Ruzandra
| Ruzandra | |
|---|---|
 Ruzandra in 2025.jpg Ruzandra in 2025 | |
| Born | Ruxandra Grigore May 3, 2002 Bucharest, Romania |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Romanian |
| 💼 Occupation |
|
| 📆 Years active | 2016–present |
| 🌐 Website | ruzandra |
Ruxandra Grigore (/ruːˈzʌndrə/ ru-ZUHN-drə; born May 3, 2002) is a Romanian singer, songwriter and record producer.[1] Known professionally as Ruzandra, she works primarily in contemporary pop and R&B. She first gained national attention as a contestant on X Factor Romania.[2] In 2025, she became the first Romanian artist to appear as a contestant on the American television series American Idol, an event widely covered in national media.[3]
Early life
Ruzandra was born on May 3, 2002, in Bucharest, Romania.[1] Public profiles describe her as having pursued music from a young age, taking part in school and local performances.[2] She grew up in Romania and began appearing in singing contests and television broadcasts during her school years.[2] Ruzandra has described her upbringing as creatively supportive.[2]
Career
2016–2018: Early beginnings and television appearances
In 2016, Ruzandra released her debut single "Supersonic Love Song" independently.[2] In 2017, she auditioned for X Factor Romania, where her performance was broadcast nationally.[2]
In 2018, she took part in Romania’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest as a featured vocalist in the entry "Deșert de sentimente" with singer Tiri.[2] These early appearances contributed to her visibility in Romanian entertainment media.
2018–2020: Stage work and live performances
Between 2018 and 2020, Ruzandra performed at concerts, events and television programs in Romania, singing pop and R&B material with live accompaniment. Media outlets during this period presented her as an active live performer.[2]
2020–2023: Tokyo and songwriting collaborations
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she began releasing music under the stage name Tokyo.[4] Her single "Come My Way" received airplay on Romanian radio and led to a collaboration with producer MADS. They released the single "Lucky" and worked together on additional recordings.[5]
She co-wrote "Bang!" for American singer Bella Thorne, included on the soundtrack of the film Chick Fight, and "Deziubește-mă" for Romanian artists Mira and Mario Fresh.[1] These collaborations established her profile as a songwriter in both domestic and international projects.[2]
2023–2024: Transition to Ruzandra and Artificial
In 2023, she resumed performing and releasing music under the name Ruzandra. Her single "Ghost" marked the transition from Tokyo to her current stage identity.[2] That same year, she participated in the Tommy Jeans / Tommy Hilfiger Pop-Up Experience in Bucharest, which combined live performances and fashion promotion.[6]
In 2024, Ruzandra released the extended play Artificial, produced with YDKRIC. The EP combines pop and R&B with afro and amapiano influences and received coverage from outlets including *ExtravaFrench*, which discussed the single "Run".[7]
2025–present: American Idol, Leaks and Drama Queen
In early 2025, Ruzandra appeared on American Idol, advancing to Hollywood Week. Romanian media reported her as the first Romanian contestant to appear on the show.[1][3][2] Following her appearance, she released the studio album Leaks (2025), followed by the EP Drama Queen later that year. International music sites including *Roadie Music*, *Os Garotos de Liverpool* and *LaurelAnne Media* covered her singles "Peacock" and "Ms. Somebody".[8][9][10]
Artistry
Music and voice
Ruzandra’s recordings blend elements of R&B, pop, soul, hip hop and electronic music.[2] She primarily writes and performs in English and is credited as a writer and producer on much of her catalog. Coverage of singles such as "Run", "Peacock" and "Ms. Somebody" has noted her layered vocals and rhythmic phrasing within a pop framework that incorporates trap, amapiano and alternative R&B influences.[8][7][10]
Influences
Ruzandra has cited artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, FKA twigs, Björk and Sevdaliza as influences on her musical and visual work.[2] Coverage has placed her among Romanian pop artists who pursue internationally oriented productions while working largely independently.[1]
Visuals and stage
Ruzandra’s releases are accompanied by visual concepts that include styling, choreography and short-form video content. She has appeared in fashion-related events, including the Tommy Jeans / Tommy Hilfiger project in Bucharest in 2023.[6] Reviews of later singles have treated the visual presentation as an integral part of her releases.[10]
Public image
Following American Idol, Romanian media highlighted Ruzandra as the first Romanian contestant on the show and discussed her attempts to reach international audiences.[1][2][3] Coverage by music and culture sites has noted her involvement in songwriting, image and promotion as an independent performer and her use of visual and social media strategies around releases.[8][10]
Discography
Studio albums
- Leaks (2025)
Extended plays
- Artificial (2024)
- Drama Queen (2025)
Selected singles
- "Supersonic Love Song" (2016)
- "Bon Bon" (2016)
- "Come My Way" (2020)
- "Lucky" (2021)
- "Ghost" (2023)
- "Run" (2024)
- "Peacock" (2025)
- "Ms. Somebody" (2025)
Selected songwriting credits
- "Bang!" – Bella Thorne (2020)
- "Deziubește-mă" – Mira x Mario Fresh (2021)
Television and notable live appearances
- X Factor Romania – contestant (2017)
- Eurovision Romania – national selection (2018)
- American Idol – contestant, Hollywood Week (2025)
- Tommy Jeans / Tommy Hilfiger campaign (2023)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Ruzandra, prima româncă pe scena American Idol". Libertatea (in română). Ringier Romania. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 "Cine este Ruzandra, prima româncă pe scena American Idol". Viva.ro (in română). Ringier Romania. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Ploieșteanca Ruzandra, prima româncă pe scena „American Idol"". Observatorul Prahovean (in română). 5 March 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "Tokyo – Alegerea Lizei pentru Antrenorii de hituri". Virgin Radio Romania (in română). Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "Tokyo (Ruzandra) – Artist Feature". Blaster Magazine. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Tommy Jeans Pop-Up Experience: artă stradală și stil urban". Viva.ro (in română). 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Quand les racines Afro-RnB rencontrent les rythmes Amapiano avec Ruzandra sur « Run »". ExtravaFrench (in français). 6 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Ruzandra chega com "Peacock Pop" com pegada, paixão, presença e profundidade". Roadie Music (in português). 6 October 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "Músicas para tocar na sua playlist #259". Os Garotos de Liverpool (in português). 10 September 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Ruzandra's "Ms. Somebody" Burns with Betrayal". LaurelAnne Media. 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
External links
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