Gabriela Ristovska impresses Ceca on Zvezde Granda and advances to second round

Gabriela Ristovska captured attention on the Zvezde Granda stage not only with her vocal performance but with a carefully chosen, sophisticated look that drew praise from the jury — most notably from folk star Ceca.

Elegance and a classic Macedonian song

The young Macedonian contestant appeared in an elegant white set — tailored trousers and a stylized blouse fastened up to the throat — a styling choice that stood out amid the show’s usual stage wardrobes. For her performance she selected Pepi Baftirovski’s timeless song "Ako zgresham neka izgoram," delivering the piece with visible emotion.

Ceca singled out Gabriela’s stage presence and poise, offering a warm on-camera endorsement: "She's made for the stage. She loves the stage and the stage loves her. She's beautiful and attractive. Although she's buttoned up to the neck, that doesn't matter, that a woman carries in herself, that sex appeal. Either she has it, or she doesn't. Some women can walk around naked and it's nothing, and you are a living example that when a woman has that femininity innate, it is so," Ceca told the cameras.

Despite a performance that left a strong impression, Gabriela did not secure a direct placement from the initial vote. The duel round remained tense until the end as contestants and audience alike waited for the judges’ final decision.

When hosts Milan Mitrović and Voja Nedeljković announced that Gabriela would advance to the second round, the contestant could not hide her emotions and fought back tears of joy on camera.

Photo: press material from the event