Kamaliya

Kamaliya Zahoor (, ; born Nataliya Viktorivna Shmarenkova on 18 May 1977), known professionally as simply Kamaliya, is a Ukrainian singer, actress, television personality, model and former Mrs. World beauty pageant titleholder. In 1997, she graduated from the University of Culture with a degree in Variety Art and Mass Shows Direction. In 2001, she created the show-center "Kamaliya", which not only promoted her, but also organized gala concerts and shows and programs with participation Ukrainian, Russian and foreign stars.

In 2004, the President of Ukraine awarded Kamaliya with the title Honored Artist of Ukraine for her outstanding achievements in developing Ukrainian culture.

She was a headliner at the "Mr. Gay World 2012" pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kamaliya performed at Ahoy, Rotterdam at Symphony 31 "DJ meets Orchestra" on 14 & 16 March 2015. Kamaliya is a regular performer at the Gay Prides in Germany, UK, Ireland & the Netherlands.

Beauty contests In 2003, she became "Miss South Ukraine" and "Miss Open – Odesa".

Mrs. World 2008 On 30 June 2008, Kamaliya won the Mrs. World pageant.

Kamaliya's second UK single "Rising UP" was released on 26 February 2012. The single featured mixes by UK dance ensemble Cahill and US production wizards Soulseekerz. The video for this single was shot in Miami by Paul Boyd, in a luxury villa used in CSI: Miami.

Recent notable performances include as a support act to the STEPS reunion tour across the UK. Kamaliya performed as a supporting act to STEPS on all tour dates except two (when she was in South Africa to headline Mr. Gay World). These appearances coincided with the launch of her 3rd single "Arrhythmia" – an Ibiza-inspired dance anthem.

Kamaliya also released her debut UK album Kamaliya onto digital websites and for free with OK! magazine on 7 August 2012.

In 2013, Kamaliya released her new album, ClubOpera, which was written and produced for her by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen and DSign Music. Prior to its release, she released 4 singles out of this album. Those were "Butterflies" (2012), "I'm Alive" (2013), "Love Me Like" (2013), "Never Wanna Hurt You (Bad Love, Baby)" (2013).

In 2015, she recorded a single with José Carreras for his concert in the German city of Braunschweig. She continued her cooperation with Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen, and in March 2016 she released her first single "Timeless" from her next album with the same title. The song was No.1 for 8 weeks in the Austrian & Dutch charts, and in the Top 15 in German and Swiss charts.

In January 2017, her collaboration with Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen culminated in "Aphrodite", which reached the second position in German and Spanish official charts, Austrian and Turkish iTunes charts.

In February 2017, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sananda Maitreya's (formerly known as Terence Trent D'Arby) hit "Sign Your Name", she presented her version of the song at YUNA Music Awards. Produced by the English producer Stuart Epps the single became a huge hit in Italy.

In July 2017, the album Timeless was released. Besides "Timeless" & "Aphrodite", "Make Me Feel" & "On My List" did very well in European charts. "Make Me Feel" was No.1 in Ireland.

When the album ClubOpera was out in 2013 the song "Who's Gonna Love You Tonight" was not released as a single but it was so catchy that fans all over the world wanted it to be a single. In October 2017, with a slight change in the music, it was released.

In 2018, there appeared a Ukrainian version of the song "Timeless" – "Рiки Кохання".

In 2018, Kamaliya released another Ukrainian song – "Самба Тропикана".

In 2018, Kamaliya got a golden disc status in Austria for singles "I'm alive" and "Timeless".

In 2018, Kamaliya performed in Kyiv with Spanish opera star Montserrat Caballe.

In 2019, Kamaliya released another Ukrainian song – "Вiльна".

In July 2019, Kamaliya is planning to release her Spanish inspired Ukrainian duet with hot Latinos Duo #RicoMacho "Наше лiто".

Film and television In 2009, Kamaliya filmed a television pilot Coffee with Kamaliya where she interviewed celebrities. She also played a lead role in sci-fi movie called Mantera.

In 2012, she filmed scenes for a role in the American film What About Love, starring Sharon Stone and Andy Garcia; as of February 2023 the film has not been released.

Kamaliya also featured in many TV series and movies: Fathers and sons (И отцы, и дети); "Russian 8-episode serial"; Bagarne effect (Эффект Багарне); "Russian 8-episode serial"; and Million Up to the sky (Миллион до неба); "Russian TV movie".

She also featured in the reality shows: Riches cry too (Богатые тоже плачут) (Ukrainian TV), Meet the Russians (FOX). Also on: The lifestyle of the Rich and Famous (NBC); How The Other Half Live (UK Channel 5); and on TV channels in Germany, UK, Poland, the Netherlands, Russia, Australia, Austria, Italia, Japan, the US, etc.

In 2017, Kamaliya took part in the Ukrainian TV show Dancing with the stars.

In 2018, Kamaliya became a star singer of the Ukrainian TV show Voice-8 and sang a Ukrainian folk song "Mesyats na nebi".

Personal life

In 2003, she married British/Pakistani businessman Mohammad Zahoor.

Charity work

Kamalyia performed in orphanages from the age of 16. In 2005, Kamaliya took part in the All Ukrainian Charity Tour in support of children with AIDS. The President of Pakistan congratulated Kamaliya on her successful performance at the World Performing Arts Festival, Lahore, Pakistan.

This alloy of philanthropic and music experience convinced Kamalyia to establish her own charitable foundation Kamaliya & Mohammad Zahoor Charitable Foundation in 2014. The Kamaliya Foundation helps orphanages, disabled people, and children with Down's syndrome. Besides other activities, the Kamaliya Foundation holds annual St. Nicholas Charity Nights to raise funds for its causes.

In 2017, Kamaliya held the annual charity event 4th St. Nicholas Charity Night in Kyiv, Ukraine where $50,000 was raised through auction and ticket sales for buying medical equipment for the State Children's Cardiac Center in Kyiv. In 2018, Kamaliya held the annual charity event 5th St. Nicholas Charity Night in Kyiv, Ukraine where $60,000 was raised through auction and ticket sales for buying medical equipment for the State Children's Cardiac Center in Kyiv.

Discography Albums Techno Style (1997) (Techno) Kamaliya, with Love (2001) (Dance) Year of the Queen (2007) (Dance, Pop) Kamaliya (2012; in both English and Russian including remix version) (Eurodance) Club Opera (2013) (Classical crossover, Dance, Eurodance, Trance, Electronic, Lirica) Timeless (2017)

Singles

Music videos

"Ангел снов" "Пока нет лета" "От заката до рассвета" "Таке ніжне почуття" "Метель" "Год были вдвоем" "Зонтик" "Скорый поезд" "Boom-Boom" "Ты - просто привычка" "Вдвоем" "Crazy in My Heart" "Rising Up" "No Ordinary Love" "Arrhythmia" "Butterflies" "I'm Alive" "Love Me Like" "Never Wanna Hurt You (Bad Love, Baby)" "Timeless" "Timeless" (Dutch Version) "Who's Gonna Love You Tonight" "Aphrodite" "Sign Your Name" "Рiки Кохання (Timeless – Ukrainian version)"