Ani Lorak – pop singer, songwriter, actress
Ani Lorak is a popular singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur. Also she is a model and a face of many international brands. By the way, Ani is People’s Artist and Honored Artist of Ukraine, and a former UN Goodwill Ambassador.
Karolina Kuiek (her real name) was born on September 27, 1978 in Kitsman, Soviet Union. Her parents broke up before her birth. Karolina was not the only child in the family. When the girl was six years old, she was sent to a boarding school. Despite the fact that her mother worked around the clock, she was not able to feed her children.
Karolina dreamed of becoming a singer since her childhood. She performed at various school vocal competitions. In 1992 the girl won the popular contest Pervotsvit. There she met producer Yuriy Falyosa.
Kuiek became known as Ani Lorak in March 1995 when she took part in the television program Morning Star in Moscow, Russia. There was a Russian singer with the same name so Kuiek had to invent a stage name. Ani Lorak is the name Karolina read backwards.
Her first album I Want To Fly was recorded in autumn 1995. The CD was released in early 1996 by the British company Holy Musіk.
The singer became even more popular after winning the Big Apple Music 1996 Competition in New York, USA. Awesome girl was named Discovery of the Year at the popular Ukrainian festival Tavria Games in 1996.
To tell the truth, Lorak became the youngest Honored Artist of Ukraine in 1999. In the same year, the singer signed a contract with the famous Russian composer Igor Krutoi.
In 2002 and 2008, Ani was one of the top 100 sexiest women in the world.
Talented singer was a UN Good Will Ambassador in Ukraine for HIV/AIDS in 2004-2005.
Ani and Murat opened the Angel Lounge in the center of Kiev in 2005. It is a restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. And in 2009, they opened a Ukrainian travel agency called Holiday Travel.
Bright singer represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song Shady Lady written by Greek composer and producer Dimitris Kontopoulos. Ani took the second place and won the Artistic Award for her performance.
Besides, she was the winner of Golden Gramophone, Singer of the Year, Woman of the Year, Song of the Year awards.
Moreover, Ani is the owner of five “gold discs” and two “platinum”.
You know, she starred in several films, including Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, Crazy Day or The Marriage of Figaro, The New Year Movie, Little Red Riding Hood, The New Adventures of Aladdin.
Personal life
For 10 years, from 1996 to 2006, Ani lived together with her producer Yuri Falyosa.
On 21 August 2009, Lorak married her longtime Turkish fiance and manager Murat (born on December 27, 1977). Ani met him in 2003 when vacationing in Turkey. Her husband is a Turkish hotel manager and a travel agent. Their daughter Sophia was born on June 9, 2011.
After discussion, Ani made a decision to baptize Sophia in Orthodox Church in spite of the fact that her husband is a Muslim. Filip Kirkorov became Sophia’s godfather.
Her official site: anilorak.ua