| Blestyashchiye | |
| Origin: | Russia |
| Years Active: | 1995–present |
| Current Members: | Ksenia Novikova Nadezhda Ruchka Marina Berezhnaya Sylvia Zolotova Kristina Illarionova |
| Past Members: | See: List of Blestyashchiye members Olga Orlova (1995–2000) Varvara Koroleva (1995–1996) Polina Iodis (1995–1998) Irina Lukyanova (1996–2003) Jeanna Friske (1997–2003) Yulia Kovalchuk (2001–2007) Anna Semenovich (2003–2007) Anastasia Osipova (2007–2015) Natalia Friske (2007–2008) Anna Dubovitskaya (2008–2011) Yulianna Lukasheva (2008–2009) Natalya Asmolova (2015) |
| Genre: | Dance-pop, teen pop |
| Website: | Official Website |
Blestyashchiye (Russian: Блестя́щие|p=blʲɪˈsʲtʲæɕːɪɪ, lit. the brilliant ones) is one of the first all-girl singing groups in Russia.
Originally Blestyashchiye consisted of three singers: Olga Orlova, Polina Iodis and Varvara Koroleva. In 1996 Irina Lukjanova and Janna Friske joined the group when Varvara Koroleva left the group right after the release of their first album Tam, Tol'ko Tam[1] (Russian: Там, только там, English: There, Only There). Featuring original arrangements, lovely lyrics, and artistic music videos, Blestyashchiye became quite popular. They went on tour across the country, and they were highly praised. There, Janna became an instant success with her excellent vocal abilities and superb dancing skills. In 1997 they released the album Tam, Tol'ko Tam (Remixes). In 1998, the group released their second album Prosto Mechty (Russian: Просто мечты, English: Only Dreams). This album included such musical best sellers, "Gde Zhe Ti Gde?", "Oblaka", and "Cha, Cha, Cha". After the album was released, Polina Iodis left the group and the three remaining girls continued to work together. In August 1999, Ksenia Novikova joined Blestyashchiye. Soon, the group released a new single "Za osen'yu pridet zima"[2] (Russian: За осенью придёт зима, English: After autumn comes winter).
They released a new album in 2000, titled O Lyubvi... (Russian: О любви..., English: About Love...). The album featured ten new songs, one of which, "Ciao Bambino",[3] was named the most "provocative" clip of year.[4] The hit "Za Osen'yu Pridet Zima" was another single from O Lyubvi.... The group won many awards that year, and went on tour in cities of Russia, the countries of the Near abroad, and abroad. Soon Olga Orlova (the front member and the songwriter of the songs that made Blestyashchiye famous) became pregnant and left the group.[5] The success of the group was later proven by Belym Snegom (By White Snow), a greatest hits collection, including "Belym Snegom" and "Dolgo Tebya Zdala".[6]
In June 2001, Yulia Kovalchuk was finishing up her 10th and 11th years of schooling, after which she planned to leave Moscow and return to her hometown, Volgagrad, to take a year's vacation. Her friends had told her that Blestyashchiyes' producers were going to be in attendance at the school's year-end recital. The rumor was that "Blest" was hoping to include more dance in their shows, and thus they were looking for new talent. And the story goes, Julia was waiting to go onstage for her performance, when a Blest producer happened to pass by. The producer took an instant liking to Yulia, and asked if she could sing. Eventually they went to a studio, where she sang for them, and left her contact information. She went home as planned, for her much needed rest. On July 31, she received a call that she would need to be in Moscow on August 1(the next day), to start her new career as a member of the group Blestyashchiye. Yulia did not receive a very warm reception in Moscow. She was 18, and she was taking her first step into a pop group, whose members were struggling with finding an identity for the group, as well as their own survival. Yulia's first performance in Blestyashchiye came at the recording of "Pesna Goda" on September 5, 2001. Yulia described the occasion as "I was in the right place at the right time." Janna Friske is considered the leader of the group, publicity director, and oversees that girls communicate "daily". In their 'free time' the four members wrote songs for their next album, Za Chetyre Morya[7] (Russian: За четыре моря, English: Beyond Four Seas) (2002).
Their fifth studio album Apel'sinoviy ray (Russian: Апельсиновый рай, English: Orange Paradise) (2003) was an extraordinary success and left its mark on the year. The last hit song off the album, "Novogodnaya Pesnya", became a true anthem that goes to the heart of winter holidays at the year's end, and the earlier hit song "Apelcinovie Rai" the summer anthem. Blestyashchiye was one of the first girl-groups in Russia, yet they still have a firm hold on the leading position among other female groups. In 2003, after the release of Apelcinovie Rai, Janna Friske left the group to embark on her solo career. On April 1, 2004 Friske was replaced by Nadia Ruchka. When asked the question how she joined group Blestyashchiye, Nadia answered so: "It is very simple. My friend called and told that Blestyashchiye wanted me to audition. My previous band just had just broken up. And 'Blest' was searching for new members. But was on first of April (April Fools' Day), and I mistook the offer as a joke. Therefore I said: 'Please, you will not joke. I do not wish to listen to such silly jokes. You will come home, and we shall talk.' At first I joined in group on a trial period. I have started to go a little with girls by tour. Stepped onstage in two-three numbers. Then I began to participate in recording songs." In the group, Nadia was well accepted. "If there are any questions, we find it easy to communicate," the singer tells. "Everyone understands, the work is complex. Now the trial my period has ended, therefore I work on full power." In 2005 the group released their 8th album, Vostochniye skazki (Russian: Восточные сказки, English: Oriental Fairytales) featuring a duet with the famous Iranian singer Arash.
In March 2007, Anna Semenovich left the group to pursue a solo career, and was soon replaced by Anastasia Osipova. In summer 2007, amid rumors of pregnancy and a solo career, Kseniya left the group. At the 2007 Russian Music Awards, it was announced that Natalia Friske was the newest member of Blestyashchiye.
In June 2008, Natalia Friske leaves the group. She was replaced by Yulianna Lukasheva. Together with Julianna, the band recorded two singles, "Classmates" (Russian: Одноклассники) and "You Know, Dear" (Russian: "Знаешь, милый". for which music videos were filmed.
In mid of November 2009, Yulianna Lukasheva announced her departure. At the "Golden Gramophone" on November 28, 2009, the group presented a renewed lineup with Marina Berezhnaya.[8]
In June 2011, Kseniya Novikova returned back to the group. They recorded a new song "Love" (Russian: Любовь).[9] In October, Anna Dubovitskaja announced her departure from the group due to pregnancy.[10] [11] [12]
In the fall of 2012, Ksenia Novikova, in parallel with her work in the group, began her solo career, recording a solo song "I want to forget you" (Russian: Я так хочу тебя забыть).[13]
The updated line-up of the group recorded several new songs: "My Dear" (Russian: Милый мой), "From What" (Russian: Из чего же), "Green Eyes" (Russian: Зелёные глаза), "Birthday" (Russian: День рождения), "To The Equator" (Russian: К экватору), "Lose" (Russian: Потерять). On November 11, 2013, the premiere of the video for "Lose" took place on the musical channel RU.TV and on November 14 - presentation at the restaurant "Stakan".[14] On July 24, 2014 the group performed at "New Wave 2014" in Jurmala. Along with the main soloists, many soloists of past years also performed on stage.[15]
On February 14, 2015 in Tver, the girls released a new song "Don't Give Me to Anyone" (Russian: Не Отдавай Меня Никому).[16] In June, Anastasia Osipova announced on her Facebook page that she was leaving the group. She was replaced by a former soloist, Natalia Asmolova. In October, Ksenia Novikova announced her departure. Natalia Asmolova also leaves the group. On October 16 the group is filming a new video for the new single "Brigade of Painters" (Russian: Бригада Маляров) with the new line-up.[17] The new members are Silvia Zolotova and Kristina Illarionova[18] In November, "Blestyashchiye" with Ksenia Novikova and the new members (Silvia and Kristina) performed at the ceremony dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the "Golden Gramophone" with their hit-single (Russian: А я всё летала) and got an award for this song.[19] On December 30, a collection of songs was released[20]
In June 2017, Nadezhda Ruchka went on maternity leave, and the band released a new single "Love" (Russian: Любовь) as a trio. Natalia Asmolova got to replace Nadezhda sometimes during their performances. In August, Nadezhda gave birth to her son, and said that she is not planning to return.[21] In May 2018, Ksenia Novikova returned for the third time.[22] In June 2018 they released a new single "The Whistle Is Calling" (Russian: Свисток зовёт). The opera singer Svetlana Feodulova took part in the recording of the song.[23]
In May 2020, two new singles "Waves" (Russian: Волны) and "Star" (Russian:Звёздочка) were released.
On May 16, 2022, Nadezhda Ruchka, who left for the first time back in the summer of 2017, returned back to the group.[24] The group recorded a duet with Super Zhorik (Mikhail Galustyan) for the song "Different". (Russian: Другая).[25]
| Member | Participation | Replaced by | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Name in Latin script (birth name) | Name in Cyrillic script | |||
| Olga (Ольга) | Ольга Орлова | 1995–2000 | Yulia | ||
| Polina (Полина) | Polina Iodis | Полина Иодис | 1995–1998 | Kseniya | |
| Varvara (Варвара) | Varvara Koroleva | Варвара Королева | 1995–1996 | Irina | |
| Irina (Ирина) | Irina Lukyanova | Ирина Лукьянова | 1996–2003 | Anna S. | |
| Zhanna (Жанна) | Жанна Фриске | 1997–2003 | Nadezhda | ||
| Kseniya (Ксения) | Kseniya Novikova | Ксения Новикова | 1999–2007 2011–2015 since 2018 | 1st time: Natalya second time: Krisina current member | |
| Yulia (Юлия) | Yulia Kovalchuk | Юлия Ковальчук | 2001–2007 | Anna D. | |
| Anna S. (Анна) | Анна Семенович | 2003–2007 | Anastasia | ||
| Nadezhda (Надежда) | Nadezhda Ruchka | Надежда Ручка | 2004–2017 since 2022 | Natalyacurrent member | |
| Anastasia (Анастасия) | Anastasia Osipova | Анастасия Осипова | 2007-2015 | Natalya | |
| Natalya (Наталия) | Natalya Asmolova | Наталия Асмолова | 2007 20152017 | NatalyaSylvia Kseniya | |
| Natalia (Наталья) | Natalia Friske | Наталья Фриске | 2007–2008 | Yulianna | |
| Anna D. (Анна) | Anna Dubovitskaya | Анна Дубовицкая | 2008–2011 | Kseniya | |
| Yulianna (Юлианна) | Yulianna Lukasheva | Юлианна Лукашева | 2008–2009 | Marina | |
| Marina (Марина) | Marina Berezhnaya | Марина Бережная | since 2009 | current member | |
| Sylvia (Сильвия) | Sylvia Zolotova | Сильвия Золотова | since 2015 | current member | |
| Kristina (Кристина) | Kristina Illarionova | Кристина Илларионова | since 2015 | current member | |
From "Tam, tol'ko tam"
From "Prosto mechty"
From "O ljubvi..."
From "Belym snegom"
From "Za chetyre morya"
From "Apel'sinoviy ray"
From "Vostochniye skazki"
From "Odnoklassniki"
Singles only