Marija Šerifović Bows Out of Talent Shows to Prioritise Her “One True Contestant”: Her Son

Serbian Eurovision icon and former Zvezde Granda judge Marija Šerifović has officially closed the curtain on her decade-long stint in TV talent shows, announcing a full retreat from music competitions to focus on a rather different kind of finalist — her baby son, Mario.

In a heartfelt (and very Marija) announcement on Instagram, the singer made it crystal clear:

“From September, I will not be part of any television format jury. The time has come for me to rest, and the only contestant I care about is Šerifović Mario.”

Mic drop, nappy in hand.

Goodbye, Grand Stage

Marija’s decision to leave Zvezde Granda after ten seasons wasn’t exactly a plot twist — rumours had been swirling for weeks. But when the official goodbye came, it hit like a particularly emotional X Factor montage.

“After 10 years, it’s time to close this beautiful chapter,” she wrote, thanking colleagues, young talents, and, of course, the audience.
“This wasn’t just a job. It was laughter, tears, debates, dreams… and growing as both an artist and a human.”

She also paid a touching tribute to her late mentor, Saša Popović — a nod to the man who helped shape her television journey (and perhaps a few dramatic eye-rolls too).

New Priorities, New Rhythm

If anyone thought Šerifović was off to another talent show — Pinkove Zvezde was floated in the tabloids — they were clearly barking up the wrong network. Marija shut it all down with refreshing honesty: her stage now is her home, and the applause she’s chasing is that of one very small but very important audience member.

One could argue that raising a child is more complex than guiding a hopeful through televised vocal duels. There’s no button to press, no standing ovation, and the only duet might involve lullabies at 3am.

A Legacy Built on Talent and Tenacity

Marija leaves behind a legacy on the Serbian small screen, not just as a sharp-eared judge with zero tolerance for mediocrity, but as a genuine believer in the power of music to transform lives — especially for the young hopefuls who passed through her team.

And while the panel of Zvezde Granda won’t be quite the same without her quips and fire, she leaves it in the hands of the next generation — with a warm nudge to Nikola Stanišić and a gracious salute to Ceca for her mentorship.

Source: Telegraf