TAMARA TODESKA PROFESSIONAL

Todevska performing 'Proud' during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final.

The dress was also featured as a visual enhancer, mirroring the structure of the backside on the screens. It is a full-length, false strapless, emerald green dress, made with a metallic shimmer material, with black tulle covering the upper top part of Todevska's body. The dress worn by Todevska was created by Aleksandar Noshpal, who is also credited for making the dress for Karolina in 2002 and the suit for Toše Proeski in 2004. The concept was simple and minimalistic, with Todevska singing along with a microphone stand on the stage. The stage direction was conceived by Mari Forsman Ryberger and Tine Matulessy.

TAMARA TODESKA PROFESSIONAL

Prior her performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, in his article 'Eurovision 2019: 12 Songs to Watch', Fred Bronson of Billboard magazine placed the song at number 11 and wrote that the reason why 'Proud' might win is the 'celebration of women in the time of # MeToo should connect with a lot of voting viewers as well as the professional juries.' Stage direction and visual design Ultimately, Todevska was scheduled to perform at number 17, pre-last in the respective semi-final. North Macedonia was placed into the second semi-final and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show. On 28 January 2019, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Main article: North Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 Background Anyone who has been put down for who they are, this is a song for them.' Eurovision Song Contest

It celebrates womanhood and feminism but applies to immigrants, LGBT, it applies to everyone fighting for equality.

Kosta Petrov, who co-wrote the song's lyrics with his wife, Sanja Popovska, revealed that 'Proud' was written for their daughter, as well as Todevska's daughter, but generally, it's a song about equality, 'It is about accepting yourself, loving yourself and celebrating your true self. Todevska dedicated 'Proud' to her daughter, Hana, and 'everyone out there fighting for their dreams and believing in their greatness.' Composition Īlthough initially presented as a feminist anthem, Todevska explained that 'Proud' is a song for 'everyone that has been told to put their head down, to follow society’s rules' that according to her, 'make no sense in the 21st century'. The song was composed by Darko Dimitrov, Robert Bilbilov and Lazar Cvetkovski, with the lyrics being written by Kosta Petrov and Sanja Popovska. Although it was initially planned to be released on 4 March 2019, the release date was postponed the day before to 8 March 2019 to coincide with International Women's Day, in a statement released on the Macedonian delegation's Twitter account. 'Proud' alongside its music video premiered on 8 March 2019 during MKRTV evening news. Tamara was also a backing vocalist for the Toše Proeski's performance of ' Life' in 2004 and Tijana Dapčević’s rendition of ' To The Sky' in 2014. Todevska previously represented the country alongside Vrčak and Adrian at the 2008 contest in Belgrade, Serbia with ' Let Me Love You', but failed to qualify for the final. In January 2019, the Macedonian Radio Television revealed that singer Tamara Todevska would represent North Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Tamara todeska