Ukrainian singer Svitlana Loboda doesn't need an introduction. With a successful career, tremendous concert shows, record-breaking music videos, participation in the most popular TV shows, and over 15 million followers on her @lobodaofficial instagram account, she has become a household name. However, like many ordinary people, her life was divided into "before" and "after" February 24th of last year. Today, Svitlana calls Latvia home, where she shoots new music videos and does everything she can to help her home country Ukraine through music and charity. On June 10th, she will perform a big solo concert at Wondersala in Riga, with part of the proceeds going towards helping her hometown of Irpin.

"My position is to appreciate every day and understand that it could be the last. That's why I live in a way that won't make me painfully regret my actions. The way my heart tells me to."

The past year has radically changed the lives of millions of people worldwide, including yours&hellip;
I started my life from scratch. Fame, career - everything that surrounded me in recent years became a distant past overnight. In the first months of the war, I devoted myself entirely to helping people and didn't even know if I could perform on stage and sing in such circumstances. But when I was convinced to do my first concert and saw that people needed my music now more than ever, I gradually returned to work. In the second half of last year, I toured many countries with concerts, and this year the tour goes on.
You&rsquo;ve moved to Latvia. What caused this choice?
Our relocation was so sudden that it's hard to talk about making a choice. Actually, every time I came to perform in Jurmala and Riga, I often thought that I would love to live here someday. I was very inspired by the local nature, the unique air, and the amazing calm and responsive people. And as they say, "be careful what you wish for." In just one day, I gathered my whole family, found us a home, and we opened a new chapter in our lives.
You&rsquo;ve built a successful cooperation with Latvian musicians. A new team is always a process of mutual adaptation. How did it go?
Surprisingly easy. Despite the fact that I find it difficult to get used to new people, the guys turned out to be such professionals that I can't even imagine how we lived without each other before. We often rehearse together, set new goals. I enjoy working with them very much.
Please tell us about the idea of the music video for the song "Molitva" filmed in St. Peter's Church in Riga.
For me, this is a special work, it's not a song in the regular sense, but rather my statement set to music. I start every day with a prayer, and it ends with one. I am very pleased that musicians from the symphony orchestra of the Latvian Academy of Music named after Jāzeps Vītols, under the direction of Jānis Purins, took part in this work. The director was Indi Hate - an Israeli music video maker who lives in Kyiv, and the idea was mine. I really wanted us to film in a church and to record the symphony orchestra.

You&rsquo;ve also become a director in the production of another music video for the song "Goroda". Could you share how you felt about the experience? Perhaps your fans can expect a film from Svitlana Loboda in the future?
The first time I heard the song "Goroda" was during a period when I was relocating friends and acquaintances from hot spots to safe places every day. Their dramatic life stories were always on my mind, so the music video can practically be considered as based on real events. We held auditions for Latvian actors, planned out the mise-en-scenes, and shot a touching mini-film together with talented people.
In terms of the full meter - I was getting ready for filming before the start of the war, however, as an actress. But as of today, our team is scattered across different countries, and the project is on hold. Only God knows what will happen next, but I think that in the future, I will definitely be in touch with cinematography.
Can an artist completely fulfill their potential in such different and complex fields as singing and directing?
I think these professions are very close. After all, each musical work is visualized, whether it is on film or in live performances. Therefore, every artist is to some extent their own director.
You have experience creating a clothing line. Do you plan on similar projects in the near future?
We never released a full collection, but I pay close attention to my merchandise. I like to participate in the development of models myself. Perhaps someday this hobby will turn into a large collection.

&ldquo;When what you do resonates with the hearts of millions of people, you simply can't stop. You don't have the right to.&rdquo;

We think that your recent compositions have become much more personal. Aren&rsquo;t you afraid to expose your soul that much?
Nowadays, viewers do not forgive insincerity, whether it's in your position or in the songs you present. That&rsquo;s why I have set aside all the tracks that do not resonate with my current feelings and try to have a very frank dialogue with my fans during my concerts.
In one interview, you said that no one has ever produced you, and you essentially made yourself. Could you share your formula for success with other women?
First of all, do not betray your dream and do not stray from your chosen path, do not lose your inner confidence. No matter what anyone says, if you go after your goal day and night, you will definitely achieve it. Believing in yourself solves everything!
You are often referred to as one of the most hardworking celebrities. Where do you get your strength and inspiration from?
I find my strength and inspiration in my family, the love of my fans, and the feeling of being needed. When what you do resonates with millions of people, you simply can't stop. You don't have the right to.
A strong personality always has an internal "tool" that allows them to resist aggression from outside. What is such an "tool" for you?
I've always tried to bring light into this world through my music. I believe that it can reflect any aggression and defeat darkness. And I also read people's feedback on my music, which inspires me.

Today, it's very difficult to plan the future. Many people have grounded themselves to the position of "living in the moment". Have you adopted such a strategy?
My position is rather to cherish every day and understand that it could be the last. That's why I live my life in a way that I won't regret my actions later. I follow my heart.
Today, people often divide themselves into "us" and "them" on social media and sometimes even in families. Is there a struggle among your fans as well?
I am very lucky to have very intelligent fans who share my position and don't display aggression towards each other. We communicate a lot, both at concerts and online, and we always support each other in difficult moments.
You invest a lot of effort in helping people through your Loboda Help Center&hellip;
My team and I are actively helping people who find themselves in difficult life situations. In addition to the Help Center, my PR manager Yulia Gubskaya established an international charity fund called "Dusha", where part of the proceeds from all my concerts goes, to restore houses in my hometown of Irpin&rsquo;. The money from the first month of streaming of my new album "Made in U" went towards purchasing a home for a nurse's family at the National Children's Hospital "Okhmatdyt" in Kyiv, who lost the roof over their heads in the early days of the war when a shell hit their home.
In your opinion, what needs to be done globally today for people to be happy?
First and foremost, we need to stop this monstrous bloodshed.
What would you wish for yourself today?
I wish for my loved ones to be safe, for my country to thrive, for peace to come, for fewer tears and more good people on Earth.

Text: Marianna Hodash, Karina Evans
Photos: Nataliya Berezina
Makeup: Yulia Balinska
Hair: Elena Libante

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Svitlana Loboda. Life with a clean slate

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