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Taisiya Povaliy (born December 10, 1964, in the village of Shamrayivka, Kyiv Region) is a singer who rose to prominence on the Ukrainian pop scene in the 1990s. She began her professional career at the Kyiv State Music Hall and gained wider recognition after winning several vocal competitions in the early 1990s.
Taisiya Povaliy’s repertoire includes Ukrainian- and Russian-language pop music, lyrical ballads, romances, folk songs and pop compositions with elements of soul. Among her best-known works are «Панно кохання» (Lady Love), «Просто Тая» (Simply Taya), «Чортополох» (Thistle), «Не питай мене, чому» (Don’t Ask Me Why), «Чарівна скрипка» (Magic Violin), «Буде так» (It Will Be So), «Птица вольная» (Free Bird), «Серденько» (Little Heart), «Отпусти меня» (Let Me Go), «Ты далеко» (You Are Far Away), «Переживу» (I’ll Get Through It), «За тобой» (After You), «Пусть вам повезёт в любви» (May You Be Lucky in Love), «Отпусти» (Let Go) and «Верю тебе» (I Believe You).
Childhood and musical education
Taisiya Povaliy was born in Shamrayivka, then part of Skvyra District in Kyiv Region. She began singing as a child and performed in a children’s ensemble.
After finishing school, she moved to Kyiv and enrolled at the R. M. Glier Kyiv State Music College. She studied in the choral conducting department and also took optional classical vocal lessons.
That training remained clearly audible in her later pop recordings: long vocal phrases, controlled breathing, a steady vibrato and powerful climaxes became characteristic features of her singing style.
In 1984, Povaliy graduated from the college and began working at the Kyiv State Music Hall. She first performed as part of a vocal group and later became a soloist.
Early competitions and «Slavianski Bazaar»
In the early 1990s, Taisiya Povaliy actively took part in vocal competitions.
In 1990, she won the USSR State Television and Radio competition «Новые имена» (New Names) in Moscow. A year later, she received a diploma at the international «Азия Дауысы» (Voice of Asia) competition in Alma-Ata.
1993 proved especially successful. Povaliy won the Volodymyr Ivasyuk competition «Пісня буде поміж нас» (The Song Will Be Among Us) in Chernivtsi and then received the Grand Prix in the young performers’ competition at the international arts festival «Slavianski Bazaar» in Vitebsk.
After these performances, her name became widely known beyond Ukraine.
«Панно кохання»
Her first solo album, «Панно кохання» (Lady Love), was released in 1995.
The record was predominantly in Ukrainian. It included «Панно кохання», «Стиглі вишні» (Ripe Cherries), «Голос мій» (My Voice), «Відчуття» (Feeling), «Жовтий лист» (Yellow Leaf), «Востаннє» (For the Last Time) and other songs.
The mid-1990s also brought one of the singer’s most recognizable early songs, «Просто Тая» (Simply Taya). It was followed by «Чортополох» (Thistle), which remained in her concert repertoire for many years.
In 1996, Taisiya Povaliy received the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine, and in 1997 she was named People’s Artist of Ukraine. In November 2024, she was stripped of both honorary titles by decision of the Ukrainian authorities.
«Я вас люблю» and «Сладкий грех»
Her second solo album, «Я вас люблю» (I Love You), was released in 1997.
It included «Просто Тая», «Забувай» (Forget), «Цей дощ надовго» (This Rain Is Here to Stay), «Чортополох», «Листопад» (Falling Leaves), «Повернись» (Come Back) and other songs.
In 1999, she followed it with «Сладкий грех» (Sweet Sin). Russian-language material became more prominent in her discography, although Ukrainian songs continued to occupy an important place.
«Буде так» and the Ukrainian repertoire
In 2000, Taisiya Povaliy released the album «Буде так» (It Will Be So).
In the early 2000s, she frequently turned both to contemporary Ukrainian pop music and to the classical and folk song repertoire. Her performances included «Несе Галя воду», «Цвіте терен», «Ой, у вишневому саду», «Стожари», «Два кольори» and other well-known Ukrainian songs.
In 2001–2002, the releases «Чарівна скрипка» (Magic Violin) and «Чортополох» (Thistle) appeared.
Several major projects followed in 2002. «Птица вольная» (Free Bird) was oriented mainly toward Russian-language pop, while «Українські пісенні перлини» (Ukrainian Song Pearls) focused on Ukrainian repertoire.
That same year, Taisiya Povaliy and Iosif Kobzon recorded the joint album «Одна-єдина» (The One and Only), featuring Ukrainian songs.
«Серденько» and Nikolay Baskov
In 2004, Povaliy released the album «Серденько» (Little Heart).
Around the same time, she began a high-profile collaboration with Nikolay Baskov. Their first major duet hit was «Отпусти меня» (Let Me Go), followed by «Ты далеко» (You Are Far Away), «Снегом белым» (With White Snow) and other duets.
«Отпусти меня» received a Golden Gramophone award in 2005, while «Ты далеко» received one in 2006. The two artists also performed joint concert programs.
Her solo repertoire from this period expanded with «Переживу» (I’ll Get Through It), «Бывший» (The Ex), «Пусть вам повезёт в любви» (May You Be Lucky in Love) and other songs.
In 2007, she released the album «За тобой» (After You).
«Украина. Голос. Душа»
In March 2008, Taisiya Povaliy presented a major solo program titled «Украина. Голос. Душа» (Ukraine. Voice. Soul) at the National Palace of Arts «Ukraine» in Kyiv.
The concert was directed by Roman Viktyuk.
The program featured Ukrainian songs, contemporary pop, duets and material from her early albums. The concert was later released on video and in audio format.
Stas Mikhailov and «Верю тебе»
In the late 2000s, Taisiya Povaliy began collaborating with Stas Mikhailov.
Their song «Отпусти» (Let Go) became one of the singer’s best-known Russian-language duets of the period and received extensive radio and television airplay.
In 2010, Povaliy released the studio album «Верю тебе» (I Believe You). It included «Верю тебе», «Птица-душа» (Soul-Bird), «Мама-мамочка» (Mama, Dear Mama), «Знай» (Know), «Два крыла» (Two Wings) and other songs.
That same year, Taisiya Povaliy chaired the jury of the young performers’ competition at «Slavianski Bazaar» — the festival where she had won the Grand Prix seventeen years earlier.
Television and musical films
Taisiya Povaliy appeared in several popular television musical films in the early 2000s.
In «Вечера на хуторе близ Диканьки» (Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka), she played a princess and performed «Три зимы» (Three Winters). In the television production «Золушка» (Cinderella), she appeared as a matchmaker. She also took part in the project «Снежная королева» (The Snow Queen).
Povaliy also appeared in music television programs as a host, participant and jury member, although music remained the central focus of her career.
Member of the Verkhovna Rada
In 2012, Taisiya Povaliy was elected to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the seventh convocation on the Party of Regions list, where she held the second position. At the time of the election, she was formally unaffiliated with any political party.
From December 12, 2012, to June 3, 2014, she was a member of the Party of Regions parliamentary faction. From July until the end of the seventh convocation, she belonged to the parliamentary group «For Peace and Stability». Her parliamentary mandate ended on November 27, 2014.
Music releases in the second half of the 2010s
After the end of her parliamentary term, Taisiya Povaliy continued her concert and studio work, increasingly performing in Russia.
In 2017, she released the song «Сердце — дом для любви» (The Heart Is a Home for Love), followed by an album of the same name in 2018.
Other songs from this period include «Ты в глаза мне посмотри» (Look Me in the Eyes), «Я буду твоя» (I Will Be Yours), «Тёплый хлеб» (Warm Bread), «Календарь любви» (Calendar of Love), «Женщина, которая любит» (A Woman Who Loves) and others.
«Ейфорія»
In 2020, Taisiya Povaliy released the Ukrainian-language studio album «Ейфорія» (Euphoria).
It contained ten songs, including «Дай мені любов» (Give Me Love) and «Вітри сльози» (Winds of Tears).
In 2021, she followed it with the sixteen-track album «Особенные слова. Исповедь» (Special Words. Confession). Its songs included «Особенные слова» (Special Words), «Крылья» (Wings), «Я буду твоя», «1000 лет» (1000 Years), «За спиной» (Behind My Back), «Водопадами» (Like Waterfalls) and «Не сомневайся» (Don’t Doubt).
After 2022
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Taisiya Povaliy continued to live and work in Russia, appeared at Russian concert events and made public statements about the war. Ukrainian military intelligence lists her among public figures who support Russian aggression and cites specific performances and statements by the singer.
In August 2023, Taisiya Povaliy obtained citizenship of the Russian Federation. This fact is also listed in the database of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
On November 22, 2024, by decree of the President of Ukraine, she was stripped of Ukrainian state awards and honorary titles, including her previously granted titles of People’s Artist and Honored Artist of Ukraine.
New songs
Since the album «Особенные слова. Исповедь», Taisiya Povaliy has primarily released individual singles.
These have included «Кофе с корицей» (Coffee with Cinnamon), «Столетия» (Centuries), «В городе снег» (Snow in the City), «Солнце» (Sun), «На веки вечные» (Forever and Ever), as well as the duet with Stas Mikhailov «Что с тобой? Как же я?» (What’s Wrong with You? What About Me?).
In 2025, she released «Ты самый лучший» (You Are the Best), «На Руси» (In Rus), «Папа» (Dad), «Застольная (Пусть деньги липнут...)» (Drinking Song (May Money Stick...)) and the Ukrainian-language «Почуття» (Feelings).
In 2026, her discography was expanded with «С Богом» (With God) and «Материнское счастье» (A Mother’s Happiness).
Vocal style
The core of Taisiya Povaliy’s work is mainstream pop music. At different points in her career, she has also performed Ukrainian folk and authored songs, romances, pop ballads, soul and Russian-language pop.
Her classical training is particularly evident in her long vocal phrases, breath control, steady vibrato and powerful upper-register climaxes. Even in commercial pop material, the vocal line generally remains the central element of the arrangement.
Ukrainian repertoire occupies a distinct place in her work. This line is represented by «Панно кохання», «Буде так», «Чарівна скрипка», «Українські пісенні перлини» and «Ейфорія», as well as numerous Ukrainian folk and classic songs in her concert programs.
Taisiya Povaliy studio albums
- 1995 — «Панно кохання» (Lady Love)
- 1997 — «Я вас люблю» (I Love You)
- 1999 — «Сладкий грех» (Sweet Sin)
- 2000 — «Буде так» (It Will Be So)
- 2002 — «Одна-єдина» (The One and Only) — with Iosif Kobzon
- 2002 — «Птица вольная» (Free Bird)
- 2002 — «Українські пісенні перлини» (Ukrainian Song Pearls)
- 2004 — «Серденько» (Little Heart)
- 2007 — «За тобой» (After You)
- 2010 — «Верю тебе» (I Believe You)
- 2018 — «Сердце — дом для любви» (The Heart Is a Home for Love)
- 2020 — «Ейфорія» (Euphoria)
- 2021 — «Особенные слова. Исповедь» (Special Words. Confession)
Other albums and compilations
- 2001 — «Чортополох» (Thistle)
- 2001/2002 — «Чарівна скрипка» (Magic Violin)
- 2003 — «Возвращаю» (I Return)
- 2008 — «Наказаны любовью» (Punished by Love)
- 2012 — «Я помолюсь» (I Will Pray)
- 2012 — «Две звезды» (Two Stars) — with Alexander Marshal
- 2020 — «Особенные слова» (Special Words)
Collaborative and live projects
- 2004 — «Отпусти меня» (Let Me Go) — collaborative mini-album with Nikolay Baskov
- 2008–2009 — «Украина. Голос. Душа» (Ukraine. Voice. Soul) — concert program
Video releases
- 2000 — «100 минут с Таисией Повалий» (100 Minutes with Taisiya Povaliy)
- 2003 — «Зірка, народжена Україною» (A Star Born in Ukraine)
- «Украина. Голос. Душа» (Ukraine. Voice. Soul) — video version of the solo concert program
Signature songs
«Панно кохання», «Просто Тая», «Чортополох», «Не питай мене, чому», «Чарівна скрипка», «Буде так», «Птица вольная», «Серденько», «Отпусти меня», «Ты далеко», «Переживу», «Бывший», «За тобой», «Пусть вам повезёт в любви», «Отпусти», «Верю тебе», «Птица-душа», «Сердце — дом для любви», «Ты в глаза мне посмотри», «Я буду твоя», «Дай мені любов», «Особенные слова», «Кофе с корицей», «На веки вечные» and «Почуття».
Personal life
The singer’s first husband was musician Vladimir Povaliy. Taisiya retained his surname as her stage name. Their son, Denis Povaliy, was born during the marriage and later also became involved in music.
In 1993, Igor Likhuta became Taisiya Povaliy’s husband and producer. For many years, he handled the organizational and production side of her concert and studio career.
