In March 1998, fans of the group “Ivanushki International” learned that Igor Sorin had left the team. Oleg Yakovlev, then unknown to anyone, took his place. The biography of the young soloist at that time included only acting achievements. Young fans were hostile to the appearance of a new performer, and after the tragic death of his predecessor, they began to persecute the singer.
Life before "Ivanushki"
Oleg was born into an international family. The mother was Buryat and adhered to the Buddhist faith. Father is Uzbek and Muslim. The guy chose his own path in religion and professed Orthodoxy. He began singing as a child and was a choir soloist before graduating from school. He entered the Irkutsk Theater School, where he studied the art of puppet theater. After graduation, I decided to move to Moscow.
Oleg Yakovlev. How did the fate of the “little one” from “Ivanushki” turn out?
Oleg was born when his parents were on a long business trip to the small Mongolian town of Choibalsan.
There he spent the first year of his life, and then the family returned to Angarsk. The boy grew up and graduated from school in Irkutsk. At six, he personally chose an activity he liked and entered a music school without the help of his parents. Having confronted my mother, a teacher of Russian and literature, with a fait accompli, he began to demand a piano. Buying a bulky instrument for a small apartment, my parents almost went broke.
As Oleg himself said in his interviews, the humanities were easy for him and he was very drawn to music. From an early age he dreamed of becoming a singer or even a pianist. But he came to the stage in a completely different way.
After graduation, the young man entered the Irkutsk Theater School, majoring in puppet theater actor, but Oleg always wanted to be on stage, in plain sight, in front of the audience. And hiding behind a screen is not his thing. In search of recognition, the young man decided to conquer the capital.
Moscow
He entered GITIS the first time, in the workshop of Lyudmila Kasatkina.
Yakovlev had good makings, so the guy was quickly considered in the theater world. Armen Dzhigarkhanyan himself noted the young man’s talent and invited him to his theater. Like all young artists, Yakovlev worked part-time - first he mastered the romantic profession of a metropolitan janitor, then he got a job on the radio, starred in videos and, of course, played in the theater.
Meanwhile, it was 1997. One of the soloists, Igor Sorin, has left the Ivanushki International group, famous throughout the country. He decided to pursue a solo career and no longer participated in new projects.
Castings have begun to fill the vacant position. Oleg also took part in one of them. He knew that he didn’t quite fit the type - the producers were looking for “small and fair”, and Yakovlev is naturally dark-haired, and also not so short - 1.72.
In one of his interviews, the artist admitted that he was very surprised when he was first offered to participate in one of the videos of “Ivanushki” - in “Doll”. To get into character, Oleg had to dye his hair blond, which he did. Throughout most of his work with the boy band, he abandoned his natural hair color.
"Ivanushki"
He officially joined the team only some time later, when the tragedy with Igor Sorin had already happened. Largely because of this, the public received the new guy coldly, but Oleg was understanding.
The artist was surprised: “Ivanushki” is shown so little on TV, but their songs are remembered and loved throughout the country, in every city they are very much awaited and are still adored. Over time, he also had his own horde of fans.
Yakovlev really enjoyed working as part of such a responsive team. He talked about the importance of having real friends around who will help, will cover you if you are sick and cannot work at full capacity, and will listen.
However, the young man, working in a vocal project, did not lose his acting skills. It is known that in 2010 Armen Dzhigarkhanyan called the singer to return to the theater, where his Moscow career began. But Oleg no longer saw himself in this role.
Solo
He decided to go free swimming back in 2012.
I took time out to create something of my own. He was pushed to the idea by his beloved girl, Sasha Kutsevol, the same sexy brunette in a red dress who starred in his first solo video. He said that at first he wanted to present himself as a new project and become the main character of the video for this. But then I thought that his beautiful and charming Sasha could make the product much more popular.
And things went well. The song got into rotation on radio stations, a video was released, and the image changed. Now he had finally become a brunette and expected to eventually become a sort of “Takeshi Kitano” - the most stylish Asian in Russian show business (Oleg’s mother is Buryat, father is Uzbek).
Saying goodbye to “Ivanushki”, after 17 years of joint creativity, he managed to work a little with Kirill Turichenko, who replaced him in the team. Oleg then said in an interview that the cohesion of the team is due to the similarity of characters and energies of all the soloists. He sincerely hoped that Kirill would easily join the team.
Oleg Yakovlev officially terminated his work contract with Ivanushki in 2013.
Sasha
The same girl from the video has been a fan of Yakovlev since she was 11 years old. But I met my idol only in the late 1990s. The girl won the artist’s sympathy and inspired him to a new creative breakthrough. Then, in 2013, recording solo compositions, he was completely happy.
Alexandra became not only a muse, but also the singer’s director. She handled all administrative issues and was good at it. They spent all their time together, even introducing each other to their parents.
Oleg confessed: “I love Sasha’s parents madly!” They didn’t often visit their beloved’s relatives, but they always returned from there with a bag of homemade dumplings. In moments of discord, Oleg called his beloved’s parents and feignedly complained about Sasha to her dad: “Your daughter didn’t cook borscht for me! She knows how, but she doesn’t want to!” After such playful antics, the couple quickly made up.
Yakovlev has publicly confessed his love to his Sasha more than once, and in 2013, at the presentation of a solo project, he even boasted that he was going to become a family man. True, they never officially got married, however, they lived together for several years in perfect harmony.
But he no longer received the last declarations of love from Alexandra. She wrote touching words on her Instagram, notifying Oleg’s fans about his departure.
At the end of June 2020, Yakovlev was admitted to intensive care with double pneumonia, but did not survive even a day on a ventilator. He was 47 years old.
"Ivanushki"
The unprecedented success of the boy group brought Igor Sorin the love of millions of girls across the country. But popularity has a downside - the guy is tired of endless tours and tours. He wanted a solo career and performing songs that he liked. He left the group at the beginning of 1998, making way for a new lead singer.
Life line
November 18, 1969 Date of birth of Oleg Zhamsarayevich Yakovlev. 1990 Yakovlev starred in a cameo role in the film “One Hundred Days Before the Order.” 1998 Oleg Yakovlev becomes a member of the Ivanushki International group. 2006 Yakovlev starred in a cameo role in the film “First Ambulance”. 2007 Yakovlev starred in the film “Election Day”. 2012 Oleg Yakovlev begins a solo career. 2013 Yakovlev officially leaves “Ivanushki” for the sake of a solo career and records the album “TVA”. 2017 The last studio recording of Oleg Yakovlev (song “Jeans”). June 29, 2020 Date of death of Oleg Yakovlev. July 1, 2020 The date of the official farewell to Oleg Yakovlev and the burial of his ashes at the Troekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow.
First difficulties
Oleg had to experience all the hatred of Igor’s fans. He was called a “cheap fake” and was booed when he appeared on stage. It was incredibly difficult to sing in such an environment and look happy. Kirov fans did not allow the guy to sing a single song. During his performance, they shouted and demanded that he get off the stage. This seemed to them not enough, and after the concert they beat the guy, attacking him with the whole crowd. He was insulted on ethnic grounds and ignored the group’s concerts, calling on Matvienko to remove the “incomprehensible” boy from the lineup.
But the hardest test was yet to come. Six months later, Sorin dies under unclear circumstances, and a wave of hatred literally covers Yakovlev. Fans do not want to admit that Igor himself left the group and went into free swimming. There are rumors that he was kicked out and committed suicide, unable to cope with this fact. This was the most difficult period in the biography of Oleg Yakovlev. Now artists take “haters” for granted and pay little attention to them. But at the end of the last century, such a phenomenon was new, and not everyone was able to survive the aggression of fans.
Time cures
A year passed after Igor's death, and gradually the noise faded away. Either the fans matured, or they were finally able to recognize Oleg’s talent, but the bullying stopped. The group again traveled around the country and in the same Kirov received Yakovlev with loud applause and armfuls of flowers. The guy was able to open up in the team and performed several new solo songs. A strong young voice was able to win the hearts of young girls, and the soloist was recognized as a full-fledged member of “Ivanushki”. He has his own army of fans. Maybe not as big as Sorin’s, but they were faithful and devoted to their idol.
From this moment on, the new soloist of “Ivanushki” Oleg Yakovlev’s biography begins to be replenished with new facts. Songs are regularly released that become hits. In 2001, Alla Pugacheva invites him to shoot a new video. In the story, he plays Renata Litvinova’s lover and experiences their difficult separation. The Diva herself saw real charisma and acting talent in this thin young man.
Last interview with Oleg Yakovlev
In Moscow, on the morning of June 29, singer Oleg Yakovlev died. Doctors were unable to cope with the consequences of bilateral pneumonia. Yakovlev gave his last television interview to the Mir channel a month before his death, on May 27. In a conversation with Angelica Raj, the singer spoke about his trials, thoughts about wedding and love, as well as solo work after leaving the group “Ivanushki International”.
Oleg left the musical group of producer Igor Matvienko in 2013 and became a successful solo artist. This decision was supported by his girlfriend Alexandra Kutsevol.
Alexandra : Oleg changed both creatively and internally, and began to grow. Wings finally appeared behind his back, he began to feel like a separate, self-sufficient artist, and not one of the trinity.
Alexandra took charge of organizational issues and PR, but the couple was in no hurry to sign. In his interview, Oleg Yakovlev shared what he doesn’t tolerate in girls and whether he misses the group.
— Oleg, you’ve been solo swimming for more than four years now...
Oleg Yakovlev : I don’t like this word - solo swimming. This is called a solo career as an artist, conscious, responsible and interesting, partly scary, but delightful. I left the guys for four years, which I am very happy about, because the remaining years of my creative life I can realize myself as a solo artist.
— When leaving the group in 2013, you said the following words: “I am aware that there are a lot of artists who sing better than me, but I will say without false modesty - no one else in the world will sing like me.”
Unbelievable but true
Who did the young actors become?
Oleg Yakovlev : When I sang the title parts in “Ivanushki”, they all became hits: “Run”, and “Roar”, and “Golden Clouds”, and “Bullfinches”, and “Poplar Down”... Not every artist can do this . I will say without false modesty that I have this gift - to sing hits, and exactly the way the composer wants
— What is the peculiarity and uniqueness of your voice?
Oleg Yakovlev : In life I speak very low, and I sing very high, but when I listen to myself from the outside, I still recognize myself. I have a very recognizable timbre, the kind that only Oleg Yakovlev has.
- Nobody sings like that anymore.
Oleg Yakovlev : Nobody, when you hear me on the radio, you immediately understand - oh, this is Oleg Yakovlev.
— During your solo career, you presented six video clips...
Oleg Yakovlev : Alexandra Kutsevol, who works with me and walks around the house in a robe and slippers, and doesn’t cook at all, because she doesn’t know how, is involved in my promotion, and very seriously.
“She supported you at a very difficult moment, when you reached the ceiling in the group and had to make a decision.
Oleg Yakovlev : I think that Sasha ruined the group, such a Yoko Ono syndrome. She started saying - you are the best, maybe that’s true. In fact, it gave me a lot of strength and self-confidence. Even before 2013, I tormented Matvienko for three or four years, showing him the songs I was composing. Sasha confirmed me in the idea that I could be a solo artist. I am grateful to her for the fact that I have several years ahead of me, I want to release a solo disc, I want to release a couple of hits, I want to make very beautiful videos. You understand that in a group I would never do this. I was one of three there, and now I'm a solo unit.
— It turns out that Alexandra was the only one who knew that you could do it and everything would work out?
Oleg Yakovlev : No, of course, I knew it myself, and Matvey (Igor Matvienko - editor's note) believed in me. I thank him very much for allowing me to sing the “Ivanushki” repertoire; I don’t abuse it. I don't touch Sorin's songs, I only sing what I sang. Igor treats me with great kindness and care, my work record is still in the Matvienko production center, I am still the lead singer of the group “Ivanushki International”, I am completing my work experience. So I don’t have to worry about my pension.
— In 2013, journalists reported that you were marrying your fan Alexandra Kutsevol, they say, she did everything possible to win the heart of her idol. She even moved from her native Nefteyugansk closer to him.
Oleg Yakovlev : The word “fan” is completely inappropriate here.
—Where did such a legend come from then?
Oleg Yakovlev : Yes, because this is the press. The press prints only what is interesting, bright and provocative. Sasha is just Sasha, who was familiar with my work, who studied in St. Petersburg, and we met there. At the time of our meeting, she had lived in Moscow for a long time and worked at Muz-TV, so all this is lies, and she never moved anywhere. Well, maybe I did a little magic (smiles – editor’s note), but love is magic.
— So you crossed paths at work?
Oleg Yakovlev : We crossed paths at work; she was filming a film for the 15th anniversary of the group “Ivanushki International” as a director.
Alexandra : I am a television journalist by training, television is my everything. From the age of 15, I received my first royalties, made my own original programs, then worked on music television channels, and studied television and radio journalism at the university. I always knew what I wanted to say, it was interesting to me. Oleg had his own path, also creative, and we coincided.
— What was the turning point in your relationship?
Oleg Yakovlev : When she came to my house in the evening, beautiful, with mega makeup and long legs. All.
— For the filming of your first video, “Dance with Your Eyes Closed,” you didn’t consider professional models, did you invite Alexandra?
Oleg Yakovlev : Of course, then we had something like a honeymoon, we went to the Maldives. The camera was good, there were beautiful views. Just then they sent me “master” - this is a ready-made song in professional slang. I thought - why not shoot a video, beautiful places, such a wonderful location. Sasha somehow magically found a red dress... Maybe it was all thought out: “Oh, I happen to have a red dress, and the camera is good, let’s shoot a video...” So we shot a video, and it’s quite good.
— The most interesting thing is that you didn’t get to the registry office. I wanted to quote you: “Yesterday she was so sweet and beautiful, they put a stamp on her, and in the morning the ugly vixen woke up in slippers.”
Oleg Yakovlev : Yes.
- You really think so?
Oleg Yakovlev : Of course.
- This seems more like some kind of excuse.
Oleg Yakovlev : In fact, after the wedding, something changes, some kind of breakdown occurs, once - they put a stamp, that’s it, and now you are mine, and now listen to me. I’ve seen this so many times when relationships change the very next day - yes, she’s already wearing slippers, yes, she’s already in charge...
-Are you afraid of this?
Oleg Yakovlev : I don’t want this, I don’t accept this. A girl should always be a queen, she should be without a blemish, girls should not chew with their cheeks stuffed, girls should always be fresh as a lily in the morning, they should always be wearing impeccable beautiful makeup...
- You are a perfectionist!
Oleg Yakovlev : Women should never walk around in worn out slippers, they should never shake their fist at you. Ideally, there should be a goddess in heels in the morning, and a priestess at night. There should be no towels on your head. You don't have to cook. But she must always be beautiful. I have a friend who doesn’t come out to her husband until she has put on long eyelashes, because he has never seen her in bad shape. She spends two hours preparing to say “Good morning” to her husband. I think it's delicate. Sasha is such a goddess.
Alexandra : We never had such plans (to get officially married - editor's note), we are absolutely modern people, without templates, I am such a person in life, and Oleg, we coincided on this wave. I don’t think a person should get married or have children; no one owes anyone anything.
— I know that at the beginning of your solo career, Sasha took upon herself many organizational issues, including PR. And even directing.
Oleg Yakovlev : What directing, there was no smell of directing there.
— And you directed the New Year’s video together, she and you?
Oleg Yakovlev : I, I invent everything. Well, he pointed it out as the director - let it be nice.
— Fame and people’s love covered you when you found yourself in “Ivanushki”...
Oleg Yakovlev : I don’t know how, but literally the next day I became recognizable. Maybe my face is unique. Igor (Sorin) was leaving at that time, he had been leaving since March, we met in May
“I want to quote you: “Igor handed over matters to me for a whole month, then he left.” He left the group in March 1998, and at the end of 1997 you starred in the “Dolls” video. So you collaborated longer, not a month?
Oleg Yakovlev : At first I was not considered as a permanent soloist. The guys tried with all their might to restrain him, to persuade him, because everyone understood that he was taking a rash step. I recorded the song, then forgot about it for several months. Suddenly Igor Matvienko called and asked - can you fly to Sochi tomorrow? Because, apparently, Sorin completely bucked, saying that’s it, I’m not going anywhere. I went, it was very scary, very scary, then they immediately invited me to a photo shoot, and then Igor purposefully left for six months.
- How did he transfer matters to you?
Oleg Yakovlev : No way, he just said - you know, here the guys are relaxing (on the song “Malina”), and you are singing. After this, Kirill comes out for some song, and you give him a place in the center, because otherwise he will push you. Some little things, very nice, on the level - who does what, when are the breaks.
— Initially it was difficult, Sorin’s fans at concerts chanted “Igor, Igor!”, but passions subsided when you recorded “Poplar Down” and “Bullfinches.” So, it was the compositions that helped you to open up to the fullest?
Oleg Yakovlev : There was some time, a month and a half, when I was trying to survive, or something, it was felt both in my plasticity and in my voice that I was a lot like Igor. Then there was a moment when my whole body was rebuilt, plastic. Thanks to Matvienko for composing “Poplar Down” for me, and people realized that I am different timbre, I am different visually, mentally, I have completely different interests. When full awareness of oneself occurred, people immediately felt it. With “Poplar Down” I found myself vocally, the timbre of “Masha’s Doll” went away, and from that moment everything immediately became completely different. The girls realized that I was not imitating Sorin, I had become Oleg Yakovlev.
Alexandra : You could sing in a group until old age, not develop, and die creatively and personally. I’m not talking about the guys now, they have their own path and they like it, perhaps it’s their choice. But Oleg has always been a separate entity, and in this situation he demonstrates this.
— Oleg, do you remember the legacy of “Ivanushki”?
Oleg Yakovlev : For fifteen, even more, years in the group I sang about a hundred songs...
— While you were in the group, you starred in Pugacheva’s video “River Bus”. I know that Alla Borisovna herself chose and invited you. How did she notice you?
Oleg Yakovlev : I think we can say thank you to Oleg Stepchenko (the director who shot the video is currently producing feature films - editor's note)
— Oleg, you refused the fee in this video, why?
Oleg Yakovlev : I had no right. Yes, the envelope was plump. But I had no right to take money for the happiness that this work brought to me and my loved ones, it was blasphemous. Now, however, sometimes I wonder where this envelope went, into whose hands...
- I know that you are a late child. Your mom was 40 years old, your dad was 18 when the affair happened, and you never saw your dad. One TV channel offered to organize a search, but you refused. Didn't want to intrude?
Oleg Yakovlev : That’s not the point, I just don’t need it. I don't feel abandoned. I understand that it was a beautiful, vibrant and passionate novel. Mom liked the young man who went on leave from the army, he also wanted to spend some time with her. They met only a few times. Mom later said that she didn’t need anything from him. Me too. I don't even care what he looks like. I don’t understand why I have to look for him and shed some vulgar tears on television.
- Thank you for the interesting conversation! I hope to see you at the concert.
The downside of fame
Life behind the stage and the recording studio was also in full swing. In the biography of “Ivanushki” and Oleg Yakovlev, difficult times begin. Together with Andrei and Kirill, he rested after the concerts. Alcohol helped them relieve tension. In large quantities. Friends slowly but surely ruined their health. And if the first two were stopped by their wives, then no one stopped the free Oleg from drinking at any time. Yes, many artists suffer from alcoholism, and sometimes they have to undergo treatment for a long time after such entertainment. Increasingly, Yakovlev begins to indulge in all kinds of bad things, and this leads to disruptions in rehearsals and recording of new songs. He no longer adheres to the schedule, and Matvienko threatens to fire him several times. Calm and intelligent Oleg understands that his behavior harms all members of the team, but he can no longer stop.
At this moment he begins to understand Sorin. It is simply impossible to live in such a rhythm and not be able to relax with the help of alcohol. But if Igor was looking for peace in a sect, then Oleg found it in love. The years of loneliness ended with the appearance of Alexandra in his life. The journalist did not hide the fact that she is a long-time fan of the group “Ivanushki” and specifically their lead singer Oleg Yakovlev. The girl’s biography did not contain anything remarkable at that time.
Soloist of “Ivanushki” Kirill Andreev about the death of Oleg Yakovlev: A close friend has passed away
Oleg Yakovlev passed away on the morning of Thursday, June 29. He died in a Moscow hospital without regaining consciousness from a severe form of pneumonia.
The lead singer of the musical group “Ivanushki International” Kirill Andreev said that his former colleague was a kind and open person.
kirillandreev1971
Today my friend passed away, We lived on tour for 15 years, traveled and flew around the entire globe TOGETHER. I grieve /// My dear Olezhka, the Kingdom of Heaven to You.
1653 o307 comments
“We spent 15 years together, on tour, this is a whole creative life. Fifteen years, you know? Two generations of fans have changed, even more. It’s a pity that it’s so early,” Andreev said in an interview with Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda.
According to the musician, he was shocked when he learned about his friend’s hospitalization, and today’s news simply killed him.
The whole country recognized Oleg when he became the lead singer of the group “Ivanushki International”. Photo TASS/Arseniy Neskhodimov
“I was shocked when I found out yesterday morning that he was in hospital and had been unconscious for a week. I prayed that everything would be fine, I went to church and lit a candle,” Andreev said.
He added that Yakovlev was developing a solo career and had recently recorded a new song.
“We saw each other a month and a half ago, everything was fine. He recorded a new song, started filming a video…” the artist added.
“Ivanushki” in 2006 Photo: ITAR-TASS/ Grigory Sysoev
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5 best songs “Ivanushka” by Oleg Yakovlev. Former lead singer of the group “Ivanushki International” Oleg Yakovlev died in Moscow at the age of 48. Let's remember the musician's main hits
Let us remind you that two days ago, 47-year-old Yakovlev was admitted to the hospital in critical condition with a diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia with complications.
sashakutsevol
Oleg Yakovlev and Alexandra Kutsevol
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Doctors fought for the singer’s life, he was connected to a ventilator, but, unfortunately, they could not save the artist.
kirillandreev1971
Today my friend passed away, We lived on tour for 15 years, traveled and flew around the entire globe TOGETHER. I grieve /// My dear Olezhka, the Kingdom of Heaven to You.
1653 o307 comments
Oleg Yakovlev was 47 years old. The whole country recognized him when he became the lead singer of the group “Ivanushki International”. He spent 15 years in the team, and in 2013 he announced the start of a solo career.
By now tragic coincidence, in “Ivanushki” Oleg took the place of Igor Sorin. Yakovlev joined the group on March 3, 1998, and six months later, in September, Igor Sorin died.
Family life
During this period, friends and relatives note the emotional and spiritual uplift of the guy. He began to look noticeably better and completely devoted himself to creativity. He returned to his favorite activity - writing poetry. It would seem that life has finally gotten better and now all that remains is to wait for the addition to the family. But the couple was in no hurry to formalize the relationship. They attended all events together, and colleagues rejoiced at the artist’s return to a full life.
Like a bolt from the blue
His common-law wife loved Oleg and was able to instill confidence in him. In 2012, he announced his departure from the group. They didn’t stop him because Matvienko had already suffered enough from the unstable singer in recent years. However, no one believed in his success outside the team. In the biography of Oleg Yakovlev, “Ivanushki” occupied a central place, but he considered that the time had come to leave the boy band. In 2013, he officially ends his work with the producer and leaves the lineup.
Oleg Yakovlev: I worry more about “Ivanushki” than about myself
Oleg Yakovlev // Photo: Personal archive
Musician Oleg Yakovlev left the group “Ivanushki International” six months ago to become a solo artist. Today he tells StarHit how his life and career are shaping up after leaving the team.
— Oleg, don’t you regret leaving? How has your life changed?
Life has changed dramatically. I became a solo artist. For that, please congratulate me. For the first time in my life I felt so big. I stopped dividing my life into three parts. This is so cool and interesting! My eyes are burning. I have absolutely no regrets. There are a lot of plans. My solo album will be released in the future.
— What did you manage to do creatively during these six months?
To be honest, I started thinking about leaving the Ivanushki International group a year ago. While I was thinking, I recorded 5-6 songs, which I showed to the band’s producer, Igor Matvienko. He listened to them and agreed with me that I really should be a solo artist... After that, I met the Ukrainian composer Alexey Boev and realized that we would work well together. He writes songs exactly in my style - no one in Russia sings like that yet. What did I manage to do in the six months after leaving? I shot a video clip for the song “Dance with your eyes closed.” Now this composition is actively rotated on radio stations. I recently shot a second video for the song “Call me after three champagnes.” Its presentation will take place in October.
— Aren’t you afraid that without “Ivanushki” it will be difficult to break through?
You know, I’m probably more worried about “Ivanushki” than about myself. I'm not afraid at all. I'm confident. I have wonderful material that any artist would envy. I think that there will be no obstacles on my solo creative path. Many of my fans write to me on social networks that I did the right thing, that I left, that I need to think about myself. You need to succeed like Oleg Yakovlev, and not like one of the “Ivanushki” trio. I wish “Ivanushki” all the best. I can also say that TV channels and radio stations treated me very favorably. I thought it would be more difficult. I just come and say that I have a new song. And they answer me: “What good material!” It is very nice. Everything turned out to be much simpler.
After leaving the group, Oleg Yakovlev changed his image // Photo: Personal archive
— Do you maintain relations with Kirill and Andrey? And how often do you see each other?
We see each other, unfortunately, rarely. They are on tour in one city, I am in another. But of course we maintain friendly, warm relations. You can't throw away 16 years of dating. Sometimes we cross paths at concerts... Of course we call and text each other. I’m also friends with the guys’ wives: Lola Andreeva and Marina Grigorieva-Apollonova. This is already some kind of family relationship. And recently I was at the presentation of the new video “Ivanushki”. They called first and invited: “Oleg, come. Watch and support us."
— How do you like the new soloist Kirill Turichenko?
I know that Kirill is a very well-mannered and delicate young man. He has a good voice, he comes from Odessa. I like that he respects me. A very sensitive and pleasant boy. I wish him that everything will work out, that he too will go down in history. For example, I am already in the chronicle of the group “Ivanushki INTERNATIONAL”.
— What should they offer you to return to the group?
I think I should be offered participation in the anniversary concert dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the group. There is no question of returning to the group. But I will be happy to take part in some significant events related to the history of the team.
— What if suddenly there’s a comeback concert?
I think I'm very far from this. I would take part in it only out of respect for the audience, my fans. But definitely not because of the fee, not for the money.
The ex-soloist of the group “Ivanushki International” Oleg Yakovlev has died
Oleg Yakovlev with his girlfriend Sasha Kutsevol // Photo: Personal archive
- You changed your image, became a brunette. So as not to be associated with “Ivanushki”?
No. I just wanted to update. I believe that now I am already such an adult mature person (Oleg is 43 years old - StarHit's note) that being a little blond who dyes his hair is already funny. But I still left a small light light on my head. In general, I am naturally a brunette. It's time to be natural.
— Tell us about your girlfriend, journalist Sasha Kutsevol? How did you meet? She was your fan...
Sasha was not a fan of mine, but she was familiar with the work of the group “Ivanushki International”. We met in St. Petersburg, where Sasha studied at the university at the Faculty of Journalism. Then fate brought us together in Moscow. We feel very good together. And if you ask me now how many months we have been together, I won’t tell you. Happy hours are not observed. I adore Sasha’s parents and wish them health. As for the wedding, as soon as we decide, you’ll find out right away. And in general, the ring on your finger and the stamp in your passport are not always so important. I am very grateful to Sasha that we go through life together. She temporarily left journalism and is now producing me. Sasha makes incredible efforts, and the main thing is that it resonates in the musical materials.
- I know that she starred in both of your videos...
But of course! How can such a beauty not be featured in a video? I welcome the moment of seriality. We are together every day. But by the way, in the second video, Sasha was embarrassed and lost first place to the Ukrainian fashion model. She herself is present there in a cameo role. But I think that in the third video Sasha will definitely play the leading role.
Oleg has an excellent relationship with Sasha Kutsevol’s family // Photo: Personal archive
— Tell us about your latest purchases...
I changed my car and now I drive a Lexus. I’m planning to go shopping in Paris some time later, we’ll buy Sasha something wonderful and beautiful. Previously, the salary had to be divided among three, but now everything is only for yourself.
— What musical and television projects will you take part in in the near future?
In the filming of New Year's greetings. I also participate in the Ukrainian music competition “Sing if you can.” And on October 25, the music show of the Russia TV channel “Live Sound” starts.
- Future plans?
The closest ones are the presentation of the video for the song “Call me after three champagnes” in October, as well as tours and the release of the first solo album. In general, there is a lot of work. There is something to strive for and something to dream about. And after the New Year I will go on vacation to some island for 25 days.
Solo career
The first song, entitled “Dance with Your Eyes Closed,” was a success among listeners, but did not become a hit. The video for this composition turned out to be very beautiful, and it was often broadcast on music channels. On the wave of his first success, the soloist records several more new songs. But all subsequent compositions do not find a response in the hearts of listeners. “Dance” remained the only solo song in Oleg Yakovlev’s biography that was accepted by the people.
Death
On June 29, 2020, the first reports appeared on the Internet that Oleg Yakovlev had passed away. The biography of “little white Ivanushka” was written by fate itself. The body could not cope with the abundance of alcohol, and the artist developed double pneumonia. The disease itself could have been successfully cured, but coupled with liver cirrhosis, it led to the singer’s death. During the last filming, it was noticeable that the man had yellow whites of his eyes. Rumors immediately spread that the singer had AIDS and that it was he who caused pneumonia, which became the official cause of Oleg Yakovlev’s death. The performer's biography did not include drugs or promiscuity, and this version was quickly refuted. The funeral was quiet, and relatives and friends came to say goodbye to the artist. Former colleagues in the workshop paid tribute to the memory of the singer and said many good words about him. According to the will, Oleg’s body was cremated and 40 days later buried at the Troekurovsky cemetery.
Burial place
Yakovlev's burial place
For 40 days, the issue of the burial place was resolved. Oleg's relatives were going to bury his ashes at the Vagankovskoye cemetery in Moscow.
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But at present, the Vagankovskoye cemetery is closed, and burial there requires permission from the Moscow government. This permission was not received. However, due to legal restrictions, burial must take place within 40 days of death.
Therefore, on the fortieth day, it was decided to bury the artist’s ashes at the capital’s Troekurovsky cemetery, plot 15, grave 664
