On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the seventh episode of the fifth season of the musical show Superstar! aired on NTV, capturing the excitement of viewers with its theme "Old Songs About the Main Thing." Contestants not only impressed the judges with their performances but also entertained the audience with fresh interpretations of legendary classics.
The concept behind Superstar! is to feature well-known artists whose peak popularity occurred during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. During each episode, these artists perform revamped renditions of favorite songs, and their efforts are evaluated by the jury. The scoring system, consisting of "fire" for 2 points, "spark" for 1 point, and "hiss" for 0 points, sets the competitive tone of the program. Each week, the contestant who accumulates the fewest points is eliminated, adding suspense and drama to every broadcast.
This episode featured judges including music critic Sergei Sosedov, TV presenter Lera Kudryavtseva (who appeared with her arm in a sling), Kirill Turichenko from the popular group Ivanushki International, and guest star Katya Lel, who once participated as a contestant herself. The hosts of the show were Vadim Takmenev and Natasha Koroleva, who played pivotal roles during the episode's proceedings.
The evening kicked off with Viktor Saltykov, the winner of the second season of Superstar!, captivating everyone with his heartfelt rendition of "White Night." His performance was met with enthusiasm, as the judges and at-home viewers danced along, showcasing his continued relevance and star power. Kornelia Mango, who had previously exited the competition, returned to deliver her own performance of "Devchata." Unfortunately, reactions were mixed, with critics pointing out the stark contrasts between the song's content and her provocative outfit.
Among the competitors, Ksenia Georgiadi was the first to perform, taking on the legendary song "Argo." Her performance began with a touching note where she dedicated the number to her mother, shedding tears. She even addressed the audience in Greek, wishing good luck to Irakli Pirtskhalava, adding to the emotionally charged atmosphere. The judges were quick to praise her, with Katya Lel lauding her "incredible flow of energy" and Sosedov mentioning her outstanding vocal technique. The final score for her was 8 points.
Irakli Pirtskhalava followed with Anna German's "Spring Tango," bringing forth a playful, jazzy arrangement. Despite some reservations from Kudryavtseva about the adaptation, the performance impressed others like Sosedov, who praised his innovative approach, resulting in another 8 points. Aziza, the front-runner with 55 points, delivered the spirited Cossack song "Oysya Ty Oysya," complete with impressive saber maneuvers. This performance captured the judges' delight, leading to another perfect score of 8 points for her.
Next, Sergei Minaev presented the classic war song "Eh, Roads." His touching rendition, aiming to balance solemnity with emotional resonance, garnered mixed feedback. While some judges found value, Sosedov's critique stung, stating his performance felt constrained. Minaev ended up with 7 points, falling short compared to his peers.
Showcasing her versatility, Margarita Sukhankina stunned the audience with her interpretation of the aria from Carmen performed entirely in French. After facing considerable pressure due to the complexity of the song, her bold artistic choices earned her the judges' accolades and 8 points. Finally, the competition concluded with Sergei Chelobanov's rendition of Frank Sinatra's "The World We Knew," where he demonstrated his unique charisma and vocal dynamics, also achieving 8 points.
After seven rounds, the leaderboard stood as follows: Aziza at the top with 55 points, followed closely by Sergei Chelobanov at 52 points. The standings also noted Ksenia Georgiadi and Margarita Sukhankina both at 51 points, with Irakli Pirtskhalava and Minaev lagging behind at 50 points each. Such close calls set the stage for subsequent tension.
The episode wrapped up with the dramatic elimination round. Since both Minaev and Pirtskhalava were tied, the jury deliberated to decide who would continue. Kudryavtseva and Sosedov voted to keep Minaev, but Turichenko and Lel supported Pirtskhalava. The ultimate decision rested with Koroleva, who cited her principle: “The young have the way, the old are respected.” This led to the elimination of Sergei Minaev, much to the onlookers' surprise.
With only five competitors remaining — Aziza, Sergei Chelobanov, Ksenia Georgiadi, Margarita Sukhankina, and Irakli Pirtskhalava — the anticipation builds for the upcoming eighth episode of Superstar!, set to air on March 22, 2025, where the fate of the remaining contestants will be determined, and the path to the finale will become clearer.