 In 2007, Vânia won Portuguese public television's talent contest, "Operação Triunfo" (a kind of Star Academy).That same year, she completed her professional music studies and training in singing, including jazz, at Madeira's Conservatory.On 22 May 2008 Fernandes sung "Senhora do mar" (Lady of the Sea) during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia.