Natasha Koroleva explained why she faced a ban in Kiev during a recent appearance on the YouTube show Light Around the World. Born in Kyiv, the singer has lived in Russia since the 1990s, and she notes that her ties to Russia were cited as the reason for restrictions on performing in her home country.
Koroleva recalled that she was forbidden from entering Kiev for an extended period. She described being seen as a potential threat due to her blend of Russian and Ukrainian roots and her artistic identity. The dilemma she faced centered on how to be officially registered as an artist: a Russian artist or a Ukrainian one. The decision, she says, was to close the door for several years, creating a challenging period for her career and personal life.
Despite this, the singer admitted she misses Kiev and feels a strong sense of comfort when she is at home. She reflected on opportunities she turned down in her youth, including a chance to move to the United States, a country she ultimately chose not to live in because it did not feel right for her. She remains open to visiting the United States, where her mother resides after moving there after marriage. Koroleva emphasized that visits are welcome, but they are brief and do not reflect a desire to stay long in a locale she does not consider her home.