Jüri Pootsmann

2015: Eesti otsib superstaari

On February 2015, Pootsmann took part in the sixth season of Eesti otsib superstaari, an Estonian reality-competition gameshow airing on TV3. He won the show on 31 May 2015 when his debut single "Torm" was released. It peaked at number seven in the Estonian Airplay Chart. On 15 November 2015 he released the single "Aga Siis", peaking at number one in the Estonian Airplay Chart. On 20 November 2015, he released his debut self-titled extended play.

Eurovision Song Contest

In 2016, Pootsmann was announced as one of the candidates in the Estonian national selection, Eesti Laul 2016, for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. On 20 February 2016 Pootsmann performed his song "Play" during the second semi-final of the selection at the Estonian Television studios in Tallinn, and he progressed to the final. The final took place on 5 March 2016 at the Saku Suurhall in Tallinn, hosted by Ott Sepp and Märt Avandi. He reached the Super Final and won the national selection with 32,394 televotes.

During the Eurovision Song Contest, Estonia was drawn into the first semi-final. Pootsmann placed last (18th), Estonia`s worst result to date at the contest, and failed to qualify to the final.

Appearances

On 11 March 2016, Pootsmann was featured in the single, "I Remember U," produced by Cartoon. The single peaked at number one in the Estonian Airplay Chart.

Personal life

Jüri Pootsmann, like most school children in Estonia, sang in a school choir but he was never a soloist. As a young child, the tone of Jüri`s voice was so high that he had to sing in a choir together with girls, not boys. Ironically, his current tone is that of a baritone.

He discovered his vocal capabilities only as an exchange student in Denmark where he spent a year. Thus he is fluent in Danish. In his spare time, he likes to walk alone in nature, especially in Estonian forests.