Russian singer Stas Mikhailov has described performing in front of indifferent crowds during the early stages of his career as a painful experience.
Speaking to the Russian digital publication NEWS.ru, the pop performer admitted that he spent his early years taking the stage before audiences who had no interest in him or his music.
Mikhailov explained that the cold reception hurt him deeply because the songs he was presenting to listeners were serious musical compositions. He said that performing meaningful material to people who ignored it created a difficult emotional challenge.
He recalled arriving at public events as an unknown artist where crowds did not know who he was and paid little attention while he sang. Mikhailov stated that he would never perform today in front of people who do not listen to his music.
Rise to fame in Russian pop
Mikhailov holds the title of People's Artist of Russia, an honorary state title reserved for the country's most prominent stage performers and cultural figures. Over a career spanning several decades, he established himself as one of the most commercially successful solo vocalists in the Russian Federation.
He achieved widespread national fame with his signature hit song Vse dlya tebya, which translates as Everything for You. The romantic ballad became an enduring radio staple and helped transition him from small concert halls to packed arena tours across major Russian cities.
Views on marriage and independence
The singer's reflections follow earlier public comments in which he shared his views on what the wife of a creative professional should be like. Mikhailov stated that a woman cannot serve as a producer for her own husband.
According to the singer, allowing a spouse to manage his career limits the man's personal freedom, making such a working arrangement impossible for a creative artist. He maintained that personal independence remains essential to his work both in the studio and on stage.
