Tamara Volcheska earns six jury votes and advances to second round

Tamara Volcheska, a 29-year-old singer from Gostivar, delivered a show-stopping opening to the new season of Zvezdite na Grand, earning six jury votes and an immediate place in the program’s second round. Her confident stage presence, powerful voice and marked image — including her recognizable tattoos — drew strong reactions from both audience and judges.

Her appearance on the televised premiere confirmed the momentum that began with her May audition in Skopje, and reinforced her profile at home thanks to hits such as "Ne brojam do 3" and several years of professional experience.

Judge Sanja Vucic praised the performance in enthusiastic terms: "Tamara, for me this was brilliant! I would show your performance to every contestant as how stage mastery should look. You sing as if you've been doing this for more than ten years, I get goosebumps the whole time. I trusted you tonight and I really want you on my team," she said.

Dara Bubamara also complimented Tamara’s energy and song choices: "She is so energetic, a true showwoman! Well done also on the song choices. It's as if you've been doing this for 20 years, I really like your timbre," the singer told her.

Production decision and mentor appointment

After the performance, Ceca offered encouragement as well: "Talent is talent, but a lot of work is needed. You are worth attention. You are a true pearl that came from Macedonia and I wish you a lot of luck." Ceca later withdrew her vote to leave the decision to colleagues, but the show's director, Goran Šljivić, made the final call and the production assigned Aleksandar Milić – Mili as Tamara’s new mentor.

The season also arrived with several rule changes designed to speed up the competition: any contestant receiving five or more votes advances directly to the second round; those who score five or six votes have their mentor chosen by the production, while contestants with seven or eight votes may select their own mentor. Jury members may withdraw a vote if they feel they are not the right match or press a panic button. Participants who earn one to four votes go into a barrage round, while zero votes mean immediate elimination. The qualifying phase is limited to just eight episodes, making each spot more hotly contested — and Tamara has already positioned herself among the front-runners.

Photo: press material from the event