Валерия
Ani Lorak (real name — Karolina Myroslavivna Kuiek; born September 27, 1978, in Kitsman, Chernivtsi Oblast) — is a singer and composer who began her professional career on the Ukrainian music scene in the first half of the 1990s. She gained international recognition after representing Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, where she finished second with the song «Shady Lady».
Over more than three decades of her career, Ani Lorak has moved from pop rock, Ukrainian-language pop music and ballads of the 1990s and early 2000s to large-scale pop productions and theatrical concert shows. Among her best-known songs from different periods are «Я вернусь», «Там, де ти є», «Мрій про мене», «Три звичних слова», «Розкажи», «С первого взгляда», «Я стану морем», «Shady Lady», «Солнце», «Для тебя», «Зажигай сердце», «Забирай рай», «Медленно», «Корабли», «Удержи моё сердце», «Разве ты любил», «Новый бывший», «Сопрано», «Твоей любимой» and «Лабиринт».
The foundation of Ani Lorak's musical image is a powerful pop vocal style and melodic pop. Over the years, she has repeatedly changed songwriters, producers and musical collaborators while retaining a focus on songs built around major vocal climaxes.
Childhood in Kitsman and Chernivtsi
Karolina Kuiek was born in the small town of Kitsman in northern Chernivtsi Oblast. Her parents separated before she was born.
Her father, Myroslav Kuiek, was a journalist and writer. He received musical training in choral conducting and later graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Chernivtsi University. Her mother, Zhanna Linkova, worked for many years as an announcer on regional radio and television.
The family lived modestly, and it was difficult for her mother to support several children on her own. From around the age of six, Karolina and her brothers were raised at Boarding School No. 4 in the Sadgora district of Chernivtsi. She remained there until the seventh grade, after which she transferred to a regular school.
Karolina's older brother Serhii was killed during the war in Afghanistan when the future singer was nine years old.
Karolina Kuiek began singing as a child. She took part in school concerts, attended a pop music studio and decided at a relatively early age that she wanted to build her life around the stage.
«Первоцвет» and Yurii Faliоsa
One of the first important events in her career was the Chernivtsi festival «Первоцвет», which Karolina Kuiek won in 1992.
At the competition she met producer Yurii Faliоsa. He offered the young singer professional cooperation and for many years became the central figure in her creative team.
In 1994, Karolina Kuiek received first prize at the international festival «Веселад» in Chernivtsi. Wider television recognition followed a year later.
How the Name Ani Lorak Appeared
In March 1995, Karolina Kuiek took part in the Russian television program «Утренняя звезда».
There was already a singer performing under the name Karolina, so the contestant from Ukraine needed a different stage name.
The name Karolina was read backwards — creating the pseudonym Ani Lorak, which later became permanent.
After «Утренняя звезда», Ani Lorak began receiving more invitations to television programs and festivals. In 1995, she also took part in «Червона рута», and in 1996 she won the Grand Prix at the Big Apple Music competition in New York.
«Хочу летать»
In 1996, Ani Lorak released her debut studio album «Хочу летать».
Her early sound differed noticeably from her later mainstream pop work. The first recordings combined pop rock, jazz influences and traditional pop music.
Songs from this period include «Манекенщица» and «Боже мой».
«Я вернусь»
In 1998, Ani Lorak released her second studio album, «Я вернусь».
The record featured more pop ballads and melodic mainstream pop. It included «Я вернусь», «О, моя любовь», «Считалочка» and «Чужой город».
By the end of the 1990s, Ani Lorak had become one of the more prominent young performers on the Ukrainian music scene. In 1999, Karolina Kuiek was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of Ukraine.
www.anilorak.com and the Ukrainian-Language Period
In May 2000, the compilation www.anilorak.com was released.
It included previously released and new songs such as «Зеркала», «Ангел мрій моїх», «Пробач», «Нестримна течія» and «Я і ти».
In the early 2000s, Ukrainian-language material became increasingly prominent in Ani Lorak's repertoire.
«Там, де ти є...»
On December 18, 2001, the studio album «Там, де ти є...» was released.
The record became one of the key works of her early period and established Ani Lorak as a Ukrainian pop singer. Notable tracks included «Поцілуй», «Полуднева спека» and the title song «Там, де ти є».
The album achieved gold status in Ukraine. Songs from this period later returned repeatedly to the singer's concert programs.
«Мрій про мене» and «Ані Лорак»
In 2003, the remix album «Мрій про мене» appeared, followed in March 2004 by the studio album «Ані Лорак».
By this point, Ani Lorak had become more actively involved in creating her own material. The album included «Мрій про мене», «Мої бажання», «Три звичних слова» and other songs.
The sound contained less pop rock and more early-2000s electronic pop and large-scale vocal ballads.
First Attempt to Reach Eurovision
In 2005, Ani Lorak took part in Ukraine's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the English-language song «A Little Shot of Love».
Several additional acts were added to the final stage, including the group «Гринджолы». They won the selection and represented Ukraine at the contest in Kyiv with the song «Разом нас багато».
Ani Lorak returned to Eurovision three years later.
Smile
In the autumn of 2005, Ani Lorak released the album Smile.
A significant part of the material was recorded in English. The album included «A Little Shot of Love», «Smile», «Car Song» and other tracks.
The album was an attempt to introduce Ani Lorak beyond the Ukrainian- and Russian-language markets, although it did not lead to a permanent international English-language project at the time.
«Розкажи» and «15»
In May 2006, Ani Lorak released the album «Розкажи». The title track became one of her most recognizable Ukrainian-language songs of the mid-2000s.
In 2007, she released «15», whose title referred to the fifteenth anniversary of her professional career.
Songs from this period include «С первого взгляда», «Спроси», «Я с тобой», «Я стану морем» and the collaboration «Верни мою любовь».
On «15», the model that would define the next stage of Ani Lorak's career became firmly established: a large-scale vocal pop ballad designed for radio and major concert stages.
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
At the end of 2007, Ukraine's national broadcaster selected Ani Lorak to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. A separate national final was used to choose the competition song.
The selected entry was «Shady Lady», written by Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Karen Kavaleryan.
On May 24, 2008, in Belgrade, Ani Lorak finished second in the final with 230 points. The winner was Russian representative Dima Bilan with the song «Believe».
«Shady Lady» brought Ani Lorak the widest international recognition of her career up to that point and became one of her signature songs.
People's Artist of Ukraine
On May 29, 2008, Karolina Kuiek was awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of Ukraine.
«Солнце»
In May 2009, Ani Lorak released «Солнце», which became one of the central albums in her discography.
The record included «Солнце», «Птица», «А дальше...», «Небеса-ладони», «С неба в небо» and other tracks.
The pop-rock elements of her first albums had almost disappeared. The foundation was now contemporary pop production, electronic rhythm sections and large vocal choruses.
Singles of the Early 2010s
After «Солнце», Ani Lorak spent several years releasing new material primarily as individual songs.
This period included «Для тебя», «Спроси», «Я буду солнцем», «Обними меня» and «Обними меня крепче».
Gradually, singles became no less important to her discography than full-length albums.
«Зажигай сердце»
On September 22, 2013, the album «Зажигай сердце» was released.
The title track became one of the main dance-oriented numbers on the record. Other notable songs included «Для тебя», «Забирай рай» and «Оранжевые сны».
At the same time, the scale of Ani Lorak's concert productions grew significantly.
The «Каролина» Show
In 2013, Ani Lorak presented the concert program «Каролина», directed by Oleh Bodnarchuk.
The show was built as a stage story of the singer's life. Musical numbers were connected to her biography, memories and the image of the young Karolina dreaming of a major stage career.
The production featured large-scale stage design, choreography and numerous costume looks. «Каролина» toured for several years.
«Медленно», «Корабли» and the Ballads of the Mid-2010s
During the first half of the 2010s, Ani Lorak released a number of songs that later became important parts of her concert repertoire.
Among them were «Медленно», «Забирай рай», «Корабли», «Осенняя любовь» and the collaboration «Зеркала».
During this period, dramatic pop ballads about separation, jealousy and difficult relationships became especially prominent.
«Разве ты любил...»
On October 1, 2016, Ani Lorak released the album «Разве ты любил...».
It included «Удержи моё сердце», «Корабли», «Осенняя любовь», «Разве ты любил...» and other songs.
«Удержи моё сердце» became one of Ani Lorak's best-known ballads of this period. The song builds gradually from a restrained verse toward a powerful vocal climax.
«Сопрано» and «Новый бывший»
In 2017, the collaborative track «Сопрано» was released, combining Ani Lorak's pop vocal style with a contemporary hip-hop format.
The same year saw the release of «Новый бывший», followed by «Сумасшедшая» and other standalone singles.
DIVA
In February 2018, the concert show DIVA, again directed by Oleh Bodnarchuk, premiered.
While «Каролина» was based on the singer's biography, DIVA was built around composite female images and historical and cultural associations.
The show included complex scenery, video screens, aerial structures, choreography and reworked concert arrangements of well-known songs.
In 2020, a recording of DIVA was released as a live album.
Television
Television projects accompanied Ani Lorak's music career, although they were never her main professional direction.
In 2009, she was one of the hosts of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv.
In 2018, Ani Lorak became a coach on the seventh season of the Russian edition of The Voice, and later appeared in other televised music projects as a jury member or guest performer.
«За мечтой»
On October 10, 2019, Ani Lorak released the album «За мечтой».
It included «Сон», «Я тебя ждала», «Мы нарушаем» and other songs.
Sonically, the album continued the model that had already become established: contemporary pop production, electronic drums, large vocal choruses and songs focused primarily on relationships.
«Твоей любимой» and «Я жива»
In 2020, Ani Lorak released «Я бы летала», «Обещаю», «Твоей любимой» and «Страдаем и любим».
On November 12, 2021, she released the album «Я жива». It included «Страдаем и любим», «Наполовину», «Раздетая», the Ukrainian-language «Бачила» and other tracks.
Much of the material focuses on relationships, breakups and emotional recovery.
In 2021, the collaborative ballad «Не отпускай» was also released.
Career After February 2022
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, Ani Lorak's professional activity became increasingly concentrated on the Russian music market and concert venues in several other countries. The singer herself publicly described her position as an effort to remain a musician outside politics.
On October 19, 2022, a decision of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council imposing personal sanctions was enacted by Presidential Decree No. 726/2022; Karolina Kuiek was included on the sanctions list.
On November 22, 2024, Karolina Kuiek was stripped of Ukrainian state honorary titles, including People's Artist and Honored Artist of Ukraine.
«Остров»
In 2022, Ani Lorak released the single «Лабиринт», which was later included on a new album.
On April 21, 2023, «Остров» was released — the thirteenth main studio album in the singer's discography.
The record included «Лабиринт», «Материк», «Рядом, но не вместе» and other tracks.
Much of the album deals with relationships, emotional distance and attempts to preserve a connection between people.
«Танцы» and «Мужчина мой»
After «Остров», Ani Lorak once again focused on individual singles.
In March 2024, she released «Танцы» — a lighter and more rhythmic track compared with the ballads that had dominated much of her recent catalog.
On November 1, 2024, the song «Мужчина мой» was released, with music by Viktor Drobysh and lyrics by Mikhail Gutseriev.
In September of the same year, the live album «Концерт в день рождения», recorded at Crocus City Hall, was released.
Russian Citizenship
In March 2024, Russian media reported that Karolina Kuiek had applied for citizenship of the Russian Federation.
In June 2025, Russian media reported that she had been issued a Russian passport on June 9.
Releases of 2025
In 2025, Ani Lorak continued releasing standalone singles.
Among them were «Тону в твоих глазах», «Mama», «Такси» and «Будет здорово». A remix version of «Такси» was later released as well.
No new full-length studio album followed «Остров» during this period.
The «Аура» Show and New Songs
In 2026, Ani Lorak began a new concert cycle.
On January 30, she released «Одинокая», followed by «Alive» on March 20. Isaac Vidjrakou was involved in the creation of «Alive», while Ani Lorak herself is credited among the composers.
On March 6, the large-scale concert program «Аура» premiered at Live Arena in Moscow. The production continued the direction established by «Каролина» and DIVA: stage design, video content, choreography and new concert versions of songs were combined into a unified show.
In May 2026, Ani Lorak released the single «AURA», followed by «Закрытый космос» in June and «Обожаю» on July 17.
As of September 2026, «Обожаю» remains the latest standalone single in Ani Lorak's main digital catalog.
Ani Lorak's Musical Style
Ani Lorak's early albums differ noticeably from her material of the 2010s and 2020s.
«Хочу летать» and «Я вернусь» belong to her pop-rock, traditional pop and occasional jazz-influenced period. Her early-2000s albums made melodic Ukrainian pop songs and ballads the foundation of her sound.
Smile was connected to English-language European pop. After «15», «Shady Lady» and «Солнце», the central format became a large-scale mainstream pop song designed around a strong vocal climax.
During the 2010s, electronic elements became more prominent in the arrangements, although the voice and melody almost always remained at the center.
The most characteristic format of her mature period is the dramatic ballad or mid-tempo pop song that gradually builds toward a high, emotionally intense chorus. Songs such as «Солнце», «Удержи моё сердце», «Разве ты любил...» and many others follow this model.
Concert Shows
Concert production gradually became an independent part of Ani Lorak's work.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, her performances were built primarily around vocals. Beginning with «Каролина», the stage programs became significantly more complex, with large sets, separate dramatic concepts, dance numbers and numerous costume changes.
DIVA developed this model into a theatrical stage spectacle, while «Аура» continued it with modern screens, graphics and reworked arrangements.
Personal Life
The first long period of Karolina Kuiek's personal and professional life was connected with producer Yurii Faliоsa. Their relationship ended in the mid-2000s.
In 2009, Ani Lorak married Turkish businessman Murat Nalçacıoğlu. Their daughter Sofia was born on June 9, 2011.
The marriage was officially dissolved on January 31, 2019.
In 2023, Ani Lorak publicly spoke about her relationship with Spaniard Isaac Vidjrakou. In September 2024, the couple registered their marriage in Spain, and in February 2025 they held a private wedding ceremony in the Maldives.
Isaac Vidjrakou later also became involved in the singer's creative work, including the production of the song «Alive».
Charity Work
Helping children has occupied a notable place in Ani Lorak's public activity for many years. The singer herself has linked this interest partly to her own experience of growing up in a boarding school.
In the mid-2000s, she took part in projects related to HIV/AIDS prevention and assistance for children, performed at charity events and supported children living in boarding schools.
Ani Lorak Discography
- 1996 — «Хочу летать»
- 1998 — «Я вернусь»
- 2001 — «Там, де ти є...»
- 2004 — «Ані Лорак»
- 2005 — Smile
- 2006 — «Розкажи»
- 2007 — «15»
- 2009 — «Солнце»
- 2013 — «Зажигай сердце»
- 2016 — «Разве ты любил...»
- 2019 — «За мечтой»
- 2021 — «Я жива»
- 2023 — «Остров»
Separate from the main studio albums are the 2000 compilation www.anilorak.com, the 2003 remix album «Мрій про мене», greatest-hits collections and live recordings of «Каролина», DIVA and «Концерт в день рождения».
Main Songs
Among the most notable songs from different periods are «Я вернусь», «Там, де ти є», «Поцілуй», «Полуднева спека», «Мрій про мене», «Три звичних слова», «A Little Shot of Love», «Smile», «Розкажи», «С первого взгляда», «Я стану морем», «Shady Lady», «Солнце», «А дальше...», «Для тебя», «Обними меня», «Зажигай сердце», «Забирай рай», «Медленно», «Корабли», «Осенняя любовь», «Удержи моё сердце», «Разве ты любил», «Новый бывший», «Сумасшедшая», «Твоей любимой», «Наполовину», «Раздетая», «Бачила», «Лабиринт», «Танцы», «Мужчина мой», «Alive», «AURA» and «Обожаю».
Key Stages of Recognition
During the 1990s, Ani Lorak received a number of festival awards and established herself among the more prominent young performers in Ukraine. In 1999, Karolina Kuiek was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine.
Her most significant international competition result was second place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with «Shady Lady», receiving 230 points in the final.
On May 29, 2008, Karolina Kuiek received the title of People's Artist of Ukraine. On November 22, 2024, she was stripped of Ukrainian state honorary titles.
Ani Lorak as a Pop Performer
Ani Lorak's discography spans several clearly different periods — from pop rock and Ukrainian-language pop of the 1990s and early 2000s to Russian-language ballads, electronic pop and large-scale concert productions.
Despite changes in songwriting teams and music production, vocals remain the central element of her songs. Both her studio recordings and major live shows are built around that voice — from «Каролина» and DIVA to the «Аура» program.
