Pop singer Alla Pugacheva has returned to Russia, a development reported to TASS by her assistant, Elena Chuprakova. The news comes as observers note Pugacheva’s movements amid a flurry of discussions about the recent celebrity gatherings in Moscow.
In a conversation with socialbites.ca, Nikolai Golovin, an assistant and former director of the Vyacheslav Zaitsev Fashion House, suggested that Primadonna may have traveled from Israel to attend the farewell ceremony for fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev. Golovin indicated that while it would be wonderful if Pugacheva appeared, he doubted she would attend, pointing to the likelihood that Valentin Abramovich Yudashkin might be the one present. He added that he personally did not have information beyond these impressions.
Regarding the reason for the artist0s arrival, Chuprakov could not provide details. She told TASS she hadn0t asked Pugacheva about breaking with her friend, designer Valentin Yudashkin, whose farewell at the Troekurovsky cemetery was scheduled for May 6.
How are Zaitsev and Yudashkin connected with Primadonna?
Following the death of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, Alla Pugacheva posted a black-and-white Instagram photo of the young fashion figure with the caption, Farewell, my friend. Thanks for everything, a note that reflected the warmth of their professional ties despite recent public tensions.
It was Vyacheslav Zaitsev who created the iconic hoodie associated with Pugacheva, a look that helped redefine the public persona of a female pop star known for bold style. This created a contrast with prevailing stereotypes of how VIA vocalists should present themselves. The fashion historian Megan Virtanen has described Pugacheva as a red-haired, curly-haired performer who once swung on a large swing, challenging traditional notions of stage image and stagewear.
In a StarHit comment, artist Julian claimed that Primadonna betrayed Zaitsev by shifting away from hoodies toward shorter skirts worn by Yudashkin. He noted that Pugacheva herself had joined the trend, joining a movement that some felt diverged from Zaitsev’s original aesthetic.
Valentin Yudashkin died two days after Zaitsev. After Yudashkin0s passing, Pugacheva shared a joint image with the designer in mourning on social media and wrote that she dedicated a farewell note to a “man with a capital letter” who would be remembered and loved.
Alla Pugacheva and Yudashkin sustained a friendship spanning more than three decades. Yudashkin had been designing stage outfits for the singer for many years, including a black dress created for Diva in 1994, after which Pugacheva began wearing shorter skirts and dresses. Yudashkin once remarked that Pugacheva never followed fashion, describing her as a smart, independent artist who performs on stage, while also noting her willingness to wear what suits her mood.
In spring 2022, Pugacheva traveled to Israel with her family and returned to Russia by summer. In autumn, her husband Maxim Galkin, known in Russia as a foreign agent for his statements about the special operation, faced official designation by the Ministry of Justice. Following these events, she briefly remained abroad with her children.
At the end of March this year, Valentin Yudashkin and his wife visited Diva and also spent time with family in Israel. During the trip, the designer0s wife posted collaborative images on Instagram with Pugacheva, captioning a post that she and a family member flew to Tel Aviv to see their friend Allochka. The message underscored a friendship that reportedly spans around thirty years.