Kamaliya

Kamaliya Zahoor (Камалія Захур, Камалия Захур; born Nataliya Viktorivna Shmarenkova on 18 May 1977), known professionally as simply Kamaliya, is a Ukrainian singer, actress, television personality, model and former Mrs. World beauty pageant titleholder.

She has become widely known in the United Kingdom through her participation in the British reality television programme Meet the Russians.

Kamaliya (real name Natalya Shmarenkova; Наталья Шмаренкова) was born in 1977 in Zabaikallye, Soviet Union.

When she turned three, her military father was deployed to Budapest, where she danced and sang in the children's ensemble called "Kolokol'chik" (the Jingle).

When her family later moved to Lviv, she took classes in violin and opera, and while in school, she took part in as many concerts and shows as possible.

Her efforts were noticed and she received an invitation to sing with the Ukrainian folk music group "Halytska Perlyna" (Halych Perl).

In 1993, Kamaliya became the laureate of the Chervona Ruta (Red Rue) Festival in Ukraine and then won the TV-Chance-Stars contest in Moscow.

In 1997, she graduated from the University of Culture with a degree in Variety Art and Mass Shows Direction.

At this time, she recorded her first video clip "Techno style".

During 1999 and 2000, Kamaliya wrote more than 50 songs, and worked on her album "It is Love".

In 2000, her song "Love You" won the first prize as the National Hit Parade's "Song of the Year".

In 2001, she created the show-center "Kamaliya", which not only promoted her, but also organized gala concerts and shows and programs with participation Ukrainian, Russian and foreign stars.

In 2003, she became "Miss South Ukraine" and "Miss Open – Odesa".

In 2004, the President of Ukraine awarded Kamaliya with the title Honored Artist of Ukraine for her outstanding achievements in developing Ukrainian culture.

On 30 June 2008, Kamaliya won the Mrs. World pageant.

The event took place in Kaliningrad, Russia.

In 2009, she was in Vietnam to pass her tiara on to the 2009 Mrs. World, Russian Victoria Radochinskaya.

Kamaliya performed at the YUNA Music Awards 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 in Ukraine, including a duet with Germany's Thomas Anders of "No Ordinary Love".

In December 2011, Kamaliya released her debut UK single "Crazy in My Heart".

The track was mixed by the UK dance duo Digital Dog.

She was a headliner at the "Mr. Gay World 2012" pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Kamaliya's second UK single "Rising UP" was released on 26 February 2012.

The single featured mixes by UK dance ensemble Cahill and US production wizards Soulseekerz.

The video for this single was shot in Miami by Paul Boyd, in a luxury villa used in CSI: Miami.

Recent notable performances include as a support act to the STEPS reunion tour across the UK.

Kamaliya performed as a supporting act to STEPS on all tour dates except two (when she was in South Africa to headline Mr. Gay World).

These appearances coincided with the launch of her 3rd single "Arrhythmia" – an Ibiza-inspired dance anthem.

Kamaliya also released her debut UK album Kamaliya onto digital websites and for free with OK! magazine on 7 August 2012.

Those were "Butterflies" (2012), "I'm Alive" (2013), "Love Me Like" (2013), "Never Wanna Hurt You (Bad Love, Baby)" (2013).

In 2013, Kamaliya released her new album, ClubOpera, which was written and produced for her by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen and DSign Music.

Prior to its release, she released 4 singles out of this album.

Kamaliya performed at Ahoy, Rotterdam at Symphony 31 "DJ meets Orchestra" on 14 & 16 March 2015.

Kamaliya is a regular performer at the Gay Prides in Germany, UK, Ireland & the Netherlands.

In 2015, she recorded a single with José Carreras for his concert in the German city of Braunschweig.

She continued her cooperation with Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen, and in March 2016 she released her first single "Timeless" from her next album with the same title.

The song was No.1 for 8 weeks in the Austrian & Dutch charts, and in the Top 15 in German and Swiss charts.

In January 2017, her collaboration with Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen culminated in "Aphrodite", which reached the second position in German and Spanish official charts, Austrian and Turkish iTunes charts.

In February 2017, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sananda Maitreya's (formerly known as Terence Trent D'Arby) hit "Sign Your Name", she presented her version of the song at YUNA Music Awards.

Produced by the English producer Stuart Epps the single became a huge hit in Italy.

In July 2017, the album Timeless was released.