Season six of the Russian television show One on One aired its sixth episode on February 28, 2025, signaling the much-anticipated return of this popular talent competition. The show has evolved since its debut on 1st Channel back in the spring of 2013 and is hosted this season by Nikolai Baskov and Klava Koka. The format remains consistent, with contestants impersonizing famed artists to earn ratings from the judging panel.
This season has witnessed the excitement as ten contestants perform each week, showcasing their singing and impersonation skills. Baskov, known for his stage presence and humor, interacts dynamically with participants, providing comic relief and commentary. Koka, on the other hand, takes personal interviews with contestants, garnering insights before and after their performances.
The judging panel, featuring seasoned artists like Yuri Stoianov, Marina Mescheryakova, and Alexei Chumakov, evaluates performances based on vocal ability, stage presence, and overall impression. Guest judges offer additional perspectives, enhancing the competition's depth. This week, renowned singer Igor Sarukhanov joined the panel, providing valuable insights and critiques about the participants.
Throughout the episode, the performances were met with varying reactions from judges and audiences alike. For example, Maria Zaitseva impersonated the international superstar Lady Gaga with her rendition of Bad Romance. Critics mentioned Zaitseva showed flashes of Gaga but felt the performance lacked the ultimate expressiveness. The judges gave her mixed reviews, with Chumakov noting, "What I saw was certainly engaging, yet it didn’t quite hit the expected marks of brilliance."
Another impressive performance came from Jean Milimerov, who chose to impersonate Sarukhanov himself with Желаю тебе from 1995. Sarukhanov candidly reflected, "That wasn’t entirely me, reflecting the style of over three decades ago. I could see he struggled to grasp my vocal nuances." Despite the critique, the performance was praised for its nostalgic value.
One performance of note was delivered by Nadya Angarskaya, who captured Anna Semenovich's persona with На моря. While visually appealing and well-executed, the judges had reservations about whether her vocal rendition aligned with the original's essence. Nevertheless, Chumakov lauded Angarskaya's professionalism and commented on her ability to maintain continuity throughout the number.
Standout contender Nodar Revia portrayed George Michael performing Careless Whisper, which garnered enthusiastic feedback from the audience and judges alike. Stoianov referred to the experience as "a trip back to the golden era of music," praising Revia for his vocal prowess and stagecraft, marking him as one of the evening's highlights.
Following closely was Arseniy Borodin, who performed Valery Leontiev's Маргарита. Despite his energetic effort, Borodin was critiqued for not grasping the subtleties of Leontiev's softer vocals. Stoianov expressed disappointment, deeming the performance merely 'passable' and signifying room for improvement.
Alisa Mon rounded the night with her rendition of Песенка о хорошем настроении, reminiscent of the legendary Ludmila Gurchenko. Comment from the judges suggested her visual portrayal was delightful; vocally, she had missed the mark, leading to constructive criticism from Mescheryakova.
After the performances, Vyacheslav Makarov continues to lead the overall scoreboard with 161 points, with Maria Zaitseva just behind at 159. This competitive edge has put significant pressure on participants as every performance counts toward their potential victory at the season's end. "Every week is like fighting for survival; you have to give it your all," Makarov stated after the episode.
With next week's episode set to air on March 7, viewers can expect another thrilling round where participants impersonate renowned stars such as Elvis Presley and The Weeknd. New episodes air every Friday at 21:30 on Russia-1, allowing audiences to relive each showcased performance. For those who miss the live show, catching up is possible through their platform Smotrim.ru.
One on One once again captures the hearts of viewers, offering not just entertainment but also the thrill of competition, tapping deep-seated nostalgia tied to iconic music figures. Fans and critics alike await eagerly to see who might take the crown this season.