Nikolija on Secret Wedding: Vesna Zmijanac Was Not a Guest
The singer spoke publicly for the first time about marrying Relja Popovic, confirmed she changed her surname and explained why her mother was not at the ceremony.
Nikolija Jovanovic has spoken publicly for the first time about her wedding to Relja Popovic and confirmed that she took his surname. Her mother, Vesna Zmijanac, was not at the wedding, and the singer says nobody knew what was being planned. She made the remarks to reporters at an event in Belgrade, as reported by Kurir and Nova.
What did she say about the surname and the “right moment”?
According to Nova’s account, Nikolija and Relja Popovic married after 12 years together. Relja arranged a surprise for Nikolija’s birthday, so none of the guests knew they had actually come to a wedding. Asked about changing her surname, the singer answered with a smile:
“It happened, after 12 years. Everyone has their own pace and their own right moment, and this one was ours and, for me, the most beautiful in the world. I had no expectations about what the public would say. My name is Popovic now, and everyone tells me I have become prettier.”
Kurir adds that Nikolija admitted she took Relja’s surname and enjoyed the day when the two made their commitment to each other official.
Why was Vesna Zmijanac not at the wedding?
The two outlets do not fully agree here. Kurir writes that Nikolija did not invite her mother because the wedding was completely secret. The direct quote Nova carries says something different: that nobody knew and that the surprise was as much for her as for anyone.
“Vesna was not at the wedding, nobody knew, it was a surprise for me, and two days later we went to lunch with the family.”
The singer then spoke about fear, her daughters and her mother’s health. Kurir reports that Vesna’s health, as Nikolija put it, is not great but is fine at the moment, though it varies from day to day. Nova quotes her words:
“I wasn’t even afraid, maybe I would have been if I had known what was going to happen. The little girls were there, happy. Vesna is well, she’s holding up, one day it’s like this, the next day like that, we have to be understanding. I can’t tell her to stop singing, she lives for it, besides us, singing gives her the energy to live.”
Best men, first dance and Relja’s post
Kurir also reports several details from the ceremony itself:
- the newlyweds danced their first dance to “Skoljka” by Dino Merlin
- the best man on the bride’s side was fashion stylist Stefan Orlic
- the best man on Relja’s side was Djordje Djordjevic, a close friend, music producer and songwriter who has long been part of the production company “Made in Balkan”
After the wedding, Relja Popovic also posted on Instagram. On his story he shared a photo with his wife and wrote in the caption: “Mr. and Mrs. Popovic.” Many took that as a sign the singer had taken his surname, which she has now confirmed herself.
Sava Centar concert: her mother and husband are guests
On October 19, Nikolija announced her first solo concert at Sava Centar, scheduled for November 21. In a piece from that day, written after her performance at the Nine club in Linz, Telegraf already referred to Relja Popovic as her husband. The singer then revealed who would join her on stage:
“I have to tell you that the three of us will be on the Sava Centar stage on November 21. Mom and Relja will be my guests.”
Kurir confirms the announcement: Vesna Zmijanac will be part of her daughter’s concert. In the same conversation with Telegraf, Nikolija also talked about how public attention affects their marriage:
“It doesn’t affect us. We live our own life, and it’s clear to me why people find us interesting. We both work in the public eye, we are public figures and it’s logical that people talk about us. But there is no reason for it to affect our relationship when it is stable.”
Asked what matters most in family life, she answered briefly: “Love is, above all, the most important, because love makes up for everything. I think that is enough.”
