Olga Bolotaeva is an example of how it’s never too late to follow your dream. A former economist originally from Ukraine, she decided to make a sharp turn in life, transforming her childhood love for music into a true calling. In just three years, Olya went from her first vocal lessons to international recognition, winning prizes at prestigious competitions in 2024 and 2025. For her, music is not just a hobby, but a way to speak to the world, and in this interview, Olya frankly talks about her amazing journey, the power of family, overcoming personal barriers, and the importance of believing in your own talent.
Olga, your path from being an economist to a vocalist is unique. Tell us, what was the turning point when you decided that music should become the main part of your life?
No matter where I was, I always heard music—everything inside me would start to move, and I wanted to sing even where not a single note was playing, even in the car. The turning point came one night: I had a dream. My grandfather, who had always been there for me, was in it. He was sitting in the very club where I had performed for the last time when I was seven years old, and he held out his hand to me, saying: “Go.” I woke up and told my husband: “I’m going back to music.” He said: “Go. Find a vocal coach.” My amazing and true path began right there.
You mentioned that your love for music has been with you since childhood, but you only actively started taking vocal lessons three years ago. How would you describe that path of transformation?
For me, it was like an awakening—I finally allowed myself to seriously listen to my inner voice. The first steps weren’t easy: I had to learn to trust myself and my sound again. With every lesson, I felt how not just my voice but also my inner world was changing—there was more freedom and courage. This path became a transformation from a person who “loves music” to a person who lives and speaks to the world through it.
Having received an education as an economist, you have achieved success in creativity. Tell us, how does your background help or perhaps hinder your musical career?
When I was working in the field of economics or office activities, my education often got in the way—I constantly felt that music should be playing nearby. During work hours, I could drop everything and simply want to sing, look out the window, and imagine performing a certain song. Now that I’m pursuing music professionally, that internal analyst sometimes turns on again: I start counting and analyzing where I need to completely switch off and just follow the melody. As my mother said when she found out I was invited to perform in London: “Yes, Olya, you always wanted to perform.” And it’s true—music has always been my dream and my reality. This is simply a gift of fate that I must use, making it uniquely mine. It’s incredible that I can “paint” , and I am grateful for this miracle.
You say that vocals are a way for you to speak to the world without words. Tell us, how do you live through each song and how do you find yourself within it?
For me, vocals are a way to speak to the world without words. Sometimes a song is like a reflection of my own feelings: I live through it privately, allowing myself to feel everything completely, sometimes even crying. And sometimes, in the moment, an image is born that I carry through the entire composition, sharing it with everyone who listens. It’s an amazing state—to be simultaneously inside the music and yet giving it out to the world.
On stage, you enjoy working in different roles. What does transformation mean to you, and how do you prepare for each new role?
Transformation for me is the opportunity to instantly become someone else, to completely immerse myself in the state of the song.
I feel it with my soul, allowing myself to live through the persona and convey it to the listener so that they see and feel what I see and feel. It is always a moment of sincerity and complete presence on the stage.
Your professionalism has been recognized on the international stage. Tell us about your impressions of participating in the Golden Time Talent competition and the festival in London. What were the most memorable moments?
It was an incredible feeling. The first time, I was surprised when I was awarded second place in the online Golden Time Talent competition. I couldn’t believe it had happened—how could I, at 41, manage this? I was stunned. I told my husband—he applauded and was delighted, and the director Mikhail Lensky said with huge excitement: “That’s it, Olya, you are a star now, bravo, go forward!” When it was time for the festival in London, I paused again, thinking: “How am I here? This is a fairy tale!” On stage, my body stopped for a second, just like that seven-year-old child when I performed for the last time at the club. But I told myself: “Go, Olya.” Seeing the audience, I understood—there was no turning back, I had to connect with them and perform as my soul felt. And in the final, when they announced the diploma for third place, my heart was literally leaping out of my chest, and tears streamed down my face. I am grateful to Inesa Bilaya for her support and her words: “Stop crying, you have a gorgeous path, you made it, well done.” This experience is an incredible joy, emotion, and confirmation that anything is possible.
You have filmed 10 music videos for cover versions. Tell us, which one became the most significant or favorite for you and why?
Two covers became particularly significant for me. The first is “I Loved Him”. My daughter Zarina and Mikhail Lensky’s son, Artem, starred in it. The filming was magical: the children acted out a childish love story, but they conveyed it as if they were adults. At the same time, they hadn’t seen each other for six years, and this added a special sincerity—every glance, every gesture was filled with genuine emotions.
“Tropicana” holds a special place. I needed to show two sides of myself in a short time: the strict office woman and the playful, sunny Tropicana. It was like an instant transformation, a real test of acting flexibility.
The music video for “Un-break my heart” was born spontaneously. On the day we were shooting “Tropicana,” the song suddenly started playing, and Mikhail said, “Let’s film it.” The song was sung using my lower vocal register during a difficult moment in my family life, and the shoot took place among random passersby. The resulting video has a special liveliness and truth. All the other works also became little masterpieces. An image would arise for Mikhail, I would adapt myself to it, and the filming would simply begin. I am endlessly grateful to Mikhail Lensky, who tried his hand at filming for the first time on that day, and I became his first actress. He managed to see me, helped me open up during the shoots, and convey the emotion through the camera—this is a special experience I will always remember.
Your family—your husband and two wonderful daughters—is your main source of support. Tell us, how important are they to you on this creative path?
My husband is a true force who understands me here and now. He knows how important it is for me to find time to record a song or film a new music video, and he always supports me in this. Thanks to him, I can fully immerse myself in my creative state without being distracted by anything else. Our children eagerly await what I will do this time—which song I will choose to record or what the new video will be like. We even brought them to the recording studio so they could see how interesting it is, how a recording is created, and what sound comes out. They really enjoy observing the process and then listening to the finished recording. For me, family is unity. Furthermore, I try to pass this experience on to the children—to show them that it’s important to follow your dreams, be passionate about what you do, and support each other. This kind of family support is one of the greatest values on my creative path.
You are originally from Ukraine, and your husband is Ossetian. How does this cultural diversity and your personal experience influence your creativity and worldview?
My husband supports me in my creative flight—it’s important to him that I am happy. All boundaries of propriety are observed, and the harmony of our union is felt in that. He is delighted when he sees me in a new image or hears a new cover. Once, he said, “My wife sang that—it’s so beautiful, incredible.” He also loves to turn on YouTube while driving and listen to my performances. We value each other’s traditions, and we have a true tandem in this. He was familiar with Slavic culture even before me, and he has always liked our beauty, our traditions, and our delicious dishes. Such mutual respect and interest in each other’s cultural features enriches both my creativity and my family life.
What is the most challenging part of the process for you when creating music or preparing for a performance? What are the main difficulties you face?
The most challenging part of the music creation and performance preparation process for me is finding that crucial spark of inspiration that unites emotions, lyrics, and melody into a cohesive whole. Sometimes the idea comes easily, but sometimes I have to search and experiment with arrangement, text, or image until everything becomes harmonious. Working with the microphone and the stage requires focus and patience. At the same time, it’s vital to maintain the emotionality and vibrancy of the performance so that the music touches the listener. Preparing for a performance also demands inner composure: you need to be ready for improvisation, for unexpected situations, while remaining confident and natural on stage. These difficulties make the process challenging, but they are precisely what helps me grow as an artist and discover new facets of my creativity.
Besides creating music videos for cover versions, do you have plans to record your own original material?
Yes, in addition to working on cover versions, I have already written my own songs and recorded them — “Zvezda” and “Vira v serdyach”. These songs reflect my inner world and my outlook on life. “Zvezda” is about how important it is to find your inner star, that part of yourself that leads you forward and helps you stay on track. For me, this song is a reminder that there is light inside each of us, and we need to cherish it and follow it. “Vira v serdytsakh” was born from my experiences and reflections on the fact that life is not always easy. It is about how even when we face difficulties and failures, it is important to keep faith in the best. This song teaches us to move forward with faith in our hearts, no matter what, and to remember that anything is possible if we trust ourselves and our strengths. For me, these songs are not just music, but a way to share my experiences and inspire others.
If you could perform on any stage in the world, which one would you choose and why?
I would choose an open-air stage, where the sky becomes the living backdrop and the wind and sounds of the surrounding world are the natural accompaniment. In such conditions, music sounds especially honest and sincere because every sound, every movement is perceived in a new way. There are no artificial barriers between the artist and the audience here, and a truly live connection arises between the audience and me—the feeling that we are experiencing every note and every emotion together. On such a stage, not only the performance but also the atmosphere is important: the changing light, the whisper of the wind, the breath of the audience—all of this creates a unique context that cannot be replicated in an enclosed space. For me, this is a feeling of complete freedom and harmony, where music becomes not just a work of art, but a living event that touches hearts and remains in the memory of everyone present. It is in such moments that I feel completely myself, and every song finds its true breath.
