Sergei Savin spoke about SHAMAN, the stage name of Yaroslav Dronov, saying he does not have a realistic chance to become Alla Pugacheva’s favorite. Savin noted that Pugacheva has a known preference for brunettes, a factor he believes will continually shape how artists are perceived and supported within the industry. This remark adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about the personal tastes that influence career trajectories in pop music.
According to Savin, there is no other path for Dronov in this context. The statement underscores a broader dynamic in which public figures are often evaluated through a lens shaped by aesthetic and persona preferences, sometimes more than by artistic achievements alone. The comment has fueled discussions among fans and commentators about how celebrity endorsements and choices impact rising artists and their opportunities.
In December, actor Ivan Okhlobystin recalled that Pugacheva was the one who removed SHAMAN from the Factor A project in 2013. Okhlobystin said he admired Dronov’s work and even remembered the singer before his peak. The reminiscence highlights how industry decisions and murals of influence from established stars can alter the course of a rising artist’s career, sometimes long before mainstream recognition settles in.
Pugacheva, who left Russia after the onset of the current conflict in Ukraine on November 11, spoke to her critics with firmness, calling them jealous and slanderous. In a post from the previous year, she argued that it was the critics who had framed the discourse around slaves and serfs, not the people of the Russian Federation who found themselves caught in a difficult moment. The message reflects the way public figures articulate political and social stances while balancing their artistic identities and fan expectations.
In his broadcast, Savin also discussed SHAMAN, whom he met during the Factor A competition experience. Dronov later noted that Pugachev became a fan after she mentioned him on social media, illustrating how contemporary artists can gain visibility through endorsements that ripple across networks and quickly reshape a performer’s public image. The exchange underscores the power of social platforms to accelerate recognition in the modern music landscape.
Earlier, producer Lavrov spoke about the rivalry between Pugacheva and Valeria, pointing to how high profile personalities in the Russian pop scene navigate competition, collaboration, and reputational dynamics. The conversation situates SHAMAN and Dronov within a broader context of star relationships where alliances and rivalries can influence the pace of an artist’s rise and the attention they receive from major industry players.