The stage was set for the eighth episode of the fifth season of the popular Russian music competition "Superstar," which aired on March 22, 2025, on the NTV channel. In this penultimate installment of the anniversary season, five beloved stars attempted to remind audiences of their talents while vying for a coveted spot in the finale. The theme for this episode was aptly named "Battle of the Seasons," showcasing performances that would be a blast from the past.
Participants included 47-year-old Irakli Pirtskhalava, 60-year-old Aziza, 60-year-old Margarita Sukhankina, 63-year-old Sergey Chelobanov, and 75-year-old Ksenia Georgiadi. The contestants were evaluated by a panel of judges that featured musical critic Sergei Sosedov, TV presenter Lera Kudryavtseva, and Kirill Turichenko, the soloist of the Ivanushki International group. The fourth judge for this episode was former Tatu member Yulia Volkova, who stepped in to scrutinize the performances.
The musical showcase comprised ten spectacular numbers – five solo performances and five duets alongside past contestants. Contestants were tasked with performing songs that had been historically significant to their partners in previous seasons, adding an element of nostalgia to the competition.
Kicking off the first round, Ksenia Georgiadi captivated the audience with her rendition of "Snow" by Nikolai Noskov, a song previously performed by Jean Milimerov. Judging her performance, Sosedov remarked on her vocal prowess and energy, granting her the top score of eight points. Meanwhile, Pirtskhalava, who sang "Vorona" by Linda, received a lukewarm reception, earning six points as critics felt the performance lacked drama. In another performance, Sukhankina’s cover of Maxim Fadeev's "Am I Happy" drew criticism for its lack of emotional impact, leading to a low score of four points.
As the performances continued, Sergey Chelobanov took the stage with his interpretation of "Indigo," a song initially performed by the group Streлки. Despite providing a harmonious performance, he too fell victim to Sosedov's sharp critiques, scoring seven points. Rounding out the first round, Aziza brought an energetic display to her performance of "Orient Express North," earning her seven points, though Kudryavtseva noted a disconnect with the song’s essence.
The second round of the show shifted focus to duets, opening with Ksenia Georgiadi and Jean Milimerov performing "Neva" by Elena Vaenga and Intars Busulis. Their synergy was praised, leading to another strong score of eight points. Aziza paired with Alexey Goman to sing "Con te partir?" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman but garnered critical feedback regarding their vocal compatibility, leading to a score of just six points.
Next, Chelobanov teamed up with the group Streлки (now known as Golden Streлки) for their performance of "Well, What," which impressed the judges, resulting in another eight points. Collaborating next, Sukhankina and Alexey Glyzin performed "Skvoznjaki," bringing sincere emotive tones to the stage, earning a score of seven points despite some reservations from Sosedov.
Lastly, Pirtskhalava returned alongside the group Balagan Limited to belt out "Belaya Strekoza Lyubvi". While their performance received mixed reactions, Pirtskhalava's lack of stage command resulted in yet another disappointing score of six.
Taking into consideration the participants' cumulative scores, Ksenia Georgiadi emerged on top with an incredible total of 16 points, while Aziza and Sergey Chelobanov both had 13 points. Meanwhile, Irakli Pirtskhalava and Margarita Sukhankina placed at the bottom with scores of 12 and 11 points, respectively, leading to a challenging elimination decision due to their tied standings.
As the votes were cast, Lera Kudryavtseva stated, "I think Irakli is a gentleman. He reached almost to the final, which is great, but as a real man, he should concede to Rita." Ultimately, with a 3:1 vote from the judges, Margarita Sukhankina was allowed to continue into the final, while Pirtskhalava was eliminated from the competition.
The next episode promises to be thrilling as it leads up to the grand finale scheduled for March 29, 2025. Contestants Aziza, Georgiadi, Chelobanov, and Sukhankina will vie for the title of "Superstar" amidst celebration and heightened emotions, as past contestants return for support and potential collaborations.
