Kamaliya Zahoor (Ukrainian: Камалія Захур, Russian: Камалия Захур; born May 18, 1977) is a Ukrainian musical performer, actress, model and the 2008 Mrs. World.^[1][2][3]

Biography[link]

Kamaliya (real name Natalya Shmarenkova; Russian: Наталья Шмаренкова) was born in 1977 in Zabaikallye, Chita Oblast, Russia.^[1][4] When she turned three, her military father was deployed to Budapest, where she danced and sang in the children's ensemble called "Kolokol’chik" (the Jingle).^[4] When her family later moved to Lviv, she took classes in violin and opera, and while in school, she took part in as many concerts and shows as possible. Her efforts were noticed and she received an invitation to sing with the Ukrainian folk music group "Halytska Perlyna" (Halych Perl).^[4]

In 2003 Kamaliya wed Mohammad Zahoor, a British/Pakistani businessman. Kamaliya is also involved in charity projects in Ukraine and Pakistan.^[1]

Career[link]

In 1993 Kamaliya became the laureate of the Chervona Ruta (Red Rue) Festival and then won the TV-Chance-Stars contest in Moscow^{[citation needed]}. In 1997 she graduated from the University of Culture with a Degree in Variety Art and Mass Shows Direction^[4]. At this time, she recorded her first video clip "Techno style".

During 1999 and 2000, Kamaliya wrote more than 50 songs, and worked on her album "It is Love". In 2000, her song "Love You" won the first prize as the National Hit Parade's "Song of the Year".^{[citation needed]} In 2001 she created the show-center "Kamaliya", which not only promoted her, but also organized gala concerts and shows and programs with participation Ukrainian, Russian and foreign stars.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, Kamaliya took part in the "All Ukrainian Charity Tour" in support of children with AIDS. The President of Pakistan congratulated Kamaliya on her successful performance at the International Lahore Festival.^[5] In 2007 she took part in the "Svit talantiv Ukrayiny" (All-Ukraine Children Festival),^[6] and undertook a charity mission to Pakistan.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009 she filmed a television pilot Coffee with Kamaliya where she interviewed celebrities.^[1]

Kamaliya performed at the Yuna Awards 2012 in the Ukraine, including a duet with Germany’s Thomas Anders of 'No Ordinary Love'.^{[citation needed]}

Beauty contests[link]

In 2003 she became "Miss South Ukraine" and "Miss Open – Odessa".^{[citation needed]}

Mrs World 2008[link]

On June 30, 2008, Kamaliya won the Mrs World pageant.^[1][2][7] The event took place in Kaliningrad, Russia.^[8] She ranked in the top five contestants, which were as follows: Mrs Ukraine, Mrs Belarus, Mrs Vietnam, Mrs Peru and Mrs Singapore.

In 2009 she was in Vietnam to pass her tiara on to the 2009 Mrs World, Russian Victoria Radochinskaya.^[2]

UK music[link]

In December 2011, Kamaliya released her debut UK single 'Crazy In My Heart'. M ixed by the UK dance duo Digital Dogs, the track peaked at number 13 in the charts.^{[citation needed]}

Kamaliya’s second UK single 'Rising Up' was released on February 26th, 2012. The single featured mixes by UK dance ensemble Cahill and US production wizards Soulseekerz. The video for this single was shot in Miami by Paul Boyd, in a luxury villa used in CSI Miami. 'Rising Up' peaked at number 6 in the charts and obtained extensive radio and video play.^{[citation needed]}

Kamaliya's love for animals caught the attention of the animal welfare charity World Society for the Protection of Animals and on February 23rd, 2012 during a promotional trip to the UK, Kamaliya was asked to headline their annual fundraising party.^{[citation needed]}

Recent notable performances include as a support act to the STEPS reunion tour across the UK. Kamaliya performed as a warm-up act to Shockolady and STEPS on all tour dates bar two (when she was in South Africa to headline Mr Gay World). These appearances coinceded with the launch of her 3rd single 'Arrhythmia' – an Ibiza-inspired dance anthem.^{[citation needed]}

Film career[link]

Kamaliya's first film role was in the comedy film Muzh Moey Vdovy (Russian: Муж моей вдовы, Husband of My Widow) by Leonid Gorovets.^[9] The movie had its theatrical release on April 1, 2010 in Ukraine and Russia.

Singles[link]

• "Crazy In My Heart" (2012)
• "Rising Up" (2012)
• "Arrhythmia" (2012)

Priivate life[link]

In 2003, she married British/Pakistan businessman Mohammad Zahoor.^[1]

In 2004 the President of Ukraine awarded Kamaliya with the title Honored Artist of Ukraine for her outstanding achievements in developing Ukrainian culture.^[10]

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Popova, Yuliya (August 6, 2009). "Zahoor’s wife, Kamaliya, has her own ambitions". Kyiv Post. http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/46582/. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Popova, Yuliya (November 26, 2009). "Ukrainian Kamaliya passes her Mrs. World crown to Russian beauty". Kyiv Post. http://www.kyivpost.com/news/guide/general/detail/53695/. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
3. ^ "Cantora ucraniana vence o concurso 'Miss Casada'" (in Portuguese). G1 (AFP). June 30, 2008. http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Mundo/0,,MUL619002-5602,00-CANTORA+UCRANIANA+VENCE+O+CONCURSO+MISS+CASADA.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} "Kamaliya bio at UMKA". umka.com.ua. http://www.umka.com.ua/eng/singer/kamaliya.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
5. ^ "Puppets and pop music—a fantastic Saturday night". Daily Times. November 12, 2006. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\12\story_12-11-2006_pg13_5. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
6. ^ "Svit talantiv Ukrayiny, the 5th All-Ukraine Children Festival". wumag.kiev.ua. http://www.wumag.kiev.ua/index2.php?param=pgs20073/66. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
7. ^ "Mrs World history". http://www.mrsworld.com/history.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
8. ^ "News without politics". Voice of Russia. July 1, 2008. http://english.ruvr.ru/2008/07/01/200937.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
9. ^ "Муж моей вдовы" (in Russian). today.od.ua. http://www.mrsworld.com/history.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
10. ^ "Заслуженная артистка Украины" (in Russian). kamaliya.net. http://kamaliya.net/img/cat_awards/position/actual_1273231503.jpg. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 

External links[link]

• Official website
• Kamaliya RUS website
• Kamaliya Zahoor online card