Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova (Russian: Алёна Ширманова-Костебелова, pronounced [ɐˈlʲɵ.nə ʂɨrˈma.nə.və kə.stʲɪˈbʲe.lə.və]; born 26 December 1999), known by her stage name Aiko, is a Russian-born Czech singer and songwriter based in Brighton, England. She represented the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Pedestal".
Aiko | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Aiko in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova |
| Born | 26 December 1999 Moscow, Russia |
| Website | www |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Partner(s) | Kat Almagro Avila |
Early life
Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova was born in a very wealthy family in Moscow, Russia. Shortly after, she moved with her family to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, where she was raised.[1][2]
Career
In 2015, Shirmanova participated in season 4 of the reality talent show Česko Slovenská SuperStar.[1] She then moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a musical career, first settling in London and later in Brighton. Under the stage name Aiko, she released her debut self-titled album in 2018, followed by Expiration Date in 2020, when she released her first single "Hunt".[2]
She was the first Czech artist to feature on the Times Square screens and the first Czech female to take part in the Spotify Equal Campaign. She performed at the Rock for People, ESNS, Metronome Prague, The Great Escape, Grape, Nouvelle Prague, Sziget and Waves Vienna festivals, as well as following Alice Merton, Black Honey, Lauren Ruth Ward and Tamino in some of their tours as a supporting artist. Some of her songs were included in the TV shows Teen Mom and Love Island.[2][3]
Aiko released her third album Fortune's Child on 13 October 2023. On 28 November 2023, she was announced as one of the contestants of the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024,[4] competing with the song "Pedestal". On 13 December, it was revealed that she had won the selection.[5] At the event, Aiko failed to qualify from the second semi-final, placing 11th out of 16 with 38 points.[6]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Expiration Date |
|
| Fortune's Child |
|
| Aikonic |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Aiko |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album / EP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTU [11] | ||||
| "Hunt" | 2020 | — | Expiration Date | |
| "Power" | 2021 | — | Fortune's Child | |
| "Daughter of the Sun" | — | |||
| "Gemini" | — | |||
| "Alter Ego" | 2022 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "I Want to Be Perfect" | — | |||
| "Restless" (with Boy Jr.) | — | Fortune's Child | ||
| "Instincts" | 2023 | — | Non-album single | |
| "Lucky Streak" | — | Fortune's Child | ||
| "Pedestal" | 49 | |||
| "White Flag" | 2024 | — | Aikonic | |
| "Hunger" (with Teya) | — | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
As featured artist
| Single | Year | Album / EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Why Don't You" (Ivo Blahunek featuring Aiko) | 2023 | Non-album singles |
| "The Internet" (Noisy Pots featuring Aiko) | ||
| "Come Closer" (Tonya Graves and Blanka Maderová featuring Teza and Aiko) |