Klemen Slakonja

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Klemen Slakonja
Klemen Slakonja DSC01060 (24644921631) (cropped).jpg
Slakonja in 2016
Born (1985-06-03) 3 June 1985 (age 39)
Nationality Slovene
Education Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, television host, impersonator, musician
Years active2007–present
SpouseMojca Fatur (2010)
Children2

Klemen Slakonja (born 3 June 1985) is a Slovenian singer. He is employed at the Ljubljana Slovene National Theatre Drama and acting in it is his primary occupation.

Contents

He studied at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television. Slakonja is known in Slovenia for his comedy sketches often made in the form of music videos as well as for anchoring various TV shows such as the Eurovision Song Contest in his home country. He has made numerous impersonations of Slovenian musicians, Slovene philosopher Slavoj Žižek, Pope Francis, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Angela Merkel and others.

Career

He was born in a Slovenian border town Brežice. His early impersonations started around second year of high school. He started his career at local Radio Energy near his home in the town of Krško, which is the most known for having the only nuclear powerplant in Slovenia. He was the radio anchor and he was hosting many different kind of local events.

2007: Breakthrough after Radio Ga Ga show

In late summer of 2007, he hosted the home reception for Slovenian world class hammer throw champion Primož Kozmus in Brežice, to celebrate his silver medal from 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka. To honour Primož Kozmus he translated the Slovenian Christmas song "Bela snežinka" to "Sivo kladivo" (Grey Hammer) and impersonated it with voices of various Slovenian popular musicians. That's when radio host Edi Štraus noticed him and recommended him to Sašo Hribar, satirical TV and radio host.

On 5 October 2007, Sašo Hribar invited Slakonja to make his first public performance on the national level to his satirical radio show called Radio Ga Ga where they are mocking mostly of out of Slovenian politicians and which is broadcast weekly on first channel of Slovenian National Radio. [1] [2] He imitated Slovenian ballad singer Rok Kosmač which was the breaking point of his career and after this performance suddenly became known to a wide Slovenian audience.

Just a month later in November 2007, he made the first public television appearance at satirical television show Hri-bar hosted by Sašo Hribar which was mocking animated characters, mostly Slovenian politicians. Show was broadcast on RTV Slovenia national television. Show hosted regular and also musical guests where Slakonja performed mocking Slovenian musicians with perfect voice and disguise impersonation.

2008: Suddenly became host on national TV

On 17 February 2008 he practically over night became a national television host taking over popular Sunday afternoon family show called "NLP" on RTV Slovenia. He became a co-host with Tjaša Železnik who previously run this show alone for about two years.

2011: First time hosting EMA Festival

On 27 February 2011 he first time hosted EMA music festival competition, a Slovenian entry for Eurovision Song Contest 2011 and the winner was Maja Keuc. To honour this festival he wrote music and presented "16 let skomin", a mix song of all sixteen EMA festival winners. So far he was hosting this festival for three more times, in 2012, 2016 and 2020. In 2016 he presented "Putin, Putout" in the EMA show.

2013: Zadetek v petek & Je bella cesta

On 15 February 2013 he hosted his first own comedy show "Zadetek v petek" (Full on Friday) which was broadcast on commercial TV3 Medias. The whole thing was shot in Belgrade, however the show was canceled only few months later after only one season. Shortly after he started hosting his second own comedy show "Je bella cesta" (Damn) which lasted for two seasons from October 2013 to May 2014.

2015: Zadžuskaj hit song in commercial

He wrote "Zadžuskaj" (Juice it) song was released in 2014. He shot a music video in which he plays DeciDeci Klemzy, an awkward nerd character. [3] Jingle was used in a two commercials for health insurance company and became summer hit of the year 2015. [4] [5]

2016: Putin, Putout and international fame

His comedy sketch "Putin, Putout" gained international popularity. [6] This was the first video he shot as part of his TheMockingbirdMan project. The video parodies Russian president Vladimir Putin. Shortly after airing on Slovene television, the comedy sketch was uploaded to Slakonja's personal YouTube channel where it went viral. [7] [8] [9]

His second TheMockingbirdMan project video entitled "Golden Dump (The Trump Hump)" impersonating Donald Trump has premiered on 17 July 2016 at Siti Teater BTC Ljubljana. Two days later it was uploaded to Slakonja's personal YouTube channel.

Work

Radio

YearRole
2007"Radio Energy" (Radio Krško)host
"Radio Ga Ga" (Radio Slovenia 1)satire

Television

YearTitleRole
2007"Hri-bar"satirical late show
"Osa"short film
"Vučko"short film
2008"Nekega lepega popoldne" (NLP)family show host
2009"Palčica"short film
2011"EMA 2011"eurovision entry host
2012"EMA 2012"eurovision entry host
2013"Zadetek v petek"comedy show host
"Je bella cesta"comedy show host
2014"Cipercoper"animation voice
"Zadžuskaj s Klemzyem"commercial
2016"EMA 2016"eurovision entry host

Film

YearTitleRole
2009"Osebna prtljaga"Vid

Web series

YearTitleRole
2010"Dan ljubezni"YouTube series (protective brother)

List of parodies

YearTitle of parodyImpersonatingRoleVideo
2007"Hepatitis B" Flag of Slovenia.svg Anžej Dežan singer YouTube
"Urška" Flag of Slovenia.svg Jan Plestenjaksinger YouTube
"S.O.L.I.S." Flag of Slovenia.svg Tomi Megličsinger YouTube
"You always dreamt about Njega" Flag of Slovenia.svg Fredi Milersinger YouTube
"Čakam te" Flag of Slovenia.svg Rok Kosmačsinger YouTube
"S Katancem v JAR" Flag of Slovenia.svg Vlado Kreslin singer YouTube
"Hamburger in marmelada" Flag of Slovenia.svg Rok Ferengjasinger YouTube
2008"Da veš" Flag of Slovenia.svg Alya singer YouTube
"Oda radosti" Flag of Slovenia.svg Damjan Murkosinger YouTube
"Nor sem" Flag of Slovenia.svg Dennis ex. Game oversinger YouTube
2011"Twelve" Flag of Ireland.svg Bono singer YouTube
"You're beautiful" Flag of England.svg James Blunt singer YouTube
"Zero" Flag of Spain.svg Enrique Iglesias singer YouTube
"It ain't over 'til it's over" Flag of the United States.svg Lenny Kravitz singer YouTube
"Marío" Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Ricky Martin singer YouTube
"Left Outside Alone" Flag of the United States.svg Anastacia singer YouTube
"Viva la Corrida" Flag of England.svg Chris Martin singer YouTube
"Jodl Jodl (This time for Slovenija)" Flag of Colombia.svg Shakira singer YouTube
"Sex Bomb" Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Tom Jones singer YouTube
"Bed of roses" Flag of the United States.svg Jon Bon Jovi singer YouTube
"Shape of a chicken" Flag of England.svg Sting singer YouTube
2012"Mi fa schifo questa vita" Flag of Italy.svg Eros Ramazzotti
Flag of the United States.svg Tina Turner
singer YouTube
"Slovenia Will Win"
(Eurovision Song Contest)
One Man Band Aid
Flag of Ireland.svg Bono
Flag of England.svg Sting
Flag of England.svg James Blunt
Flag of England.svg Elton John
Flag of England.svg Chris Martin
Flag of Austria.svg Vienna Boys' Choir
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Justin Bieber
Flag of the United States.svg Lenny Kravitz
Flag of the United States.svg Gospel choir
Flag of the United States.svg Lady Gaga
singers YouTube
2013"Slash" interview Flag of England.svg / Flag of the United States.svg Slash musician YouTube
"Polka Gangnam Style" Flag of South Korea.svg Psy singer YouTube
"JJ Style" Flag of Slovenia.svg Janez Janša politician YouTube
"Ti moja rožica" Flag of Slovenia.svg Modrijaniband YouTube
"Cooking with Bojan Emeršič" Flag of England.svg Jamie Oliver cooking YouTube
"Najlepše otroške pesmice" Flag of Slovenia.svg Eroikavocal trio YouTube
"Nočem biti papež" Flag of Slovenia.svg Franc Rode cardinal YouTube
"Proposing to Hannah Mancini" Flag of the United States.svg Hugh Hefner Playboy YouTube
"Jasna Kuljaj" Flag of the United States.svg Gregory House actor YouTube
"Holivud hils" Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Branko Đurić actor YouTube
"Penzioner" Flag of Belgium (civil).svg / Flag of Slovenia.svg Karl Erjavec politician YouTube
"Dejan Zavec vs Chuck Norris" Flag of the United States.svg Chuck Norris actor YouTube
"Aplavz" Flag of the United States.svg Lady Gaga singer YouTube
"The Perverted Dance (Cut the Balls)" Flag of Slovenia.svg Slavoj Žižek philosopher YouTube
"La Mia Strada È La Mia Decisione" Flag of Italy.svg Andrea Massiskiing YouTube
"Zdaj prihajam in zdaj grem" Flag of Slovenia.svg Magnificomusician YouTube
"Modern Pope" Flag of Vatican City (2023-present).svg / Flag of Argentina.svg Pope Francis pope YouTube
2014"Gromska strela" Flag of Slovenia.svg Modrijaniband YouTube
"Dragon, Dragone" Flag of Slovenia.svg Goran Dragić basketball YouTube
"Delam vse, kar dela Pahor" Flag of Slovenia.svg Borut Pahor politician YouTube
"Na veliko noč" Flag of Slovenia.svg Soul Greg Artistmusician YouTube
"Put me zove" Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Halid Bešlić musician YouTube
"Sad je tu sve EU" Flag of Croatia.svg Oliver Dragojević musician YouTube
"Zgoraj brez" Flag of Slovenia.svg Tanja Žagarmusician YouTube

TheMockingbirdMan project

A project where he is impersonating and making fun of world leaders.

No.TitleImpersonatingDirectorPremiereRelease dateVideo
1"Modern Pope" Flag of Vatican City (2023-present).svg Flag of Argentina.svg Pope Francis Miha Knific Pop 8 November 2013 YouTube
2"Putin, Putout" Flag of Russia.svg Vladimir Putin Miha Knific RTV Slovenia Studio 1 (EMA 2016) 27 February 2016 YouTube
3"Golden Dump (The Trump Hump)" Flag of the United States.svg Donald Trump Miha KnificSiti Teater BTC Ljubljana17 July 2016 YouTube
4"Ruf mich Angela" Flag of Germany.svg Angela Merkel Miha Knific3 July 2017 YouTube

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References

  1. "Slakonja's first national public appearance at Sašo Hribar's Radio Ga Ga show on 5 October 2007". stern.de. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  2. "With voice mutation to imitation". gorenjskiglas.si. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
  3. "Klemen Slakonja kot DeciDeci Klemzy - Zadžuskaj". YouTube . Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  4. "Zadžuskaj s Klemzyem". YouTube . Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  5. "Zadžuskaj 2: Klemzy kot polka Rajko". YouTube . Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  6. "Slovenian comedian rocks with Putin parody; Trump to follow". Reuters . 7 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  7. "The Putin parody going viral in Eastern Europe". BBC News. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  8. "The Parody Everyone In The World — Except Vladimir Putin — Will Love". carbonated.tv. Retrieved 5 March 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. "Die Putin-Satire, die gerade mächtig für Furore sorgt". stern.de. Retrieved 8 March 2016.