Artem Semenov (Ursula)
Ukraine- Biography of Artem Semenov (Ursula)
- Early Musical Training
- Breakthrough and Career
- The Diva Ursula
- Future Plans and Personal Life
- Dual Identity
Biography of Artem Semenov (Ursula)
Artem Semenov, also known as Diva Ursula, is a Ukrainian singer and drag artist who performs both as a male tenor and a female soprano. He was born in 1986 in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine. Some sources claim his year of birth as 1987, but Artem himself asserts that he was born in 1986. His father worked as an engineer, and his mother was a cook. From an early age, Artem was passionate about the arts. He later shared that his mother primarily took care of his upbringing, as his father had to work long hours. According to Artem, he grew up surrounded by very creative and talented people.
Early Musical Training
At the age of 8, Semenov entered a music school with a focus on piano. It was there that his teachers noticed his beautiful voice, and he began to receive vocal training. At the age of 9, Artem developed a strong love for church choir singing, and his mother had to arrange for him to join the church choir. He decided to pursue a career related to church singing and enrolled in a music school to study choral conducting. At the same time, Artem continued to sing in the cathedral. In 2006, after graduating from the Kryvyi Rih Music School, Artem Semenov went to audition at the Lviv Conservatory for vocal studies. However, he soon moved to Kyiv as he was unable to find work in Lviv.
Breakthrough and Career
In 2007, Ukrainian music lovers heard about the young singer when Artem joined the duo 'DejaVu,' which became quite popular. However, the project did not last long. Artem's voice, which could switch between a male tenor and a flawless female soprano, caused a sensation in 2009 when he appeared on the STB television channel. He also became a finalist on the Ukrainian talent show 'Ukraine's Got Talent 2009.' Artem later admitted that he did not expect to achieve such a high result, finishing in second place. He even doubted whether he would make it to the top ten. However, the competition's judges saw his talent differently. Artem's performances of classical pieces took on a new and unexpected sound. Examples of this were his renditions of Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni's 'Adagio' and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera.'
The Diva Ursula
Artem Semenov is also known as Diva Ursula, and it is this transformation that largely defined his popularity as a drag performer. He has the wonderful Russian opera singer Lyubov Yuryevna Kazarnovskaya as his mentor, and it would be a great honor and pride for him to sing a duet with her.
Future Plans and Personal Life
Artem has plans for an international career but stated that he will always give concerts in Ukraine regardless of where he may work. He aims to release a solo album and has high hopes for his concert performances. In his creative work, Artem strives not to imitate anyone and to be individualistic. He describes himself as a religious person and has not undergone any gender reassignment surgeries. While he lives in a male body, the female attire is simply a stage persona. Artem is currently focused on learning Italian, and English is next on his list. It is also known that he smokes and has not been able to quit this habit yet. However, only time will tell if it will affect his voice. Artem believes that sleep is one of the most important things for an artist, as it allows for rest and rejuvenation. He shares that he always feels nervous before going on stage, as fear and excitement are constant companions for any artist. However, the recognition and appreciation of the audience are rewarding for him.
Dual Identity
Artem Semenov's dual identity sparks intrigue and interest. Who is he more - a man or a woman? Artem responded to this question by saying, "Every person has a percentage of masculinity and femininity within them. Some people have a higher percentage of one or the other. Nature has endowed me with a significant percentage of femininity. Therefore, I feel very comfortable and at ease in dresses and makeup. Of course, I don't walk around the streets in a dress every day, only on stage. People have different opinions, and I try not to pay attention to them."
