Ukrainian singer Lama, whose real name is Natalia Dzenkiv, recently made headlines with surprisingly candid revelations about her financial expectations, past mistakes, and views on modern show business. In an exclusive segment for the Ranok u Velykomu Misti TV project, the 50-year-old artist opened up about what it takes to maintain her lifestyle in Kyiv.
When asked about her monthly financial needs, Lama admitted that to live comfortably in the Ukrainian capital without constantly counting pennies, she requires between $10,000 and $20,000. She playfully added that her ideal budget would be around $50,000, although she acknowledged that such an amount represents a ‘highly inflated level of comfort’. This reflects the often high hidden costs of being a public figure, which include maintaining a team, producing music, and constantly updating one’s wardrobe and stage appearance.
Aside from performing, Lama has historically supplemented her income by writing songs for other artists. While she stated she has largely stepped away from commercial songwriting to focus entirely on her own project, she revealed that the starting price for one of her custom compositions is $3,000. Given her track record of writing massive national hits that have earned her multiple music awards, including a Golden Disc, her pricing underscores her value in the competitive music industry.
During the interview, the singer did not hold back her criticism of the entertainment industry. Lama expressed her frustration with the hypocrisy, fake hype, and even the presence of illicit substances that sometimes plague the music scene. Instead of getting involved in showbiz drama, she prefers a tranquil life centered around her music, her loved ones, and her dogs. She noted that the only things that truly drain her energy are life’s uncertainties.
The conversation also delved into deeply personal territory. Lama shocked some fans by admitting that she had been unfaithful in past relationships. However, she explained this with striking philosophical maturity, noting that her soul was simply at a different level of development at that time. ‘I wouldn’t do it now because I have grown spiritually and passed those stages,’ she emphasized. Today, she is in a harmonious, trusting eight-year relationship with a partner who is 17 years her junior, highlighting that she never checks his phone because mutual trust is paramount.
Approaching the topic of her famously youthful appearance at 50, Lama denied undergoing extensive cosmetic surgeries. She relies on minimal Botox for her forehead and uses a microcurrent device at home to maintain her facial contours. Jokingly answering whether she is a ‘witch’ because of her ageless looks, she laughed and confirmed, ‘Yes, a witch! But an honest, bright, and decent one’. Ultimately, Lama’s latest interview paints a picture of an artist who is entirely comfortable in her own skin, spiritually grounded, and unapologetic about her worth.