Valeriya

ITN MUSIC

Well, I think I’ve pretty much covered the whole broadcasting section of the UK media now - certainly the big ones like the BBC, C4, and ITV, and now ITN with their music website that hosts videos and interviews with bands and artists.

It’s a quick interview, and, of course, they asked me about Madonna. Yes, it can get tiring sometimes to be asked about being like her, but hopefully after I’m more established in the UK, I might not get asked about it so much.

GMTV

This was definitely the highlight of my trip to London. I got to appear on the sofa with the lovely Lorraine Kelly. I absolutely love her. She was so sweet. I felt like I was talking with a friend. I know that she is very popular and that many people watch her show, so I was really pleased they invited me.

Talksportski

This was an unusual appearance but no less fun. Moscow is very much in the sports news at the moment because of the Champions league final between Chelsea and Man Utd, so Talk Sport asked me to come in and tell them about the city. I have to admit Joseph is more of a football fan than me, he used to play football himself – my goodness is there anything he’s not done! I do like watching big matches though, it can get very exciting.

 

Fortunately we didn’t just talk about sport. They asked me a lot of questions about my career, life and family. They even played the version of Stayin' Alive I recorded with Robin Gibb. It was nice to do something different like this because it lets me reach an audience who might not have known about me before.

 

BBC London Radio 94.9FM

Well, I’m back in London again. I’m definitely clocking up the air miles this month. I had to be up really early this morning to go on the Breakfast show with Joanne Good and Paul Ross.

 

I had great fun on the show. I was trying to teach them Russian but they got a bit tongue tied. Paul got me to say good luck to Chelsea football team for the final in Moscow tonight. However , Joseph is a Man Utd supporter so I don’t think he’ll be too happy with me!

My friend Uri Geller

Joseph seems to stop at nothing to get me into the UK charts. He strongly believes in me and my professionalism but also wants to invite the support of the most powerful person in the British Isles - Uri Geller, the man who is best known to have stopped the Big Ben. Surprisingly, Uri Geller is already a good friend of mine and he even took part in my old Christmas video Merry Christmas to the world a few years ago.

Such a small world, Uri - who is now on tour in Hungary and then Turkey - told our team, “I have known Valeriya for a long time. She does not need my help. I can bend metal spoons but Valeriya's character and will are of cast iron. Her British and worldwide success is round the corner.  Valeriya is a great artiste and I really started thinking of what we can do together. I have sold millions books - she has sold millions of albums and it will be something on a very grand scale." 

   

Paul O Grady reviews 'The Party's Over'

Well, I had my video viewed on the Paul O Grady show on C4 yesterday, which I'm told is a very popular show in the UK. Paul said that he liked the look of me and the video which is wonderful. It would be lovely to meet him as he seems like such an outgoing and funny person. I'll definitely be watching his show when I'm in the UK next week.

 

Female First interview

I’ve just seen this interview go up on line that I did with femalefirst.co.uk and I’m really pleased with it, not just because I get to talk about my music, but also liked the fact that Helen (the journalist) asked me questions that allowed me to relay a very positive and enlightening image for women. It allowed me to express my work ethics and strength of character which hope will inspire other women to achieve goals that they set for themselves in order to succeed in their own lives.

Football fever building up in Moscow

There’s been a lot of excitement about Moscow in the UK over the last couple of weeks because there will be two English football teams heading over to play in the Champions League (are you impressed with my football knowledge?!)

Lots of magazines and newspapers featured many articles about the wonderful city including The Sun, who created a great little tour guide for those who will be visiting - I even got a little mention too.

Moscow really is a great city, there is a lot to do and see and if the wives and girlfriends of the footballers are heading over for the game, I would be most happy to make some suggestions for shopping!!

Robin Gibb Unveils Green plaque to honour The Bee Gees

I joined my good friend, Robin Gibb on May 12 to see him and his brothers, better known as the Bee Gees, honoured for their contribution to pop music with the unveiling of a special green plaque in London.

The ceremony took place in Westminster, a very posh part of the city. The plaque was actually placed outside where the Bee Gee’s manager and producer Robert Stigwood lived as it was where Robin and his brothers spent much of their time rehearsing and composing songs.

It was quite an emotional ceremony because Robin’s twin brother, Maurice died in 2003, so it was a fulfilling yet sad moment for him. But he had many good friends and family around him to make sure that the day was very special.

Did you know that the Bee Gees funky disco tunes were one of the few western acts to make it into Russia in the times of the Iron Curtain? As you can imagine I have always been a huge fan. It really has been a great privilege for me to work with him, I feel very lucky that I have got to meet and perform with one of my music idols.

more photos of the day can be seen here

My time in UK

Wow, what a busy time I had in London, I didn’t really get to see any of the lovely sites of the city or do much shopping (much to Joseph’s relief!).

I met some lovely journalists who came along to interview me. There was such a broad range of people, so that made it even more interesting as they asked different questions.

Of course I often got the question about how people compare me to Madonna, and I answered as I think Madonna would also feel appropriate. I totally respect her as a fellow musician and of course it is most flattering to be likened to someone so talented and creative, but our music is quite different so we cannot really be compared.

As I said before, the mix of media was most brilliant. Amongst some of the things I did I was fortunate enough to be featured on Channel 4’s prime time news programme and The Sunday Express ran a double page spread.

I also spoke to Gaydar Nation Radio which was really fun. It’s great to be around English people; they seem really interested in not just my music but me as a person, that’s lovely.

I’ll be back in the UK  next Tuesday Wednesday (20 21May) for another appearance on GMTV. This time I will be joining Lorraine Kelly on her LK Today show. I’ll have to get up really early as it starts at 8.35am. I‘m so excited about it as I’ve seen Lorraine on the TV and she seems like a lovely lady (and I adore her giggles!). My single is also going to be reviewed by the very funny Paul O’Grady and guests on his show this Thursday (15^th). These shows are seen by millions of people, so it's a wonderful opportunity for me.