Manizha "Russian Woman" | Russia Eurovision 2021 Interview

If you push Manizha down, she just gets up stronger. In the weeks after winning Russia's Eurovision 2021 selection with her song "Russian Woman", she faced an onslaught of hate from people who said she wasn't Russian enough since she was born in Tajikistan. “How do Russians look?" she says in our Zoom interview. "Can you explain it? Can you describe it? I can. I can look in the mirror and say that I am a Russian woman and I am proud...My mission is to not give up. I know that all the haters want me to give up… I have my voice. I have my music. And, I have my family. I’m not gonna cry because I’m going to Eurovision.”

And when she gets there she'll use her song to call on Russian women to stand up for their rights. “I’m doing all this because of Russian women — to say ‘Come on, girl. You can do anything you want to do.’ Say good-bye to patriarchy and let’s think about gender equality in our country. Let’s think about something really, really beautiful like your strength, your personal strength."

We also discuss abusive relationships, how her song is ironic and does NOT fit in the "drama genre", how her mother worked four jobs at the same time (including cleaning lady and cooker) to help the family make it after immigrating. "My mom inspired me so much so that’s why I will not give up and I will not listen to all these haters."

Manizha will sing "Russian Woman" for Russia at Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam. 

Interview: William - https://www.instagram.com/williamleeadams