Anna Ermakova raises her voice
ntv.de: At the beginning of the year, you made a name for yourself as a musician with your cover version of The Who's song "Behind Blue Eyes". Was it already clear at that point that you would even release a whole album?
Anna Ermakova: That was definitely always the goal and the plan. When I released the single, I was already thinking about an album. But of course, the positive reception of the song gave me even more confidence and encouraged me to continue with the music and make the album a reality.
You lend your voice to the songs, but who is the team behind them?
There are many people involved, including all the professional musicians. But I mainly worked on the songs with my producer Christian Geller. The first step was to find my own sound. How should it sound and how did I want it to sound? After all, everything happened quite quickly with the music this year. For such a big project as an album, it was important to find clarity here.
Christian Geller also produces Florian Silbereisen, and you sing a duet with him on your album called "Something Stupid". How did that come about?
It all started when I performed "Behind Blue Eyes" in one of his shows in January. That was a huge honor for me. We met and talked there. Then in February, I was a guest in his "Schlager surprise show". After I sang "Son of a Preacher Man", I surprised him with "Something Stupid" as a duet, where he only had to sing the words "I love you". We were so happy about the positive reactions that we decided to go into the studio, record it as a real duet, and make it a single. That was also a huge honor for me - to work with someone like him, who has been a successful artist for 20 years.
The songs on the album, which is also titled "Behind Blue Eyes", have a wide range of musical styles. From The Doors to Depeche Mode, from Dusty Springfield to Lana Del Rey. How were they chosen?
All by me personally. I have many influences and grew up with many different types and genres of music. I wanted to understand them, open myself up to them, and connect them. That's also what the search for my own sound was about.
Most of the songs were written and recorded before you were even born. How did you come into contact with them?
Mainly through movies. That's why the album also has the subtitle "The Movie Album". I heard many of these songs in various movies when I was a kid, which left an impression on me. But I also discovered a lot of music through my home and friends. For example, my mother used to play The Doors or Depeche Mode for me when I was very young. But I discovered Lana Del Rey all on my own. (laughs) So you get a pretty crazy mix that doesn't make much sense. But that's why I like it. I find beauty in it, and it's somehow honest.
It already sounds like it: The album only contains cover versions - because you didn't dare to record your own songs or because it didn't fit into the concept with the movies?
That's correct.
A piece of both. I actually started writing in parallel with the recordings for the album. But at the point where I am now, it wouldn't have fit for me to publish it. I want to develop my own things a bit more and find myself musically. I think it's a kind of evolution and I'm very grateful for this time of self-reflection.
You've listened to a lot of music in your life, and it also sounds like you're quite a film buff...
(laughs) Yes, that's true. A bit.
The range of films and series you reference on your album is enormous - from "Pulp Fiction" to "Bridget Jones", from "Moulin Rouge" to "American Psycho". Do you watch pretty much everything?
When I was a teenager and saw most of these movies, that was definitely the case. At that time, I discovered and absorbed this world of creativity where people created different masterpieces at different times. It was like a little bubble I could escape to. Older films open up a kind of idyllic space in another time that you can escape to, but also helps you process who you are. I think it's great to discover and try new things while also reflecting.
So, if someone invites you to a horror movie, you're in...
Horror movies aren't exactly my favorite. But I did watch them as a teenager. Every day back then went like this: come home from school, do homework, watch movies. A lot of movies piled up. There's so much to learn and discover - it never stops. That's why I can't and don't want to decide on just one thing or genre. Whether it's music or film, or what I do in my life.
From "Let's Dance" to your jury job on "Supertalent" to singing now...
Exactly. If you'd restrict everything to just one niche, you'd be practically trapped in a drawer. I've never liked that. I never felt like I belonged anywhere. I think that explains this colorful mix of everything.
You also relate many of the lyrics of the songs you cover to your life. When the single "Behind Blue Eyes" came out, you drew parallels to your not-so-easy childhood. About the song "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, you explained: "I can identify with it because I often felt misunderstood and wished to be accepted for who I am." Is music also a kind of therapy for you?
Of course. I think all creative activities are a kind of self-therapy because they force you to look inside yourself. Sharing that then isn't always easy, especially when you've grown up so much in the public eye like I have. That's what "Iris" is about: you don't always want to be seen, but you want to be accepted and find your way. Of course, the songs I chose also spoke to me. They triggered something in me, I associate them with happy moments or other memories. That way, you also work through your own wounds, pain, and experiences. Yes, it's like therapy.
You say you don't like to be confined to one niche. Besides singing and TV shows, you've also modeled and completed your art history degree at 24. Do you have no specific job wish?
Not really. When I was younger, I always wanted to do singing, dancing, acting, and art. It feels like a kind of energy inside me that I want to share and express through various creative forms. Thanks to my mom and grandma, I've been introduced to so many different things that it's hard for me to limit myself: singing, piano, violin, harp, acting, ballet, musical theater, or even fencing. After previously connecting and expressing myself with my body, like in "Let's Dance", I now do that with my voice through music. It's really therapeutic, as I haven't spoken much or used my voice in a long time. It's always evolving. Right now, I'm just very grateful and happy to be where I am.
Looking back on your time at "Let's Dance" over a year later, how do you feel?
Only now can I truly process it. Now I can say I'm proud of what I achieved there. Back then, I was just happy to do what I love. Connecting with life in Germany, learning German, and that part of myself was incredible. Plus, the support from so many people who said they had wrong ideas about me and prejudices against me was overwhelming. Looking back now, I think: Wow, what a crazy experience! At the same time, it's nice to have found such a nice team and community. I'm happy to be a part of it.
You really became everyone's darling in Germany overnight - as if an entire country had spontaneously fallen in love with you. How did that feel?
Indescribable, because honestly, I didn't expect it. I didn't approach it with a fixed desire to win, but just to give my best and be myself. The support I received was overwhelming. I'd never experienced anything like it. It was also great to see that I could have such a positive influence on so many people. It inspired me and gave me the confidence to continue with singing and other creative activities. To experience acceptance after all those years of prejudices is still overwhelming for me. It opens the door to everything else.
Time flies, and there was already a new "Let's Dance" winner with Gabriel Kelly this spring. Did you watch this year's season?
Yes, I did. I also danced in the "Meet & Greet" show. It was nice to see everyone again and meet the new candidates. It was a really interesting season this year - so strong that no one really knew how it would end. Gabriel did an amazing job. He danced with his heart and all his feelings. But Jana (the runner-up Jana Wosnitza, ed. note) was also a really strong contender who developed incredibly.
You mentioned the German part of you. You also have Nigerian and Russian roots, and you grew up in London. Where do you feel at home?
I always say: Home is where the heart is, and I feel at home in nature. But formally, London is my home. Still, I don't feel British. I've always somehow felt that difference. Often, people who don't know me ask: "Where are you from?" That shows they think I'm not from where they're from. I'm not one of them. As for Germany, it's difficult for me because of the language. But I'm still trying to learn German and speak it with all my mistakes. (laughs)
You're doing this really well ...
Thank you! I'm doing my best. It's exactly this support, hospitality, integration, and acceptance that gives you the feeling of "You are one of us," that makes the difference. And this, despite the fact that I still don't speak the language properly and have only been with "Let's Dance" for three months. But since then, I've spent much more time in Germany for work, recordings, performances, and events. It's nice to have it and it's not a given. Ultimately, it's also what I want to express with everything I do: There's room for everyone here.
Having success and attention from people is nice on one side. On the other hand, life in the spotlight also has its downsides. People follow every step you take and ask: "What was she wearing?" Or: "Is that her new boyfriend?" Is it easy for you to deal with this?
Is it easy for me? (laughs) Absolutely not! Suddenly, there's this pressure that everyone wants to know every little detail about you. That's especially scary for someone like me who values privacy and doesn't believe that everyone needs to know everything about everyone. But of course, I've grown up with family drama and all that comes with it, so it's probably a bit easier for me than for someone who's not used to it. Most of the time, I can brush it off and tell myself: "It doesn't matter what people think. Just be yourself. Not everyone will like you, but that's okay." But of course, I also have good and bad days...
... when it's sometimes easier and sometimes harder ...
Exactly. I think it's only human for life to come in waves. And it's good to be in touch with your emotions. Only if you feel the lows, can you feel the highs. I know I can be very happy about the great past year and all these opportunities now. Of course, personal questions can sometimes overwhelm me, but I accept that everything in life is a balance of positive and negative aspects: Yin and Yang. I choose to focus on the positive. I'm really incredibly grateful for the opportunities I've been given - and the support and smiles of the people make it all worthwhile in the end.
The question remains, where will you go in the future. You will certainly present your songs live. But maybe one or two TV shows will also tempt you. I suspect, however, that no jury seat at "Let's Dance" will be free soon ...
(laughs) My motto is: I don't know what the future holds. I like that. Right now, it's singing, and I'm looking forward to singing more acoustically, for example. But I'm also really looking forward to the big shows with their background dancers or the duet performances with Flo. Apart from that, I'm always working on things in the background that I don't want to reveal yet, as long as they're not ready to be talked about. Life is so short, I just want to make the most of it and explore every opportunity that aligns with my heart and my mission to spread light, positivity, and acceptance.
Anna Ermakova spoke with Volker Probst. The interview was conducted in English.
I'm not going to lie, achieving success in Germany with "Let's Dance" and my music was unexpected and overwhelming, especially considering the prejudices I've faced in the past.
The positive reception of my music, including the cover of "Behind Blue Eyes" and the success in "Let's Dance", gave me even more confidence and motivation to continue with music and release an album.
