Zlata Ognevich

• Birth name – Inna Leonidivna Bordiuh
• Date of birth – January 12, 1986
• Place of birth – Murmansk
• Languages – Ukrainian, English
• Activity – singer, composer
• Genre – pop music

ZLATA OGNEVICH is a Ukrainian singer, composer and Ukraine’s representative at «Eurovision 2013». Today, the performer is one of the most prominent vocalists on the contemporary music scene, and in 2026 ZLATA OGNEVICH joined Ukraine’s national jury for the «Eurovision» national selection and was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Ukraine.

The Artist’s Rise

ZLATA OGNEVICH is a Ukrainian singer, TV host, politician and Honoured Artist of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The future star of the Ukrainian music scene was born in the city of Murmansk. Inna’s childhood was filled with changes and new experiences. Her father worked as a military surgeon, while her mother was a teacher. The family lived on the coast of the Barents Sea for five years. But when Inna turned five, her parents decided to exchange the polar winds for the gentle sun. The Bordiuh family moved to Crimea. It was there that the girl first became interested in music. Inna began learning to play the piano while still at school.

The girl largely inherited her sensitivity to art and deep love for Ukrainian culture from her grandmother. In Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, where her grandmother lived, Inna spent a great deal of time. It was there that she first heard Christmas carols, traditional New Year songs and folk songs. She also tasted authentic kutia prepared according to a family recipe. ZLATA recalled with warmth how her grandmother planted the first seeds of the Ukrainian musical soul within her.

After school, Inna took a decisive step towards art and entered the R. M. Gliier Kyiv Academy of Music, choosing jazz vocals as her speciality. But even that was not enough for the energetic young woman. At the same time, she studied psychology at the National Aviation University. During her studies, ZLATA not only developed as a student: she worked with the State Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and also performed in a Latin American music group. Thus, Inna gradually discovered new facets of her talent and boundless charisma. She mastered various musical styles and genres.

Creative Path

After graduating from the music institute, Inna Bordiuh chose the new name ZLATA OGNEVICH for herself. The singer did not make this choice by chance. The name was meant to reflect the artist’s origins and temperament. The star admitted that she wanted to connect her stage name with her roots. On her father’s side, her family has an extremely diverse heritage: her ancestors included Serbs and Hungarians. According to family stories, one of her great-grandfathers came from Italy. His story is shrouded in mystery – whether he was a merchant or a landowner. That is why the artist was looking for a name with a southern flair – bright, emotional and fiery.

ZLATA OGNEVICH embarked on her solo creative career. The artist pursued her dream of gaining popularity and recognition among a large audience of fans. She actively participated in festivals and competitions. In particular, she performed on the stages of «Slavianski Bazaar» and Crimea Music Fest. At the same time, the singer clearly defined her main goal for that period – to represent Ukraine on the stage of the international «Eurovision» competition.

Popularity and Recognition

ZLATA OGNEVICH pursued her dream persistently: in 2010 and 2011, she became a finalist in the national selection, but did not receive the coveted ticket to the competition at the time. Despite this, the artist did not stop and made her song debut with «Island of Love». Other tracks soon followed, including «Angels», «Passion», «Island» and others. Music videos were subsequently filmed for the songs. ZLATA also experimented with duets. In particular, she recorded the song «Kiss» in collaboration with DJ Shamshudinov.

The turning point in the artist’s career came in 2013. ZLATA OGNEVICH confidently won the national selection and earned the right to represent Ukraine at the international competition with the song «Gravity». The talented Ukrainian singer’s performance left neither the jury nor the competition’s fans indifferent. The singer took an honourable third place. Since then, OGNEVICH has been considered one of the strongest vocalists in the history of «Eurovision». In 2017, the artist moved on to the concert touring stage. She toured Ukraine with a new show programme, «My Story».

The Modern Period

Between 2022 and 2026, ZLATA OGNEVICH significantly renewed her musical style, presenting a series of notable releases and duet projects. One of the most successful songs of this period was the sensitive hit «Through Storms», recorded in collaboration with singer SHUMEI. At the same time, the artist continued searching for new musical forms. This resulted in the dramatic song «Don’t Cling» (2025), and in 2026, the energetic ethno-pop track «Benky-Bubenky», created as a duet with Yulia Yurina. A notable stage in the star’s career was the release of the English-language song «Fighter» at the end of September 2026. At the same time, the first major solo concert «One Day» was announced, which will take place at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv in autumn 2027.

The Performer’s Creative Development

The bright and versatile ZLATA OGNEVICH, thanks to her leadership qualities and natural charisma, has revealed herself not only in music. Over time, the singer also tried herself as a television host. The star became the host of the Junior «Eurovision», which took place at the Palace «Ukraine» in Kyiv. ZLATA’s partner on stage was experienced television host Timur Miroshnychenko. During this period, another significant event took place in the performer’s life – she was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Republic of Crimea.

ZLATA OGNEVICH also joined the major television show «Battle of the Choirs 2013» as a mentor. Her team – the Donetsk Choir – demonstrated a high level of preparation and took second place in the project. At the end of August 2018, the singer once again found herself in the spotlight. This time, as a participant in the popular show «Dancing with the Stars» on the «1+1» television channel. The artist’s partner on the dance floor was Dmytro Zhuk.

In April 2021, it became known that ZLATA was hiding under the Sun mask in the popular show «The Mask». Her performances captivated the audience with their emotionality and vocal mastery. The singer became the winner of the project’s second season. In the autumn of the same year, OGNEVICH appeared in a new role. Seeking love, she became the main character of the romantic reality show «The Bachelorette 2».

Discography

In collaboration with renowned musicians and producers, ZLATA OGNEVICH released the following successful albums:

• «Facets» (2018);
• «The Power of Generations» (2019);
• «Goddess» (2020);
• «I Give» (2024).

Best-Known Hits:

• «To Me»;
• «Sweet Punishment»;
• «Fell in Love»;
• «Mine Forever»;
• «Bird»;
• «Through Storms» (with SHUMEI);
• «Without You» (with Maksym Borodin);
• «I Love» and others.

Social Activity

In 2014, the singer became interested in politics and became a People's Deputy of Ukraine in the Verkhovna Rada. ZLATA OGNEVICH worked on issues in the field of culture. However, less than a year later, the artist left the political faction.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the performer has consistently participated in public and charitable initiatives aimed at supporting military personnel and helping Ukrainians affected by the war. In 2022, ZLATA OGNEVICH and her team founded the «Stork» charity project. In May 2023, ZLATA OGNEVICH became an ambassador for the «Nadiia» Charitable Foundation for Youth Initiatives. One of the foundation’s first programmes was a fundraising campaign to purchase an MRI machine for one of the frontline hospitals in Donetsk region.

Like other Ukrainian stars, the singer joined the project «Tell Me Honestly, How Are You?», created as part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme at the initiative of Olena Zelenska. In particular, the performer spoke about a technique that helps overcome stress quickly.

ZLATA OGNEVICH’s concerts during the full-scale war are charitable in nature. Thus, in March 2025, one of her live performances in Lviv raised more than 40 million hryvnias for the needs of the 125th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The singer also provides moral support to Ukrainian Heroes by performing in hospitals and military hospitals. It is known that despite his advanced age, the artist’s father continues to provide professional medical care to wounded defenders, as he is a military surgeon by profession.

Awards and Distinctions:

• victory in the «First Singing Radio Host» competition organised by Kyiv’s «Business Radio» (2009);
• victory in the third season of the talent show «People’s Star» (paired with Asan Bilyalov), 2010;
• the title of «Best Voice of Ukraine» from diplomats of the Embassy of Argentina (2011);
• First Prize and the Journalists’ Choice Award at the First International Competition for Young Performers, held as part of Crimea Music Fest (2011);
• the title of «Honoured Artist of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea» (2013);
• the «Singer of the Year» award from the 11th national «Favourites of Success» rating (2014);
• Order of Princess Olga, 3rd Class (2022);
• Honoured Artist of Ukraine (2026).

Interesting Facts About the Performer:

• ZLATA OGNEVICH is not merely a stage name. The new name is officially recorded in the singer’s passport;
• as a child, the girl was mischievous. She could draw on wallpaper, scratch lacquered furniture and even chewed the heels of her mother’s shoes once;
• when visiting her grandmother, ZLATA helped with household chores: she fed chicks and herded goats;
• while studying piano at music school, the future star composed short pieces herself;
• the singer is fond of yoga and meditation;
• among her gastronomic preferences is Asian cuisine;
• she enjoys cycling and rafting and collects vinyl records.