Sergey Lazarev will represent Russia at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv with his song “Scream”. It is an emotional ballad crafted with a stage show in mind.
The Russian State Broadcaster internally selected Sergey in the hopes of scoring the country’s second Eurovision victory. Its first and only victory was back in 2008 when pop star Dima Bilan performed for the second time at the contest, after finishing as a runner-up two years prior.
As we count down to Israel, we’ve compiled 10 facts you need to know about Sergey Lazarev. Are you ready? Let’s do this!
1. He started his career as half of a pop duo
Together with Vlad Topalov, Sergey Lazarev formed part of the Russian pop duo SMASH. Established in 2000, the pair had originally worked together in the children’s group Neposedi, alongside Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova of t.A.T.u. fame. SMASH won the hearts of teenagers in Russia and Southeast Asia before splitting up in 2006.
2. He’s doing Eurovision for the second time
This will be Sergey’s second appearance at the contest. At Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm, he topped the televote with his hit song “You Are The Only One”, finishing third on the podium overall. This was an incredible feat considering the fact that 21 out of 41 expert music panels awarded him zero points.
3. But it’s not his second Eurovision attempt
In 2008, Sergey Lazarev participated in the Russian pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. He came fourth with “Flyer”. Dima Bilan won the competition, represented Russia that year, and ended up winning Eurovision. Despite the result, Sergey has embraced the track and even had wings tattooed on his bicep to symbolise his flyer-status.
4. He is an award winning stage actor
In 2004, Sergey Lazarev graduated from Moscow’s MKhAT Theatre School as a professional actor. During his student years , he played Romeo in Pushkinski Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet which secured him a nomination for the highly coveted Seagull dramatic debut award for “Best Love Scene”. His main breakthrough came a year after graduation. A role in the Broadway-style musical comedy Lend Me A Tenor bagged him five professional theatre gongs, making the play the biggest stage success of the 2005 theatre season.
5. He was runner-up on Dancing On Ice
In 2006, Sergey Lazarev finished second in the Russian version of Dancing on Ice. Watch the video below to relive some of his finest skating moments.
6. He is a father
At the end of 2016, a Russian tabloid published photos of Sergey Lazarev and his mother taking his son Nikita to church. Since the pics went public, Sergey has shared many images of his son on Instagram. He also featured him in the music video for his recent single “Tak Krasivo” (So Beautiful). However, his love for his only son cuts even deeper. In February 2017, Sergey Lazarev tattooed Nikita’s initial on the left side of his neck (just below his ear) The following year, the N Tour which spanned 170 dates all over Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Lithuania and Georgia was a celebration of his son Nikita, and his legacy as an entertainer. There are more dates planned for the tour in Austria, France, Germany, Israel and The USA.
7. He was born on April Fools’ Day
The star was born in Moscow on 1 April 1983 and named Sergey Vyacheslavovich Lazarev. However, given his record-breaking achievements, this heartthrob ain’t no fool. He has six successful albums under his belt and an impressive collection of silverware including Russian National Music Awards and MTV EMAs. His YouTube view count runs into several million!
8. He has over 3.5 million followers on Instagram
With nearly 7,000 posts, Sergey Lazarev keeps his Instagram fans busy with photos, video clips and livestreams. If you want to get in on the action, follow the blue-tick verified account @lazarevsergey. Trust us, he serves face and body…DAILY! There are plenty of fan accounts available too. They re-post and create several memes of this living Russian legend. On Twitter, Sergey keeps his 670 thousand followers entertained in both Russian and English. This man has a lot to say, and plenty to show.
9. He wanted to be a gymnast
Sergey Lazarev was set to be a gymnast back when he was a child. From 1988 until 1993, he participated in and won several local competitions. Shortly before taking to the international stage, he suffered a leg injury and was forced to quit the sport. Oh yes, our Sergey was close to bagging a gold medal on the pommel horse.
10. He’s an animal lover
Sergey’s rescue dogs Daisy and Lisa are a major part of his life. When at home, he takes them walking everyday. Throughout the years, Sergey has homed many dogs. He’s even gone so far as to set up a bespoke pet supplies store in Moscow. Want to treat your dog? Check out his store on www.pudel-shtrudel.ru.
We can’t wait to see Sergey Lazarev slay again on the Eurovision stage in May. We know he’s going to BRING IT!!! How do you think he will perform this year? Do you scream when you hear “Scream”? Let us know in the comments below.
He may be a nice person and a likeable entertainer, but I consider him as one of the overrated Esc artists of all time.
he also won a talent show in italy back in 1996
Fact 11 😀
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrXYXpEhNI8/
In my opinion Sergey should have won in 2016. It was a great song and I still listen to it regurarly. Him not recieving points from some juries was political sadly. I really hope he visits Eurovision in Concert this year!
Also, totally highfived him during 2016’s opening ceremony! I am Dutch so naturally hoping for Duncan to win, But if he won I would be very happy as well.
I think that the jury voting in 2016 had a political reason because 50% juries didn’t give Russia any points…that’s a lot…I can’t say I like Russian politics but in my opinion it has nothing to do with Eurovision…actually our Czech jury didn’t give Russia any points too…I was very disappointed…and I hope that it will change this year and we won’t se any politics on Eurovision this year…we have unfortunately seen politics in Ukranian national selection Vidbir…I wanted to see Maruv on Eurovision this year…Sergey is the only one…good luck Russia
i hate laz song
you forgot he’s also a hard swallower
Am I the only one who thinks the child is adopted? He doen’t even have brown hair or brown eyes like Sergey.
It’s not a secret that he used a surrogate mom but he’s the dad.
Sergey is a talented guy, but if there is any justice in this world, the song, which is quite bland, will end up at the end of the leaderboard.
Everybody expected something in YATOO style again,but why do the same for self-plagiarism? YATOO 2016 was more typical electro dance song for Euro but with nice live performance. Lazarev decided to show another side of himself and make an informal song that will stand out from the others. “Scream” is a dramatic and epic song in melody line and his voice there more powerful and beautiful than in YATOO. This song is hard to sing and was made for live stage,where is Sergey can shows his vocal quality and also he promises a great performance. Wait till May. A winner… Read more »
Sergey goes to the toilet and sh*ts diamonds and Ukraine is a fascist state – Article 20090 in Wiwibloggs Russian-sponsored hype… Couldn’t your sponsors at least tell you to not be so obvious?
He’s on a European promo tour. The Russian delegation is really throwing a lot of money at this. Yesterday doing interviews in an expensive hotel in Amsterdam.
I just wish his song was a little better. They really seem to want this, and they obviously have a chance, but it’s the song that lets them down.
Well, it’s better than Believe, Dima Bilan’s song that won Eurovision for Russia in 2008. That song was so cheesy and over-the-top. I’ll take Scream as a winner over Believe any day.
Nr 10: Hes not winning ESC this year either.
11 He is in the closet
He also, with a help from his mom, takes care of his niece Anna (if I didn’t mistake her name, I remember you wrote article about that) whose father, Pavel, was Sergey’s brother (was, because he died in an accident, if I remember correctly…and Anna’s “mom” left the family shortly after Anna was born therefore making Pavel a single father)… I heard there’s also a new incarnation of Neposedi and Anna is in it (if I didn’t get it wrong)…
I think her name is Alina. Didn’t know Pavel had to be a single father too
I thought that the girl’s name was Anna…thanks for correcting 😀
I remember there was an article about it (I mean, his help for Alina after his brother’s death and Pavel being a single father etc.) somewhere here on Wiwi…but I don’t exactly remember when…
I really like his song SCREAM…he is in my top 3 this year…he was my favourite in 2016 and I’m really happy to see him this year again…I like Scream and You are the only one as well…each of this songs are very different and I love them all so much…I’m really looking forward to see the Russian stage for this year because in 2016 his stage was amazing…how do you like the song SCREAM and are you looking forward to Russian performance in May?…much love from Czech Republic
And thank you Wiwibloggs for excellent article
His song is better than last time, though its still not good enough to win, he will do good but there are songs much better than ‘scream’
He was on a primetime TV in Netherlands tonight lol
Thank God, he didn’t win with Flyer back then. It was horrible.
Remarkably, Sergey is also one of the few acts this year old enough to have youtube footage shot in SD.
I think I am in the minority here, but I actually like “Scream” much more than “You Are The Only One”. YATOO was overhyped, dated nonsense that should not have won the televote or finished 3rd overall. I think “Scream” is a much better attempt, in fact, it’s my favorite Russian entry since 2009. I fail to see why the fandom is hating on this, while they voted for YATOO? If Australia or Sweden sent “Scream” I would see the usual “winner alert!” Comments. Sergey actually seems like a really nice and friendly guy too, and yes, he is very… Read more »
YATOO 2016 was more typical electro dance song for Euro but with nice live performance. Everybody expected something in YATOO style again,but why do the same for self-plagiarism? Lazarev decided to show another side of himself and make an informal song that will stand out from the others. “Scream” is a dramatic and epic song in melody line and his voice there more powerful and beautiful than in YATOO. This song is hard to sing and was made for live stage,where is Sergey can shows his vocal quality and also he promises a great performance.
You guys remember Isaura from last year’s Portugal? A bit off topic, but I found her new song, and it’s AWESOME! What do you think? Here’s the link https://youtu.be/1y86Arl69ig
I have admired Sergey for many years. I admit I already knew most of these points in the top 10. Our countries may not be on the best of terms, but this does not change musical appreciation. 🙂
He’s a bit camp in them videos.
Hes not gonna Winn The ESC. IRS Ok, bit not a winner
He has been in Amsterdam today making promo and interviews.
He’s also doing some concerts in Germany this week. I guess for the Russian diaspora there.
He was also on the Greek tv news last week.
He’s really working the “promo machine”. More than we think.
Wow. You are following him everywhere. A big fan I suppose.
I only follow him on IG. I follow most of the contestants like a lot of Esc fans do xD
I’m not a big fan of him but I like him. I like other songs better tho.
Sergey also participated in the show “Circus with the Stars”, watch the video, it’s great! Not surprisingly, he climbed the wall)) https://youtu.be/28FIUHU0bdE
And Smash!! one love <3 Listen to other songs!
This
https://youtu.be/h4QUJx_gEaY
This
https://youtu.be/EEvyy229Ozw
And this
https://youtu.be/MH89zfDn3b4
11. He’s going to loose again
You forgot about the circus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_QeWnRR94c
My love 🙂
Oh no! Another article about Lazarev / Russia, I hope that some people here not get bored / tired with it…………
Henry, we are doing these posts about all 41 competing acts. If you click the link at the bottom of the article you can read about Leonora, Sarah McTernan, Joci Papai, Michael Rice and Oto Nemsadze. Loads more to come! <3 🙂
Padraig i don’t mind actually, but i was referring to the NL articles wich got so many negative comments from people who got tired of it, so i hope this will not happen at Russia articles also.
I think you missed the sarcasm.
I really appreciate this type of content!
To be honest, the only thing I got bored reading wiwiblioggs are Saara Alto’s news