The Russian singer Dmitry Koldun opened up in a recent interview on Fifth Channel, sharing a candid reflection on the days he spent on the Star Factory show and the sense of camaraderie he felt there. He spoke about nostalgia for the whirlwind of youth on the project, describing a time when everyone involved pushed hard to stand out, to move faster, to take risks, and to prove themselves day after day. He noted that those early years were marked by a collective energy where participants chased new heights together, a dynamic that seems rare to recapture every time the cameras roll again. Behind the scenes, he observed, the performers often carried a quiet fatigue, a reminder that the grind and intensity of the competition left its mark even on the most enthusiastic contestants.
“He who has no longing has no heart, you understand?” he remarked, framing longing as a core ingredient of artistry and persistence.
Another public figure, Yana Churikova, previously shared her take on the Star Factory’s current relevance. She suggested that the show might not hold the same weight today, arguing that modern young artists can showcase their work online with less reliance on traditional producers. Her view reflects a broader shift in the music industry, where exposure and audience engagement increasingly happen through digital platforms, enabling emerging talents to build audiences on their own terms.
Natalya Podolskaya, speaking in April, recalled the emotional moments from her time on Star Factory. She described a period of two weeks filled with tears, followed by a sense of relief and renewal through meaningful interactions with fellow contestants. Her reflections highlighted the lasting bonds formed on the set and the ongoing friendships that endure beyond the show’s end. Podolskaya also mentioned her continued friendship with Yulianna Karaulova, a fellow participant she met during the production, underscoring how those connections extend well past the competition itself.
Taken together, these voices sketch a nuanced portrait of Star Factory: a launchpad that generated unforgettable memories and shaped the careers of several artists, while evolving in step with a rapidly changing music landscape where online promotion and social engagement play increasingly central roles. The conversations about nostalgia, the value of mentorship, and the dynamics of competition all point to a broader conversation about how talent rises in the modern era and how artists maintain their edges once the spotlight moves on.