Ilinca brought yodelling to Eurovision when she represented Romania at the 2017 contest alongside Alex Florea. The star recently sat down with wiwibloggs’ own Ruxandra Tudor, where she shared her thoughts on a possible return to the contest after being inspired by her latest single “Balkan Mama.”
She also discusses her other future plans and recent involvement with the show Eurovision on Tour.
Interview: Ilinca (Romania Eurovision 2017)
Ilinca on “Balkan Mama” and musical exploration
Ilinca recently unveiled her new single, “Balkan Mama,” the title track of her upcoming EP, set to release next year. The song blends Balkan rock with pop influences, drawing inspiration from a speech by the Albanian Prime Minister, who humorously remarked, “Sorry for being so Balkanic,” referencing the “tough love” often associated with Balkan culture. This playful phrase is featured in the bridge of the track.
The single is a collaboration with her band, Gadjo Dilo, who will also feature on the full EP. In both a press release and the interview, Ilinca shared additional insights about the song and its music video, offering fans a glimpse into her creative process and the vibrant themes behind her new project:
“Balkan Mama is, essentially, the story of a mother who would give her heart for her child, but would also lay out a long list of demands for anyone wanting to be part of her daughter’s life. Besides the song itself, I was super excited to also work on the video. I wrote the script and directed the video, which we filmed in my village, Chinteni, alongside all the members of Gadjo Dilo and even a few of my neighbours. Some came with a horse, others lent me a chicken, and others let us have a barbecue in their yard. It was truly an unforgettable experience, and the video producer, Sorin Ciceu, managed to capture the best moments.”
The concept for the music video was inspired by a TikTok trend about “What Balkans do.” Growing up in a Balkan household, Ilinca instantly resonated with these relatable quirks, which shaped the video’s playful and authentic portrayal of Balkan culture. Initially, the lyrics were shaped in Romanian, but then Ilinca reconsidered and turned them into English, in order to “resonate with every Balkan in the world.“
In the interview with us, she shared that, while she has always enjoyed yodelling, she recently felt inspired to explore more layers in her music — something that truly represents her identity. Wishing to create something more than generic pop songs, she wanted to create something rooted in the culture of her home country. By embracing the Balkan style, she feels she has found a genre that resonates with who she truly is.
As Ilinca herself admitted, her newest song has a distinctly “Eurovision sound,” a characteristic that did not go unnoticed by her fans, who quickly began expressing their desire to see her return to the competition. For Ilinca, this song marked a turning point…
Thoughts on returning to Eurovision
Ilinca shared that, although she once believed Eurovision should be a one-time experience, her perspective is now shifting. Initially, she thought that people might not want to see the same artist compete twice, and with so many talented performers in the industry, she felt she should make space for others who had never had the chance. However, after working on “Balkan Mama,” which reminded her so much of the Eurovision sound, she began to reconsider. Now, she is open to the idea of returning to the contest and even hopes to represent Romania again. If given the opportunity, Ilinca plans to bring along Andreea Gheorghiță, the accordionist featured in “Balkan Mama,” who is also known for her appearance on Romania’s Got Talent.
Ilinca remembers her previous Eurovision participation, including the challenges she faced. She confessed that yodelling is a difficult technique to perform. Since she gave her 100% during every jury show and rehearsal, she became increasingly concerned about her voice on the day of the Grand Final. She even feared a breakdown right before the performance, terrified that she wouldn’t be able to deliver her best. Reflecting on the concept of Balkan mothers, Ilinca shared that it was her own mother who helped her regain her composure that day, offering the support she needed to get back on her feet.
Recently, Ilinca had the opportunity to perform “Yodel It!” again as part of Eurovision on Tour. She recalled how incredibly supportive the Eurovision audience is, expressing her amazement at how fans in Australia knew her song by heart. Eurovision on Tour took place this year in cities like Madrid, London, Warsaw, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, with an upcoming show in Amsterdam scheduled for January. This time, Ilinca was joined on stage by Ovi, who represented Romania in 2010 and 2014 alongside Paula Seling. The tour featured numerous former Eurovision artists, but Ilinca also mentioned some dream collaborations, including Senhit (San Marino 2020 and 2021), Silia Kapsis (Cyprus 2024), Destiny (Malta 2020 and 2021), Nicki French (United Kingdom 2000), and Esther Hart (Netherlands 2003). She concluded with the strong belief that all the talented artists she met during the tour would make for great collaboration partners.
Romania’s future in Eurovision
As is well known, Romania was not participating in Eurovision 2024, with the national broadcaster TVR citing financial reasons for the decision. While other countries have already begun selecting their artists for Eurovision 2025, Romania has yet to provide an official statement regarding its participation in the upcoming edition.
When asked about her opinion on Romania’s absence from Eurovision 2024, Ilinca expressed her hope that the country will reconsider participating in the future. Despite the limited resources Romania has in comparison to other nations, she pointed out that the country has produced some memorable songs over the years that are still recalled by Eurovision fans. She shared that during Eurovision on Tour, international fans consistently asked her and Ovi if they knew anything about Romania’s return to the contest. Ilinca emphasised that Romania is home to many talented musicians and composers who truly deserve the opportunity for the international recognition that Eurovision offers. “It’s a once-a-year event that unites so many countries with such great music… Why wouldn’t you go?” she said.
When speaking about other artists she could see on Eurovision, Ilinca mentioned Romanian singer Theo Rose. She praised Theo for her versatile style, which incorporates traditional Romanian elements in some of her songs, while also exploring Balkan and Romani influences in others. Ilinca believes that Theo Rose’s unique style could make her a very suitable pick for Eurovision.
The playlist of a Balkan Mama
Ilinca shared that her recent music playlist can be defined by three essential elements. First, Romani music holds a special place in her heart, as she expressed her deep love for the culture and its rich musical traditions, citing Mahala Rai Banda and Shantel as key influences. Secondly, pop music, particularly from artists like Ariana Grande. Also, Ilinca revealed an obsession with musical theatre, especially the soundtrack of Wicked.
When speaking about some of her all-time favourite Eurovision songs, Ilinca mentioned several standout tracks that have left a lasting impression on her. Among them were Gjon’s Tears with “Tout l’Univers” (Switzerland 2021), Måneskin’s “Zitti e buoni” (Italy 2021), Ruslana’s “Wild Dances” (Ukraine 2004), Loreen’s iconic “Euphoria” (Sweden 2012), Barbara Pravi’s “Voilà” (France 2021), and Sanna Nielsen’s “Undo” (Sweden 2014). These are just a few of the many songs that fill her long list of Eurovision favourites.
Would you like to see Romania back in Eurovision? Are you excited for a future return of Ilinca with a similar sound to “Balkan Mama”? Let us know in the comments below.
