User:Bizarre Bizarre/WIP9
| Bizarre Bizarre/WIP9 | |
|---|---|
| Russian | Хочу V ВИА Гру |
| Genre | Reality competition |
| Created by | |
| Directed by | Alan Badoev |
| Presented by | |
| Judges | |
| Theme music composer | Konstantin Meladze |
| Opening theme | instrumental version of "Brillianty" by Nu Virgos |
| Country of origin | Ukraine |
| Original language | Russian |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Running time | 90–120 minutes |
| Production company | Kvartal 95 Studio |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 6 September – 25 October 2013 |
I Want to Join Nu Virgos[a] is a Russian-language Ukrainian reality television talent show. It was created by songwriter and record producer Konstantin Meladze, cofounder of the girl group Nu Virgos, and director Alan Badoev, with the aim to find a new lineup for the group. It was hosted by former Nu Virgos member Vera Brezhneva and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose company Kvartal 95 Studio produced the show. Castings were held in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan; the show aired in those countries in eight episodes from 6 September to 25 October 2013. The Nu Virgos lineup formed at the end of the show consisted of Anastasia Kozhevnikova, Misha Romanova, and Erika Hertseh. During the final, they premiered the song "Peremire" (Перемирие; Truce), which became the lineup's signature song.
Background
[edit]Konstantin Meladze and Dmytro Kostyuk founded the girl group VIA Gra in 2000. At the time, it was a duo consisting of Alena Vinnitskaya and Nadia Meiher and their debut album Popytka No. 5 was released in 2001.[1] Anna Sedokova joined in 2002, establishing VIA Gra as a trio.[1] Due to legal threats from Pfizer over the brand Viagra, the group was renamed Nu Virgos by their label Sony Music for markets outside Ukraine and surrounding countries.[2] Over the years, Nu Virgos became known for frequent lineup changes featuring Ukrainian and Russian singers such as Vera Brezhneva, Svetlana Loboda, Albina Dzhanabaeva, Meseda Bagaudinova, and Santa Dimopoulos.[1] Two lineups in particular achieved popularity: the "golden lineup" consisting of Meiher, Sedokova, and Brezhneva recorded the studio albums Stop! Snyato!, Biologiya, and Stop! Stop! Stop! (all 2003),[3][4] while the "diamond lineup" with Dzhanabaeva replacing Sedokova contributed to the compilation album Brillianty (2005) and the studio album L.M.L (2007).[5] Over the course of their career and different lineups, Nu Virgos won multiple awards, particularly in Russia. Following the release of L.M.L., the producers decided to focus on standalone singles and compilation albums over new studio albums; lineups continued to change.[1]
On 25 November 2012, Meladze announced that Nu Virgos would cease to exist by 1 January 2013, citing his belief that the group no longer functioned in its current format.[4] The news of the group's disbandment received widespread media coverage.[6] However, the statement was soon revealed to be a publicity stunt prior to the launch of his new reality show, I Want to Join Nu Virgos.[7] Media reception was largely negative, with multiple outlets arguing that Nu Virgos should have ended earlier, accusing Meladze of "cheap PR", and criticising the reality format as outdated.[b] In January 2013, the then-current lineup of Nu Virgos was dissolved in preparation for the show. In an announcement for the show, Meladze stated:
"I've decided to start from scratch. I'm beginning a new chapter in the iconic group VIA Gra. For the first time, I'll be revealing the secrets behind the scenes, and everyone will be able to see how the group's divas are created. I'm looking for a wide range of girls who believe in themselves. I need talent and genuine emotion. Together, we'll create something new. This will be a truly popular group, born before the eyes of countless CIS viewers.[c] Together with Alan Badoev and his team, we're creating a television sensation and opening a window into real show business!"[7]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Russian: Хочу V ВИА Гру, romanised: Kochu v VIA Gru; Ukrainian: Хочу до «ВІА Гри», romanised: Kochu do "VIA Hry"
- ^ As discussed by Sergey Mudrik of Zvuki.ru,[6] Konstantin Bakanov of Sobesednik,[8] and Bulat Latypov of Afisha.[9]
- ^ At the time, Ukraine was still considered to be part of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It ceased collaboration with the organisation following the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and Ukrainian government officials argue that the country was never a formal member.[10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Yudaeva, Nastya (20 September 2021). "Все составы «ВИА Гры»: как менялась группа и что стало с бывшими участницами" [All the VIA Gra lineups: how the group changed and what happened to the former members]. Cosmopolitan Russia (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ Lo, Alex (11 September 2004). "Nu Virgos in Asia, but more spicy at home". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "'VIA Gra' to reunion all former soloists at same stage by jubilee concert tour". TopHit. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ a b Golovastikov, Kirill (27 November 2012). "Три грации: Продюсер Меладзе распустил «ВИА Гру»" [The Three Graces: Producer Meladze disbanded VIA Gra]. Lenta.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ Artemova, Viktoria (9 January 2017). "Легендарный «золотой» состав «ВИА Гры» воссоединился на сцене" [The legendary "golden" lineup of VIA Gra reunited on stage]. Woman.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ a b Mudrik, Sergey (3 December 2012). "ВИА ГРА: Не дождётесь" [VIA GRA: Can't wait]. Zvuki.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ a b Khozhateleva, Yulia (2 December 2014). "Константин Меладзе: «Я начинаю новую историю культовой группы "ВИА Гра"»" [Konstantin Meladze: "I am starting a new chapter of the iconic group VIA Gra"]. Komsomolskaya Pravda (in Russian). Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ Bakanov, Konstantin (November 2012). "Как Константин Меладзе нажился на "ВИА Гре"?" [How did Konstantin Meladze make money with VIA Gra?]. Sobesednik (in Russian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ Latypov, Bulat (27 December 2012). "Музыкальные итоги-2012: Тимати, Нюша, Ваенга, Ургант и другие герои и антигерои мира поп" [Musical results 2012: Timati, Nyusha, Vaenga, Urgant, and other heroes and anti-heroes of the pop world]. Afisha (in Russian). Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ "Жодної "заборгованості" України перед СНД не існує — МЗС" [There is no "debt" of Ukraine to the CIS — MFA]. Ukrinform (in Ukrainian). 8 August 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ Lashchenko, Oleksandr (26 November 2020). "Україна досі в СНД чи ні?" [Is Ukraine still in the CIS or not?]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Ukrainian). Ukraine. Retrieved 20 March 2026.