Pop singer MakSim, whose real name is Marina Abrosimova, apologized to fans for the Sochi Rosa Hall concert that was canceled. She shared a message on social media to explain the situation.
“Writing this is hard, and I truly apologize to everyone who trusted me yesterday. The pressure got to me, I felt dizzy, and my voice vanished. The conditions became too much to handle, and I had to hand the microphone to the sound engineer and leave the stage.”
MakSim also promised refunds for all canceled tickets. She added that the tour, titled I Will Live, would continue as planned, with the next show scheduled for April 1 in Tver.
On March 18, the singer’s director told reporters that Abrosimova fell ill during the Sochi performance. A public relations representative explained that even earlier in the day she had elevated blood pressure, felt faint, and became very unwell, noting the demanding tour schedule after a Krasnodar show on March 14.
During the Sochi appearance, MakSim performed only a few songs before stepping off the stage without explanation. Organizers said medical help was required for her and that she received it backstage.
Audience members described their impressions of the incident to media. One Sochi resident called MakSim’s state unusual and expressed disappointment with how the evening unfolded. He noted that the performer seemed uncomfortable and that the atmosphere in the hall shifted as voices faded out after the first songs. Some attendees left early, feeling the performance did not meet expectations, and a portion of the crowd voiced concerns about refunds.
The witness described a moment in the fifth song when the singer did not continue, and the entire team followed backstage. For about half an hour afterward, the hall was quiet as fans waited, yet no clear explanation was given. A portion of the audience even contacted authorities over the refund matter, fearing they would not be reimbursed.
Another attendee expressed regret, saying that they would rather remember MakSim as the talented, bright performer she had been. If an illness truly affected her, a pause or cancellation would have preserved her dignity and spared public disappointment, they suggested.
A resident of Kolomna recalled traveling to Sochi specifically to see the singer and emphasized that a poor conclusion would not erase the prior admiration. She noted that health issues can change a performance entirely and hoped fans would understand the circumstances.
In past years, MakSim has faced serious health challenges, including a severe bout with COVID-19 in June 2021, which led to a prolonged coma and ventilation support. This history underscored for some observers the fragile line between artistry and well-being in the demanding life of touring performers.