Jüri Nael
Acting
Biography
Jüri Nael (born July 9, 1975) is an Estonian choreographer, pedagogue of dance and physical theatre and actor. Nael was born and raised in Viljandi. He is 1998 graduate of Viljandi Culture Academy, having majored in choreography. Between 2001 and 2005, he taught stage movement and dance and was a lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. From 2006 until 2011, he was a physical theatre associate professor with the academy, and since 2016, professor of supervised physical theatre in postgraduate courses (Master's Program Manager). In 2019, he became the academy's international master's program manager of modern performing arts. Between 2006 and 2007, he was a lecturer at Tallinn University's Department of Choreography, and head of department from 2007 until 2008, and associate professor from 2007 until 2011. He has also been a visiting Professor of Choreography at Jacksonville University in Florida, US. Since 2011, he is a lecturer of physical theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Since 2019 he is studying at Estonian Music and Theatre Academy (doctoral studies). From 2006 until 2011, he was one of the judges in the Kanal 2 television dance competition series Tantsud tähtedega. He has also appeared as an actor in the television series Riigimehed and Väikesed hiiglased. Nael is gay and speaks openly about his sexuality in hopes to foster further acceptance of the LGBT community in Estonia.
Known For
Year 1208. The first Eastward enlargement of Europe is under way. Brutal forces of the Teutonic Order are steadily marching on. In their path live a simple and peaceful people, whose main pastimes include cultivating the earth, singing and, if possible, doing both at the same time. They are the Estonians. Ignorant in the ways of war, they find an unlikely leader in a young boy with Catholic upbringing. In their fight for freedom, the Estonians encounter numerous obstacles, including the Germans, French, Russians and, worst of all, the Latvians. Will they succeed in defeating their enemies or will they experience a cultural awakening?
Men at Arms
Eesti otsib superstaari is an Estonian reality-competition gameshow airing on TV3. It debuted on 11 March 2007 and it has since become one of the most popular shows in Estonia. Part of the Idol franchise, it originated from the reality program Pop Idol created by the British entertainment executive Simon Fuller, first aired in 2001 in the United Kingdom. The program seeks to discover the best singer in Estonia through a series of nationwide auditions. The outcomes of the later stages of the competition are determined by the viewers. Through telephone and SMS text voting, viewers have chosen as winners Birgit Õigemeel, Jana Kask, Ott Lepland and Liis Lemsalu. The format features a panel of judges who critique the contestants' performances. The judges are former recording artist, music critic and journalist Mihkel Raud, singer Maarja-Liis Ilus and singer, actor and conductor Mart Sander. Composer and pianist Rein Rannap and Radio DJ, journalist and TV producer Heidy Purga belonged to the judging panel of the first season. Current judges
Eesti otsib superstaari
Henrik is a successful actor and comedian who's always trying to prove he's not a homophobe. In his private life, he is lonely and insecure, struggling with adulthood. One day, after dislocating his shoulder, he joins a yoga class and makes his first gay friend ever.