Special - Part 1 - Lady sings the blues: Talking with Magdi Rúzsa | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Magdi Rúzsa left her job in Serbia as a maternity nurse in order to travel to Budapest in search of a music career; she was hardly in her 20s. Determination and talent paid off when she won Hungary's pop idol casting show Megasztars last year. Next she was voted the best Hungarian Newcomer 2007 which gave her the chance to gain much wider exposure when she represents Hungary in the the next Eurovision Song Contest. Magdi took time out of her preparations late last week to talk to esctoday.com about her passion for singing.

Before I spoke with Magdi, I wasn't sure what to expect from her.  I knew she had a strong, powerful voice, and I felt the energy in her videos was infectious.  Talking to her, I discovered an open, approachable, determined young woman who laughs easily - and really, really loves her job making music. 

This is what we talked about.

 
I've been watching your new video for the song Hip Hop.  That song is awesome.

I am glad you like it, thanks. Actually this is a cover song that our publisher arranged for the album.  It was written by Carl Restivo and Wyclef Jean, and the Hungarian lyrics were written by my producer. I like this song too.  It is a funny one, great for the sunny springtime!  (smiles)

You're already promoting a new song while preparing for the contest.  That's a lot of work isn't it?

Well, yes, but this is my job, passion, love and life! So why not to do it? (laughs)

[the interview with Magdi continues below]

 

The video for your Eurovision Song Contest entry is great too.  How do you like making videos?   Was it your first video?

Yes, the Hungarian version of the video [Aprócska blues - here] was my first ever video, it took one long, long day. And, during the shooting my tooth started to ache very much, so I had to take some medicine, and also drink a little spirit for it.  It was very realistic on the video, how I suffered! (laughs)

I like making videos, it's a lot of fun, and it is a very creative job. In the second video I already had much more input, and I could give my ideas to it.

 

Is there something you don't like about making videos?

What I don’t like? You wait a very long time for them to arrange lights and things; the real shooting time is far less than the length of the shooting.

Jennifer Hudson recently won an Oscar award in the USA for her first film role in the movie musical Dreamgirls - and it's a major part too!   She was discovered on American Idol - although she didn't actually win like you did on Megasztars.  Now that you're experienced making videos, could you imagine yourself starring in a full film?  

Well, I haven’t really thought of this yet. I'm still young so I don't know what will happen with me later, but at the moment I want to work on my singer career. 

I want to educate myself so that I can give the best of me on stage every time I step on it.

 
You've already won the Fonogram award for Best Hungarian Newcomer in 2006.  How is the Fonogram award chosen?

Generally the awards are given according to the decision of a professional jury, but this category was publicly voted by the audience of the Fonogram show.

Of course, this Fonogram award goes to a new artist in your field - then because of the award you're able to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. Are you nervous about competing with some acts in Helsinki who have many more years of experience?

Well, I am very excited and nervous at the same time, but this is not because of lack of experience, but because of this huge event. I was always dreaming of performing there, and now I have the chance. Pretty unbelievable, let alone 2 years ago I was working as a maternity nurse. Well life can be so tricky.  (smiles)

 
Do think the Song Contest should be more for beginners like yourself, or do you think there's a place for established stars in the Contest? If you had the opportunity do you think you would want to do a Contest again 15 years from now?

Well, I can't really answer that yet, (laughs) maybe 15 years later? But of course I don't have a problem, if the artists there are beginners or experienced artists at all.

Where do you see yourself, what would you like to be doing, in three years? 10 years?  50 years?

I’d love to sing, sing, sing ... give big concerts and perform nice songs ... and give some joy to the people.

I know it's simple, but I really want to do this!

As you earn money in your singing career, would you  go back to study medicine? 

Well, I am considering to study further, but not medicine. At the moment I do not have time to do it, but it is on my “to do list”. (smiles cryptically)

 
I read that you watched the Eurovision Song Contest with your family (I think you must have been about 9 years old when Hungary first entered).    Did you ever think one day you might be on the Contest's stage?    

I was just dreaming of it, but didn’t really admit it to anyone. (grins)

 
You said that Lane Moje in 2005 was your favourite.  His song was beautiful and very folkloric (as was Hungary's last entry).  Did you ever consider going in a more folkloric direction like your favourite?

Regarding the folkloric direction, it is still a matter of consideration, you have good ears. (Magdi smiles mysteriously again - now I'm really getting curious.)

I also read that you grew up in the Serbian province of Vojvodina.   Is that correct?   Do have a special connection to Serbia or Serbian music?

Yes, I grew up in Kishegyes, of course the culture there influenced my life, and I love Serbian music as well.
 

There were rumours that this was a problem for you in Hungary - that some people in Hungary were unhappy with your selection since you come from the Serbian province.  Is that true?

Regarding the gossip, there were some intrigues about me yes, but I don’t really care about this, I think those who talked about me that way, harmed themselves more then they harmed me. 

You can't ever make everyone happy, such is life.

My conversation with Magdi concludes in "Part 2 - Lady sings the blues."  

In part 2, Magdi talks about her Eurovision Song Contest entry Unsubstantial blues.  She also gives a few hints about her show in Helsinki.

 Click here to read "Part 2" of our Interview .