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Zlata Ognevich: A Ukrainian Singer and Former Politician

Zlata Leonidivna Ognevich, born Inna Leonidivna Bordyuh on January 12, 1986, is a Ukrainian singer and former member of the Supreme Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). She represented Ukraine at the 2013 Eurovision Song Festival in Malmö with the song "Gravity," marking her successful debut in the competition after two previous attempts.

Born in Murmansk, Russia, Ognevich grew up in Sudak, Crimea, where her father, a military surgeon on a Soviet submarine, was transferred to in 1991. Before moving to Sudak, she had lived in various cities and countries. Her father's profession exposed the family to different cultures from an early age.

Ognevich graduated from the Rheingold M. Glière School of Music in Kiev and is a soloist of the Songs and Dance Set of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. She has Serbian origins on her father's side, with "zlato" meaning "gold" in Serbian, which inspired her stage name.

In 2010, Ognevich participated in Ukraine's national selection for Eurovision but failed to represent the country. However, she returned two years later and finished second with her song "Kukushka." The following year, she made another attempt at representing Ukraine but withdrew from the competition due to voting procedure complaints.

In 2013, Ognevich finally succeeded in winning Ukraine's national final with her song "Gravity," which earned her a spot as the country's representative at Eurovision. At the festival, she finished third overall with 214 points, receiving scores from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, and Moldova among others.

In addition to her music career, Ognevich has also pursued politics. She was elected to Ukraine's Supreme Rada in 2014 under the label of the Oleh Liachko Radical Party. Her experience as a politician likely influenced her approach to representing Ukraine at Eurovision, showcasing her versatility and dedication to both art and public service.

Throughout her career, Ognevich has demonstrated her talent for music and politics, leaving a lasting impact on Ukrainian culture and beyond.