Ani Lorak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ani Lorak
|
|
|---|---|
_(%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8B%D0%B5_%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B8_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D1%82-%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B0_%E2%80%94_2021._%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%9B%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%81_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B5%D1%82_%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%B9).jpg)
Lorak in 2021
|
|
| Background information | |
| Native name |
Ані Лорак
|
| Birth name | Karolina Myroslavivna Kuiek |
| Born | 27 September 1978 Kitsman, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels |
|
Karolina Myroslavivna Kuiek (born September 27, 1978), known by her stage name Ani Lorak, is a Ukrainian pop singer. Her stage name is her first name, Karolina, spelled backward. She became famous for her powerful voice and was once given the title of People's Artist of Ukraine.
Lorak is well-known across Eastern Europe. She became famous internationally after representing Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. She sang "Shady Lady" and finished in second place.
In 2022, the government of Ukraine placed sanctions on her. This was because she continued to live and work in Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions included taking away her Ukrainian awards and banning her from entering Ukraine for five years. In 2024, it was reported that she had applied for Russian citizenship.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Ani Lorak was born in the small town of Kitsman, Ukraine. Her parents separated before she was born. Her mother, who was a single parent, struggled to provide for her children.
From the age of six, Lorak and her brothers lived in a children's home because of their family's difficult situation. When she was nine, her oldest brother, Serhii, died while fighting in the Soviet–Afghan War.
Lorak knew she wanted to be a singer from the age of four. She often sang in school competitions.
Music Career
Getting Started
In 1992, when she was 13, Lorak won a singing contest called Pervotsvit. There, she met a producer named Yuriy Falyosa, who helped her start her career. At 15, she signed her first professional contract.
She first used the name Ani Lorak in 1995 on a Russian TV show called Morning Star. Another singer was already using the name Karolina, so she reversed the letters of her name to create a unique stage name.
After the show, she became very popular in Ukraine. In 1996, she released her first album, "Khochu letat" (I Want to Fly).
Becoming a Star
In 1999, Lorak began touring internationally, performing in the United States, France, and Germany. That same year, she was given the title of Honoured Artist of Ukraine.
In 2005, she tried to represent Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest but came in second place in the national selection. The winners were the group GreenJolly, whose song was very popular after the Orange Revolution.
Eurovision 2008 and Fame
In 2008, Lorak was chosen to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia. She performed the song "Shady Lady", which was co-written by Russian pop star Philipp Kirkorov.
Her performance was a huge success. She finished in second place, just behind Russia's singer Dima Bilan. Her dress for the show was designed by Roberto Cavalli and was covered in Swarovski diamonds.
After Eurovision, Lorak became a huge star. She was given the title of People's Artist of Ukraine for her achievement. She also received a star on the Star Alley in her hometown of Chernivtsi.
Career After Eurovision
After her Eurovision success, Lorak released more albums and became one of the most popular singers in Ukraine and Russia. In 2009, she released the album Solntse (The Sun), which was very successful.
However, after 2014, she faced criticism in Ukraine for continuing to perform in Russia. Protesters sometimes gathered outside her concerts in Ukrainian cities. In 2015, her star on the Star Alley in Chernivtsi was removed.
Despite the controversy, she remained very popular in Russia. She released more albums, including Razve ty lyubil... (Did You Love Me...) in 2016. She also became a coach on the Russian version of the TV show The Voice.
Charity Work
Lorak has been involved in charity for many years. From 2004 to 2005, she was a UN Goodwill Ambassador in Ukraine, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
In 2023, she said that she helps people in need but does not provide money for military purposes, as it is not in her nature. That same year, she held a charity concert in Moscow to help children affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Personal Life
From 2009 to 2019, Lorak was married to Murat Nalçacıoğlu, a Turkish hotel manager. They have a daughter named Sophia, who was born in 2011.
Albums
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Certifications | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khochu letat (I Want To Fly) |
— | — | |
| Ya vernus (I'll Be Back) |
|
— | — |
| Tam, de ty ye (There Where You Are) |
|
|
|
| Ani Lorak |
|
|
|
| Smile |
|
— | — |
| Rozkazhy (Tell Me) |
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
— | — |
| Solntse (The Sun) |
— | — | |
| Zazhigay serdtse (Fire Up Your Heart) |
|
— | — |
| Razve ty lyubil (Did You Love Me) |
|
— | — |
| Za mechtoy (For The Dream) |
|
— | — |
| Ya zhiva (I'm Alive) |
|
— | — |
Major Awards
- 1996: Grand-Prix winner at the "Big Apple Music-96" competition in New York.
- 1999: Named Honoured Artist of Ukraine.
- 2002: Named "Best Singer of the Year" at the Tavriyski Igry festival.
- 2004: Received a Gold Disc for her album "Ani Lorak".
- 2008: Won second place at the Eurovision Song Contest.
- 2008: Named People's Artist of Ukraine (title removed in 2024).
- 2013: Won "The Best Performer of the Year" at the Muz-TV Awards.
- 2018: Her show DIVA won "Show of the Year" at several award ceremonies.
See also
In Spanish: Ani Lorak para niños
- Russian pop music
- Pop music in Ukraine
