阿尼·洛拉克

Karolina Myroslavivna Kuiek (born 27 September 1978), better known as Ani Lorak, is a Ukrainian and Russian singer. Having been awarded the title of People's Artist of Ukraine (revoked in 2024), she has been cited as one of the most influential and popular women in Ukraine, and has also been ranked as one of the most beautiful women from Eastern Europe. In 2014, she reported the highest income of all singers in Ukraine.

After her performance of the song "Shady Lady" while representing Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, Lorak began gaining considerable fame outside of the former Soviet Union, coming in second place behind "Believe" by Russian singer Dima Bilan. In 2018, she received a ZD Award in the category for Best Singer of the Year.

In October 2022, Lorak was sanctioned by the Ukrainian government because she continued to work and live in Russia after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Among other restrictions, she was deprived of all Ukrainian state honours bestowed upon her and also prohibited from entering the country for five years. She received Russian citizenship in 2025.

Early life and family

Lorak was born in the provincial city of Kitsman, Chernivtsi Oblast in Western Ukraine. She lived in the same house as Hero of Ukraine, singer and composer Volodymyr Ivasyuk, who spent his childhood, as Lorak's maternal grandfather had bought it from the Ivasyuks after they had decided to move away from Kitsman. Prior to her birth, her parents – a journalist and an announcer – had separated, however, her mother chose to still give Lorak her father's surname upon her birth.

Career

1992–1998: Early career in Ukraine and first albums

In 1992, at the age of 13, she took part in the Chernivtsi singing competition Pervotsvit, which she won. There, she met Yuriy Falyosa, who became her first producer. As a result, at the age of 15, she signed her first professional contract for the duration of ten years. In that timeframe, as part of her contract duties, she was not allowed to marry or give birth.

1999–2005: Honoured Artist of Ukraine, Ukrainian albums and first Eurovision attempt

At the outset of 1999, Lorak started her first extensive and international touring, performing in the United States, France, Germany, Hungary, and in every major city of Ukraine.……

Business ventures

In 2005, Ani Lorak and her fiancé Murat opened the Angel Lounge, a restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine in the center of Kyiv. In 2009, they opened a Ukrainian travel agency called "Holiday Travel", which is a sub-division of "Turtess Travel", a company Murat works for. In 2010, Lorak became an Oriflame advert. She participated in several catalogues and developed a new fragrance called Chiffon by Ani Lorak.

Personal life

Lorak was married to Murat Nalçacıoğlu, a Turkish hotel manager and travel agent, from 2009 to 2019.

On 9 June 2011, she gave birth to their daughter Sophia.

Sanctions

On 19 October 2022, Ani Lorak was added to Ukraine's sanctions list and is prohibited from entering the country until 2027.

Charity

Lorak spends a lot of time on charitable activities. Since 2004–2005, Lorak has been a UN Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. UNICEF and UN in Ukraine have awarded a commendation to Lorak for assistance and help to HIV-positive citizens of Ukraine. In 2005, Lorak was conferred with the St.……

Awards

1992

Second prize of the Prevotsvit festival in Ukraine (Chernivtsi).

1994

First prize of the international festival Veselad (Kyiv).

First prize of the international festival Dolia (Chernivtsi).

1995

Winner of the "Morning Star" television contest (Moscow).

Second prize of the all-Ukrainian festival "Chervona Ruta" (Sevastopol).

1996

Winner of the Super Final of the "Morning Star" television contest (Moscow).

Winner in the "Finding of 1995" nomination of the "Tavriyski Igry" festival.

1997

Prize-winner of the "Song-97" festival (Moscow, Kyiv).