Eurovision Stars Who Made It Big in the U.S.: ABBA, Celine Dion and More

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Eurovision Stars Who Made It Big in the U.S.: ABBA, Celine Dion and More Who Found Success

While competing in Eurovision doesn’t necessarily guarantee international fame, there’s certainly an impressive roster of big-name artists who got their start thanks to the storied singing contest. From Olivia Newton-John to Celine Dion, Eurovision has hosted plenty of now-beloved stars who give credit to the competition for putting them on the map stateside. That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of hustling after they took home their impressive prizes. Benny Andersson, a member of the famed Swedish band ABBA, recalled having to find the group’s footing after landing first place for their rendition of “Waterloo.” “After we won the Eurovision Song Contest and had a big hit with ‘Waterloo’ all over the world, then nothing happened, like often is the way with Eurovision Song Contest contenders,” he recounted to What’s On in 2015. “We worked in England and they said, ‘Well not to worry.’ So from sending us big limousines in the ‘Waterloo’ period, the cars got smaller and smaller and we had a Volkswagen bus by the end!” ABBA, and many of the artists below, needn’t have worried about any career lags for long — there was plenty of success in the United States (and beyond!) to come. Scroll on to see which Eurovision contestants who have since made it big stateside:

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Julio Iglesias

In 1970, Iglesias represented Spain as he duked it out at the Eurovision Song Contest. The singer nabbed fourth place for his rendition of “Gwendolyne” and went on to achieve massive international success. 

Among the many accolades he has achieved, Iglesias took home The Guinness World Records trophy as the “Latin artist who has sold the most records in the world” and the Lifetime Achievement trophy awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. 

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Olivia Newton John

Back in 1974, Newton-John performed in the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Brighton, England. She took home fourth place for singing “Long Live Love,” losing out to ABBA, who snagged the grand prize. 

Newton-John went on to have a wildly successful career in the United States — and worldwide — after landing the role of Sandy in the 1978 musical Grease. She also released beloved, chart-topping music, from “Magic” to “Physical.” (The actress died in August 2022 at the age of 73.)

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ABBA

Two years after the pop music group ABBA formed in Sweden, they competed in the Eurovision Song Contest, writing the tune “Waterloo” specifically for the occasion. The group won the top prize and later experienced a welcome reception in the United States, releasing hits like “Super Trooper” and “Honey Honey.” 

The group has sold over 375 million records worldwide and even inspired a stage musical titled Mamma Mia! and a film of the same name released in 2008. Its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, premiered in 2018.

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Celine Dion

Dion was just 20 when she entered the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest. The Canadian singer sang the French song “Ne partez pas sans moi” and came out victorious, winning the first place prize. Though the singer was already a celebrated performer in France and Canada, her fame skyrocketed in the United States.

Dion became a musical icon, releasing hits like “My Heart Will Go On,” “All by Myself” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” along with snagging six Grammys. 

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Lucia Moniz

Moniz may have placed sixth in the 1996 competition, which saw her performing the song “O Meu Coração Não Tem Cor,” but she’s received plenty of attention in the United States since then. The Portuguese artist became a familiar face after starring in 2003’s Love Actually as Aurelia and later headlined the 2013 English language rom-com The Right Juice. 

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Tatu

t.A.T.u., a Russian pop duo, finished third in the 2003 competition for their performance of “Ne Ver, Ne Boisia.” The pair’s musical status went global with the release of their hit song, “All the Things She Said,” which topped the charts in 13 countries and landed the women their own tour in America. 

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Bonnie Tyler

The Welsh singer belted “Believe in Me” while competing in the 2013 contest, which was held in Malmö, Sweden. Though she finished in 19th place, Tyler can rest easy knowing that her songs have remained a steady hit in the United States, with standout tracks like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out For a Hero.”

She’s also the recipient of three Grammy nominations.  

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Maneskin

The Italian glam rock band Måneskin took home the coveted first place prize when they competed at Eurovision in 2021, singing “Zitti e buoni.” Since then, they’ve opened for the Rolling Stones during the U.S. leg of the band’s tour and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their song “Beggin.”