Former member of the Ranetki group Evgenia Ogurtsova opened up on her YouTube channel about a remarkable moment in her early career when money and fame weighed on her in a way that still surprises her today. She described a first earnings moment so unusual that it became a personal turning point: she says she didn’t care about money in that instant, and for a brief, impulsive moment she treated the money as something disposable. The confession came during an informal chat on the channel Doctor Shurov Clinic, where she spoke frankly about her younger days in the spotlight.
According to Ogurtsova, when the band members received their first salary, it felt like a sizeable windfall for someone just starting out. The sum seemed dramatic enough to trigger an emotional response, and she recalls placing the money in a bathtub, dousing it with something flammable, and then burning it. It was a spontaneous act that reflected a complex mix of sentiment, including a desire to separate money from personal identity at that moment in time. She later explained that this behavior drew a rebuke from others on the team, who urged that giving the money to charity would be a wiser, more constructive choice. Ogurtsova believes that choosing to donate would ultimately prove to be the right decision for her as well.
In the same interview, she clarified that the self-imposed challenge of burning the first earnings came with certain consequences and a sense of accountability. The narrative around her early earnings and their symbolism was used to illustrate how money can influence or fail to influence a person, depending on the intention behind it. The experience became a defining lesson rather than a mere anecdote, shaping her future outlook on fame and financial value. The public reaction ranged from curiosity to introspection, underscoring how audiences connect personal rituals of money with broader questions about celebrity culture and integrity.
Beyond the money episode, Ogurtsova touched on the artistic motive that drew her to stage performances with Ranetki. She described a purpose that went beyond fame or popularity, pointing to a deeper drive to connect with audiences on a meaningful level. She has often expressed the view that her stage presence was not just about being seen, but about provoking a reaction that made people think differently about the genre and the performers on stage. When asked whether popularity was a primary goal, she offered a candid perspective: it sometimes feels like a side effect, an unintended consequence of authentic artistic engagement rather than a destination in itself.
Reflecting on the experience of performing at a young age, Ogurtsova mentioned a spontaneous energy during live shows. She described moments when the audience’s engagement took on a life of its own, with the energy of the room sweeping through the venue and shaping the atmosphere of each performance. The emphasis was not simply on technical skill but on the emotional exchange between performer and crowd. This dynamic contributed to a lasting impression of what it means to be a public figure who must navigate attention, expectation, and personal authenticity in equal measure.
As part of her candid discussion, Ogurtsova addressed a more personal medical note that surfaced in May. Reports at that time mentioned discussions about a genetic mutation, and she acknowledged a health condition affecting her vision, noting that she experienced blindness in her left eye. She presented this information not as a dramatic revelation but as a factual detail related to her life trajectory and professional resilience. The disclosure underscored that personal health can intersect with a public career in ways that influence both daily life and artistic expression, yet it did not define her entire story or her capacity to perform and contribute to her artistic community.
Additionally, there were references to other figures connected to her broader professional world. It was noted that earlier in her career, actress Anastasia Ukolova discussed filming experiences with Nikita Kologriv, suggesting that conversations about collaboration and shared projects were part of the environment surrounding the Ranetki circle. These mentions reflect the interconnected nature of the entertainment industry, where personal narratives, creative partnerships, and public perception often intersect in complex ways. The overall takeaway from these reflections is a portrait of an entertainer who has navigated early fame with introspection, learning to balance personal beliefs with the realities of a public career and the responsibilities that come with it. [citation]” }