Zlata Ognevich

Zlata Leonidivna Ognevich (; born Inna Leonidivna Bordiuh, on 12 January 1986) is a Ukrainian singer and former politician. She represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö with the song "Gravity", placing third. Ognevich previously attempted to represent Ukraine at the contest in 2010 and 2011.

In 2014, Ognevich was elected to the Verkhovna Rada for the Radical Party using her birth name Inna Bordiuh. She has been vocal in her support for Ukrainian forces during the pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, and announced she would not accept Russian citizenship following the annexation of Crimea, where Ognevich was raised.

Early life According to her birth certificate, Ognevich was born in 1986 in Murmansk, however, she later found Kryvyi Rih to be her actual place of birth; she has Italian ancestors on her mother's side and Serbian on her father's side. She grew up in the Crimean city of Sudak. At age 18, Ognevich moved to Kyiv to pursue a higher music education. Ognevich is a graduate of Kyiv's Rheingold M. Glière Music College.

Musical career Ognevich is a soloist of the Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, after Jamala and Ognevich withdrew from this new final in the days before it was scheduled to be held, Mika Newton became the artist to represent Ukraine. thumb On 23 December 2012, Ognevich made her third attempt to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, by entering the Ukrainian national selection Evrobachennya 2013 – Natsionalyni vidbir with the song "Gravity". After scoring maximum points from both the jury and televote, Ognevich won the right to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden. At the competition, Ukraine qualified from the first semi-final on 14 May 2013, placing third in a field of 16 songs and scoring 140 points. In the final, Ognevich and "Gravity" placed third, scoring 214 points and receiving 12 points from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia and Moldova. thumb Ognevich hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013 on 30 November along with Timur Miroshnychenko. Ognevich announced the voting results from Ukraine during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. In August 2014, Ognevich released her own version of Ukraine's national anthem "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina".

2017–2018

In 2017, Ognevych presented her solo concert programme ‘‘My Story’’ at the National Palace of Arts “Ukraina” in Kyiv. The show was directed by Olena Koliadenko, while the choreographic performances were presented by Freedom Ballet. Due to high demand for tickets, the organisers announced an additional concert date.

On 23 September 2017, she appeared as a special guest performer at a concert by Andrea Bocelli held at the Olympic National Sports Complex in Kyiv.

In late August 2018, Ognevych and professional dancer Dmytro Zhuk became contestants on the Ukrainian television show Dancing with the Stars (Tantsi z zirkamy) broadcast by 1+1. The pair was eliminated during the second live show following the audience vote.

On 18 December 2018, Ognevych released her debut studio album Hrani (Edges), consisting of eight tracks. The album featured collaborations with songwriter and composer Mykhailo Nekrasov on the tracks "Tantsiuvaty", "Do Mene", "Doloni" and "Yedynyi". The song "Spovid" was co-written with Kateryna Rohova and arranged by Constantine and Yevhen Filatov. "Chekai" was written by Oleksandr Lozovskyi and arranged by Vadym Lysytsia, while "Syla" was produced by Dynamika Music together with Kyrylo Matiushenko. The album also included a contemporary arrangement of the Ukrainian folk song "Chom Ty Ne Pryishov".

In 2018, Ognevych performed as a special guest at a concert by Montserrat Caballé at the National Palace of Arts “Ukraina” in Kyiv. According to Ognevych, the Spanish soprano personally invited her to participate in the programme. During the concert, the singers performed a duet, and Ognevych also presented several solo compositions. In later interviews, she described the collaboration with Caballé as an important milestone in her artistic career that influenced her professional approach to vocal performance.

2019–2020 On 23 May 2019, Ognevych released the music video for the song "Solodka Kara" ("Sweet Punishment"), which she had previously presented on the television programme Evening of Premieres with Kateryna Osadcha.

In 2019, Ognevych released the studio album Syla Pokolin (The Strength of Generations). The record featured Ukrainian folk songs in contemporary arrangements, including "Shchedryk", "Silent Night", and "Chom Ty Ne Pryishov". The album was produced by Mykhailo Nekrasov. Music critics noted its combination of traditional folk material with contemporary pop music.

2021–2022 In 2021, Ognevych became the face of a marketing campaign for the Ukrainian jewelry brand ‘‘Zolota Kraina’’.

On 10 April 2021, the character Sun won the second season of the Ukrainian television show ‘‘The Masked Singer Ukraine’’ (’‘Maska’’). The performer behind the costume was revealed to be Ognevych.

Later that year, she became the lead participant in the second season of the reality television series ‘‘The Bachelorette Ukraine’’ (’‘Kholostiachka’’) on STB. In the finale, she chose entrepreneur Andrii Zadvornyi; however, the couple announced their separation shortly after filming concluded.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ognevych remained in Kyiv and became involved in volunteer activities. She participated in charity initiatives, performed at concerts supporting Ukraine, and assisted territorial defence units. Since the first months of the war, she has performed for Ukrainian service members in military hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and military bases. She also joined charity concert tours across Europe and the United States to raise funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and humanitarian aid projects.

2023–2024 At the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on 13 May 2023, Ognevich was the spokesperson for the Ukrainian national jury, announcing that its twelve points had been awarded to Sweden. In 2023, Ognevych and singer SHUMEI released the duet single "Bureviiamy". The song was written by Gerald Estrada, Oleh Shumei and Ognevych. It reached high positions on Ukrainian streaming charts and won several domestic music awards, including ‘‘Duet of the Year’’ at the MEGOGO Music Awards.

Later that year, she performed the solo concert ‘‘Viddaiu’’ at the International Center of Culture and Arts in Kyiv, marking the fifteenth anniversary of her artistic career. The programme was accompanied by an instrumental band and a string orchestra.

In 2024, Ognevych released the extended play Viddaiu, consisting of five tracks. The project was produced in collaboration with sound producers Serhii Ranov and Yevhen Tryplov.

That same year, her song "Ptashka" became the official soundtrack for the Ukrainian feature film Konotop Witch. Ognevych dedicated the song to Ukrainian women. The official music video combined scenes featuring the singer with footage from the film.

In December 2024, she held her annual winter solo concert at the International Center of Culture and Arts in Kyiv.

Also in 2024, Ognevych made her debut as a voice actress, providing the Ukrainian voice of Glinda in the musical film Wicked. In the original version, the character was portrayed by Ariana Grande. Ognevych voiced both the spoken dialogue and all of the character’s musical performances.

2025–present In 2025, Ognevych released the studio album Tut i Zaraz (Here and Now), featuring the songs "Vilna", "Na Nashomu Poversi", and updated versions of several previously released tracks. The album was produced by Vadym Lysytsia and Serhii Ranov and included duet recordings with YATSUTA and CHEEV.

Later that year, she released the compilation album The Best, which included her best-known songs as well as tracks that had not previously been available on digital streaming platforms, including "Zapaly Vohon", "Za Litom Za Vesnoiu", "Tantsiuvaty", "Bureviiamy", "Ptashka", and the duet "Preriia" with Artem Pivovarov.

On 30 January 2026, Ognevych was selected as a member of the jury for Ukraine’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

In February 2026, she officially released the English-language single "One Day". An earlier version of the song had been performed during Ukraine’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. The new arrangement was produced in collaboration with Ukrainian and American musicians and incorporated elements of gospel music and African-American backing vocals.

Political career In the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election on 26 October, Ognevich was a candidate (as a non-partisan candidate she placed 4th on the party list) of Radical Party. According to Radical Party leader Oleh Lyashko, Ognevich was on the party list because "I understand that in the imagination of people a parliamentarian is jowly, paunchy, old, sick and stupid. And I want there to be young, smart, beautiful people in Parliament". In the election, her party won twenty two seats and thus Ognevich was elected into parliament. Ognevich was present at 57% of all parliamentary sessions during her tenure in parliament.

Personal life Five months after the March 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, Ognevich called the annexation "a very painful tragedy" and stated that her parents, who were still living in Crimea, would not obtain Russian citizenship.

During the 2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine Ognevich and fellow Ukrainian singer Anastasia Prikhodko raised money for the 72nd Guards Mechanized Brigade.

Discography

Year Album 2018 Грані 2019 Сила поколінь 2020 Богиня 2024 Віддаю 2024 Тиха ніч 2025 The Best 2025 Тут і зараз

Singles

Year Title 2010 «Остров любви» (Russian) 2010 «Ангелы» (Russian) 2010 «Пристрасть» 2010 «Зозуля» 2011 «Japan» (English) 2011 «Далеко» 2011 «За лісами горами» 2011 «My Bunny» (English) 2012 «Запали вогонь» 2013 «Gravity» 2013 «Kiss» (with DJ Shamshudinov) (English) 2014 «Pray for Ukraine» (English) 2014 «Ice & Fire Kiss» (with Eldar Gasimov) 2015 «Моя мелодія» 2016 «Новорічне Диско» 2017 «За літом весною» 2017 «Танцювати» 2019 «Солодка кара» 2019 «Богиня» 2019 «Щедрик» 2019 «Ой люлі» 2019 «Причиста Діва» 2019 «То є ніченька» 2019 «Музиченьки» 2019 «Мале Дитя» 2019 «Тиха ніч» 2019 «Котику» 2019 «Чом ти не прийшов» 2020 «Ти обіцяв» 2020 «Беги» 2020 «Гола правда» 2020 «Bogini» 2020 «Океан» 2020 «Обіцяй мені» 2020 «Погляд» 2021 «Щедрик» 2021 «Я твоя Єдина» 2021 «Always» 2021 «Мій назавжди» 2021 «Клинок» 2021 «Що б там не сталося» 2022 «До весни» 2022 «За лісами горами» 2022 «Світло» 2022 «Лелека» 2022 «Як мені бути» 2023 «Буревіями» 2023 «Янгол» 2023 «Народжені вільними» 2023 «Полюбила» 2023 «Святий Миколай» 2024 «Віддаю» 2024 «Все невипадково» 2024 «Не твоя» 2024 «Троянда» 2024 «Обманув, навішав» 2024 «Співаю (ла-ла-ла)» 2024 «Кохаю» 2024 «Пташка» 2024 «Без тебе» 2024 «Birdie» 2024 «Мости» 2024 «Тиха ніч» 2024 «Маланка» 2024 «Ой сивая та і зозуленька» 2024 «Зорі» 2025 «Відпусти його» 2025 «Мам» 2025 «Запали вогонь (2025 Version)» 2025 «Вільна» 2025 «Обійми-обійми» 2025 «Не чіпляй» 2025 «Пристрасть» 2025 «Клянусь» 2025 «Саме Той» 2025 «На нашому поверсі» 2026 «Беньки-Бубеньки» 2026 «ONE DAY» 2026 «Королева Драми»

Videography

Year Song Director Album 2010 Oстров любви J. Veiland Non-album single Ангелы J. Veiland Non-album single Пристрасть Katya Tsaryk Non-album single Kiss Viktoriya Nekrasova Non-album single Зозуля Oleh Stepchenko Non-album single 2011 Далеко Didier DaubichViktoriya Nekrasova Non-album single Пристрасть Katya Tsaryk Non-album single 2013 Gravity Najma Bhatti Non-album single 2015 Кружева Yevhen Tymokhin Non-album single 2016 Новорічне диско Mykhailo Nekrasov Non-album single 2017 За літом, за весною Yurii Morozov Non-album single Танцювати Kostiantyn Hordiienko Grani 2018 Do мене Doloni 2019 Солодка кара Denys ManokhaMaksym Shelkovnykov Non-album single Чом ти не прийшов Maksym Litvinov Syla Pokolin 2020 Ти обіцяв Maksym Litvinov Bohynia Богиня Беги Val Gonskiy Гола правда Океан Обіцяй мені Herman Nenov Non-album single 2021 Мій назавжди Herman Nenov Non-album single Клинок Olena Zakharchuk Non-album single Що б там не сталося Iryna Hromozda Non-album single Щедрик Non-album single 2022 За лісами горами Val Gonskiy Non-album single Світло Anton Shatohin Non-album single Лелека Non-album single Як мені бути Sasha Bagaziy Non-album single 2023 Янгол Sasha Bagaziy Non-album single Полюбила Lera Mazur Viddaiu Віддаю Max Salo 2024 Все невипадково Anton Shatohin Кохаю Max Salo Non-album single Пташка Non-album single Мости Lera Mazur Non-album single Ой сивая та і зозуленька Tykha Nich 2025 Відпусти його Oleksandr Hirchenko Tut i zaraz Запали вогонь Lera Mazur Non-album single Вільна Lera Mazur Tut i zaraz Обійми-обійми Oleksandr Kriger Tut i zaraz Не чіпляй На нашому поверсі 2026 ONE DAY Sasha Bagaziy Non-album single Беньки-бубеньки ZLATA OGNEVICH, Yulia Yurina Non-album single Королева драми Dasha Shi Non-album single

Filmography Year Type Ukrainian title Original title Role 2016 animated film Zootopiaг Zootopia Gazelle (Ukrainian dubbing) 2024 animated film Wicked: Чародійка Wicked Glinda (Ukrainian dubbing) 2024 animated film Christmas. You Are Not Alone — Bila — ruler 2025 animated film Wicked: Чародійка. Part 2 Wicked: Part Two Glinda (Ukrainian dubbing)

Awards and nominations Year Award Nomination Result Notes Ref 2014 YUNA Найкраща пісня "Pray For Ukraine" 2017 M1 Music Awards Найкраща співачка Червона Рута "Танцювати" Найкращий виступ на церемонії 2018 Золота Жар-птиця Dance-хіт "Танцювати" Хіт року Співачка року 2019 Золота Жар-птиця Dance-хіт "Долоні" Кліп року Співачка року Top Hit Music Awards Найкраща виконавиця на радіо M1 Music Awards Співачка року 2022 YUNA Найкраща пісня до фільму "Той день" (до х/ф "Пульс") 2023 Muzvar Awards Найкраща творча співпраця "Буревіями" (разом із SHUMEI) MEGOGO MUSIC AWARDS Колаба року 2024 YUNA Найкращий дует/колаборація "Буревіями" (разом із SHUMEI) Найкраща виконавиця Найкраща пісня "Буревіями" Найкращий відеокліп 2025 YUNA Найкраща пісня до фільму "Пташка" (до х/ф "Конотопська відьма")