Not a holiday romance at all. Irina Saltykova told how she defeated cancer
Recently, at a buffet reception at an event, young people came up to me and said: “Ira, how do you manage not to change with the times? You just get better.” I answer jokingly: “Well... Thanks to champagne. This is an excellent means of youth,” and I point to the glass in my hand.” Well, what could I tell them? (Laughs.)
- Irina, are there other versions of why you really don’t change much with age?
The main version, which is also true: I have an easy character. Positivity, the absence of envy and malice towards others prevent people from aging. This is absolutely true! I know how to be happy for others, not compare other people’s achievements with my own, not gloat and achieve what I want without relying on anyone. I believe that all people are good. In my youth I was tougher: one mistake, and I broke off relations with the one who made it. And now I understand and accept people. And if they say about someone: “He is this and that,” I defend him. And in general I treat people well. Although... There was only one “set-up” in my life when, in response to kindness, I received a “slap on the head.” This refers to my divorce. Then I, essentially still a girl, naively batting my eyes, believed that everything in this world was cute, beautiful, decent. The reality turned out to be cruel, I understood the lesson perfectly: life is not as sweet as it seems, you need to be careful with people, not to trust. This revelation was not painless; the scar on my heart remained for life.
Thank God, it doesn’t bleed, and there were no other similar situations. But just in case, I don’t let anyone close to me, I stay with people at arm’s length. I have one and only girlfriend, with whom I have been friends since the 1990s. I trust her.
- But it’s hard to live like that...
Don't tell me. We react emotionally only to the actions of loved ones; strangers do not hurt us much. It is difficult for them to make me angry and lose my temper, even when something out of the ordinary happens.
I'll tell you a recent incident. A friend, the owner of a beauty salon, with whom we spent a lot of time together, called and, as if by the way, said: “Ira, come, they will make you up, comb your hair and shoot you on the cover of a magazine for our salon and for social networks.” It turns out that this is an advertisement for her establishment! I felt funny, I didn’t know how to react, but I refused, citing being busy. They don't serve me there for free.
With parents Valentina Dmitrievna and Ivan Alekseevich. Photo: From the personal archive of Irina Saltykova
- Well, the young lady wanted to monetize her friendship, but for some reason you are against it.
She probably should have offered something different. I approach this with humor, I’m not offended, but I draw conclusions. For me, friendship is when they are not looking for benefits, when they can break down and come help at any time of the day or night. Do you know what amazes me? It seems to many: Saltykova is a calculating bitch. In fact, we still need to look for such a decent person, even if it sounds immodest. People have been gossiping about me all my life, spreading ridiculous gossip, I’m used to it.
- For example? What was the last thing that surprised you?
I got a new car, which I drove to a certain salon on business. And it began: “Saltykova has a new lover.”
Yes, I bought it myself! (Laughs.) But shouldn’t we tell everyone we meet about this? I personally am not at all interested in who drives what car and where it came from.
But I would rather think that you bought the car yourself because you give the impression of an independent and independent woman.
I want to completely confuse everyone, so I will tell some that I bought the car myself, and others that it was a gift from a lover. Or even two! (Laughs.) If people have nothing to talk about, then let them talk about me. Indifference is more unpleasant, but interest, even of this kind, amuses.
Ira, in the mid-1990s, your songs came from every window! And in any commercial tent there were cassettes with your photo on the cover. Are you ready for such incredible popularity?
I don’t know how to explain the fact that people still come up on the streets, even abroad, say hello and say: “Ira, thank you. We remember and love your songs." Popularity is a serious test; now I would not like to be at its peak, which occurred in the mid-1990s. I worked from morning to evening: 35 concerts a month - can you imagine the workload? In 1995, I remember, I showed up at home for a day and again - for about thirty days on tour. It’s amazing that I had enough strength and emotions to work hard, I can’t find another word. Why do I need this life now? Don't want! My mother stayed with my daughter then, I am grateful to her for that. From the perspective of an adult, I think this is abnormal. In general, children of famous people have a difficult time.
- Children of famous people have a hard time. But Alice is smart, strong and coped with difficulties. With my daughter. Photo: From the personal archive of Irina Saltykova
- Did your daughter tell you about this?
No, Alice never spoke out on this topic, but I think there was a problem. Especially considering that she is also the daughter of divorced parents who do not communicate with each other. This always affects the child. The press did not spare us, Aliska got it in this sense, she had to read a lot about her family. But she is smart, strong and coped with difficulties.
Irina, how did it happen that you, without being a professional singer, having performed one single song “Gray Eyes”, immediately became a noticeable figure in show business? Who helped?
In October 1994, I divorced Saltykov and began to figure out how to live further and what to do. I had a small business - commercial tents, but this was not a woman’s business... I remember that I was completely confused, did not understand where to go to work, and decided to turn towards show business, which is closer and clearer than everything else. I consulted with someone I knew. She said that she would like to try to record a good song - maybe ask Igor Nikolaev? They answer me (I don’t remember who it was): “Ir, you don’t know Oleg Molchanov?! He writes such good songs! I can introduce you." A week later a significant meeting took place. Oleg brought the song “I Throw Flowers on the Asphalt”; by the way, no one has recorded it yet. I liked the phrase, but not the song itself. The second place was “Gray Eyes”. “They tell me: “You’re crazy!” And I say: “I’ll figure it out myself,” - some kind of nonsense, I thought.
Oleg says with conviction: “You don’t understand, it will be a hit, let’s record it.”
I decided to take a risk. This happened on February 1, 1995. Oleg is delighted. Shouts: “Ira, you’re cool! Let's shoot a video now." I didn’t want, I didn’t believe in great success. Oleg not only convinced me, but, one might say, forced me to continue working. The song was broadcast on August 27, and in the fall I went on a big tour around the country.
- Is it true that you almost sold your apartment to film the video?
No, the video cost about $20,000 at that time, I borrowed that amount. Nowadays young directors will film whatever you want for two rubles, but times were different then.
- Twenty years ago, was it easier to break into the stage?
It was always difficult - and every year it seemed: now everything is completely impossible. Nevertheless, as you can see, new faces come, and the people themselves choose whom to listen to. By what rules, I don’t know. They noticed me, which means they found something interesting: in the performance, in the songs, in the appearance, in the end. In the same year as me, Andrei Gubin entered the starting line, and much more money was invested in his promotion. There were other artists whose names no one will remember.
After the first broadcast of “Gray Eyes,” tours began, record companies wanted to buy the album. Where did I get it from? There was one more song, “A Doll’s House,” and that was it. I go to Molchanov: “What should I do?” He promised to write a few more songs in a month. At discos, where they were most often invited to perform, they had to sing “Gray Eyes” and “A Doll’s House”, twice each, in different arrangements. In general, my appearance on the stage turned out to be a pure gamble. (Laughs.)
The first solo concert took place in Nizhny Novgorod. By that time, there were already a dozen songs in the repertoire, but still not enough for an hour and a half concert. I performed “Gray Eyes” four times in a row, and after that I was not invited to Nizhny for several years. Well, so what, I had to earn money, I raised a child alone.
“I decided to take a risk, although I didn’t believe in great success. On August 27, the song “Gray Eyes” was heard on air for the first time, and in the fall I went on a big tour. Photo: Arsen Memetov
- And apparently you dreamed of becoming a famous singer?
I didn't mean to! And she did practically nothing to become one.
Well, of course! And the “Blue Eyes” video is so frank that it was even banned from showing on federal channels. Who suggested focusing on sexuality? It was the right move; it was impossible not to remember you.
I never had a director, producer or any advisors. You either have sexuality or you don’t. But it’s difficult for me to evaluate myself objectively. I can only say one thing: no one taught me, and I didn’t play. And she took her first steps on the stage on a whim. She spared no expense on costumes for the dancers or on productions.
Now, of course, it all looks different, I see many mistakes in the performances of those years: in vocals, and in movements, and in the same clothes. But the songs were good, with smart and deep lyrics:
Listen, little sister, it's time for you to grow up.
Where and with whom did you disappear until the morning today...
I'll just look into your eyes and silently hug you,
For now, little sister, you don’t need to know the truth.
My grandmother can't sleep again,
But nothing bad will happen to me:
She will pray for me
He will take the evil one out of trouble.
- Vital!
Sometimes I make fun of it and at parties, when someone is being smart, I say: “I’ll read you poetry.” And I begin:
It's hard to be lonely, but it's easy to be free
To be a draw, to be distant,
Toaka a star, yes.
It's hard to be lonely, smart and crazy
Be gentle and cruel sometimes, yes.
Everyone listens carefully, making guesses to which famous poet the poems belong. And I continue: “These eyes, these blue eyes...” And people laugh. I was lucky: the songs were really worthwhile. I completely trusted their authors - Molchanov and Arkady Slavorosov. He was a very cool poet, a genius! May he rest in heaven...
Ira, you mentioned Alisa, your daughter. She is already 29 years old and has been living abroad for a long time. Because of your constant absence while the girl was growing up, did the relationship deteriorate?
No, Aliska and I are very close. I suspect that subconsciously she probably distanced herself from my popularity and wanted to get away from the attention of her family. He has been living abroad for 13 years. At first, when she just went to school in France, it was difficult for me, I was very bored... And then I realized that leaving was good for Alice. Excessive maternal care and concern interferes with adolescents. They must experience life with their own hands. The daughter graduated from the University of London (Queen Mary University of London) with a degree in drama and another in vocal. Remained in Britain to live. He writes poetry and prose brilliantly, mostly in English, and sings beautifully. I say this objectively, not as a mother. Her vocals are wonderful, listen to them. (Enables phone recording.)
- I was naive, I believed that everything in this world was sweet, beautiful, decent. Reality turned out to be cruel (1998). Photo: From the personal archive of Irina Saltykova
- Impressive! Does Alisa perform somewhere or sing for herself?
No, of course not for myself. Talita (this is her pseudonym) so far mostly performs at private events and in clubs. But he thinks little about earning money, like most creative people. (With a smile.)
Alice amazes me. She knows that I still want to work, but where can I get good songs? Sing all sorts of nonsense? Don't want. Once I shared that my creativity had probably come to an end, I would finish singing old songs in group concerts and retire.
And suddenly Alice calls and says: “Mom, I’m giving you a gift.” And he sends a new song, “Following Me,” written especially for me. It has a deep meaning, the music is interesting, it is fundamentally different from everything I sang before - that’s what makes it interesting! I was happy: I could finally show my vocals. And those who say: “Oh, Saltykova, what other vocals?” - they will be surprised. My voice, by the way, has a large range, I need to practice, but I’m lazy. But the potential is huge. Alice knows about this. In general, I recorded it and, under my daughter’s pressure, made a video, but our television is biased, so we’re just having fun, not counting on a wide response.
Soon Alice wrote another song, better than the first:
The word "but"
It changes everything, turns it upside down
upside down.
This is a "but"
Just the word "but"
You repeat “but”...
The light will illuminate your face in my shadow.
You close the door without turning the keys.
Fear has penetrated through you, your head is in the sand -
Hiding in lies without learning your lesson.
You can’t say it directly, because the truth gnaws.
Hiding under your skin...
There's a lot to think about here. Alice said that she would not write to me about love, because I had already sung everything about it. And then the other day she sent a third song. Simply gorgeous! I call: “Aliska, I’m proud of you!” I'll be flying to London soon to record. I understand that millions of people remember and love my old songs. Some will understand the new ones, some will not, but I want to show a different level of Irina Saltykova. Alice inspired me, although I didn’t expect or ask for help from her at all.
- Doesn’t your daughter want to make a name for herself in Russia, try her hand at the same “Voice”?
I persuade her, but she says: “Mom, wait, give me time.” She has her own thoughts on self-realization. At her age, I didn’t listen to anyone either. Alice is a mature person, I once raised her, now she raises me. Thanks to my daughter, she manages to look at the world from different angles and accept someone else’s position without being categorical. When Aliska drew a tattoo on her back, I was upset. For what?! Over time, what to do with it? And then I looked carefully - but it’s beautiful! Alice more or less calmly accepted the decision to change her hair color from a natural blonde to a brunette. This is her private matter. When should you experiment, if not in your youth?
- Is she not going to get married yet? At her age you had a family...
Once we were talking about men, and in response to her statement that it was not at all necessary to get married, I exclaimed: “Alice, I want to realize myself to the fullest and wait for my grandchildren!” She calmly says: “Mom, let’s be honest... Can your experience of family life be called good?” “Normal experience,” I answer. - “Well, I don’t want the same thing. I have my own life."
I immediately did not agree with this position; I myself grew up as a Soviet girl. I wanted marriage, borscht and children. I didn’t think about self-realization at all then, but this is important. In general, after thinking about it, I decided: there is no need to impose my own vision of a happy life on my daughter. Today she understands and feels this way, and that’s good. Maybe when he falls in love, everything will change.
- Today I live enjoying life, regardless of the presence or absence of a man nearby. Agree, not every married woman can boast of the same. Photo: Arsen Memetov
- Ira, tell me honestly, did you yourself receive from men the amount of love that you would like?
Although hundreds of novels are attributed to me, in fact there were only two serious ones, not counting marriage. And all of them are long-lasting. I lived in marriage for seven years, then I had relationships with two men. Each lasted six years. Immediately after the divorce, there were, of course, fleeting romances that are not worth talking about. Then I perceived men as pests and did not trust them. Then she began to choose the wrong ones, choosing the weak, the led. Unconsciously, apparently hoping that such people would not hurt me.
Finally I met a fantastic man whom I still remember to this day. Noble, well-mannered, educated, intelligent...
I looked after her in such a way that it seemed to me that I was a queen in a fairy tale. But our romance did not affect everyday life; if we lived under the same roof, I don’t think it would have worked out as a family. After we broke up, I again made the mistake of connecting my life with a weak, complex man. When she broke up with him, she laughed: “Well, Irina Ivanovna, have you played enough?”
Now I have become smart and understand that I need a strong shoulder. In addition, you need to believe not in words, but in actions, analyze them, noticing little things: how well-mannered the chosen one is, how educated he is, how he relates to his parents, to strangers. But I always lived one day at a time, not paying attention to anything at all, and this is wrong. That's why the result is like this. But I don’t complain, thanks to life for the lessons. Another question is that it would be better if I completed them a little earlier.
Today I feel absolutely happy, regardless of the presence or absence of a man nearby. I live enjoying myself. Agree, not every married woman can boast of the same. In the morning I woke up, looked out the window of my country house at the sun-drenched meadow and thought: “How beautiful!”
Not everyone will brag, that's for sure. And yet there are probably a lot of men around you. Are you not thinking about starting a family?
There are millions of lonely women. There are a lot of brides both in their twenties and in their thirties. I try not to make plans for the future: whatever happens. I’m definitely not going to strain myself for men. I need someone who will appreciate me without any tricks. And who will not irritate me in the first minute of the conversation. But for now I meet more and more men with a minus sign. Uneducated, ill-mannered, not...
But I need one with a plus sign! But I am sure that everything will be fine for a self-sufficient, happy woman.
Education: graduated from Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics
Family: daughter - Alisa (29 years old), musician, playwright
Career: On February 1, 1995, she recorded her first song, “Gray Eyes,” with music by Oleg Molchanov and lyrics by Arkady Slavorosov, which became a hit. Since the summer of the same year - a solo career.
She starred in the films: “Brother 2”, “Wings”, “Kulagin and Partners”, etc.
During a conversation with TV presenter Lera Kudryavtseva, Viktor Saltykov had to talk about his relationship with his ex-wife Irina Saltykova. He remembered that they met on tour in Sochi.
Victor Saltykov: “I saw it and realized: “Wow, wow.” The certain effect it produced put me into a bit of a stupor.”
He proposed to his first wife, Irina Saltykova, when she was already pregnant. The artist openly said that she was going to have an abortion, but Victor dissuaded her from this decision.
Victor Saltykov: “After that we went and signed.”
They spent eight years together. But, according to him, only in the first year everything was fine. Saltykov believes that he simply was not ready for family life, like Irina.
Soon Irina Saltykova herself appeared in the studio. The meeting of the former spouses started coldly. The artist waved away her ex-husband, who was trying to hug her, with the words “Fuck you!” And then she began to accuse her ex-husband of constantly lying.
But the artist was able to forget about all the grievances for a short time. She spoke with warmth in her voice about meeting Victor. Then the conversation turned to the topic of their life together, and a skirmish immediately broke out between the former spouses. Irina herself claims that she was an ideal housewife, but her ex-husband did not agree with her. Discussing a financial issue in their family, they again did not agree. According to the artist, when they got married, Victor had nothing, and they celebrated the celebration itself at the expense of her parents. He began to earn decent money, as Ira said, only after two years.
Irina Saltykova: “He managed the money himself, he hid it and didn’t remember it. But when my mother started cleaning, she found money behind the closet and under the carpet.”
As a result, Ira announced that “he was greedy for the family.” According to her, she did not receive expensive gifts. Despite all the complaints, the artist admitted that Victor supported her in difficult situations. As she admitted, at the beginning of their relationship there was indeed true love, but everything soon fell apart.
Irina Saltykova: “He is, of course, a weak person, he falls under the influence, he drank.”
Then Saltykova said that she kicked him out for the first time, demanding that he be coded for alcoholism, because Victor drank “from morning to evening.” They made peace after Victor was robbed, and Irina came to him to support him. After that they spent another three years together. But problems began again due to Victor’s drunkenness, who more than once raised his hand to Irina. According to her, this was the main reason for the divorce.
In addition, Irina said that her husband cheated on her during her marriage. Saltykov himself honestly admitted that he was not faithful to her, but emphasized that he always tried to improve relations with his wife through conversations. Irina also admitted to cheating, but, according to her, she was driven by the desire to take revenge on her husband.
As a result, Victor and Irina attacked each other with accusations. The artist called his ex-wife a bitch, and she responded by recalling that he did not pay her alimony after the breakup.
Irina Saltykova: “You are a stupid idiot. You are either a goat or a ram. You’re talking rubbish.”
After this, the conversation turned to their daughter Alice. And the couple continued to argue.
Irina Saltykova:“You are not a man, you are worse. You’re not even a woman, although it looks very much like that.”
At the end, the main question worth a million awaited Viktor Saltykov. Did the artist decide to reveal his most terrible secret shared with Irina? The answer is in the release of the program "".
Irina Ivanovna Saltykova is a Russian singer, actress, businesswoman, whose popularity peaked in the second half of the 90s. Performer of the hits “Gray Eyes”, “Blue Eyes”, winner of the “Golden Gramophone” (1996) and “Ovation” (1998) awards.
Irina Saltykova (before Sapronov’s marriage) was born on May 5, 1966 in the Tula region, in the city of Severo-Zadonsk. The girl grew up in a simple, poor family: her father Ivan Alekseevich Sapronov worked as a machinist, and her mother Valentina Dmitrievna worked in a kindergarten. Irina has an older brother, Vladislav, born in her mother’s first marriage. When the girl turned 11 years old, the family moved to Novomoskovsk, Tula region.
Until the age of 12, Irina was seriously involved in rhythmic gymnastics; the girl even managed to pass the standard for a candidate for master of sports. At competitions, Sapronova repeatedly received prizes. In addition to sports, she was fond of handicrafts and attended sewing and knitting clubs.
After graduating from school, the future singer entered a construction college, where she was a student from 1981 to 1985. After technical school, the girl was supposed to leave for assignment in Tula, but decided to try her luck in the capital. Purposeful Irina continued her studies at the Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics, which she graduated in absentia in 1990. Exact sciences were given to Irina with ease, the graduate defended her diploma with “excellent” marks, despite this, fate prepared a different scenario for the girl.
Music
In 1989, Irina Saltykova became the soloist of the then popular group “Mirage”. In the group, where, in addition to Irina, she began performing, the singer stayed for three months, after which she got a job in the Delhi variety show. By that time, the artist was already married and had a daughter.
In 1993, Irina tried to start a business, for which she purchased trading tents. The business failed, and troubles in family life pushed the girl to a solo singing career. Saltykova had to sell the tents, and the proceeds were spent on the release of the first song.
Saltykova’s full-fledged singing debut took place in 1994 at a concert that took place in the capital on the stage of the Warsaw cinema. Then Irina performed the song “Let Me Go,” which was later included in the first album.
A few months later, the singer recorded her debut composition “Gray Eyes”, the composer and author of which were Oleg Molchanov and Arkady Slavorosov. This hit became Saltykova’s calling card. The singer's inexpressive vocal abilities were more than made up for by her attractive appearance and seductive behavior. For that time, the video for the song “Gray Eyes” turned out to be provocative, filled with erotic meaning.
In 1995, the first album of the same name was released, which sold out in huge quantities, second only to the collection. The songs “Yes and No” and “Clear Falcon” also become hits. A year later, the artist received the Golden Gramophone award for the musical composition “Gray Eyes.”
The stunning success was cemented by the release of Irina’s next disc, “Blue Eyes” (1996). The video was not inferior to the singer’s previous video in terms of the piquantness of some scenes, so the management of the ORT TV channel did not dare to air it. But in 1997, the ambitious artist held two solo concerts - at the Moscow Rossiya Concert Hall and the St. Petersburg Oktyabrsky Concert Hall, and then went on a tour. Irina, who is short (height 159 cm, weight 51 kg), knew how to excite the audience with her own songs and dances.
A year later, Saltykova was still traveling around the country giving solo concerts. In 1998, the artist’s next album, “Alice,” was released, dedicated to her daughter. Irina shot videos for songs from the disc “By-bye” and “White Scarf”. The musical compositions of the disc turned out to be more soulful and lyrical, for which the album received the national Ovation award. At the turn of the century, the artist starred in a photo shoot for the Russian version of Playboy, which caused a stir among fans of the publication. The magazine's management decided to expand the circulation.
In 2001, Irina Saltykova released another album “Destiny” with the hits “Sunny Friend”, “Ogonki”, “If You Want”, “Strange Love”, “Alone”, video clips for which were created by popular music video directors Igor Korobeinikov and Vladislav Opelyants. Teasers for the fifth album “I am yours” in 2004 were clips for the songs “I miss you”, “I am yours”, “Hello-hello”, “Knock-knock”, released a year earlier.
In total, Irina Saltykova released six albums, the last of which was “Byla was not…” (2008). In 2009, together with Diane Martel, an American video director and choreographer, the artist released the video “Tears of Glamor,” in which she showed fans her impeccable physical shape.
Movies
Having conquered the singing Olympus, Irina Saltykova decided to try herself in cinema. The singer had her first chance to star in a feature film in 2000, when the director invited the singer to the film “Brother-2”. Then Irina got a secondary role, but the artist’s work was positively assessed by viewers and critics.
In 2001, Saltykova again starred as herself, but in Igor Korobeinikov’s film “Wings”. The film combines fiction, reportage and documentary filming. In 2002, the singer appeared in Stanislav Mareev’s action film “Russian Special Forces”. This time the actress got the main role of an FSB agent. In the same year, the film “Provincials” was released, in which the star again played herself. Then a break began in Saltykova’s acting biography.
From 2005 to 2011, the singer starred in the series “Kulagin and Partners”, in 2009 she participated in the project “Give Youth!”. The main roles in the popular sketch show were played by actors from the STS and TNT TV channels - , . In 2011, with the participation of Saltykova, the series “Pilot of International Airlines” was released.
In 2008, Irina Saltykova released two books - “Encyclopedia of Beauty from Irina Saltykova” and “A Great Gift for Supergirls from Irina Saltykova.”
In the second half of the 2000s, the singer opened her own style salon “Irina Saltykova”, which was located on Savvinskaya embankment. The artist benefited from her experience in concert activities, when she had to sew costumes, do makeup, and choreograph dances herself. In addition to selling branded clothing, the salon employees provided tailoring and repair services for casual and outerwear. At the beginning of 2015, Saltykova closed the company due to unprofitability.
Personal life
Irina met her future husband on vacation in Sochi. At that time (1985) Saltykov was a very popular performer, the lead singer of the Forum group. The whole country knew the band’s songs “Let’s Call,” “Island,” and “White Night.” The meeting happened by chance, like in a fairy tale. Irina and her friend went out for an evening walk along the embankment; young people walked towards them, one of whom presented the girl with several bouquets of flowers. This charming stranger turned out to be Victor.
The wedding of Irina and Victor took place in 1987, the girl took her husband’s surname. That same year, the couple had a daughter, Alice. The couple's marriage lasted 8 years. The crisis in the relationship of the spouses coincided with the creative crisis of Viktor Saltykov. The singer's popularity turned out to be fleeting. This pushed the artist to go to great lengths. Irina had to endure her husband’s drunken brawls and even assault. However, the singer learned a lot from her relationship with Saltykov. Marriage gave her a daughter and life experience. The artist took up music despite her husband.
Later in her personal life, Irina Saltykova did not experience a lack of attention from men, but none of the romances ended in marriage. In the late 90s, the girl was credited with a relationship with a representative of the criminal world. In 2000, the singer was spotted several times in the company of a Russian hockey player. The artist’s last chosen one was an entrepreneur named Igor, whose relationship Irina stopped hiding in 2013.
In 2016, Saltykova posted on her own account in “ Instagram"joint photos with the actor, after which Irina’s fans suggested the existence of a close relationship between the artists. What added piquancy to the situation was the fact that Alexander is married and has no intention of getting a divorce.
Irina Saltykova now
In 2016, Irina Saltykova returned to show business. The artist released the album “Previously Unreleased”, as well as the single “Follow Me” by video director Alisher. At the anniversary concert organized in honor of the cult film “Brother 2,” Irina Saltykova acted as co-host of showman Oleg Garkusha. The program of the gala event included songs for the film - “Colonel” (“Bi-2”), “Earth” (“Masha and the Bears”), “Secret” (“Agatha Christie”), “TuLuLa” (), “Life Line "("Spleen") and others.
In the same year, with the participation of the artist, and also on Channel One, the premiere of the show “Without Insurance” took place. Irina easily coped with rhythmic gymnastics exercises, the artist performed on a balance beam and did a routine with clubs. Nikita Onishchenko, master of sports in sports acrobatics, regularly appeared in a duet with the singer.
At the end of the summer of 2017, the singer presented a new song “The Word “But”, and also gave an interview for the newspaper “Source of News”, where she said that she would only marry a real colonel. The artist began a creative collaboration with her daughter Alisa, who is now creating musical material for her mother’s solo project. Alisa lives in two countries - Russia and England, and writes music for the English-speaking public, but for the sake of her mother she made an exception. The girl called one of the songs “Girl - B.”
Discography
- 1995 - “Gray Eyes”
- 1996 - “Blue Eyes”
- 1998 - “Alice”
- 2001 - “Destiny”
- 2004 - “I’m yours”
- 2008 - “It was not there...”
- 2016 - “Previously unreleased”
Filmography
- 2000 – “Brother-2”
- 2001 – “Wings”
- 2002 – “Russian special forces”
- 2002 – “Provincials”
- 2005-2011 – “Kulagin and Partners”
- 2009 – “Give youth!”
- 2011 – “International Airlines Pilot”
The singer has been giving concerts depending on her mood lately, she hardly goes to social parties, and recently rumors have spread that she is moving to live in Italy...
Irina Saltykova.
press service materials.
“I’m not moving anywhere,” Irina answered. “It’s just that now my daughter and I are relaxing in Forte dei Marmi. Recently, I have made changes in my work schedule: touring from time to time, not thirty concerts a month, as before. Still, you need to be able to rest. And if in Moscow the atmosphere is very tense, then here you get pleasure: both from the food and from the fact that sometimes you simply do nothing.
— Even shopping doesn’t attract you?
— Now I don’t buy as many things as before. But in general, when you put on something new, you feel different, just like when you took a shower - that’s the feeling. I travel often and always bring something back. I have four closets in my house. Summer, winter, for rare items and for the stage.
— What do you plan to do upon returning to the capital?
— In the summer, my plans are mainly related to travel. Now I’m in Forte dei Marmi, but we also want to go to Capri, Sardinia. Perhaps in August we will go on a yacht to Croatia. Then France, Cote d'Azur. In general, we love to take a car and travel around Europe in it.
— Who’s driving, if it’s not a secret?
- Like who? My common-law husband. I rest myself, I don’t drive!
— Is there a chance that your fans will hear new hits from Irina Saltykova?
—Are you talking about creative plans? There is such a singer Natalie, who once sang one song “The wind blew from the sea”, and now she sang “Oh, God, what a man”... Creative plans are when there will be a hit song. But this is unpredictable. You need to write one hit, not a hundred. There's no point in releasing an album now. My daughter has much more creative plans, and I rejoice at her achievements even more than mine. And at my age, issues of personal life are already more important. I think this is also creativity.
— There are rumors that you have almost closed your clothing business too...
— I am a business person. But sometimes business people also get overwhelmed when they put too much pressure on themselves. That's why now I rest more than work. Business, of course, remained, but purely for our own, at least. I give things away for sale, take orders - and that’s it. I worked from morning to night for three years and was very exhausted physically and mentally during this time. I don't even want to think about work. This is not a woman's business. (Laughs.)
— You have always been a very independent person both in your musical career and in business. Now you also don’t need anyone or is your common-law husband still helping?
- It helps a lot. I don't want to live alone, this is wrong. It seems to me that a woman should live with a man, it’s easier physically, morally, and financially. My husband helps me in all aspects, I feel good and easy with him. And it shouldn't be any other way. I remember how my husband left me with a child in his arms - and in my life then there was only work, and nothing else. It shouldn't be this way.
- So you were lucky to meet your person?
“I don’t know, maybe I was lucky, or maybe that’s how it should be.” We come up with what we want. And God gives this to us. It’s important not just to meet each other and live for a couple of years. It is important to maintain the relationship. Of course, my husband is not perfect and not the best. And even I sometimes not everyone likes me. But if you’ve already fallen in love and started a family, develop it further.
—You deliberately do not reveal the identity of your man?
— He has nothing to do with music, except that sometimes he sings karaoke. (Laughs.) By the way, there are songs that he does well, for example, by Irina Allegrova. In general, he is a businessman. And I think it’s not very correct and correct to reveal his person: well, he is and is. Everything is like people, in short.
- You have been together for several years. Have you considered the prospect of a wedding with a white dress?
“I ask myself this question all the time and can’t find an answer.” Who is all this for? For friends? Well, maybe - have fun, drink champagne. And if for yourself, then you don’t need a white dress. In general, it is better to just live.
— Due to the fact that you have more free time, you probably have new hobbies?
— I’m only involved in development. I want something new. For a year now I have been going to ballet for physical fitness, and for the soul I often visit theaters.
— I heard that you also impressed your friends with your design talent. After you completed renovations in your home, they began to ask you to work for others...
- It was like that. Maybe I’ll make some kind of apartment, but only for my people. In general, I want to take an architecture course.
— What are you proud of in your home?
— We have a huge veranda with a fireplace, a sofa, a large table, and a coal-fired samovar. There is a cauldron, we cook there. In general, I have always loved the comfort of home.
— I would like to talk about your daughter’s career. Many already know that Alice is making good progress in the music business in Europe...
— Alice’s task is to become a singer famous in the world. And I’m happy for her, because the person is creative, working on a solo career. I can’t tell you what she does specifically, because I don’t really know. She usually answers all my questions: “Mom, you can’t tell ahead of time!” She writes songs with different producers, works in clubs in London, but not much. Sometimes there are tours.
- At this rate, she can also overtake her mother...
“She overtook my mother a long time ago.” Now she must surpass the world's stars!
— How do a mother and an artist help a growing star?
- How can I help? Only morally. She doesn't even need my advice anymore. And the level of her vocal training is already such that I don’t even know how it’s done! The musical material is completely different. In general, she does everything herself. It’s hard for her, but for herself.
—Does she already earn money herself?
— He earns little for now. (Laughs.)
— You always said that you were friends with your daughter. Do you still have such a relationship?
“We always found a common language, even when I, as a mother, insisted on something, and my daughter wanted something completely different. And now I'm happy with it. She is smart and beautiful. Most importantly, smart. Well-mannered, talented and educated - what I wanted. But it’s too early to talk about achievements in the profession. Let him achieve results by the age of 30.
In the 80s, the fame of singer Viktor Saltykov thundered throughout the country. At the concerts of his group “Forum” the girls squealed with delight - absolutely everyone dreamed of marrying the handsome Vitya.
One summer, Forum came to Sochi. Construction institute student Irina and her friend also went there to rest. There are dark nights in the city of Sochi... It was there, at the most romantic resort of the Soviet Union, that this fatal passion broke out. Ira and Victor felt sympathy from the very first seconds of communication.
“Even now I remember this day very well,” says Irina. – It was May 18, 1986. My friend and I watched the Forum concert and went towards the embankment. We met the guys from the group by chance. We were noticeable girls, so we immediately attracted the attention of the boys. Victor gave me flowers and suggested we go to a restaurant.
Three days and four nights flew by in a single moment. On the beautiful white steamer “Forum” went further - on tour to Yalta, and Ira was supposed to return home to Moscow.
“We walked along the shore with him and were silent. Then they stopped, unable to part, recalls Irina. “The guys on the deck waved to Victor, made signs to hurry up, but he still stood with me on the shore. We looked at each other in silence, and suddenly, in an instant, tears flowed from each of our eyes...
He promised to call at six in the evening. She was waiting for this call and thought that there was no point in hoping for something serious, that he must have a lot of girls like that... But he called exactly at six. And then, too, he never deceived me - he was always as accurate as a clock.
“I couldn’t remember myself from joy.” This is probably what passion is: you feel reciprocity and feel the person as yourself,” says Irina.
Best of the day
One day Victor went on tour and made a detour to meet his beloved in Moscow. After this meeting, Victor invited Irina to his place in Leningrad.
“We didn’t leave the apartment for probably three days,” Irina laughs. “We didn’t need anyone in this world.”
The wedding took place in 1987 in the restaurant of the Intourist Hotel. At that time it was a big deal.
Who used whom?
Now to the question “Why did you break up?” Irina answers evasively: “Everything that is done is for the better.”
They said that Saltykov began to drink and cheat on his wife. And she seemed to be in no debt. There was a breakdown in the relationship.
“But there was love, and what kind of love,” Marina, Irina’s neighbor and friend, told us. – You can see it in your daughter. Gifted children like Alice are born only from great love. They were very happy until Vitya began to have a creative crisis...
Victor became different - not the same as Irina knew and loved him. He came home in the morning drunk. Once, in a fit of anger, he broke all the chandeliers in the house and broke the window in the bedroom. Relatives remember that Alice had a scar on her right hand for a long time: according to Irina’s stories, one day, returning home, drunk as always, Victor began to wake up his daughter. She woke up, got scared and cried. Victor began to shout at her, the girl tried to run out, pushed the door, broke the glass and injured her hand... The singer’s creative efforts became madness for his loved ones. They say that at Alla Pugacheva’s “Christmas Meetings,” Victor fell drunk right on stage. Violent scenes took place in the family in front of the daughter's eyes. But even after everything she had experienced, parting was not easy for Irina. She waited another four years - suddenly something would change. I didn't wait.
When she decided to divorce, she invited her neighbor to visit: “Let’s go, Marina, let’s buy vodka, I feel very bad and need to talk to you.” We bought vodka at a nearby kiosk. They put it on the table, but did not drink.
“Looking at this bottle, I suddenly realized: everything is gone. It's gone. My husband is not worth any of my sacrifices, I just have to be strong,” Saltykova recalls.
She was left alone with her 7-year-old daughter. No job, no money. And she became strong - there was nowhere to go! She started performing, singing, and recorded her debut album, “Gray Eyes,” which was liked by many, but not by Victor. He turned out to be among the most vehement critics of her work, and he still reminds her at every opportunity that she became famous by using his name, which had been promoted and not forgotten by that time.
– Many aspiring singers went on stage with their husband’s name promoted, but where are they now? – Saltykova grins. She is sure that she owes her success one hundred percent to herself.
From love to hate - a step. The Saltykovs know this firsthand. They do not meet, and if they appear on television cameras together, it is only on the occasion of another PR campaign...
After the divorce, Irina had many romantic encounters in her life. There were armfuls of flowers through the window, expensive gifts, passionate confessions, but what once happened to Victor never happened again. Now he is married, and she still has not met her prince. However, she does not despair, she says: “I’ll wait!”, only before she liked the out-of-touch and reckless, but now she liked the intelligent and well-mannered.