Soraya Arnelas

Soraya ArnelasSoraya

Background information
Birth name Soraya Arnelas Rubiales
Born 13 September 1982
Origin Valencia de Alcantara, Extremadura, Spain
Genre(s) Pop, Rhythm and Blues
Years active 2004–present
Label(s) Santander Records (2005)
Vale Music / Universal
Website "Corazón De Fuego" Site (http://www.valemusic.com/microsites/soraya/index.php)
"Ochenta's" Site (http://www.valemusic.com/microsites/soraya2/index.php)


Soraya Arnelas (born 13 September 1982, Valencia de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain), better known by her stage name Soraya, is a popular Spanish singer. Soraya represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia with the song La Noche Es Para Mí (The Night Is For Me) finishing 23rd with 23 points.Contents


Early life

Arnelas was born in Valencia de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain on 13 September 1982. At the age of 11, she left for Madrid. She wanted to study drama but soon started working as a flight attendant for Iberworld[1], where she travelled around the world. She speaks five languages.

2005: Operación Triunfo and "Corazón De Fuego"

Soraya participated in the fourth series of the Spanish television series Operación Triunfo in 2005 where she came second overall. Her début album "Corazón De Fuego" was released on 5 December 2005 produced by Kike Santander. The album got Platinum status.

2006: "Ochenta's"

On 21 November 2006, Soraya released her second album. It was her first English language album. The first single was a cover of Laura Branigan's Self Control. The remainder of the album was a mixture of 80s cover versions and new songs. The song reached Gold Status in the Promusicae Digital Songs charts and peaked at number 1 on the Spanish Cadena 100. The second single from Ochenta's was a cover of Spagna's "Call Me". 'Ochenta's' is one of the most successful albums of 2007 in Spain and achieved platinum after many weeks charting in the top ten albums chart.

2007: "Dolce Vita"

Soraya released another album with more 80's hits. The lead single was "La Dolce Vita". The album includes 80's hits, in the likes of Kylie Minogue's "I Should Be So Lucky", Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", Eurythmics's "Sweet Dreams" and the lead single, "Dolce Vita", a cover from the Italian singer Ryan Paris. The album shot straigh inside the Spanish Top 5 Albums Chart, peaking at #5, and getting Gold certificacion in the following weeks.

Soraya during an interview for 20 Minutes in 2009

The album was released in the United Kingdom via iTunes UK and 7digital[2][3].

2008: "Sin Miedo"

Sin Miedo was Soraya's fourth released album. Leaving the 80's covers behind, this album contains 12 original tracks; 10 in Spanish and 2 in English [4]. The album was produced by International DJ DJ Sammy[5] and includes a duo with Kate Ryan (the song Caminaré). [6] The first single of the album was Sin miedo (Without fear).

The album debuted on the Spanish Albums Chart at a low #21, becoming her worst position for a studio-album. The album has spent 21 weeks on chart so far. However, the album saw a Top 40 reentry at #32 thanks to a brand new edition of Sin Miedo.

2009: Eurovision and other television projects

By the end of 2008, she submitted one of the songs from her latest album, La Noche Es Para Mí, to the Spanish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Russia, being considered the early favourite to represent the country.[7] She was finally chosen to represent Spain on 28 February 2009.[8]. She also recorded songs with a 2009 Andorran Eurovision candidate Jack Lucien. Their first duet was called Anaesthetic[9], but was on neither of their 2008 albums. However, 2009 brings news that they have recorded a duet for Lucien's approaching 2nd album[10].

Previously, she participated in the reality talent contest La Batalla de los Coros, the Spanish version of Clash of the Choirs

http://www.soraya-arnelas.com/