Lucy Diakovska

The red-haired “fury” Lucy Diakovska is one of the main reasons for Bulgaria’s popularity in Germany long before Dimitar Berbatov became the second symbol of our country there. Our girl even performs the Bulgarian national hymn in German in one of her TV – appearances. Although Lucy is a real megastar in Europe and together with her colleagues from the music group “No Angels” she already has over 5 million CDs sold, the singer started gaining more popularity and fans in our country mainly now – as one of the jury members of the TV show Music Idol. Her participation in such a music event is absolutely normal, especially after her happy star “rises” after she won similar type of German reality show which goal was to form a new girly pop-group based on the model of “Spice girls”. When you meet her, you see how smaller and thinner is the singer of hits like "Rivers of joy" and "Disappear", comparing to her look on the TV. However, she still emanates the same contagious enthusiasm. Honest, provocative and lacking any star-mania, it is obvious that in Lucy is still alive the girl, born in Pleven, who, as she likes saying, “is very wild and never, ever cries”.

Lucy, I won’t miss the chance to ask you from the very beginning were there candidates on Music Idol’s castings who tried to bribe you?
Bribing sounds too excessive – no, but there was a funny guy from Armenia who brought me sarmi* and even tried to sing "The Rivers of joy" - a song of my group “No Angels”. He did not do it very well, but it was funny. Essil Duran had even more striking moments, as she was not able even to recognize her songs, sang by some of the candidates.
You mentioned Essil, what are your general impressions from her? Do you appeal to each other?
- О, yes, we are in very good relations, I like with the other members of the jury too. When I met Essil for the first time, we spoke for 3 hours non-stop and at the end they couldn’t make us get up from the table. Similarly to me, she has traveled a lot; she has also been to Hamburg, where I live now. So we had many joint topics for conversation. I played for her some hits that I myself have composed and together we decided t hat they are in rock-folk style. Essil even expressed a desire to introduce me to the chief of Payner.
How do you like her songs and those of her pop-folk colleagues?
Unfortunately I have not listened to a lot of Essil` s songs, but one evening I accidentally saw one of her video clips. Although I could not recognize her at first, I definitely liked it. I like Anelia too. But Lepa Brena is maybe my biggest favorite since I was a little girl. I have a great number of her songs.
It is not a secret that the candidate-idol Ivan does not appeal too much to you. However, up to this moment he tends to be one of the vote leaders. How would you react, if he wins the show?
I prefer not to comment my personal attitude to the candidates. Yes, I have my own favorites, as well as people I do not like so much, but it is the audience that decides in the end.
Exactly like you, Azis too admitted his untypical sexual orientation openly. What is your opinion for him?
He is unique – amazing talent! I am very happy I was a guest in his show and that he visited us in Music Idol and as usual, did a great show there. However, I personally relate his music mainly to the folk and not so much to the modern pop-folk, or the so called chalga.
Who are your favorite pop and rock singers?
I admire Lilly Ivanova – for the fact that already 40 years she is always “on the ball” and possesses a unique music technique. I really like Georgi Hristov, Beloslava, Maria Ilieva and Mariana Popova. I am a rock girl deep in my heart, so groups like Review, Control, New Generation /Nova generacia/ are very close to my tastes.
You and No ANGELS are going to present Germany at the Eurovision competition in Beograd this year. What are your expectations?
We won a very severe competition in Germany. We expect to do great because we are preparing very seriously for the concourse and our song gathers more and more popularity. We hope as well that Bulgaria is going to support us at the finales and will vote for us.
You are very emotional? Do you lose your temper easily?
Usually I am a big diplomat and never start or enter conflicts, except with my mother, in case she has unrightfully accused me of something. However, in any way this does not mean that we don’t love each other.
What are your relations with your father – the famous opera singer Lubomir Diakovski?
To be honest, he is my best friend. I share everything with him and somehow he always manages to give me the right advice. I am extremely grateful to him – for everything he has given me.
One of your tattoos has the fine-spoken sign “Mom and dad”. Do you have others like that and what exactly?
I have made it a special tradition to tattoo my body for every birthday. I have a tattoo of a dragon on my back – since I am born in the year of the dragon, as well as a tattoo of a ram /my astral sign/ - on the back of my neck.
What is your opinion for the silicone and plastic surgery?
I personally do not need it, but whoever wants, is free to use it. Two of my colleagues in No Angels also have silicone.
After all is there something that you don’t like in yourself?
The only think I don’t like is the thin frog-like legs, everything else is perfect, I think. It is very important that a person likes and approves himself or herself – especially, the people like singers, artists etc. This is one of the thinks that I seek to find in the candidates for fame.
Do you have any fashion obsessions and what?
Unlike many of my colleagues, very rarely I seek the opinion of a professional stylist and I choose my clothes by myself. I have built my own style, without the need to become a “slave” of a certain trade mark or being too extravagant. After all, I would like to be noticeable and specific and not to merge with the crowd. The main think I pay attention to is the clothes to reveal my real self – to help me express myself.
Which is the think that you find extremely sexy in a woman and in a man?
The beautiful legs and the nice smile in women are always very sexy I look at men as a whole.
Do you think about children sometimes?
Me and pregnant? Taught question! Maybe I would adopt a kid some day, however in any case such decision should be thought upon a lot. I find very funny the people who decide to take a puppy in order not to be lonely.
A lot of people say that Germany is too ordered and boring country and the citizens – cold and conservative. After spending so many years in Germany, did you catch some of their typical features?
I am a very tidy and orderly person too, however for sure I am not conservative. But let me repeat again – orderly.
Which other countries you have been to and where would you choose to live? Do you have some preferences?
Fortunately my work can be done from various parts of Europe, so probably the Mediterranean would attract me some day. I really like Spain too – more than Italy or France. The Spanish people are open and polite and moreover –they are not nationalists or chauvinists.
How has Bulgaria changed in the last 10 years in our opinion?
Definitely the country is very changed, it goes through a massive and fast economical development. For better and worse people start sensing themselves more like Europeans comparing to before.
How do you think – are the stars in Bulgaria living in more optimum conditions, since the press is constantly publishing all kind of unbelievable lies for them, or abroad, where you are all the time spied by paparaci, following you on every step.
Abroad it is not exactly the way you describe it, at least not in Europe, because in Germany the personal space is much more respected than here. Germany does not have 100% yellow press, the way we have it in Bulgaria.
How do you prefer having fun in your spare time?
I love sleeping. I don’t have a TV in my bedroom, if I watch – I would sit on the sofa. I also like going out and chatting with my friends. I enjoy driving, cycling, running, skiing. I like going out a lot: in Germany usually there are many social events you can go to – premieres of perfumes, movies etc. I missed the Berlinale this year because of my arrangements.
What do you fear from?
- Physically I am not afraid of anything, the only think I would not do is to dive with a bottle. Otherwise I had swum a whole dam with flippers. Not long ago I went to the Maldives – my friends are keeping a diving station there, so I tried it and reached the 10-th meter without a bottle of course. I felt my heart would flip out.
What do you believe in?
I am not a religious person, I am a realist, but I do not deny the church and the religion. I believe that there is a power that helps people find each other and gathers people. It is always good to believe in yourself. I do not like other people to predict my life and then I to build my life around this predictions` base.


Svetla Yordanova
Photos Universal Music