Gay Icon Verka Serduchka
Verka Serduchka (aka Andriy Danylko) is the most famous drag persona in the Ukraine.
Danylko invented the character of Verka Serduchka in 1990. Verka is a flamboyant middle-aged woman from a rural family and makes a living as a railroad sleeping car attendant. Since then Verka has rocketed to stardom.
Verka represented Ukraine in the 2007 Eurovision competition with the song “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”. The selection of Verka was controversial and heavily criticized in local media and by Ukrainian politicians, saying Verka was “grotesque and vulgar". But Verka got the last laugh - the song came in 2nd in a field of 24 countries.
A writer for the British newspaper The Guardian even called "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" as the "best song never to win Eurovision".
Later Verka was a judge on the show that picks future Ukraine Eurovision representatives, and appeared in Melissa McCarthy’s film “Spy” (2015). Verka also judged on X-Factor on Ukrainian TV (2016-2019) and The Masked Singer (2021).
Although Andriy Danylko threatened to retire his Verka persona, he continue to perform in drag - especially as a voice against Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. Verka has performed in numerous fundraisers for Ukraine.
Verka sold Freddie Mercury’s 1974 Rolls Royce at auction in 2022, for £250,000. The auction house waved fees and the buyers premium. So that entire proceeds (£286,250 or $327,600) were donated to help fund a modern rehabilitation and prosthesis center in Ukraine for victims of the war.
Andrii Danylko was awarded the Order of Merit Third Class in 2022 by the President of the Ukraine.
Danylko has stated that he does not appear in drag outside of performing as Verka. It’s also been reported he occasionally dates women. But Verka is still an inspirational LGBT+ icon.
2007 Eurovision performance
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Käärijä Fan Music Video - Dancing Lasha Tumbai
To dance or not to dance
✨It's not a question✨
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Finnish Kasmir's version of 2007 Eurovision hit, Ukraine's Dancing Lasha Tunbai.
This is a Finnish National Broadcasting company's feel-good show, where invited celebrities decide what favorite songs they want to hear live. You can see which of the guests get the idea and which ones not 😁
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“Spirit In The Sky” (Norway 2019)
“Dancing lasha tumbai” (Ukraine 2012)
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Stjernekamp 2021 - Alexandra, Heidi and Jorun whit «Dancing Lasha Tumbai»
Still cracks me up
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i need a studio version of Eleni covering Lasha Tumbai, STAT!
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Here's the #Lazarusheart ‘Verka - PopArt' t-shirt in #RealLife, inspired by the iconic Verka Serduchka and her Eurovision entry ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’
Get yours now at @Redbubble (link in bio) ...
🔴 https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/114082021?asc=u #Redbubble #eurovision #esc #unitedbymusic #ukraine #verka #verkaserduchka #lashatumbai #dancinglashatumbai #popart
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i was reading a fic and it made me feel sad about myself and my future personal relationships so i watched the ‘07 eurovision song sensation dancing lasha tumbai and it made it better so moral of the story ukrainian drag queens are magic
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Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai 🪩
Eurovision 2007 - Ukraine
Lorsqu'on me parle de l'Eurovision, la première chose qui me vient en tête c'est le look déjanté de Verka Serduchka puis sa prestation totalement loufoque !
C'est à mon sens ce qui décrit le mieux l'Eurovision : Oser sortir de la norme, briller, performer ... et surtout pas trop se prendre au sérieux !
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Sometimes I listen to Dancing Lasha Tumbai just so I can hear the very much needed "I love you" from Verka Serduchka
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