Jelena Karleuša: Overview and Key Points

Personal Background

• Birth: 17 August 1978, Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia.
• Family: Only child of journalist Divna (1958-2019) and police captain Dragan Karleuša.
• Heritage: Maternal great-grandmother claimed to be an Austrian countess.
• Education: Attended Zemun Gymnasium and graduated from New Belgrade High School of Tourism.
• Musical Education: Attended music school, played the flute.

Career Milestones

Early Career (1995-2003)

• Debut Album: 'Ogledalce' released at age 16 in 1995.
• Subsequent Albums:
  • 'Ženite se, momci' (1996)
  • 'Veštice, vile' (1997)
  • 'Jelena' (1998)
  • 'Gili, gili' (1999)
• Collaborated with lyricist Marina Tucaković.

Middle Career (2004-2013)

• Key Albums:
  • 'Magija' (2005)
  • 'JK Revolution' (2008) sold 280,000 units.
  • 'Diva' (2012), 100,000 copies sold.
• Major Concerts:
  • 'All About Diva Show' (2010) in Belgrade Arena.
  • 'Viva La Diva Show' (2013) in Ušće Park.
• Notable Singles:
  • "Insomnia" became viral on YouTube.
• Media and Activism:
  • Columnist for Kurir with progressive views on LGBT and other social issues.

Recent Career (2014-Present)

• Zvezde Granda: Judge from 2015-2021.
• Recent Albums:
  • 'Alpha' and 'Omega' released in 2023.
• Concerts and Events:
  • 2023 concert at Belgrade Waterfront.
  • 2024 Paris Fashion Week debut.
  • 2024-2025 Alpha and Omega Tour.

Personal Life

• Relationships:
  • Zoran Davidović (1999-2000).
  • Marriages: Bojan Karić (2004-2005), Duško Tošić (2008-2024).
• Children: Two daughters with Duško Tošić.
• Nationality and Beliefs: Holds Serbian and Slovenian citizenship. Identifies as an atheist.

Public Persona and Controversies

• Image: Known for a controversial and outspoken persona.
• Political Involvement:
  • Initially opposed to Aleksandar Vučić, later a supporter.
  • Criticized for political statements viewed as hate speech.
• Disputes:
  • Numerous public feuds with local and international figures.
• Legal Issues:
  • Defamation case with Svetlana "Ceca" Ražnatović.
  • Controversies regarding vaccination advocacy and personal scandals.

Activism and Philanthropy

• LGBT Advocacy: Declared Serbian female gay icon of 2010.
• Animal Rights: Vocal advocate and PETA collaborator.
• Disaster Relief and Charity:
  • Supported flood victims in 2014.
  • Contributed to ALS research and participated in various charity events.

Discography Highlights

• Studio Albums:
  • 1995: 'Ogledalce'
  • 1996: 'Ženite se momci'
  • 1997: 'Veštice, vile'
  • 1998: 'Jelena'
  • 1999: 'Gili, gili'
  • 2001: 'Za svoje godine'
  • 2002: 'Samo za tvoje oči'
  • 2005: 'Magija'
  • 2008: 'JK Revolution'
  • 2012: 'Diva'
  • 2023: 'Alpha', 'Omega'

Awards and Recognition

• Major Awards:
  • Multiple Oskar Popularnosti awards.
  • 2019 and 2020 MAC awards for collaborations.

Conclusion

Jelena Karleuša is a prominent Serbian singer and media personality known for her impactful music career, controversial public persona, and involvement in social issues. Her career has spanned over three decades, marked by significant achievements and numerous controversies.