- Boris Becker's daughter Anna Ermakova makes her singing debut
Anna Ermakova was primarily known as "the daughter of" for many years. She bore a striking resemblance to her father, tennis legend Boris Becker, and many initially saw him first, and her only at a second glance. This has been changing increasingly.
Now 24, Ermakova works as a model, danced her way into viewers' hearts on the RTL show "Let's Dance", and won the 16th season of the show. She now aims to make a career as a singer. Her debut album, titled "Behind Blue Eyes", is set to release this Friday.
Ermakova's Favorite Song
The title track is a cover of the song that captivated viewers the most during her time on "Let's Dance". "Behind Blue Eyes" also represents what has been going on behind her own blue eyes in recent years.
"I wanted to cover 'Behind Blue Eyes'. The song has meant a lot to me, both when I was younger and because of the magical moment I had with it on 'Let's Dance'", Ermakova told the German Press Agency in an interview. "It was a moment where I felt accepted for who I am, by myself and by the German public", she recalled. She will never forget that moment.
The entire album consists of well-known film songs, reimagined by Ermakova with her warm, soft, emotive yet powerful voice. She sounds more mature and expressive than one might expect from a newcomer.
Music and Films as a "Safe Space"
"Growing up, music and films were incredibly important to me. They were my safe space", Ermakova gushed. She wanted to reconnect with that younger part of herself and discover herself to find her musical sound - and her genre, she said. "It's a big learning, healing, and gratitude journey for me, and I'm excited to share it."
The album features 15 songs, including a duet with Schlager singer Florian Silbereisen. Together, they follow in the footsteps of Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Kidman, singing "Somethin' Stupid". Other classics like "Son of a Preacher Man" and "Venus" are also included.
"It's a variety of different things and sounds from different time periods and genres. Male or female interpreters - it doesn't matter. We've got it all", the 24-year-old described her album, which means a lot to her.
Anna Ermakova Grew Up with Much Judgment
"I grew up with so much judgment that I was already withdrawn", Ermakova remembered. "Then, dancing became a connection to my body - and singing has now connected me to my voice, to my words, and to expressing how one feels", she explained.
Ermakova hadn't given interviews for a long time. "When I was growing up, I wanted to stay away from it. But one shouldn't hide from life and from being oneself." And she wants to continue building on this musically, as she said in the dpa interview. She could imagine that this won't be her only work as a singer: "I'm definitely starting to enjoy it."
Boris Becker, Anna Ermakova's father and a tennis legend, must have been proud seeing his daughter win the 16th season of RTL's "Let's Dance."
Anna Ermakova mentioned in an interview with the German Press Agency that her cover of "Behind Blue Eyes" was significant to her, as it represented acceptance and self-discovery in her journey, much like how she felt during her time on "Let's Dance."
