Olena Oleksandrivna Kucher-Topolya (Ukrainian: Олена Олександрівна Кучер-Тополя; born 14 May 1986), better known by her stage name Alyosha (Ukrainian: Aльоша), is a Ukrainian singer.

Alyosha
Aльоша
Alyosha in Oslo, 27 May 2010
Alyosha in Oslo, 27 May 2010
Background information
Birth nameOlena Oleksandrivna Kucher
Born (1986-05-14) 14 May 1986 (age 38)
Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)
Genres
Occupations
Years active1992–present
LabelsCatapult music[1]

Career

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Early life

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Alyosha was born on 14 May 1986 in Zaporizhia.[1] She studied vocals at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and signed with the Catapult Music record label in 2008.[1]

2010: Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010

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Alyosha in Eurovision Song Contest 2010, rehearsal

On 20 March 2010, Alyosha won the Ukrainian National Final and thus represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. She replaced Vasyl Lazarovych, who was originally picked on December 29, 2009, to represent Ukraine. After some political changes that took place in Ukraine his candidacy was withdrawn on March 15 under suspicion that he was picked with the help of the current director of the State National Television (1st National) Vasyl Ilashchuk. The petition to organize another concourse and to cancel the current results was signed by several Ukrainian performers such as Taisia Povaliy, Ruslana Pysanka, and Kostyantyn Meladze.[2]

Originally, she was due to participate in the contest with the song "To Be Free". Later on, it came to the light that the winning song has been available for purchase (under the name of Alonya) at Amazon.de since 12 April 2008.[3] This would break the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest. A new song, "Sweet People", was chosen, two days after the 22 March deadline had passed, so NTU was fined by the EBU.[1] Alyosha performed in the second semi-final on 27 May 2010,[4] where she progressed to the final.[5] In the final Alyosha finished 10th with 108 points.[6]

2023: Appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

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During the interval of the first semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, Alyosha performed a duet of "Ordinary World" alongside Liverpudlian singer Rebecca Ferguson. The contest was hosted by the UK on behalf of Ukraine, who was unable to fulfil its hosting obligations due to the ongoing Russian invasion.[7]

Charts

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Year Single Chart positions
RUS
[8]
SUI
[9]
2008 "To Be Free"
2009 "Sneg (Снег)" 169
2010 "Ty ujdesh (Ты уйдешь)" 52
"Sweet People" 73
2011 "Kto skazal (Кто сказал)" 154

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Alexandra Matoshko (25 March 2010). "Alyosha to represent Ukraine at Eurovision with 'Sweet People' as her song". Kyiv Post. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  2. ^ (in Russian) Arnova, V. "Over the President clouds increased". "Newspaper in Kiev" #46. March 11, 2010.
  3. ^ "Alonya: Amazon.de". Amazon.de (in German). Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
  4. ^ Hondal, Victor (24 March 2010). "Alyosha to sing Sweet people in Eurovision 2010". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  5. ^ "Second Semi-Final: The qualifiers are..." Eurovision. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  6. ^ "Ukrainian singer Alyosha takes 10th place on Eurovision 2010 song contest In Norway". Kyiv Post. 30 May 2010. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  7. ^ Holmes, Wesley (10 May 2023). "Eurovision fans in tears after Rebecca Ferguson performance". The Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  8. ^ Russian Airplay ChartArchived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Swiss Singles Chart Retrieved 9 June 2010.
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Achievements
Preceded by Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest
2010
Succeeded by