On Friday, March 21, 2025, fans of the beloved musical show Odin v Odin tuned in for yet another thrilling episode as the competition heats up ahead of the finals. This week, the spotlight was on ten talented artists who embodied some of the most iconic musicians, culminating in a spectacular showdown that both entertained and surprised audiences.
Seated at the judging panel, actor Yuri Stoyanov, artist Alexey Chumakov, and opera singer Marina Meshcheryakova were joined by singer Alexander Buinov, who brought an additional dynamic to the panel this episode. Each week, the show presents an enticing format where contestants recreate the performances of renowned artists, aiming not just to mimic their singing but also to embody their mannerisms and stage presence.
As the ninth episode unfolded, the contestants tried their hardest to leave memorable impressions on both the judges and the viewers. The night's performances included Arseniy Borodin channeling Soso Pavliashvili with his rendition of ‘Nebo na ladoni,’ which received a commendation from Chumakov, who noted that while Borodin did an impressive job, he could improve in capturing Pavliashvili's vocal timbre.
Nadezhda Angarskaya performed Aretha Franklin’s ‘Think,’ drawing inspiration from the film Brothers Blues. However, her performance met with mixed reviews. Chumakov struggled to appreciate the resemblance, expressing, “You sang fantastically, but I cannot say it was similar.” This sentiment sparked a lively debate between show host Nikolai Baskov and Chumakov, with Baskov vigorously defending Angarskaya's talent.
Following the disagreements, Stoyanov, feeling the tension mount, stood up and walked away from the judges' table. His earlier praise for Angarskaya’s performance—where he called it “one in a million,” highlighting her exceptional professionalism—contrasted sharply with the dissatisfaction expressed by Chumakov.
Continuing the showcase, Yulia Savicheva took a bold approach by mimicking Lyubov Uspenskaya with her interpretation of ‘Propadayu ya.’ She seemingly fit the style well, yet the judges unanimously agreed that she went overboard, leading Stoyanov to remark that Savicheva's attempt closely resembled a parody rather than an homage.
In a surprising twist, Rodion Gazmanov decided to impersonate Alexander Buinov, performing ‘Padayut listya.’ The real Buinov was visibly impressed, even suggesting that Gazmanov should consider doubling for him in future performances. This moment of mutual admiration highlighted the collaborative spirit existing even amid competition.
Valeria Lanskaya aimed high with her portrayal of Madonna in the performance of ‘Vogue,’ but regrettably fell short, with judges noting a lack of authenticity in both her singing and movement. Similarly, Alisa Mon attempted to embody Elena Vaenga while performing ‘Kuryu,’ receiving applause primarily for her theatrical appearance rather than her vocal rendition.
Vyacheslav Makarov impressed the judges with a near-perfect rendition of a Modern Talking number, while Nodar Reviya's performance of Alexander Ivanov’s ‘Bozhe, kakoy pustyak’ stood out for its creativity, piquing Chumakov’s interest as he declared it one of Reviya’s best acts this season.
Maria Zaitseva executed a heartfelt rendition of Annie Lennox’s classic ‘Why,’ which was applauded for its emotional depth and vocal clarity. The evening culminated with Zhan Milimerov’s energetic performance of ‘Plach i smotri’ by Alexander Shoua, which won praise across the board for its authenticity.
At the end of the intense evening, the judges cast their votes, solidifying the evening's standings. Zhan Milimerov emerged victorious with 62 points, while Nodar Reviya captured second place with 35 points, and Angarskaya rounded out the top three with her score of 32 points. This week's voting and performances reshaped the overall standings as follows:
- Maria Zaitseva — 311 points
- Vyacheslav Makarov — 285 points
- Alisa Mon — 271 points
- Zhan Milimerov — 267 points
- Nodar Reviya — 258 points
- Arseniy Borodin — 244 points
- Nadezhda Angarskaya — 227 points
- Valeria Lanskaya — 203 points
- Yulia Savicheva — 195 points
- Rodion Gazmanov — 169 points
As viewers anticipate the upcoming finale, set to air on March 28, 2025, excitement surrounds the question of who will ultimately be crowned the champion of this captivating season. The show Odin v Odin continues to air every Friday on the Russia-1 channel, with broadcasts starting at 21:10.
