Ani Lorak – Talented Ukrainian Entertainer

Born in the city of Kitsman, in the Chernivtsi Oblast of western Ukraine, in September 1978, Karolina Miroslavivna Kuiek is better known as Ani Lorak – singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and actress. She is also a philanthropist and former UN Goodwill Ambassador with commendations from UNICEF and the UN for her support of HIV positive citizens in her home country, as well as being the recipient of the People’s Artist of Ukraine award.

Ranked as one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful women, Ani Lorak competed as the Ukrainian representative in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest where she took second place with the song Shady Lady. Ani took second place in the Press Award Eurovision Song Contest, as voted on by the accredited media and press during the main event, and her performance earned her the Artistic Award.

Karolina Kuiek reportedly showed her talent for singing at an early age, often performing at school competitions, and in 1992 won first place in the popular music contest ‘Pervotsvit’. It was at this contest that she met her first producer Yuriy Falyosa and at the age of 14 signed her first contract as a professional singer. In March 1995 she took the stage name of Ani Lorak (an anagram of Karolina) when competing in the Russian television program ‘Morning Star’. While her popularity was growing in Ukraine, she gained international attention upon winning the ‘Big Apple Music 1996 Competition’ in New York City. The following year she was named as the ‘Discovery of the Year’ at Ukraine’s Tavria Games festival, and that same year she released her first album, entitled I Want to Fly.

Between 1997 and 2011 Ani Lorak released a number of music videos and new albums, all of which were well received by her growing fan-base. She toured in the United States, France, Hungary and Germany, as well as performing in many of Ukraine’s major cities, and in 1999 was awarded the title of the Honored Artist of Ukraine for her outstanding achievements in the performing arts. She was ranked 41st in a list of the top 100 most influential women in Ukraine by the Ukrainian magazine Focus.

On a personal note, Ani Lorak married her manager Murat Nalçacıoğlu in August 2009 and their daughter Sophia was born on 9 June 2011. She lives with her family in Kiev, and they frequently travel to her husband’s homeland of Turkey. Singles released by Ani Lorak in 2012 include Hold Me Tight and Hold Me Closer. No doubt fans can look forward to more amazing music from this talented Ukrainian entertainer.