Katya Lel, a celebrated artist from Russia, recently shared her enthusiastic support for the viral hit song "Sigma Boy," originally performed by bloggers Betsy and Maria Yankovskaya. Speaking at the NSN press center, Lel expressed her excitement over the girls' achievement, stating, "Вау! Это так круто! Это же российские девчонки, которые прославились на весь мир!" ("Wow! This is so cool! These are Russian girls who became famous all over the world!").
The song's unexpected success on international charts has sparked varied reactions across Russia. Some have celebrated this milestone for Russian artists, but others have voiced criticism, prompting Lel to voice her confusion at the negative responses. "Тебя поет весь мир, тебя обожает весь мир, но почему-то свои очень странно на это реагируют" ("The whole world sings your praises, yet there is strangely negative feedback from our own people"), she remarked, urging her compatriots to embrace rather than critique the achievements of their fellow Russians.
Lel’s comments come amid what she perceives as a cultural shift, where the success of artists like Betsy and Yankovskaya should be viewed as sources of pride. The artist's perspective is underpinned by her belief in the importance of celebrating those who bring honor to their country. "Жалко порадоваться?" ("Is it so hard to be happy for them?") she questioned the critics, challenging them to reconsider their stance.
Beyond the discussion of criticism and support, Katya Lel touched upon her views on financial aspects related to performance and fame. "К сожалению, финансовый момент вообще не стоит в моей жизни. Это неправильно. Должен быть вселенский обмен энергии" ("Unfortunately, the financial moment doesn’t matter to me at all. That’s wrong. There should be universal energy exchange"), she said, emphasizing her focus on the emotional connection with audiences over monetary gain.
The singer acknowledged the gravity of her own success, stating she doesn’t harbor regrets about the financial benefits attributed to producer Maxim Fadeev's involvement with her hit "Мой мармеладный" ("My Jelly") and expressed contentment with the affection she receives from her audience. "Я рада, что Фадеев все это получает, а я получаю любовь и зрительскую симпатию. Значит, меня ждет что-то большее" ("I'm glad Fadeev is getting all of this, and I receive love and audience sympathy. It means something greater awaits me").
Looking forward, Lel announced aspirations to collaborate with the successful duo, Betsy and Yankovskaya, expressing her desire to invite them onto her show. This reflects her commitment to fostering unity within the Russian music scene and supporting fellow artists.
The conversation around "Sigma Boy" is not just about music; it taps deep-rooted sentiments about national pride, collective success, and the need for artists to uplift one another. Katya Lel’s affirmations resonate strongly at this juncture, where recognition of talent and success, whether domestic or international, is pivotal for the cultural identity of Russia. Her call for appreciation serves as both inspiration and critique for anyone engaged with the arts, prompting reflection on what it means to support and celebrate achievements among one another.