Singer ALEKSEEV, because of Konstantin Meladze, could not get to his first musical project. City crazy: ALEKSEEV You studied at that time

His song " drunken sun » at the end of 2015, it topped the Russian iTunes chart and stayed at the top for 6 weeks, now the video for this song has collected almost 30 million views. Young, ambitious, talented Nikita Alekseev in exclusive interview GR talked about the new music video, attitude towards fans, favorite music and much more.

Nikit, my first question will be related to the filming of the video “I Feel With My Soul”, why did you decide to send the entire production overseas?

First of all, we are accustomed to trust professionals in their field and shoot the last 4 works with the eminent director Alan Badoev. Inspired by the work of the writer and philosopher Oscar Wilde, Alan came up with a script for a video based on the story of Dorian Gray, and he offered to film it in California. The picturesque landscapes of the video were filmed in Los Angeles, and the main scenes were shot in the suburban part of the city. I had never been to the USA before, it was a great trip, I really enjoyed it. One of the best memories of my life! Therefore, I am very glad that we trusted foreign specialists. The team was half ours, half American.

- But the script was coordinated with you?
- You know, Alan always calls very suddenly at night (laughs), and there is no point in resisting him, if he already believes in it, you need to trust him. If a note of doubt creeps in, then you don't need to start working. If you see a common goal, the seed sprouts. When we were filming Drunken Sun, he completely changed the script, called literally two days before and said: “It will not be like this at all,” when almost everything was organized. Almost always it was (smiles).

- And what kind of story did you have with the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the filming?
- It's a great story! Today I read an interesting comment from my friend, she is also in Los Angeles now. At the hotel, the actress who played Sarah Connor in the Terminator quite by chance approached her, asked something in passing and moved on. Basically, it was the same with me. We shot the last frame of the video on the ocean, we were already tired enough, it was the most difficult period of acclimatization... looked back and saw running Anthony Kiedis. I couldn't believe my eyes, he was my childhood idol! I screamed like a child, maybe even scared him (laughs).

- It was a sign, because the girl might not know him at all.

Yes, she was only 10 years old, maybe her parents have a good musical taste. I grew up with his music, and if he met at such an important moment for me, it good sign and the beginning of something new in my life.

- In the CIS countries, you are also already a legend. In less than 3 years you have collected all possible awards, singles in rotation on all major radio stations and music TV channels. For you, young man, it happened quite quickly, some of them take a very long time to achieve such success. How did your body deal with it?
- It seems to me that when it happened to me, I was not ready and the team was not ready. We didn't really have a team. It was a big surprise for everyone - such a recognition, so there was no need to rejoice and hope for victory. We could not fully understand and realize what was happening, and there was still a lot of work ahead, we were only at the start. The most important thing is that both then and now I understand that you don’t need to focus on your own success, in six months everything can end, and you will again be unprepared. Every new day we look only to the future.

What is the most difficult thing for you in show business that you have faced over the years? Maybe it's communication with people who are not entirely honest in the game, touring loads?

I have been preparing for touring loads all my life, I get great pleasure going on stage, and as for people, I am lucky, I come across only sincere and good people on my way, and so far have not had to face a lie. Totally agree Last year we gave more than 150 concerts. My debut tour took place in support of the release of the album “Drunk Sun”, and everywhere the halls were full! It is such a joy when, already in the second part of the concert, all the spectators get up from their seats and dance, sing along with me. And so in every city, in every country. We visited more than 20 countries, capitals. The schedule is planned for six months in advance ... Therefore, there is no time to think about difficulties, there is only time to sing.

Tell us who did you start with? And what kind of team do you have now, are there any plans to expand, create your own label, any ambitious goals?

Now we are starting work on our second album, and this is the main task facing our large team, it is very interesting process. As for the team, at first there were only 4 of us, and now 4 people are just sitting in this room, there is still a very large team at home - in Kyiv. There are more and more of us. The main thing is not to stop.

You constantly say “we”, “us”, correctly, I understand that you were not hurt star fever? More often, artists still say "I".

It’s always clearer from the outside, it’s very hard for me to judge this. Of course, I really want the venues to become larger, and the geography of concerts to grow. Maybe there's a star fever in that, when I look at my schedule and see that there aren't as many shows this month as last month, it's kind of frustrating.

- It's more of a creative ambition. The line is thin, of course. The main thing is not to lose your head. What on this moment preferred site?
- Since childhood, I dreamed of going to the stadium, where there will be a large number of people singing my music. This dream has been with me all my life. I don’t know when this will happen, but I firmly believe that someday it will happen, I have been preparing myself for this for 13 years now. I may have to wait longer for this moment, but I hope that it will happen someday.

- In what country, for example? Maybe this stadium in England or in the same Los Angeles?
- It doesn't matter. Wherever it happens, I will be glad.

- Most recently, YouTube awarded you a silver button for 100,000 subscribers on the official YouTube channel, and now this figure has increased to 135,000. The number of followers on your Instagram is approaching half a million. A whole army of fans follow your work.
- This is a big responsibility for me - all those real people who live behind these statistics, numbers. On the other hand, this is my main reward. Not those dozens of figurines that gather dust on the shelves, but the emotions that we share at concerts, full halls, their support and activity. I often re-read comments on social networks, and it happens that some of them inspire me a lot.

- Do you communicate with your fans, for example, at fan meetings? And how do you feel about their opinion?
- I think every artist lives for the sake of his audience, the opinion of my listeners has always been important to me as well. As for communication, it mostly happens at concerts. There is not always time for long meetings, often you need to quickly leave for the airport, fly to the next city. But when there is an opportunity, we are happy to organize fan meetings, and I see that people need it, that the audience enjoys it a lot. If it were my will, we would meet more often, but they are waiting for us in other cities.

- How many haters do you have? And what is their relationship?
- I treat everything calmly and with great understanding. If I see that a person does not like my work, then I will not convince him, make me listen. This is absolutely normal, especially in music, especially in our time ... It takes me a lot of time to get acquainted with the work of musicians that interest me. And to say that I'm the only one who should be liked is absolutely wrong, now there are a lot of standing musicians.

What kind of music do you turn to for inspiration? When you want to be alone and listen to music, what do you turn on?
- The last time I had a great performance, which I still remember with a smile, it was a big open air, we were headliners, more than 50 thousand people came. When I was driving to the site, I listened to Jimmy Hendricks. Adjusted myself.

- Is it always different performers?
- I named this artist so as not to take up much of your time, I grew up on his music. My music list very long. In general, I listen to underground music, but in any case, I know all the basics. Michael Jackson is also my friend, and I always resort to him (smiles).

- And which of the contemporary artists do you like?
- Nikolas Jaar, Micah, he is not quite modern, but his work is close to me.

- What is your outlook on everyday life?
- It is always necessary to meet a new day and new people with a smile.

Photographer: Veronika Arakchieva Telegram
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Singer Nikita Alekseev, known under the pseudonym ALEKSEEV, is an ideal new hero musical world.

Photo: Vanya Berezkin

He is young, talented and good-looking. He is also ambitious and self-confident. The song "Drunk Sun", which is now breaking records in Russian and foreign charts, brought the guy deafening popularity, but success did not come to him by itself.

Nikita Alekseev is from Kyiv. He is 22 years old, most of his life he has been seriously involved in music. In 2014, Nikita became a member of the Ukrainian show “Voice of the Country. Reboot", where Ani Lorak was his mentor. Alekseev did not reach the final, but just six months after the project, the song "Drunk Sun" greatly expanded the boundaries of his fame. We met Nikita on one of his recent visits to Moscow. Every minute the singer is in Russian capital was on the account: shooting, broadcasts, interviews. However, he did not look tired, on the contrary, it was noticeable that Nikita was getting tremendous pleasure from everything that was happening.

Nikita, I have been interviewing for more than ten years and, I confess, for the first time in this time I communicate with an artist in the presence of his producer and PR manager.

They just liked our table. Do you want us to kick them out if they bother you? ( laughing.)

If they promise not to answer questions for you, then they do not bother me.

No, there will be no total control, do not worry.

Your song "Drunk Sun" hit the Top 100 of the world charts. This is rarely possible even for our eminent performers. Did you predict such a success, or did the stars align?

Is it possible to predict success? Probably, it happened to us by accident, or maybe because we just didn’t predict anything, but just made this song from the heart, like everything we do. We get great pleasure from our work, we give our best, and we don’t think about what place the song will take on the charts, whether it will get into the world chart and what needs to be done specifically for this. We sincerely want to create, and this sincerity helps us.

Who are "we? We are Nikita Alekseev?!

We are Nikita Alekseev, my producer, director of large-scale shows Oleg Bodnarchuk, whom we met at the Voice of the Country. reboot" and my music producer, composer Ruslan Quinta, author of the music for the song "Drunk Sun".

To sincerely perform this song, to convey the pain in such a way that they believe, you need a certain emotional experience. Are you in love?

As a child, I was amorous and always fell in love as in last time. If the girls didn’t answer me, I closed myself at home, listened to sad songs, composed them myself, recorded them on a dictaphone, then showed them to these girls in the hope that they would understand how I suffer ... Recently, these girls got together, recorded “Drunk Sun” and sent me with the signature "Nikita, I'm sorry." ( laughing.)

Biting elbows. Listen, the video for the song "Drunken Sun" ends with the phrase "Every time you leave me, you have to kill yourself to live on." Your experience is much more serious than what you are now talking about. Is this song dedicated to a specific girl?

Yes, I had a girlfriend with whom we dated for quite some time - from the age of seventeen. In a way, we grew up together. I wanted to be with her further, I saw in her support, support, but she was not ready to share with me the new circumstances of my life. We were going to spend a romantic weekend in Barcelona, ​​but it ended with our parting. She needed more attention, and at that time I had already begun to work hard musical career, it happened right after the competition ... I had to let her go. Now I understand that it was the right decision, because today I have much less free time than then. "Drunken Sun" was recorded immediately after our parting, and, perhaps, that is why the song turned out to be so hard-won.

It's hard to blame your girlfriend: she didn't subscribe to your popularity. Have you prepared yourself for new circumstances in your life?

I was 100% ready for this, because it took me a long time to get there. I have been singing since the age of ten. Every time I went to bed, I imagined the stage, the audience ... Of course, I did not understand then what kind of work was behind beautiful picture, what experiences, but I really wanted to stand on the stage.

Tell me, when did you realize that you had matured: after parting with your beloved or before?

I think that it was still earlier - at the age of seventeen, when I had to earn money to help my family. Whom I just did not work. Started at retail alcohol, for which I even had to cheat a little with documents to hide my true age. Then he worked as a call center operator, selling satellite dishes. It was an extremely rewarding experience: I learned how to communicate with people there. But work in a karaoke bar turned into hell for me: the song “A glass of vodka on the table” I dreamed about at night for a long time. ( laughing.) Then I again got a job in a call center, but already in a banking structure.

Are you studying at this time?

Yes. For a marketer. I had to work in front of couples, and always when it was free time. I also had time for rehearsals. Of course, I was terribly sleep deprived and tired emotionally and physically. Then I had a difficult period, when I stopped believing in my talent, I was disappointed in myself. I didn’t get into the “Voice of the Country” contest the first time, at first I was generally weeded out. I guess I just wasn't ready then.

And why did you decide that you might not become a musician, but you have to be a marketer?

(laughing.) It was a period when I was looking for myself. It seemed to me that music was not mine. Therefore, I chose a profession that, as it seemed to me, would help me earn money and support my family in the future. About six months later, I realized that I was wrong.

But did you get a degree?

Yes, I received. I just met the guys with whom we created our own rock band. And that was my outlet. During the day I studied and worked, and in the evenings I studied music. Recently I was looking for some document and found my diploma - for two years I never got it. Next time, I’ll probably take it in my hands when I show it to my children with the words: “I have a diploma, which means you should also have it.”

How many times have you auditioned for the Voice of the Country competition?

Two years after the first failure, I came with the intention to get through this time to the producers, bypassing the editors who selected participants for initial stage. To be honest, there were people who did not understand anything about music at all. "You are a weak member of ours," - one editor girl told me, remembering my first failure. But I managed to convince her. When she asked how many songs I had prepared for the audition, I replied that thirty-five, and then she sent me further at her own peril and risk. And already there were people who appreciated my talent.

Tell me, who discovered your talent? Who said you have it?

My parents were probably the first to notice my love for music: my mother took me to a cool vocal teacher. We were told that if I have a talent, then the teacher will work with me, and if not, then it does not matter to him how much we will pay him. But parents especially could not fork out. At the audition, I performed "Black Boomer", to which he said that he was taking it, but "Black Boomer" would be eradicated. ( laughing.) We must give him his due: he not only taught me vocals, but also let me listen to different discs, analyzed songs with me, taught them to understand, to feel.

Nikita, to talk about contests. From the editors of projects like Golos, I know stories when people come to the preselection who are absolutely confident in their talent, but have no idea about solfeggio. And even without hearing.

Different people come. Thank God, everything is fine with my hearing, but I didn’t learn solfeggio at one time. I regret it very much, because it is the base. I can sing without it, although there are some difficulties here, but, most importantly, I cannot compose without it. While I position myself exclusively as an artist, but I also want to write my own music, it seems to me that I have something to say.

That is, now you, as they say, sat down at the desk again?

And it's never too late. How much I have been doing vocals, I have never stopped classes. You need to hone your skills all the time. Talent is ten percent of success. The rest is perseverance and work on yourself.

Almost a sports motto. Have you never played sports?

Engaged in childhood. Tennis. Five years.

Why did you leave the sport?

I had to choose between music and tennis, because my mentors are both a vocal teacher and a coach - demanded great results, because they predicted a great future for me. I had to devote all my time to one thing. Tennis is not a team sport, it all depends on you. He brings up a fighting spirit, there are really very serious loads. If I'm not mistaken, the record - five hours of continuous play. I am grateful to tennis for developing endurance, strategic thinking and rhythm in me, which later became very useful to me in music.

Tell me, did you yourself decide that you should leave tennis and take up music? Did your parents react well to this?

My parents never forced me to do anything. I made every choice in my life. You could, of course, say that you studied for five years, so much money was spent, and suddenly you decided to quit everything. But they supported my decision, and I am very grateful to them for that.

What do your parents do, who are theyby profession?

They are doctors.

And have you ever wanted to go to some chemistry and biology class?

No, I can't even stand the sight of blood. And I repeat: I have always been given complete freedom of action. My parents did not dissuade me, even when at the age of seventeen I decided to study as a marketer, and did not enter Glier (Kyiv State Higher School of Music named after R. M. Glier. - Note. OK!) or to the conservatory. They wanted me to get higher education. And what - I chose on my own.

Carolina (real name Ani Lorak. - Note. OK!) at the touch of a button changed my destiny. She was the only one who believed in me. And I did it on my very first strong note. During the project, Carolina gave me a lot professional advice, but I will always try to remember one of her advice. On the set of my first video, which she gave me, there was a moment that was not included in the video in the end: they carried me in their arms and threw me up. Karolina came up to me after this scene and said: “Nikita, remember, ovations don’t mean anything yet. You need to develop and work on yourself, because today you are carried in your arms, and tomorrow you may not be needed by anyone.

Nikita, in show business there are quite strict rules of the game, this is not a secret. What are you ready for for your success and what are you not ready for?

Not ready to pose naked for a magazine. (Laughs.) And ready to work hard. I think this is the most important thing.

And if tomorrow some wealthy person offers you his patronage?

Now people are asking a lot about this, because Philip Kirkorov wrote about me on his Instagram blog. Everyone asks the question: “But what if he offers you cooperation?” I am certainly pleased that a person of such magnitude has marked me, but this does not mean that at the first opportunity I will leave the people who believed in me, who have done so much for me to give you an interview now. As far as I know myself, I am not capable of betrayal.

But the contract does not have to be terminated, it will eventually end.

We have a contract for forty years - until death do us part. Joke. (Laughs.)

Your mini-album came out last week, when can we expect a full CD?

On the eighteenth of May, on my birthday, we plan to release a full-fledged record with new and already famous songs. We have a grandiose idea to invite all my friends, my teachers, all my acquaintances and relatives to the concert. I want to say thank you to everyone, to thank everyone for helping me, for being there. I'm sure it will be great. True, there is still a lot to be done, there are still many sleepless nights ahead ...

Makeup and hair: Svetlana Bliznichenko

Everything you wanted to know and a little more.

EG: In your interviews, you said that in addition to vocals, you also played tennis professionally. How did it happen that music lessons took over? Was there a turning point when you realized that you wanted to devote yourself to music?

Nikita: Music came into my life when I was 10. It was vocal lessons with a teacher who instilled in me a boundless love for vocal art. He taught me to feel, experience and understand the song. Since then, tennis training has faded into the background, and music world completely absorbed my interests. I have prioritized: singing is what I do best, and this is what I am going to devote all of myself to.

EG: Your music video "Drunken Sun" already has over 3 million views on YouTube! And it's fabulous! Congratulations! Did you expect such success yourself?

Nikita: I was in seventh heaven when I found out who would be the director of my video. I understood that there is no one better than Alan Badoev. As for the number of views, I am sure that this work has a huge potential. So what, or else will be.

EG: By the way, how did you work with Alan Badoev? They write that he himself contacted you, and even shot a video without a fee? How did it happen?

Nikita: Alan called my producer Oleg Bodnarchuk with the words: “I will be offended if it’s not me who shoots the video for this song!” Later, in one of his interviews, answering the question why he worked with us without a fee, he said the following: “I am pleased to be at the origins of a truly talented person, future bright star. I will remember this phrase for the rest of my life! Of course, for me this is a great gift of fate.

EG: How do you feel when female fans come up on the street? Do you remember the very, very first time you were recognized and asked for an autograph?

Nikita: Of course, it is very pleasant and inspiring! When a random passer-by came up to me for the first time to take a picture, I was so confused that I refused her joint photo and quickly left. I have not found a logical explanation for this act. It probably happened out of habit.

EG: Do you think you are mentally prepared for a resounding success? After all, with the advent of popularity, everything in life changes. Do you like to feel like a star?

Nikita: To be honest, I never thought about it. The only thing I care about is writing new hits, releasing the first mini-album, releasing it in i Tunes is scheduled for February 25th. But I plan to premiere my big album on May 18, on my birthday. On this day we will give big concert in Kyiv. The idea to celebrate this event in this way did not come spontaneously. I want to thank all the people who were there for different stages of my life. My success became possible thanks to their contribution to my development as an artist, and most importantly as a person. There is no room for other thoughts in my head right now.

EG: You are always busy filming, touring, but do you have time for yourself? What do you do when you're not busy with work?

Nikita: I like doing sports. And sometimes dance in discos. And, of course, spend time with family and friends. You can also read an interesting book.

EG: Do you keep in touch with the friends you had before you became famous? Did people “from the past” appear who suddenly wanted to communicate?

Nikita: I won't lie, I don't have many friends. It just so happened that I communicate with those whom I have known for more than ten years. We grew up together, we have similar life values. Everyone has their own way, but we are always sincerely glad for the victories of each of us! I feel this support, and it helps me a lot. For this I will always be grateful to my family and friends!

EG: Envious people and haters are an integral part of show business. Have they already appeared in your life?

Nikita: There is no room for negativity in my soul. I have always thought that everyone is entitled to their opinion. If there is constructiveness in the words of a person, I will definitely listen. If I see the release of unjustified aggression in my direction, I simply do not pay attention to such comments.

EG: Your debut album comes out on May 18th. Tell us how he recorded, are the compositions connected by one theme (what?), where do you get inspiration for new songs?

Nikita: What is happening to me now is a real miracle. I have always believed in fate, and it brought me together with Ruslan Kvinta and Oleg Bodnarchuk. We decided to record an album. In this work, we are helped by such masters of their craft as the poet Vitaly Kurovsky and arranger Mikhail Koshevoy. My debut album is the fruit of a colossal team effort. Each of us invests a part of ourselves in this process. Selfless and passionate love for your work, boundless fantasy, high professionalism– all this is in our music.

EG: We read the characteristics of your zodiac sign here and found out that Taurus is stubborn, but at the same time very calm and balanced. They prefer a quiet evening at home to a noisy party. What is it about you?

Nikita: I am fickle: I can sit quietly with my family, or I can blow up the dance floor at a party!

EG:We really like your style. Do you choose your own clothes? Or stylists still help? For example, is the love of hats part of the image, or are you really crazy about them? In general, can you call yourself a fashionista?

Nikita: I must confess that with fashion -the industry I have a conversation on "you". I've always been told that I have a peculiar taste. Could even combine a cage and a strip. It's good that now there are people who help me in this matter.

EG: How do you see your career in 5 years? What would you like to achieve by this time?

Nikita: Perhaps I will answer tritely, but I live here and now and do not want to think five years ahead. I am very glad that I am in my place. I try to get the most out of every minute. Even now, when I answer questions, I try to find some words that make it more fun. I remember some moments from my life, and from these pictures I catch in my memory good mood. I want to create, I want to please people at concerts! There is still a lot of things ahead, but it will be later. More important is what awaits me tomorrow!

The 23-year-old handsome man has a whole army of fans besieging his dressing room after the concert ... Nikita is in demand and happy, but all this could not have happened if at one time the mother of our hero had compromised and made the wrong decision ...

- Nikita, I heard that Alekseev is a pseudonym, and your real name another.

My passport has the surname Alekseev, but it is not exactly mine. My grandfather, by the name of Chumak, took the surname Alekseev for himself, after a soldier with this surname shielded him from a bullet at the front. Since then, we are all Alekseevs. I am sure that there is some magic in this surname and many of my successes are connected with this story.

They say you're hot. Arrived in Kyiv this morning, and already at night you have another flight. Well, at least we don't meet at the airport.

Yes, it happens. Unfortunately, I rarely began to visit Kyiv, but, fortunately, there is a lot of work. In the last three or four months I have had about 50 concerts.

- Where do you perform?

In Ukraine, Estonia, Moldova, Israel... I have visited all the CIS countries.

- Are there any differences in the reaction of the Estonian audience from, for example, Israel?

Mostly girls come to my concerts, so there is a warm welcome everywhere. I don't even know what it's about. Maybe I can get through to their hearts, or maybe there is some special energy exchange between us...

Nikita, maybe you manage to get through to the hearts, but don’t you think that you owe such a warm welcome to the girlish audience primarily to your appearance? You do realize you're handsome, don't you?

(Laughs) For this, of course, I am grateful to my mother, she is my most beautiful. Thank you so much for making girls like me. But without a good song, without music that can evoke emotion, nothing would have happened. No appearance will help here. Be that as it may, people know and love artists not only for beautiful eyes. There must be something more here. Sometimes in the comments I read very sincere words ... It's worth it when people believe you. This helps a lot in achieving your goals.

- And what, Nikita, is your highest goal? What do you see as the pinnacle of your creative path?

She's so far away that I don't have enough notes to reach her.

- Too abstract. Let's be specific: Grammy, world tour, 10 platinum albums?

And the Grammys, and the world tour, and big stadiums - all this is my dream. I'm with early childhood imagined going out big stage and people sing along to me.

- What songs did you sing in front of the mirror with your mother's hair dryer - "microphone"?

I grew up with western music: Queen, Led Zeppelin, pop music: Michael Jackson, Timberlake, George Michael. Another question, as in mine children's performance it sounded. I tried very hard, worked with a teacher. There was one song that I studied for four months. In the end, I still got the hang of it. It was Lenny Kravitz.

- Did you have the patience?

I was brought up in such a way that you need to go towards your goal, you can’t stop. Perhaps this hardening has remained since the time when I played tennis. Sport has significantly influenced my character. After all, sometimes a game of tennis can last three or four hours. My personal record is an hour and a half, because I trained at an amateur level. But, believe me, it was very difficult, because tennis is a non-team game, basically everything depends only on you, on the soloist. It is very energy-consuming, a huge stress - both physical and psycho-emotional. But you bring up a sports spirit, endurance.

Listen, your mother not only gave birth to you as a handsome man, but also provided you with a luxurious education - tennis, vocal lessons ... Did you practice horse riding and fencing?

(Laughs) No. This set was enough for me.

- And who is your mother?

She is a beautician.

That is, everything that she earned, she invested in her beloved son. Not in vain on your solo concert in Kyiv, you addressed so many kind words to your mother from the stage.

This is true. I will always remember the good that she did for me, keep the warmth that she gave me as a child. This is a man who devoted his whole life to me, so I owe him a debt. I must say that not only my mother played an important role in my life. This is my aunt, my mother's sister. It so happened that she has no children, and she treats me like a son. I also call her mom. So I have two mothers in life and two in show business.

- Who are your parents in show business?

This is the one that pressed the fateful button on the Voice of the Country project. She was the only one of the four coaches who believed in me and I will always remember that. Well, and whose song "And I'm floating", sung by me, strengthened in me the belief that I could become famous singer. I am sure that these two moments were decisive in my life. If I hadn’t gone into this project and then sang this song, I would have quit music. It was a period of doubt, and I was finishing university.

- What is your specialty?

Marketer. I never stopped making music, I played in a student band. But I began to understand that I could not keep up with two birds with one stone and I still need to decide what my path is - music or marketing?

- Sitting in the office right now...

Yes, it would. Although I do not imagine myself in this area. Of course, I would work, perhaps I would become a professional, but happy man- No. I have something to compare. When I went as a free listener to the Institute of Culture for the specialty of a stage director, I realized that I had fallen into my element - acting, the basics of directing ... When it was really interesting for me to listen, watch, observe, experiment at lectures, I realized what I made a mistake by deciding to study marketing. Then I thought that there should be a real profession in the hands, that applied education would not be superfluous. It was self-deception, as it turned out, a delusion. I endured a year, two, three. In the fourth year, I already got used to the fact that I would have to work as a marketer. It was sad. I went to the "Voice of the Country", realizing that there I should get an answer to my question - what's next? And in fact, Carolina answered, showed me the world of show business, which I immediately fell in love with and grabbed onto it so that nothing could unhook me.

- If you had such an opportunity, would you change something in your destiny?

No. Firstly, at the university I met the guys with whom we created musical group. It was mine creative family, the only joy at that moment in life. After couples, I immediately ran to rehearsal and spent all my time there. With the guys I have grown a lot both professionally and spiritually.

I believe in fate and I understand that everything in this world is not accidental. Never regret anything. Any mistake is made so that later a person can analyze it and draw conclusions. That's the only way to gain experience. I wouldn't change anything in my life.

Tell us about your happiest moments in your life? When did you realize that you are absolutely happy? I already knew about The Voice.

When, as a child, I learned one of the first songs and sang it either at school or at camp. Seeing that people liked it, I got such a dose of adrenaline!

You are talking about creativity. And if about something material? A child is happy when they buy their first phone or tablet, bicycle, sneakers. Have you had such moments when you got what you had long dreamed of?

Of course, it was a bike that I was really looking forward to, and I got tired of it after two days (laughs).

Are you a material person at all? Are things important to you? Rider? Comfort?

Recently the administrator did new rider and asked what I would like? I say pistachios. She laughs, "Is that all that makes you happy?" In fact, I can't eat them before a performance. And after the performance, they are no longer there - the guys eat it, the team is big. And so I don’t need anything else, I have everything.

- What other sacrifices do you have to make for the sake of star status?

My career took off so quickly that I had to transfer from the subway to planes. You had to get used to it very quickly. What are the "privations"? I had to give up chocolate after twelve, which is very hard for me. Also, I can't afford to sleep an extra hour. Unfortunately, in Lately I rarely see my family, but then again, we all understand that this lifestyle is good for me. I talked about the fact that there is a debt to loved ones. And everything that happens to me is for the benefit of my professional development.

- Do you remember your first job? What was it for?

For singing. I was 12 years old, I performed within open air, on which the headliner was. I performed a couple of world hits Queen, Scorpions. I remember that Alexey Bolshoy praised me, saying that for a 12-year-old boy I did an excellent job with such an adult repertoire. This compliment cheered me up a lot and became decisive in my desire to continue my vocal training. I was paid 50 or 100 euros for the performance. But I did not spend them - my mother said that the first fee should remain as a keepsake, and hid them somewhere in a book. Perhaps they are still kept in the home library.

- Do you like to spend money?

Yes, I'm a terrible spender. I can't save money at all. In this I went to my aunt. Mom laments that I spend money and do not know how to save it. And to be honest, I never really bother about it. As a student, I used to get some money for a song in karaoke or for a part-time job as an operator in a call center - and immediately with a girl or friends I go to night club. I’ll lose everything and go all week again without money: I sit at home, read, listen to music. I know for sure: the more you spend, the more will come to you.

- Are you and your mom friends?

Yes. This is a person very close to me. I probably talk about this a lot in interviews. But all because she really made a man out of me. She dedicated her life to me.

Mom tried to do everything so that you would not feel left out. After all, you grew up without a father. I'm sorry if I touched on a topic that is painful for you.

It's OK. My story is the most common. This is absolutely correct. I don't know my father. He did not want a child, he abandoned me even before I was born. We don't know each other, but maybe one day I'll be able to talk to him. At least that's what I really want. And I don't hate him at all. There is no anger, negativity, hatred in me. Everything happened the way it should have happened.

I know that he does not live here - abroad, he has a family and two twin children. So I have two brothers. I really want to get to know the guys, it's interesting to talk with them. Mom says I look a lot like my father. I would like to look at them too. To be honest, I may have found them on Facebook. I know their names and surnames. However, I can’t say for sure if they are. And I'm not sure if this is the right time to meet them.

- He left when it became known that your mother was pregnant with you?

He did not want a child, insisted that his mother had an abortion.

- I'm sure if he knew in advance that such a wonderful boy would be born, everything would be different.

It was my mother's decision. She did not accept her father's ultimatum: either he or the child. They quarreled over this, and the father left. And soon he moved abroad. One day I met with good friend father, he made me very welcome! And he said: "If my father saw you now, he would want to change everything."

This man offered to help me get on the phone with my father. But I was 15 years old, and I was not ready to communicate. Difficult age. I don't think I could have a normal conversation with him. Even now I am not sure that I will be able to construct the dialogue correctly. It has to happen spontaneously.

- Did your mother communicate with him all these years?

She called him once when I was a teenager. In material terms, it was hard for us, there was not enough money, and my mother asked my father for help - he is a fairly wealthy person, a successful doctor, he has his own business. But he refused. Said, "You had your chance to be good, you didn't take it. Now solve your own problems." That is, he did not feel sorry for the money, it was just a matter of principle - to punish my mother for her disobedience.

- I know that you spent all your childhood in Spain. How did you get there?

I have lived in Spain since the age of 3. It was an initiative of my aunt who wanted me to know the language. And indeed, I spoke Spanish like my mother tongue. Indeed, on one of my visits, I lived in Spain for eight months. For several years in a row I was sent to the same family. They had no children of their own, and they treated me like family there. At some point they wanted to keep me. They called my mother, they said that they loved me, they convinced me that it would be better for them, because it is difficult for her to raise a child alone. Yes, and I added fuel to the fire: in Once again flew to Kyiv and began to moan that I want to go back. Right in Borispol, he said that it was bad here and I would be happy to return to Spain. Mom burst into tears, then had a very strong fight with her aunt. After all, it was her idea that I go to Spain to learn the language. In a word, in one wonderful year I did not fly anywhere - my mother cut off all communication with the Spanish family.

But again: everything happens as it should happen. I was destined to be born - I was born. Destined to stay in Ukraine - and I'm here. Who knows what would have happened to me if at one time my mother had made a completely different decision ... But on the other hand, I understand the price of this chance and even more appreciate all the benefits that I receive from life today. I am ready to fight every second for myself, my relatives and friends and thank every day for the fact that it has come.

Tatiana Vityaz