A fresh episode of the podcast Do You Want a Scandal Now? features Philip Kirkorov sharing stories from his long career, including how a nickname took root in popular culture. The singer explains that the moniker Primadonna did not originate from a grand plan or a self-design. Rather, it stuck after a string of lighthearted moments and a playful chorus of fans and colleagues. According to Kirkorov, the nickname emerged naturally, and he laughs that it was never something he actively sought or named himself. It arrived through a combination of fans, peers, and the spontaneous energy of the music world surrounding him, and it simply became a familiar tag that many people use when referring to him. He notes with a smile that Kamyzyaki’s team contributed to the nickname’s spread, joking that their gentle contributions made the title widely adopted. He adds a playful warning about keeping the nickname in check, joking that it is fine to call him Prima Donna as long as nothing about it gets out of the oven. The moment is presented with humor and a sense of shared performance culture—a reminder that the stage persona often grows from the chatter of fans, not from a formal declaration of rank or title.
During the conversation, the singer responds to a fan’s remark about the legendary figures Leonid Utesov and Vladimir Vysotsky, who are often spoken of in reverent terms regarding stage presence. The fan suggested that those icons would not have labeled themselves as kings of the stage, and Kirkorov reflects on how many domestic musicians have been given grandiose nicknames over the years. In this anecdotal thread, he mentions well-known names like Nikolai Baskov, whom many call the Golden Voice of Russia, and he adds that Alla Pugacheva and Irina Allegrova are frequently celebrated with titles such as Primadonna and Empress. The discussion paints a broader picture of a performance culture in which public perception, artistic impact, and enduring nicknames intersect, shaping how artists are remembered and talked about long after a show ends.
Beyond the nickname talk, the episode touches on the ways fame evolves and how a performer’s public image can become almost as important as the music itself. Kirkorov’s reflections offer a glimpse into the social dynamics of celebrity in Russia, where a single tag can travel across media, fans, and colleagues and become part of a person’s public narrative. The conversation underscores the idea that art and personality are inseparable in building a lasting connection with audiences, a theme that resonates with many fans who have followed this artist through decades of hit songs, televised performances, and memorable moments on screen.
Additionally, the interview suggests that nicknames carry cultural weight. Primadonna, Empress, and other epithets are not mere labels; they function as shorthand for a certain presence, a level of stage assurance, and a recognizable voice that fans trust. By recalling other celebrated artists who have earned similar distinctions, the dialogue emphasizes how a performer’s reputation can be reinforced by a shared cultural vocabulary—one that fans and critics alike understand and discuss with familiarity and affection. The overall mood is warm, collaborative, and steeped in the tradition of performers supporting one another while acknowledging the power of a memorable name.
In another moment, the piece hints at the evolution of Kirkorov’s own creative footprint. The singer reflects on the broader landscape of popular music and the way public perception interacts with an artist’s body of work. The tone remains light and humorous, yet there is an undercurrent of respect for the lasting influence that famous nicknames have generated across generations of listeners. This candid, conversational style helps the audience see the person behind the stage persona and to appreciate the social dynamics that accompany a storied career. The segment ultimately reinforces the idea that a distinguished nickname can become an enduring symbol within a wider conversation about artistry, legacy, and the relationships built with fans over many years on tour, on television, and in the pages of cultural memory.