Ruslan Alekhno is a Russian and Belarusian singer who rose to popularity after winning Narodniy Artist – 2 translated as People's Artist-2, the Russian version of Pop Idol.
Early life
Ruslan Alekhno was born in October 14, 1981 in the Belarusian town of Bobruisk. His musical abilities were revealed in early childhood when he started to take bayan classes. However, it was not enough for the young talent, and on leaving musical school Ruslan could already play the guitar, tube, piano and drums. When he was 16, Ruslan wrote his first musical composition. The role of the only spectator and critic as well was given to his mother. At that time Ruslan couldn't even imagine that the real-life story, which had evoked the content of his first composition, would appear again someday in his future hit Hasta la vista.
Career
In 2001, Ruslan Alekhno was the winner of the Belarusian TV project Hit-Moment, and in 2003 he was the winner in "Clear Voice" nomination at the "Crossroads of Europe Festival" in Belarus and was also the laureate of "Molodechno-2003" vocal contest in Belarus. In 2004, he also won the second prize in the International Malvy Festival in Poland. In 2005, together with Aleksey Goman, winner of Narodniy Artist – 1, he was the prize winner of Festival of Patriotic songs with "This is my Homeland", devoted to Victory anniversary.
Ruslan Alekhno won the Russian TV project Narodniy Artist – 2. Upon his victory, he released his first studio albumRano ili Pozdno in 2005.
Representing Belarus in Eurovision 2008
In 2008, Ruslan Alekhno became the winner of National Television Musical project EuroFest, the Belarusian annual competition to decide who would sing for the Republic of Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest. Emerging as the victor, he went on to represent Belarus in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia. Alekhno sang in the second semi-final elimination round on May 22, 2008, singing "Hasta la Vista", but failed to win a place in the final.
2012–present
In 2012, Alekhno began new creative phase, recording new songs and working on new show. His new song "Ne Zabyt'" was in rotation on radio stations, new video has been released, as well as the next single: "My Ostanemsya". In May 2013, he released album of war songs Nasledie, which included the famous Russian songs of the Great Patriotic War. According to Ruslan, his new album is a tribute to all veterans of World War II. Ruslan dedicates it to all grandparents, who fought against fascism. On May 26, 2013, International Academy of Public Recognition presented Ruslan Alekhno with the Award "For contribution to the development of Russian culture." In 2014, Alekhno released his new single "Serdtse Iz Stekla" feat. Russian superstar singer Valeriya. A new music video was expected to be released in spring 2014. In 2015, Alekhno won a TV show "Odin v odin!" a Russian version of "Your Face Sounds Familiar".
Awards
2000 Winner of contest "Viva Victory"
2001 First Prize at the International Competition in Poland
2001 Grand Prix of the International Contest of patriotic songs Russia
2003 "Clear Voice" reward at festival "Crossroads of Europe"
2004 Second Prize of the International Festival of "Mallow"
2004 Winner of the TV channel Russia contest "People's Artist – 2"
2005 First Prize of the All-Russian competition of patriotic songs
2013 The Award "For contribution to the development of Russian culture"
2015 Winner of the TV show "Odin v Odin!"
Personal life
Ruslan Alekhno was in a relationship with actress Irina Medvedeva since 2004, married 2009–2011. In 2016 Ruslan married again. In 2017 March 31, his daughter Varvara was born.
