Vesna Vukelić Vendi

Vesna Vukelić (Serbian Cyrillic: Весна Вукелић; born 25 November 1971), known by her stage name Vendi (Serbian Cyrillic: Венди), is a Serbian singer, television personality and former model. Initially a glamour model, she made her debut in the movie Dama koja ubija (1992). Vendi has since pursued a career in music and has collectively released five studio albums. She is often dubbed the "Queen of fairs" (Kraljica vašara).[1][2]

Vesna Vukelić Vendi
Весна Вукелић Венди
Vendi performing in 2009
Vendi performing in 2009
Background information
Birth nameVesna Vukelić
Born (1971-11-25) November 25, 1971
Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia
GenresTurbo-folk
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • glamour model
  • television personality
Years active1992–present
Labels
  • ZaM
  • MAT
  • Juvekomerc
  • Renome

In addition to singing, Vendi has made appearances on reality television shows, including Farma (2009), Veliki Brat (2013), Parovi (2018-2020). Vukelić is also known for her outspoken, religiously charged and often controversial views and comments on other public figures.

Career

Vukelić began her career as a glamour model in the early 1990s and gained notoriety by appearing on the popular talk show hosted by Milovan Ilić Minimaks.[3] She starred in the 1992 television movie Dama koja ubija alongside Velimir Bata Živojinović in the lead role.[4][5] The following year, Vukelić began her music career by releasing her debut album through ZaM, which included four folk tracks on the A-side and four pop tracks on the B-side. To promote the album she hosted ten episodes of her own late-night talk show on RTV Politika. Vendi's sophomore album, Ljubavna igra, was released in 1995.

It was followed by albums Želim s tobom sve (2001) and Praćnuo se šarančić (2004) in collaboration with Južni Vetar. She also starred as Queen Draga Mašin in the movie Draga Mašin u ormaru, directed by Isidora Bjelica. However, after the footage had been stolen the project was postponed for good. Same year, she was featured on the cover of Serbian Playboy magazine, in the June 2004 issue.[4] The photoshoot took place at the compound of the historical Beli dvor.[6] In 2007, Vendi released her last album to date, titled Ucena, featuring her signature hit "Uljez".[4]

In 2010, Vukelić took part on the reality series Farma, where she was noted for her interactions and relationship with Ekrem Jevrić.[7] Vendi was evicted on Day 108, a night before the grand final. In 2011, she co-wrote and performed in a comedy play Vendi u Petkovim mukama throughout Montenegro.[4] In 2011, Vukelić was also nominated for the title of Serbian gay icon, but lost to singer Marina Perazić.[8] She has since been known for making homophobic remarks.[9] In 2013, she appeared on the fifth celebrity edition of Serbian Big Brother, where she also got evicted a day before the final. In 2018, Vukelić became a presenter of the reality show Parovi.[10]

In July 2022, Vukelić published a novel, titled Misterija crne žene (Mystery of the Black Woman).[11] In October, she promoted the book at the Belgrade Book Fair.[12]

Personal life

Vukelić was born on 25 November 1971 in Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia. She has a younger sister, Maja Vukelić, who won the title of Miss YU in 1994.[13]

In 1991, she was romantically involved with the president of Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav Šešelj.[14] In 2001, Vukelić married former player of OFK Beograd, Branimir Banjac.[15][16] The couple has a daughter, named Nikoleta.[16]

She practices Eastern Orthodox Christianity and is vocal about her faith in public.[17][18]

She is third cousins with Draško Stanivuković, a Bosnian Serb Politician and the current mayor of Banja Luka.[11]

Discography
Studio albums
  • Malo vruće, malo hladno (1993)
  • Ljubavna igra (1995)
  • Želim s’ tobom sve (2001)
  • Praćnuo se šarančić (2004)
  • Ucena (2007)

Filmography
Filmography of Vesna Vukelić Vendi
YearTitle GenreRole Notes
1992Dama koja ubija Television Girl #1
Toplo-hladno Herself Presenter
2004Sav taj folk
2010Farma Season 3, 7th place
2011Dvor Guest
2013Veliki Brat VIP Season 5, Eliminated 10th
2014Odavno posvađane
2015Farma Season 6, 14th place
2018–2020Parovi Presenter

Bibliography
Books
  • Vukelić, Vesna (2022). Misterija crne žene. Srpska kuća. ISBN 978-86-6227-326-0.

References
  1. "KRALJICA VAŠARA IPAK NE ULAZI U ZADRUGU: Vendi malo 1.500 evra nedeljno!". Kurir.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  2. M. A. Š (22 September 2018). "DA NIJE SMEŠNO, BILO BI TUŽNO Vendi na Šabačkom vašaru pevala na stolovima, a igračica u brusu i halterima". Blic.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  3. "Milovan Ilić Minimaks: Začetnik šoubiza u Srbiji danas bi proslavio 77. rođendan". Glossy.espreso.co.rs (in Serbian). 4 November 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  4. "VELIKI BRAT VIP - Vesna Vukelić VENDI profil i ulazak u kuću". YouTube (in Serbian). 3 April 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  5. Lukić, D. (9 April 2022). "ISPOVEST Vesne Vukelić Vendi: Otkrila detalje iz odnosa s glumačkom legendom Batom Živojinovićem!". Republika.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  6. Stojanov, I. (31 August 2022). "Iza kulisa srpskog Plejboja: Kako su nas zbog gole Vendi izbacili iz Belog dvor". Zadovoljna.nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  7. "Smrt Ekrema rastužila Vendi! Ovako se Vesna Vukelić oprostila od gospode". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 5 March 2016.
  8. "Marina Perazić - Gej ikona". Rtv.rs (in Serbian). RTV. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  9. N. M. (20 September 2022). "Težak OKRŠAJ Vendi i Azdejkovića: "TI SI GOLA PEVAČICA NA VAŠARU!"". Blic.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  10. "Od danas Vendi nova voditeljka Parova: Da li će se učesnici opasno preznojiti?". Alo.rs (in Serbian). 11 November 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  11. Savić, M. (20 July 2022). ""Ja sam Draškova tetka": Vendi o gradonačelniku Banjaluke i vezi s Tanjom Savić". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  12. D. B. M. (26 October 2022). "OD VENDI DO NEDE: Na ovogodišnjem Sajmu knjiga više se ne traže štiva influenserki, već pevačica". Novosti.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  13. "МЛАЂА СЕСТРА ВУКЕЛИЋ: Била Мис YU и Минимаксова маскота". Nportal.rs (in Serbian). 7 October 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  14. "Posle dve decenije isplivali detalji stare ljubavi! Šešelj: Vendi me je ostavila, a voleo sam je". pink.rs (in Serbian). 2016.
  15. M. Š. (20 February 2020). "Vendi muža krije od javnosti više od 20 godina: On je bivši fudbaler! A evo kako izgleda". Pulsonline.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  16. Popović, A. (2 November 2015). "Čovek koji stoji iza Vendi: Muž joj zbog para sve oprašta". Blic.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  17. "Ja sebe smatram ovakvim pravoslavcem... Sreli smo Vendi u Hramu Svetog Save i ona nam je pričala o veri". Blic.rs (in Serbian). 1 October 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  18. Vasiljević, N. (29 November 2022). "IZA MASKE Išli smo sa Vendi na liturgiju: Ovo morate da vidite". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 5 January 2023.
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