In 2014 and 2015, Russia’s Eurovision contestants were booed on live television in response to growing resentment over, among other things, the country’s anti-LGBT laws.
But in 2016 Sergey Lazarev re-wrote the script, winning the televote and receiving huge support from some of the very fans who booed his predecessors.
And on Friday afternoon the “You Are The Only One” singer reminded everyone why he’s so loved, as he posted a thoughtful message on Facebook that acknowledged his LGBT fans.
Writing on his official page the day after his performance at Stockholm Pride, Sergey said:
Everyone here in Sweden treated me in the best possible way [at Eurovision] and I am very happy that I had the opportunity to perform here again, I am very happy that I realize that I have fans from different countries, believing in different religions, having different sexual orientations and I love them all the same… thank you all for your support and love!
Sergey at Stockholm Pride
Ahead of his show-stopping performance, Sergey caught up with wiwiblogger Tobias inside the Grand Hotel.
Wearing a well-fitted white-top that showed off his gym-honed arms, the Russian stud opened up about his new video for “Breaking Away”, his fond memories of Stockholm and much, much more.
“I’m so happy to be back,” he says of Sweden and why he wanted to come back for Pride.
“Almost three months have passed since Eurovision and I’m happy I’m going to perform tonight again in Stockholm. I will have an opportunity to say thank you to my dear audience here in Sweden for the support that I received from them at the Eurovision. I will perform tonight with the best feeling.”
He tends to have good luck in the country: “Before Eurovision, I’ve been in Stockholm and recorded about seven songs here. And they became really big hits in Russia.”
“I have so many great memories and emotions from Eurovision,” he says. “I miss this atmosphere. I miss my friends from the Eurovision, the other competitors. I’m happy we’re going to meet each other again. We are forever in the history for Eurovision 2016.”
And what does he miss the most about the Eurovision bubble?
“The performances at the Globen Arena, the nerves, the audience, the stress that we had, all the attention that we had, the atmosphere. It’s really hard to describe and choose something, just one. It’s in the package, you know, the whole thing. And I’m really happy that I had this performance and this experience. It’s one of the best experiences of my life and I have no regrets about doing it.”
In the two months since Eurovision he hasn’t had a break, traveling through Greece, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Belarus, among other places. He’s currently on tour and when he gets back to Russia he’ll hit the road again, performing his sold-out tour all over his Motherland.
The self-confessed workaholic understands that he needs to rest. But even when he talks about breaks his sentences wind back to work.
“I didn’t have holidays after Eurovision yet. I’m going to have it at the end of August. I will take some break. I have to because I have a very busy autumn. I have a big show in Moscow. We’re going to celebrate the 100th show of my tour. It’s going to be very big. I have a lot of plans. I’m recording my new songs.”
His new album will drop in 2017.
A true gentleman, Sergey isn’t remotely bitter about finishing third at Eurovision.
“Everybody was upset I didn’t win, but again everybody was so happy we won the televoting. They called me the ‘true winner’ and the ‘real winner’.”
“Every country when they send somebody to represent a country of course they wish them all the best luck. For your own country you will always be the winner. But I’m happy that I did my best in the Eurovision final night and I’m proud of myself and my country and my team. We really did a great job.”
@Maru Fr
What is he doing with “thunder and lighting, it’s getting extited” first of all!!!
Crap!=))
I still cannot decide if I am going to laugh or cryy=)))
@Plum
When this guy sings “You`re The Only One, You`re My Only One” – that sounds like a threat )) LOL
@Maru fr
Pfff… no???=)) Especially in the end with Lazarev’s voice in the background.
Cover-version of “You are the only one”!))) 😀 This guy slays!!! LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VOlEcxlq5k
Some haters still cannot calm down, it is not a dizaster.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
Yeah, she has a point. Bubble-thinking…..
@Avstriya is totally right.
Maru – I agree. Who cares what he thinks of gays? He is a singer, that’s it.
What do you want from him?? He is a singer but not the politician!!!
Or maybe he has to be engaged in political activity?))) 😉 (will protect interests of sexual minorities!) 😀 So what? Many of the Russian show-business and athletes alreade there)) Lol And I won`t be surprised, if he de?ides to do similarly in the future)))
William! Take him Now!!! LOL Otherwise he will be absolutely inaccessible for you!)))) 😀
@lame
The fact that he, a very famous person, openly speaks about equality of all people regardless of their sexual orientation, nationalities, religions, etc is already enough for me to respect him.
@ ella
Does he have any ‘involvements’ about lgbt injustices?
@lame
“I am not sure Sergey is using it properly. ”
I meant his involvement in charity projects.
Hovi. Well, I find him awful. The personality, the image, and the song. Different strokes for different folks though.
I would rather see a interview of Young Georgian Lolitaz or Highway on this site. Great rock music. We need more of that in ESC, and it was great to hear them this year. Best moment of this year, was when Georgia qualified.
@Avstriya
What did you really meant to say?
@ella
I am not sure Sergey is using it properly. I have never heard him talking supportive about it on a social basis.
His private life is not concerning me at all
Wiwi, did you meet Hovi? When we`ll see interview with him? 🙂
P.S. Sorry.. I couldn`t resist..))) Lol
Amir + Sergey = ??? 😀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgNBwkAWjO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dvBxgZ0z3w
@lame
I agree with you that famous people have a power to change peoples’ lives for the better. And I believe many of them, including Sergey, use it properly. But we are talking about private life. Famous people are humans too.
Sergey is a class act. Less classy are his fans who only admire him for his gym-honed body. Objectification of women and reducing them to their sexuality in the heteronormative world is an outrage, but why isn’t it the same for men in the gay bubble?
@lame
Sergey has never left supporting LGBT whatever, never he’s escaped supporting shildren having health trouble, neither he is indifferent to homeless dogs and cats…
But he is too demanded Artist and he is about to fall breathless by now. He must have a rest before he goes on. After that he must have an opportunity to do what he feels like to do.
He should know 🙂
@ Plum I don’t say he ‘has to’ do it but, i say it would be considerate and thoughtful behaviour if he had done. Famous people has a power to reach a big population , it is easier for them to point out the social injustices. Their support brings together a big population’s support as well. I say they should use this power effectively and give hope to other people. If you are not concerning social problems though you are a famous singer then that means you are wasting your fame and your power. You are a selfish coward who… Read more »
I am sooo happy that Sergey is Russian… He is a prominent and unforgettable artist and a great personality. @Iberian Why is he expected to do what you want him to do whatever he is? Bth hank you for not using his name this time since before this you intendedly misspelled it not once. Name is name and your guesses are your guesses. I in person get insulted if my name is misspelled though is is just Natalia or Natalja (the 1st is correct without any affiliation). @lame Is a famous artist expected to devote himself to political, religious, sexual… Read more »
“he loves YOU all”? What about the fans who are not gay then….? Serously Wiwibloggs – it shouldn’t come as any surprise that not all male fans are gay. Not by far! Don’t get me wrong, I think gays are OK, I have some gay friends. But now you really take those silly stereotypes too far. For every good article here, there is an article like that. Why not focus on the fact that ESC who have fans who are all kinds of people? That way, it all gets more inclusive and nicer to read for us all. No offence,… Read more »
@ ella
if you are famous that means you have a big power / advantage in your hands. A power that should be used for people’s benefits. That power in your hands can change another non- famous one’s life better if you use it properly. Famous people have more responsibilities when it comes to social injustices and they need to be aware of it. Remember fortune favors the bold. Stop being a coward.
His private life is nobody`s business!!!
Frankly speaking, I`m not sure that he is 100% gay…(these are just my fantasy!)
Wiwi, who else has been with him there?))
I think he has gone to Stockholm not alone! 🙂
He shouldn’t come out with anything if he doesn’t want to. Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean that his right to privacy should be stripped away.
Good joke: “he seems honest”. He should come out and stop pretending to be straight in his boy-meets-girl-videos. That would be honest.
“In 2014 and 2015, Russia’s Eurovision contestants were booed on live television in response to growing resentment over, among other things, the country’s anti-LGBT laws.”
“But in 2016 Sergey Lazarev re-wrote the script, winning the televote and receiving huge support from some of the very fans who booed his predecessors.”
I still can’t understand why all that unfairness towards Polina and the Tolmachevy Sisters and the respect towards Sergey. Maybe because of his abs? I am starting to lose faith in some Eurovision fans…
I feel he’s changed since Eurovision, like he’s matured, and he’s more comfortable in everything now, both as a person and as an artist. He’s been changing over the past couple of years but now it’s even more noticeable.
LOVE HIM. take care, sergey. 🙂
Very mature of him. I do like Sergey, he seems honest and genuinely nice. Best of luck to him in his future endeavours.
He sounds really really tired