πρωινό” ("One morning")
Week 7-“La Isla Bonita”
Week 8-“Gucci των Μασάι” ("Massai's Gucci") duet with Nikos Mixas
Week 9-“Γιατί Φοβάσαι” ("Why Are You Afraid")
Week 10- “Περιττός” ("Unnecessary")
Week 11-“Oops, I Did It Again”
Week 12-“Εϊ Καζανόβα” ("Hey Cazanova")
Finale- “Expresse Yourself”
Kalomira performed in Thessaloniki’s FOCUS from July 8th to August 14th. While entertaining audiences by night, she was recording her first CD by day, which debuted in stores on September 1, 2004. She continued touring the whole of Greece, sang Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday Mr. President” at the Irodeio at the invitation of Dionysis Savvopoulos who was having his birthday and thought Kalomira would provide something unique at his “party” ;-)
Kalomira’s tour around Greece ended with appearances in Athina’s “Thalassa” in September, accompanied by the rest of the"Fame Story" participants.
Outside of Greece, Kalomira has appeared on NBC’s “Today" show and "Access Hollywood," along with a number of other shows and websites.
In 2004, Kalomira released her first album "Kalomira" with 15 songs, which went gold. In the same year, she closed her season at the REX studio with Despina Vandi and Thanos Petrelis. Kalomoira received good reviews from critics and was awarded "Woman of the Year - Best Newcomer" by Life and Style magazine.
In 2005, Kalomira released her second album called "Paizeis" (Playing) with 12 songs, of which two were written and composed by her. She also agreed to appear with Elli Kokkinou, Andreas Stamos and Constantinos Christophorou at the Piraeus 130 music club. In her program, she included covers of songs such as "Scandalous," "Don't Cha" and "Don't Phunk with My Heart," in addition to songs from her first and second albums.
On 11th April, 2005 she was a special guest on the first live concert of the first season of Star Academy Bulgaria.
As of fall 2006, Kalomira is the new female co-hostess on the hit Sunday night show Pio Poli Tin Kiriaki along side with Grigoris Arnaoutoglou on Mega Channel.
In December of 2006, Kalomira released her third CD Kalmoira Pai Cinema (Kalomira Goes to the Movies). It features songs from classic Greek movies which Kalomira re-vamped.
Kalomoira announced via her online diary that she will be recording her new album during September/ October 2007 in Greece. She has stated that the album will have an edgier sound but no specifics have been released yet.
Many young people surveyed are considerably tempted to join the ranks of Fame Story, having Kalomoira in mind. Also in 2004, she had a minor credited role in the Greek TV drama series I Lampsi, playing the part of Jennifer, where veteran director Nikos Foskolos compared her to Aliki Vougiouklaki. As of early 2006 she co-hosted the Good Morning show Proinos Kafes in ANT1 TV.
Kalomoira has been profiled as belonging to the very light-hearted side of pop music. Although she is famed for her high charisma, natural charm and overall innocent image, she usually sings about cliché boy-girl relationships and falling-in-love songs. Her audience is mostly amongst the young teenagers and early twenty-somethings. Her image makers have been trying to establish an 'innocent' baby look for her, which has resulted in often caricaturization .
Kalomoria will be taking place in the 2008 National Final to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
Albums:
- Untitled Fourth Studio Album (2008)
- Kalomoira Paei Cinema (2006)
- Paizeis? (2005)
- Kalomoira (Self Titled) (2004) GOLD
CD Singles:
- Gine Mazi Mou Paidi (2006)
Guest Appearances:
- 59's Finest - The Five Nine Ep" (2004)
- "Do What You Wanna Do"
^ George Mitsikostas' show MitsiHosta, Season 5, episode 4.
- Kalomoira.com - official website in English and Greek.
- Kalomoira.net - Kalomira's Official Fan Club in English and Greek.
- KalomiraSarantis.com - fan website, only in Greek.
- Kalomira Sarantis at the Internet Movie Database
- Access Hollywood at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine
- KALOMOIRA'S MYSPACE -- A MySpace fan club for Kalomoira
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| Female artists: | Anna Vissi • Angela Dimitriou • Annette Artani • Christiana Tzinioli • Despina Vandi • Eleftheria Arvanitaki • Elli Kokkinou • Elena Paparizou • Evridiki • Gianna Terzi • Irini Merkouri • Irini Sevastou • Julia Alexandratou • Kalomoira • Katy Garbi • Manto • Marianta Pieridi • Marina Handri • Nansy Alexiadi • Natalia Doussopoulos • Natassa Theodoridou • Peggy Zina • Sabrina • Tamta • Vicky Leandros |
| Groups: | Antique • C:Real • Hi-5 • One |
| Male artists: | Antonis Remos • Christos Dantis• Giorgos Alkaios • Giorgos Mazonakis • Giorgos Perris • Konstantinos Christoforou • Mihalis Hatzigiannis • Michalis Rakintzis • Nikos Karvelas • Sakis Rouvas • Sarbel • Thanos Kalliris • Thanos Petrelis |
| Related articles: | Music of Greece • Eurovision • Greece • Modern Laika• Skiladiko• Laïkó |