Marija Josifovska gets 8 votes on Zvezde Granda, picks Đorđe David as mentor
Marija Josifovska earned a perfect score on Zvezde Granda and chose Đorđe David as her mentor; two other Macedonian contestants also impressed the judges.
Twenty-year-old Marija Josifovska delivered a headline-making performance on the regional music competition Zvezde Granda, earning the maximum eight votes and an immediate spot in the next round after she personally picked Đorđe David as her mentor.
Perfect score and a mentor choice
Marija opened the latest episode and won over both the audience and the panel with a rendition of a song made famous by Svetlana Ceca Ražnatović. Backed by visible support from her parents, the young singer turned the stage into a showcase of confidence and vocal control.
Judge Ceca reacted with obvious delight, joking on air: "I enjoyed it the most! Whose songs was she singing?"
Dragan Kojić Keba added his praise in his trademark tone: "Marija, I was in a trance and you definitely deserve a second chance!"
At the end of the audition Marija collected all seven jury votes plus the Production vote — a full eight — and advanced directly to round two. She thanked everyone on stage and announced her mentor choice: "Thank you all from the heart, I respect you all and I love you the same. My choice for a mentor is Đorđe David!"
Marija is not the only contestant from North Macedonia making waves this season. Earlier in the competition Tamara Volcheska, 29, from Gostivar impressed with a powerful voice, distinctive tattoos and a strong stage image, earning six jury votes. Sanja Vučić told her she "sings as if she's been on stage for 20 years," while Ceca called her "a true gem coming from Macedonia!" Production assigned Tamara to mentor Aleksandar Milić – Mili.
Also returning to the Grand stage was Milica Rizo Trajkov from Kavadarci, who combined cabaret, jazz and ethnic touches and took six jury votes. Dara Bubamara compared her to the legendary Josipa Lisac, and Production placed her under Đorđe David's mentorship.
With three Macedonian women already winning strong support from the judges, this season of Zvezde Granda looks set to highlight talent from North Macedonia across the regional show.
Photo: press material from the event
