With the Eurovision final hitting fans' screens, many will be wondering who will battle it out to win this year's coveted trophy. One of the countries vying for the win is Lithuania, which will be represented by Monika Liu.
The 34-year-old will attempt to win over the judges and public with her song Sentimentai when she takes to the stage in Turin, Italy. But who is Monika? In an effort to get to know the Lithuanian singer better, we've done some digging and this is what we found.
Keep reading to find out more.
Read more : Eurovision 2022 final line up confirmed as Australia make it in but Ireland miss out
Who is Monika?
Born in Klaipėda, Monika began her music career at five-years-old when she started to play the violin. She discovered singing ten years later, and won the Dainų dainelė ("Song of Songs") competition in 2004.
After graduating from the University of Klaipėda, where she studied jazz, Monika continued her studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, America. After leaving college, she moved to London, where she continued to compose songs, before settling in Vilnius, Lithuania's capital.
The Eurovision biography reads: "Since her debut in 2015, Liu has released three albums and plenty more singles. Her repertoire is so impressive that she’s been called upon to sit on the panel of two of Lithuania’s biggest talent shows: The Voice and The Masked Singer .
"According to the artist, she has been considering making her way to the Eurovision stage for many years, and the time proved right for her now, upon the composition of Sentimentai , which was written and recorded in London."
Other songs the singer has released include Troškimas and Vaikinai trumpais šortais as part of her 2020 album, Melodija.
Has Lithuania won Eurovision before?
No, but this year could be the first time they are victorious. However, Monika will have some stiff competition ahead of her, because she will be up against Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra. The rap group is currently tipped to take home the crown, according to Betfair.
The gambling company states Ukraine's odds are 2/5 as of yesterday (May 12). Monika will also have to outsing TikTok star Sam Ryder, who will be representing the United Kingdom with his song Space Man, and many other countries.
