Childhood and youth
Roxana was born in Tashkent into an intelligent family. Father Ruben Mikhailovich worked as a civil engineer, and mother Seda Grigorievna was known as a famous pianist and composer in the Uzbek capital. She taught her daughter to play the piano and instilled in her a love of vocal art. Babayan dreamed of becoming a singer, but her father was categorically against this path.
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Roxana Babayan in her youth
At the insistence of the head of the family, Roxana entered the Institute of Railway Transport Engineers, the Faculty of Industrial and Civil Engineering. Ruben could not prohibit the girl from participating in amateur performances. From the 1st year, the future artist won prizes at various festivals.
At one competition, Roxana was noticed by the head of the pop-jazz orchestra, Konstantin Orbelyan, and invited her to join the team. Babayan did not leave the university, and later graduated from GITIS, Moscow Pedagogical University and defended her dissertation in psychology.
Roxana Rubenovna Babayan was born on May 30 in Tashkent.
After graduating from school, Roxana dreamed of becoming a singer, but her dad didn’t allow it. Although, as Roxana Rubenovna herself admits, she started singing since childhood. As a result, Roxana entered the Tashkent Institute of Railway Engineers at the Faculty of Industrial and Civil Engineering (PGE).
Already in her first year, her vocal abilities were noticed, and Roxana was invited to the pop orchestra under the direction of Konstantin Orbelyan. This is how her studies proceeded - in parallel with her performances. Naturally, there was no longer any talk about working in the railway profession. Soon he manages to move to Moscow - to 1973
year, Roxana is invited by the then fashionable VIA “Blue Guitars”.
The singer went through a good jazz vocal school. She took part in many festivals and competitions. In 1976
, the singer performed a song by the head of VIA Igor Granov at the “Hit Festival” competition in Dresden.
For which he receives first prize! Also takes part in the Bratislava Lyre ( 1979
), in pop song festivals in Cuba (
1982-83
), where he wins the Grand Prix. In the 80s, Roxana Babayan collaborated with an ensemble of soloists led by Boris Frumkin.
1977
year - the beginning of the singer's solo career. Babayan sings good pop music, with good melodies and usually “feminine” lyrics in his songs. The debut on Song 77 was successful. Roxana performed in a light, tight-fitting dress with Polad Bul Bul Ogly’s song “And again I’ll be surprised by the sun” to an arrangement with jazz elements. A strong voice - sometimes imperious, sometimes languid, artistry and visual attractiveness quickly make the singer popular.
Composers and poets V. Matetsky, A. Levin, V. Dobrynin, L. Voropaeva, V. Dorokhin, G. Garanyan, N. Levinovsky worked with Roxana Babayan. The singer's tours took place in many countries in all parts of the world.
IN 1983
Roxana Babayan graduated from the administrative and economic department of the State Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS) as an external student.
In 1987
, Babayan was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR.
In the 80s, Roxana Babayan met actor Mikhail Derzhavin. Roxana Rubenovna says: “We met Mikhail Mikhailovich when we were both dying. I had my own story, he had his own, everything happened easily and instantly. I remember 20 years ago on Alexander Anatolyevich’s giant balcony (all feasts and birthdays were always held there) his friends gathered: Eldar Aleksandrovich Ryazanov, Zinovy Efimovich Gerdt, Andryusha Mironov, Mark Anatolyevich Zakharov... I didn’t know them then, for me it was something. And Misha brought me here to some kind of celebration. I didn’t even suspect that it was a show. And after several hours, Shura approached Misha and said: “We must take it.”
Since then, Roxana Babayan and Mikhail Derzhavin have been living together. There are no common children. Mikhail Derzhavin has a daughter, Maria, from a previous marriage.
Several giant discs of the singer were released (1978
- “Roxana Babayan sings”,
1984
- “When I’m with you”,
1988
- “Roxana”,
1990
- “Another Woman”).
In total, Melodiya released 11 records with Roxana’s participation. In 1991
, for the first time in Russia, an animated video clip was created for the song East is a Delicate Affair (music by V. Matetsky, lyrics by V. Shatrov) (directed by animator Alexander Gorlenko).
In addition, video clips “Two Women” ( 1988
), “Rolling Thunder” (
1990
), “Ocean of Glass Tears” (
1994
) were shot for Babayan’s songs.
In 1996
- the first CD “Witchcraft Spells”.
In films she starred in comedies by Anatoly Eyramdzhan - “My Sailor Girl”, “New Odeon”, “Groom from Miami”, “The Third Is Not Extra” and others. In the 90s hosted the television program “Breakfast with Roxanne.”
At the end of the 90s, the singer decided to quietly, without unnecessary noise and grandiose “farewell” concerts, retire from active touring. She is receiving her third higher education, this time in the field of humanities, is engaged in active social activities as chairman of the Russian League for the Protection of Animals, and successfully defends her PhD thesis on personality formation in adolescence.
IN 2007
Roxana Rubenovna makes her debut on the theater stage in the play “Khanuma” (dir. R. Manukyan).
roksana-babayan.narod.ru ↑ collapse
Personal life
The artist’s personal life is inextricably linked with creativity. For the first time, Roxana married a musician from the orchestra, Konstantin Orbelyan. But the marriage did not work out, and the couple separated, maintaining good relations.
Babayan met her second husband, Mikhail Derzhavin, in 1980 while on tour in Dzhezkazgan. The romance developed rapidly, and just a few months after the first meeting, the lovers got married.
For Mikhail, this marriage was also not the first: the actor was married to the daughter of Arkady Raikin, and then to the daughter of Marshal Semyon Budyonny.
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Roxana Babayan and Mikhail Derzhavin
According to another friend, producer Alexander Poddubny, the new union turned out to be ideal. All 37 years that Babayan and Derzhavin lived together, an atmosphere of comfort and love reigned in the house. Creative and self-sufficient individuals, each with their own ambitions and character, found a compromise in any situation. My husband passed away in 2018.
Roxana does not have her own children; she gives motherly love to her nephew Nikita.
The elegant woman (height 169 cm, weight 65 kg) always surprises Instagram subscribers with her impeccable, radiant appearance. In the morning, the artist eats cottage cheese with dried apricots or sultanas, but usually does without breakfast, a glass of water is enough. And for lunch he can afford meat or fish. Nothing fatty or sweet, no alcohol - just a glass of dry wine. Roxana goes to her cosmetologist friend for anti-aging procedures.
Derzhavin
However, she always knew how to combine study, creativity and personal life. While on tour, the elegant lady met Mikhail Derzhavin. Light-hearted, cute and smart artists quickly found a common language. A few months later, the couple went to the registry office.
Such a rapidly developing relationship raised questions among friends: how long will such love last? If only they knew that the couple would carry their feelings throughout their lives.
Roxana Babayan, Mikhail Derzhavin
The whole country knew this family: talented artists, kind people, interesting conversationalists, hospitable neighbors. Roxana states: Mikhail was unpretentious in everyday life and easy-going. She liked being cozy, exploring different cuisines of the world, he could happily wash the dishes...
Music
In her youth, in addition to jazz, Roxana was fond of a musical style close to rock. This was the period of the Blue Guitars VIA, where she moved from Orbelyan’s team. With this group, the soloist toured the Soviet Union and performed at international festivals.
The highest point of her career as a member of the Blue Guitars was the vocal competition Dresden 1976, at which the singer performed the non-standard composition “Rain” and became a laureate. Moreover, part of Babayan’s song had to be translated into German.
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Roxana Babayan in the show “Let Them Talk”
After this unexpected success, Roxana began performing solo. The repertoire changed again, this time towards pop music and pop hits. In “Song-77” the singer performed the composition “And again I’ll be surprised by the sun” and attracted attention with her strong timbre, appearance and artistry.
Babayan recorded many singles and released the albums “When you are with me,” “Roxana” and “Another Woman.” The first video clips appeared in the early 90s.
In 1996, the artist’s discography was replenished with the album “Witchcraft Spells”, the composer of most of the songs was Vladimir Matetsky.
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Roxana Babayan and Philip Kirkorov
After a long break, in 2013, Roxana Babayan recorded the hit “Course to Oblivion” together with the lead singer of the punk rock group “NAIV”, family friend Alexander Ivanov. The video created for the track told about the difficult relationship between an accomplished businesswoman and a freelance artist.
Following the first hit, a second hit appeared - “Rolling Thunder”, and then a third - “Nothing lasts forever under the moon”. Then Roxana Rubenovna released a full-length album “Formula of Happiness”, which included the songs “Vitenka”, “It’s too late to save”, “Nothing lasts forever under the sun” and covers of hits from past years.
In 2020, the star presented a new disc, “What a Woman Wants,” and a concert program of the same name.
The singer's childhood
Roxana Rubenovna Babayan was born in 1946, her biography began in the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. There were no children in the family except Roxana. The girl grew up as a cheerful, free child, what is called a “tomboy”; she often fought with boys.
The future artist’s father worked as an engineer, and her mother was a creative person, she played the piano and sang. Probably, her musical talent was passed on to her daughter. Roxana began to show her abilities early, singing various songs and romances. She knew by heart the arias from operas that her mother performed (she was a chamber opera singer).
Roxana Babayan childhood
Often the girl would tie a tablecloth over her shoulders, stand on a chair and give “concerts” through the open window. Everyone passing by stopped, listened, and applauded. Such “concerts” could last for hours. Then her mother taught her notes and playing the piano.
Later, the girl was sent to a music school, but Roxana was a restless child. It was very difficult for her to sit at the instrument and learn scales. Then she quit classes at music school. This is despite the fact that Roxana has been composing music since early childhood. She even wrote the opera “Cinderella” and staged it herself in a children’s group.
Of course, my mother dreamed that her daughter would become a famous singer. However, soon the father found out about their joint dreams and was very angry. He forbade his daughter to receive a musical education, but ordered her to follow in his footsteps. It happens in Eastern families that the man decides absolutely everything for the women, his word remains the last. Maybe he was taking care of his daughter in this way so that she would get a useful profession, because many people think that being a musician brings little income.
The father was against Roxana receiving a musical education
Movies
Babayan perceived filming as entertainment, so she only participated in the comedies of her friend, director Anatoly Eyramdzhan. Viewers are familiar with the films “Womanizer”, “My Sailor Girl”, “Impotent”.
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Roxana Babayan and Alexander Poddubny
In 2007, Roxana Rubenovna made her debut on the theater stage, playing the main role in the play “Khanuma”. Three years later, the actress reincarnated as Scheherazade in Robert Manukyan’s production of “The 1002nd Night.”
As a TV presenter, fans saw the singer on the ORT channel in the program “Breakfast with Roxana.” On NTV she starred in the “Difficult Happiness” section of the “Today” program, and later participated in episodes of the show “Roxana: Men’s Magazine.”
Creation
Roxana began working as a professional in Yerevan, in an orchestra. The actress’s performance style at that time was jazz, and then, in another group called “Blue Guitars,” the style was reminiscent of rock. The actress took part in tours within the country, then she managed to reach the international level. This was the peak of the artist’s career; thanks to her talent and performance skills, she had a lot of fans, she was recognized by almost seven music lovers.
After participating in the famous festival in 1976, the artist’s popularity increased significantly. Despite the fact that the competition was held in the GDR and most of the winners were German participants, Roxana managed to surprise the jury with her performance on the positive side.
At the end of the 70s. the singer was incredibly popular thanks to her launched solo career, and the song “I’ll Be Surprised by the Sun” was remembered by many of her fans who appreciated Roxana Babayan’s talent and amazing voice timbre and artistry.
In the 90s The artist released several records and 3 albums. Her songs have become recognizable, especially for songs about the capital of Armenia, “2 Women” and “Old Conversation”.
In the 90s As centuries passed, clips with her participation began to appear.
The artist also participated in the famous show “Songs of the Year”.
In the early 90s. The actress appears in films. The experience was not difficult for her, and she handled her tasks with ease.
Famous films in which the actress took part:
- Womanizer - in this film the actress played the role of Rimma. The film itself is about a certain Arkady, who is no longer young, but has not lost interest in women. In his apartment, he regularly has affairs, until his son, a student, suddenly comes to live with him, whom his father is trying to teach the art of communicating with the fair sex.
- My Sailor Girl is a film shot in Koktebel. The whole plot takes place in Crimea, where L. Pashkova regularly holds competitions at vacation spots to find talented people. And after inviting the man to participate, he performs a song whose name coincides with the title of the film. After the man did not receive the well-deserved prize, he tries with all his might to return what he deserved and constantly performs this song, becoming a favorite with the public. Roxana Babayan played a rental employee in this film, while the main role of the entertainer went to Lyudmila Gurchenko.
- Impotent - in this film Roxana got the role of the wife of Sheikh Halima. The main role was played by M. Derzhavin, playing a naive man who is in the East on a business trip and whose wife leaves him, citing his impotence. After that, returning back, he finds out that he has no health problems and meets his love.
All of these films are comedies. 11 years ago, Babayan performed in the theater, playing in a comedy play. She was invited to television shows, she hosted a column in the Morning program, and after that she could be seen on air on NTV. Photos of Roxana Babayan can now be found on almost all resources that talk about her life and work.
Roxana Babayan now
Now Roxana, by her own admission, is simply living. She is surrounded by Derzhavin’s daughter Maria and her husband, their sons Pavel and Peter, brother Yuri. “Everyone has their own life, and no one promised tomorrow. Every time the Lord sends a gift.” The singer remembers her husband extremely joyfully, because he was a unique, kind and warm person.
Babayan can still be seen on television as a guest on various shows. In 2019, the artist headed the jury of the City of Festivals project. Events under its patronage are held in dozens of cities in Russia and outside the country. At international festivals and competitions, children sing, dance, perform circus and theater acts, and present design and photographic works.
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Roxana Babayan in 2020
Roxana Rubenovna’s work schedule is scheduled for six months in advance. In 2020, the Solar Wind festival will take place in Perm, the Star Vertical will take place in Sochi and Krasnodar, and Lighting New Stars will take place in Moscow.
In addition, the singer holds the post of president of the Russian League for the Protection of Homeless Animals, participates in animal rights activists, drawing attention to the problem of abandoned pets. Babayan has a cat called Bullet at home.
The actress is in no hurry to update her filmography - since she is busy with music, it is uncomfortable to sit on two chairs. But I don’t want to play in enterprises; the public is already fed up with such projects.
The beginning of a creative career
Babayan’s vocal career began as a soloist in the Orbelyan pop orchestra in Yerevan, where she performed mainly jazz compositions. Together with the orchestra, Roxana toured throughout the country and abroad. Then, after graduating from the institute, Roxana joined the vocal and instrumental ensemble “Blue Guitars”.
Since childhood, the girl dreamed of living in Moscow, and finally, her dream came true. In 1973, she settled in the capital and began singing in the Blue Guitars. She had to switch from jazz to rock music, which was performed in this group. One day a funny incident happened to her.
Roxana was a guest at the international competition of young singers in Bratislava. But suddenly it turned out that one of the Russian participants fell ill, then Roxana urgently had to replace him. It was a complete surprise for her; she was not ready to participate. In addition, just before going on stage, the singer’s shoe broke. She quickly ran upstairs to the dressing room and grabbed the first shoes she came across. As it turned out later, these were the shoes of the Czech singer Helena Vondračkova. They were very big for her.
In her youth, Roxana Babayan was at the peak of her solo career
But, nevertheless, having put them on, Roxana, limping, went on stage. This negativity did not stop her from winning this competition! After that on . Her song “And I’ll Smile at the Sun Again” (“I’ll sing this song to both the old and the young”) became an absolute hit. The cheerful sunny melody of the Azerbaijani composer Polad Bulbul-Ogly was emphasized by the singer’s oriental performance. Absolutely everyone sang it in the 70s: adults and children. A recording of this song was played in every home, in every family.
In the creative biography of Roxana Babayan, a period of popularity began. In 1976, she went to a song competition in Dresden and took first place there too.
