Florin Ristei
Florin Ristei (born Traian Florin Ristei; 29 August 1987) is a Romanian singer and television presenter. He was born in the city of Galați, Romania, but he currently lives in Bucharest. He is best known for his debut single, "Dana" (together with his former band, Amici) and for winning the third season of the "X Factor Romania" in 2013. In 2012, Universal Pictures chose Ristei to sing the main songs the animated movie The Lorax, alongside Narcisa Suciu, and Nadia Comăneci who provide the Romanian version of the film. Life and career. 1987–2012: Early life, Amici and Marfar . Ristei attended the General School No. 10 from Galați. His teachers say that he excelled as a student; as a child he was very ambitious, but he also worked hard. He was discovered in 1999 by Lucian Pintilie at a karaoke contest in Constanţa, held by Prima TV. Pintilie wanted to make a film together with Ristei, but after a year of trying, the project did not materialize. Ristei later became the lead singer of the band Amici. It was, at that time, the youngest pop-rock band in Romania. In 2000, they released the smash hit "Dana", with which  they entered the national music charts. Together, they released 2 EPs, an album and appeared on a compilation. In 2005, he joined the band Marfar. The band's biggest hit was "Baby Marinaru'" () 2012–present: FreeStay, "X Factor" and great national success. In 2012, Ristei formed the musical project FreeStay, which meant Ristei's return to the national music market. The project's debut song, "Ea a fost Dana" (), reached Romania's radio and TV stations. They participated on Romania's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Criminal Mind", placing 9th in the final. In  2013, Ristei auditioned for the third season of the "X Factor Romania" talent show. His performances were highly appreciated by both the jury and the viewers, subsequently winning the competition. He later released the songs "Altfel de magie" (), "Cerșetori de iubire" () and "Trebuia să fii tu" (). In 2016, Ristei released the hit "Las-o..." () together with the rapper Vescan. The song reached number one on Romanian charts. This was followed by many collaborations with top-charting Romanian artists such as: What's Up for the song "Facem ce vrem" (), Andra for the song "Între noi nu mai e nimic" () and  Smiley, who wrote the music and lyrics for the song "Îmi place prietena ei" (). In 2017, he won the award for the Best Romanian Male Voice at the Radio Romania Awards gala. In 2020, Ristei became a judge on the ninth season of the "X Factor Romania", this way becoming the first ever "X Factor Romania" winner to ever become a judge later in the show. Personal life. Florin is currently in a relationship with "X Factor" season 9 contestant Naomi Hedman, raising suspicions about backstage business. He is the first and only "X Factor" Romania judge to have ever  become involved in a relationship with a contestant.