Nadezhda Alexandrovna Meiher, also known by her stage name Nadezhda Granovskaya, is a Ukrainian singer, dancer, actress, television presenter, poet and designer. She was born on 10 April 1982 in the village of Zbruchivka, Khmelnytskyi Oblast. She rose to widespread prominence as a member of the original line-up of the group “VIA Gra” and later became one of the most recognisable performers in the group’s entire history. After marrying, she officially took the surname Urzhumtseva, although she continued to use the surnames Meiher and Granovskaya in her creative and public work.
Meiher’s career extends far beyond the conventional story of a former member of a popular group. Over the years, she has worked in television, released solo songs, studied Argentine tango, presented musical theatre productions, published her own poetry, appeared in films and developed a clothing brand.
At a glance
Full name: Nadezhda Alexandrovna Meiher
Also known as: Nadezhda Granovskaya, Nadezhda Meiher-Granovskaya
Date of birth: 10 April 1982
Place of birth: Zbruchivka, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine
Occupations: singer, dancer, actress, television presenter, poet, designer
Main musical project: the group “VIA Gra”
Periods in the group: 2000–2002, 2002–2006 and 2009–2011
Family: three children
Original projects: the poetry collection “Siyuminutnoye vlecheniye” (“A Fleeting Attraction”), the stage production Historia de Un Amor and the Meiher by Meiher brand
Childhood and her first dance training
Nadezhda spent her early years in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. When she was around four years old, her family moved to the town of Volochysk. She did not grow up in a professional artistic environment and began her journey towards the stage through dance. At approximately the age of eleven, Meiher joined a folk and variety dance ensemble and gradually began taking part in concerts and local events.
After finishing school, Nadezhda enrolled at Khmelnytskyi Pedagogical College in a programme related to music education and choreography. At that stage, dance was not merely an addition to singing but her principal professional discipline. Her choreographic training later became one of the reasons for her confidence on stage and helped shape her distinctive movement style.
In interviews, the artist has said that she took a serious interest in classical music and theatrical imagery, listened to opera singers and created her own dance routines. Even after achieving success in pop music, she repeatedly returned to tango, classical vocal training and theatrical forms.
How Nadezhda Meiher joined “VIA Gra”
A turning point came when Valery Meladze visited Khmelnytskyi. Nadezhda was told that Konstantin Meladze and producer Dmitry Kostyuk were looking for performers for a new female music project. She prepared photographs and sent them to Kyiv, after which she was invited to audition.
The original line-up of “VIA Gra” was formed as a duo consisting of Alena Vinnitskaya and Nadezhda Meiher. According to the singer, the stage surname Granovskaya was suggested by Konstantin Meladze. It was considered a better fit for the project’s intended image and easier for audiences to remember.
The music video for “Attempt No. 5” premiered in 2000. The song quickly became one of the defining Russian-language pop hits of the early 2000s. It was followed by “Bomb”, “Hold Me” and “I Won’t Return”. Vinnitskaya and Granovskaya recorded the group’s earliest material, which established the original musical aesthetic and stage identity of “VIA Gra”.
Her first departure and return to the group
In 2002, Nadezhda temporarily left the group due to pregnancy and the birth of her son Igor. The line-up began to change, and the original duo gradually became a trio. Meiher returned to work later that same year.
This period of personnel changes proved important to the group’s development. Anna Sedokova joined “VIA Gra”, while Alena Vinnitskaya soon embarked on a solo career and was replaced by Vera Brezhneva. This created the line-up of Anna Sedokova, Nadezhda Granovskaya and Vera Brezhneva, which music journalists and fans would later describe as the group’s “golden line-up”.
This line-up is associated with songs including “Don’t Leave Me, My Love!”, “Kill My Girlfriend”, “That’s How It Is”, “The Ocean and Three Rivers” with Valery Meladze, “There Is No More Attraction”, “Biology” and other notable releases from the first half of the 2000s.
“Don’t Leave Me, My Love!” became especially important in the group’s history. The song demonstrated that “VIA Gra” could work not only with ironic or provocative pop material but also with dramatic ballads. Music critics often associate this period with the definitive formation of the group’s emotional and visual language.
Nadezhda Granovskaya’s role in the sound of “VIA Gra”
Granovskaya did not always perform the longest vocal passages, but her role cannot be assessed solely by the number of solo lines she sang. Her low, instantly recognisable timbre, expressive delivery of lyrics and dramatic movement created a contrast with the voices of the other members.
In the original duo, she complemented Alena Vinnitskaya’s lighter vocal persona. In the “golden” trio, her deep timbre balanced the parts performed by Anna Sedokova and Vera Brezhneva. As a result, the group was perceived not as a collection of interchangeable singers, but as an ensemble with distinct vocal and stage personalities.
This is an editorial assessment based on an analysis of the group’s recordings and performances: Meiher’s contribution lay primarily in creating atmosphere. She brought restrained theatricality, maturity and inner tension to the songs—qualities that became part of “VIA Gra’s” signature style.
Her second departure from “VIA Gra”
In early 2006, Meiher left the group once again. By that point, she had spent several years touring continuously, filming music videos and working in a rapidly changing line-up. The artist wanted to develop beyond the familiar pop-group format and devote more attention to television, literature and her own creative ideas.
Her departure did not represent a complete break with the producers or the group’s history. Meiher remained one of the project’s most recognisable faces and would later return to the line-up once again.
Television career
One of her first major projects after leaving the group was the STB programme “Incredible Love Stories”. Nadezhda hosted the show from 2006 until the end of 2008.
In 2011, she became a co-host alongside Hryhorii Reshetnik on the programme “The Incredible Truth About the Stars”. When introducing the new presenter, the channel noted that Meiher already had substantial television experience and was highly familiar with the entertainment world covered by the programme.
She later appeared in entertainment and music television projects including “I Want to Join VIA Gra”, “One to One!”, “Sing Like a Star” and other shows. Television helped her move beyond the stage persona of a pop-group member and present herself as a host, mentor and performer capable of working across different genres.
Returning to “VIA Gra” in 2009
In January 2009, Nadezhda rejoined “VIA Gra”, replacing Meseda Bagaudinova. This marked the beginning of her third and final period with the group.
During this time, the group released “Anti-Geisha”, “Crazy”, “Get Out!” and “A Day Without You”. The line-up changed several times, but Granovskaya’s return maintained a connection with the project’s early history.
In November 2011, the artist permanently left the group due to pregnancy. This time, she did not return as a regular member, choosing instead to focus on her family and individual career. Altogether, her history with “VIA Gra” encompassed three periods: 2000–2002, 2002–2006 and 2009–2011.
Solo music career
After leaving the group for the final time, Meiher did not attempt to replicate the musical formula of “VIA Gra”. Rather than releasing a conventional pop album, she began combining music, dance, poetry and theatrical performance.
In 2014, she released the solo songs “It’s Not About the Body” and “Tango of Return”, followed by “Stay” in 2015. These works marked a shift towards a more intimate and dramatic aesthetic. Relationships, inner conflict, sensuality and emotional dependence became central themes.
A special place in her repertoire was given to the classic Latin American composition Historia de un Amor, written by Panamanian composer Carlos Eleta Almarán. The song became part of Meiher’s original project of the same name, and the official digital single was released in December 2017.
Her solo period is best understood not as an attempt to compete with mainstream pop music, but as a search for a hybrid artistic genre. Meiher was interested in combining vocals, Argentine tango, physical theatre, poetry and visual storytelling.
The poetry collection “A Fleeting Attraction”
In 2009, Nadezhda published her own poetry collection, “Siyuminutnoye vlecheniye” (“A Fleeting Attraction”). The book was accompanied by an audio CD on which the artist read her poems to music by Konstantin Meladze.
Publishing her poetry was an important step in developing her identity as an author. Whereas in “VIA Gra” she primarily interpreted works created by other songwriters, the literary project allowed her to speak in her own voice.
Meiher’s poetry explores themes of love, loneliness, physicality, emotional dependence and self-discovery. The same motifs later appeared in her solo songs and musical theatre productions.
The musical production Historia de Un Amor
In June 2016, Meiher’s original musical production Historia de Un Amor premiered in Kyiv. The project took approximately two years to prepare.
The production combined live song performances, poetry, dramatic scenes and Argentine tango. The musical accompaniment was provided by the Kyiv Tango Project ensemble, performing with a traditional tango line-up of violin, bandoneon, piano and double bass.
For Meiher, the production was a natural continuation of her interest in multidisciplinary theatre. She appeared not only as a singer, but also as the creator of the concept, a dramatic performer and a dancer.
The project also helped clarify the direction of her solo work. Rather than pursuing radio-friendly material, the singer created performances designed to be experienced on stage and communicated through visual storytelling.
Participation in “Dancing with the Stars”
Dance training continued to play an important role in Meiher’s career. She took part in the first Ukrainian season of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2006 and returned to the programme in 2020 with Kyrylo Vasiuk.
The couple reached the grand final and finished in third place. During the final broadcasts, Meiher performed rumba, tango and flamenco. The pair received the maximum score of 40 points from the judges for their tango.
Her participation in the 2020 season reminded audiences that her stage movement was rooted in professional training. Even at the height of “VIA Gra’s” popularity, dance remained an independent art form for her rather than merely part of a pop performance.
Acting roles
As a member of “VIA Gra”, Meiher appeared in the television musicals “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka”, “Cinderella” and “The Sorochyntsi Fair”. She later began taking on independent acting roles.
One of her most notable acting performances was as Raisa in Oksana Bayrak’s melodrama “Nothing Happens Twice”. STB described it as Meiher’s first major serious film role. According to the artist, the director recognised the future character’s image in one of her photographs.
She also appeared in the productions “Do You Love Me?”, “Velyki Vuyky” and “Crazy Wedding 3”. Although Meiher’s filmography is not as extensive as her music career, her roles develop the same dramatic persona that first emerged in music videos and live performances.
The Meiher by Meiher brand
Meiher’s interest in costume and stage imagery gradually led her into the fashion industry. In the mid-2010s, she founded the women’s clothing brand Meiher by Meiher. The artist herself identifies 2015 as the year in which the label was established.
Meiher participated in the development of collections and modelled in promotional campaigns. The brand presents itself not merely as a clothing producer but as a creative studio associated with women’s self-expression and inner experience. Its public page continues to be updated.
Personal life and children
Nadezhda Meiher tries not to make her family a constant subject of public attention. She has three children: a son, Igor, and two daughters, Anna and Maria.
In 2014, she officially married businessman Mikhail Urzhumtsev. The couple did not hold a lavish wedding: according to the singer, they went to the registry office with their children and told their relatives about the marriage only after the ceremony. Meiher also confirmed that she had officially taken her husband’s surname.
In interviews, the artist has repeatedly said that she never expected to become a mother of three and that she tries to combine love with respect for each child’s independence.
As of July 2026, there has been no reliable public confirmation of any change in her marital status. Reports of a possible separation or divorce should therefore not be included in her biography without a direct statement from the artist herself or representatives of the family.
Her position following the start of the full-scale war
Following the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nadezhda Meiher publicly supported Ukraine, spoke about the horrors of Russian occupation, thanked Ukrainian defenders and addressed citizens of Russia. Ukrainian media documented her active public position in the summer of 2022.
The number of her public statements about the war later declined noticeably. The main focus of her pages gradually shifted towards clothing, creativity, spiritual reflections and self-discovery practices. A reduction in the number of such posts does not, in itself, provide reliable grounds for claiming that the artist has changed her previously stated position. Such a conclusion would require a direct public statement from her.
Where Nadezhda Meiher is now and what she is doing
Meiher’s exact permanent place of residence has not been publicly confirmed. In July 2024, she said that she was staying in Greece. In May 2025, the artist was seen in Germany, although this likewise does not prove that she lives there permanently. Publications from early 2026 emphasised that her current place of residence remained unknown.
As of 2026, Meiher continues to develop her clothing brand and a new area of public activity. On the Nadia Meiher page titled Miraculum Voce, she promotes women’s transformational circles, individual online sessions, intuitive singing and practices that she herself describes as “quantum psychology”. Events in Portugal are listed on the page for September 2026. These are the artist’s own descriptions and terminology for her services, rather than a scientific assessment of the practices concerned.
This change of direction appears to continue her long-standing interest in body-based practices, voice, emotional self-discovery and symbolic theatre. At the same time, conventional music activity—regular singles, albums and concert tours—has had very little public presence in recent years.
Nadezhda Meiher’s significance to Ukrainian pop music
Nadezhda Meiher is among the artists who helped define the stage aesthetic of Ukrainian pop music in the early 2000s. She was a member of the original “VIA Gra” line-up, remained with the group through several key stages of its development and became part of its best-known trio.
Her contribution extends beyond her public image. Her low voice, dramatic delivery, professional movement and ability to inhabit a complex stage persona helped distinguish “VIA Gra” from other female pop projects of the period.
After leaving the group, Meiher chose a less predictable path. Rather than endlessly recreating her earlier success, she turned to literature, tango, intimate vocal performance, theatre, film and fashion design. Not all of these projects achieved the same level of mainstream recognition as the songs of “VIA Gra”, but together they allow the artist to be viewed as an independent creative figure.
Selected songs featuring Nadezhda Meiher
With “VIA Gra”
- “Attempt No. 5”
- “Bomb”
- “Hold Me”
- “I Won’t Return”
- “Good Morning, Dad!”
- “Don’t Leave Me, My Love!”
- “Kill My Girlfriend”
- “The Ocean and Three Rivers”
- “There Is No More Attraction”
- “Biology”
- “Diamonds”
- “Anti-Geisha”
- “Crazy”
- “Get Out!”
- “A Day Without You”
Solo releases
- “It’s Not About the Body”
- “Tango of Return”
- “Stay”
- Historia de un Amor
Key “VIA Gra” albums released during her time in the group
- “Attempt No. 5” — 2001
- “Stop! Filmed!” — 2003
- “Biology” — 2003
- Stop! Stop! Stop! — 2004
- “Diamonds” — 2005
Frequently asked questions
What is Nadezhda Granovskaya’s real name?
The artist’s real name is Nadezhda Alexandrovna Meiher. Granovskaya was used as a stage surname. After marrying, she officially took the surname Urzhumtseva.
How many times was Nadezhda Meiher a member of “VIA Gra”?
She was part of the group on three separate occasions: from 2000 to 2002, from 2002 to 2006 and from 2009 to 2011.
Why did Nadezhda Granovskaya leave “VIA Gra”?
Her first and final departures were connected with pregnancy and the birth of her children. In 2006, the artist decided to focus on television and her own creative projects.
Who was part of the “golden line-up” with Granovskaya?
The group’s best-known “golden line-up” is generally considered to be the trio of Nadezhda Granovskaya, Anna Sedokova and Vera Brezhneva.
What is Nadezhda Meiher doing in 2026?
She is developing the Meiher by Meiher brand and holding original events related to voice, women’s practices and self-discovery. Her exact permanent place of residence has not been publicly confirmed.
Editorial note
This article was prepared using interviews with Nadezhda Meiher, official publications by the STB television channel, data from music services, pages belonging to her projects and materials published by Ukrainian media outlets. Disputed claims concerning her place of residence, marital status and political position have not been presented as established facts without direct confirmation.
