Who are LELEK? Meet Croatia's Eurovision 2026 entry

After a successful competition in 2o24, where Croatia came extremely close to winning the Eurovision Song Contest but were pipped to the post by Switzerland – last year they failed to even make it to the final.

So, will this year's competitor, girl band LELEK, be just what Croatia needs to secure its first ever Eurovision victory. First entering in 1993, the closest Croatia has ever got to winning was with Baby Lasagna two years ago, who achieved a podium finish of second place.

Now LELEK are hoping they have what it takes to go all the way with their hybrid folk-pop power ballad about female empowerment.

Here’s everything you need to know about LELEK as they head to Vienna for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest.

Who are Croatia Eurovision 2026 entry LELEK?

Instagram: @lelekmusic

TikTok: @lelekmusic

LELEK is an all-female pop group made up of five members Inka Večerina Perušić, Judita Štorga, Korina Olivia Rogić, Lara Brtan and Marina Ramljak. The group formed in 2024 and their debut single Tanani Nani was released later the same year.

Lelek were announced as one of 24 participants in Dora 2025, the Croatian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, with the song The Soul of My Soul. They ended in fourth place and missed out on the chance to represent Croatia at Eurovision the following year.

This year, they competed in Dora 2026, ultimately winning the contest and the Croatian spot for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

What nationality are LELEK?

The members of LELEK are Croatian and are from Zagreb, Croatia.

What has LELEK said about representing Croatia at Eurovision 2026?

The female members of LELEK said of performing at Eurovision: "We feel really proud that other people will get to hear that story [of Andromeda]."

What is Croatia's Eurovision 2026 song called?

LELEK will be performing the song Andromeda. The band has a distinctive sound which merges Croatian folk motifs with modern arrangements, electronic production and pop structures.

Speaking of the meaning of the song, they said to ORF: "Andromeda is a song that's inspired by women that tattoo themselves in order to escape slavery.

"But it's actually celebrating women and freedom of everyone, and being who you are."

Where did Croatia come in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?

Croatia failed to qualify for the Eurovision 2025 final after its entry, Marko Bošnjak finished 12th in the first semi-final with the song Poison Cake.

The Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism over its decision to allow Israel to take part in the event due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

This year, a number of countries will boycott the contest following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to expel Israel from the competition.

At the EBU general assembly in December 2025, a vote was held to introduce new rules that would stop governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters. No vote was held on Israel’s participation.

The EBU said in a statement: “A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place.”

Following this, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland confirmed they would not participate in this year’s Eurovision.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ said: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”

The BBC, which broadcasts the competition in the UK, has said it supports the decision made by the EBU. “This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive,” it said in a statement.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

You can also check out the full list of Eurovision winners and how many times the UK has won Eurovision.

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