Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International, born February 2, 1969, in Tel Aviv, Israel, is an Israeli pop and dance music singer. Cohen began performing as a drag queen before releasing her debut satirical single, “Saida Sultana”, in 1992, produced by DJ Offer Nissim. Cohen released her debut studio album, Danna International, in 1993, followed by the platinum-certified studio album Umpatampa in 1994 and the EP E.P. Tampa in 1995. Her 1996 studio album, Maganuna, produced the club hit “Cinque Milla”. In 1998, Dana International represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, winning the competition with the song “Diva” and becoming the first transgender winner in Eurovision history. The single reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and the Top 10 in several European countries. Dana International subsequently released studio albums including Free in 1999, Yoter VeYoter in 2001, HaHalom HaEfshari in 2002, and Hakol Ze Letova in 2007. In 2011, Dana International represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time with the single “Ding Dong”, and served as a judge on the television music competition Kokhav Nolad.
