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WorldPop Fact File
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Who
the hell is Alsou?
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The
first Russian pop star ever! Well, the first Russian pop star to sign an
international record deal, anyway. Dubbed the Russian Britney, 17-year-old
Alsou (whose name means 'rose water') can't walk down the streets in her
native Moscow without being mobbed and she holds the record for the
biggest-selling single in Russia ever!
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Listen
out for:
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Alsou's
debut UK single, Before You Love Me. Singing in English isn't a problem for
the teenager though; she already speaks English, French and Russian! And
don't expect any balalaika solos on her single; it was recorded in Norway
and is pure Backstreet/Britney pop.
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Why
all the fuss?
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Alsou
was Russia's representative in the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest and came
second with 155 votes. Her big break came when she sang I Will Always Love
You at her brother's wedding. A family friend was so impressed he introduced
her to Russian producer Valeriy Belotserkovsky and he began managing her.
Fast forward to September 2000 and Alsou was duetting with none other then
Enrique Iglesias on a song called You're My Number 1. Alsou reckons Enrique
is 'definitely a ladies man' although she refuses to divulge whether she
knows this from experience!
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The
new:
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It's
got to be Britney, although Alsou reckons she's more of a Christina fan. 'I
like Britney, she's very pop, but I actually prefer Christina's voice and
music,' she says. Alsou's a great admirer of both their clothes, though. 'I
love tight, sexy clothes; feminine things like my stage image. During the
day it's jeans and little tops, whatever's comfortable.' And Alsou's
upbringing in the sub-zero temperatures of Russia mean she's used to going
out in strappy sandals, even when it's -10°C.
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Can
you believe?
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Alsou
is so popular back home, her Russian fans clubbed together to buy her a car!
She may only spend summer holidays at home, as she's been going to school in
the UK since she was 13, but that certainly hasn't stopped the Russians
sending their roubles her way. Alsou has played to crowds of around 100,000
in Moscow and her fans shower her with teddy bears at every appearance. 'The
first time I felt success was when I went on my first tour and I had
thousands of people coming and completely sold out all the concerts,' she
says. 'That's when I realised the effect I was having.'
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She
says:
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'The
first time I was ever on stage I was really scared, but my manager said,
'You can't sell all these records and not do it live.' As soon as I went out
my voice and knees were shaking. I couldn't remember the words but all these
people started singing my song. I was so touched and since then I just love
being on stage.'
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'Anything
is possible if you put your mind to it. I'm a very determined person and
even if I don't get there straight away, I know it will happen.'
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We
say:
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If
Enrique likes her, she's alright by us. Looks like Lenin won't be the only
famous Russian for much longer!
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Tammy
Hoyle
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