Ani Lorak
Ani Lorak was chosen by Ukrainian broadcaster NTU to represent the country at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. In February, a five song national selection was held where the Philip Kirkorov/Karen Kavaleryan song Shady Lady emerged victorious.Ani Lorak developed the desire to become a singer as early as at the age of four. At that time, she had already decided what she wanted to achieve in life. Ani Lorak often performed at various school vocal competitions.
In 1992, she took part in the popular contest Pervotsvit [Cowslip] and became the winner. As a result, at the age of 14 she signed her first professional contract.
Ani Lorak became known as Ani Lorak in March 1995. She had to invent her stage name when she was participating in the contest of the Morning Star television program in Moscow. There was another Russian singer with the name Karolina, which is Ani Lorak’s real name, already enrolled in the competition, so our Karolina saved the situation having read her name backwards. That's how her present stage name Ani Lorak has come into existence.
The singer moved to Kyiv in 1995. By that time, the name of Ani Lorak became widely known in the Ukrainian show business. At the age of 19 she was awarded with title of the Honoured Artist of Ukraine, having become the youngest singer ever to get this rank. She is the winner of a great number of various prizes, has four Gold Discs according to the results of sales of the albums, winner of prestigious international and Ukrainian festivals and ratings, including the Morning Star television contest (Moscow, 1996), and the Grand Prix winner of the Big Apple Music 96, global competition of young singers in New York.
Ani Lorak has been repeatedly recognised as the Singer of the Year in Ukraine. Her credits include two solo shows on the country’s central stage, ten albums, one single, biographical film, and 23 videos. She is the most beautiful and sexy woman of Ukraine according to the results of polls by popular magazines.
Her artistic self-realization goes far beyond singing. Ani Lorak is a brilliant actress. She played Fanchette in the musical film Crazy Day or the Marriage of Figaro, dubbed the Baby in the Norwegian animated film Karlson on the Roof (2006), and later, two characters at once, those of the Kitty and the Little Bee of the Estonian cartoon Lotte from Gadgetville (2007).
Ani Lorak provided support in publishing three books for children, they are How to Become a Star, How to Become a Princess,and How to Become a Culinary Star in 7 Days. The singer is also the producer of her own brand. She owns the Angel-Lounge restaurant in the centre of Kyiv.
Ani is a brilliant poet and composer. She spends a lot of time on charitable activities. In 2004 Ani Lorak has been a UN Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. UNICEF and UN in Ukraine have awarded a commendation to Ani Lorak, for assistance and help to HIV positive citizens of Ukraine. In 2005, Ani Lorak was also conferred with the St. Stanislav Order of the 4th degree and the Officer’s Cross "for strengthening the international authority of Ukraine, for the high professionalism, great creative achievements, charity and adherence to the ideals of chivalry".
Ani Lorak worthily represents Ukraine on the global music market. She has given performances on the stages of England, the USA, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Turkey. And, she is not going to stop at this. Her immediate plans are to enthrall the European and global audience! And with the musical material making up her repertoire this won’t be so difficult to achieve: the high-quality and stylish sound, melodies performed in the best traditions of soul, funk, and pop-rock, as well as the wonderful lyrics. And, at the same time, there is the strong and tender, enchanting and unique voice of Ani Lorak.