- Relations with Germany have changed
Anna Ermakova (24) published her debut album "Behind Blue Eyes (The Movie Album)" on August 9th. In an interview with news agency spot on news, the daughter of Angela Ermakova (born 1968) and Boris Becker (56) talks about why she chose to reinterpret her most important favorite songs and what she learned about herself through the work on the album. She also reveals how her duet with Florian Silbereisen (43) came about, how her relationship with the German public has changed since her "Let's Dance" victory, how she learned German, and whether she can imagine living somewhere other than London.
You've collected your favorite songs on your album. Why are these specific songs from well-known movies?
Anna Ermakova: They're the soundtrack of my growing up. Each song on this album is like a look back at my teenage years, when I, like many girls, went through a tough time. I found comfort and peace in all these different movies. Each song symbolizes a different moment for me from that time, whether I was happy or sad or having fun. I thought about the young Anna a lot while working on the album, and I wanted to make her proud, to honor the feelings she had back then. The process had a lot to do with nostalgic feelings, but also with self-reflection. You have to look back and see how far you've come to figure out who you are and where you want to go. I hope the album can bring a smile to people's faces and help them process their emotions.
Did you learn something new about yourself during the process?
Ermakova: Definitely. I think when you look back, you always learn a lot about yourself and what you want in life and what you don't, what your priorities are. It's about going back to what you wanted to be as a child, without people judging you. Without people saying it's not possible. The little version of me said I wanted to be a dancer or a singer, and the answer was: No, that's not possible. It's about going back to that little me and saying: You know what? I'll give it a try.
On the album, you interpret well-known songs. Do you also write your own songs?
Ermakova: Yes, it's an ongoing process. When I've written things in the past, I always thought about how much it would be taken apart. Every word will be scrutinized, and I'll have to explain everything. What's it about? Who's it about? Deciding which messages you want to spread, what you want to put out into the world, that takes time. Also, the album is still very diverse stylistically and genre-wise. I sing songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 2000s, and I'm still trying to find a sound and a style to focus on. I've been singing in choirs since I was a kid, played the piano, harp, violin. All that has influenced me differently.
To what extent has your mother influenced your favorite music or movies?
Ermakova: Especially when I was younger, she had a big influence because she showed me many movies. She's an unusual mother, so I watched "The Godfather" or "Scarface" pretty young (laughs). She also always listened to The Doors or ABBA at home, so I grew up with a lot of music, which I think is very important. Playing music loudly over speakers has an influence on your day, your mood, how you feel. Parents shouldn't underestimate that with their children.
Who are your absolute favorite musicians?
Here's the translated text:
Ermakova: There are many [fans]. I like women who are true to themselves and share their emotions through music and performances with the world. I saw Lana Del Rey live about a month ago, which was incredible. I also love watching iconic performances by great female performers like Britney Spears or Beyoncé. Similarly, I can get excited about jazz singers like Etta James or Billie Holiday.
On your album, you sing a duet with Florian Silbereisen. How did that happen?
Ermakova: I had the luck of performing on his show in Berlin at the Velodrom in January. That was the first time I sang in front of a large audience, it was crazy. Florian was very supportive and gave me the stage, for which I'm really grateful. Then I performed with him on his show "The Great Schlager Surprise" in February and we performed "Something Stupid", where he only sang the "I Love You" parts because he didn't know the lyrics, as I surprised him. We were so happy with the audience's reaction that we decided to turn it into a single. The recordings and performances were so much fun and I feel like I learned a lot from him.
For example?
Ermakova: When we were rehearsing for a TV broadcast and it started raining heavily, he was clear that we'd just keep going, not let it stress us. It's about enjoying it, having fun, and giving people a good time. I also met many Schlager musicians at his shows, which was really nice. It's like a small family. It helps to meet people who do the same thing as you, especially since I'm still new to this area. It's a different kind of life with its own problems and worries, like nervousness or the pressure to give people a show.
You also gained TV experience at "Let's Dance". How has your relationship with Germany and the German audience changed since that show?
Ermakova: It's completely changed. Before, many people judged me and had opinions about me without ever speaking to me. I hadn't said anything to the press for a long time and was just living my life in London, going to university, having friends, but so many people had these assumptions and prejudices. Seeing that change, being supported, and people being proud of you is like a big hug. I found a new community.
Your participation also involved learning German more intensively...
Ermakova: When I speak German, people laugh at my accent. I make millions of mistakes, but for me, that's okay. I'm glad for the people who supported me from the beginning, from my arrival at "Let's Dance" when I couldn't speak any German, to now where I can actually form sentences and have conversations. A teacher helped me with that. To learn something, whether it's dancing or a language, you need that help. Every person is individual and has different learning needs. With my background in English, Russian, and French, this more personal approach was really important for me.
What influence does "Let's Dance" still have on your life today?
(No response provided in the original text)
Ermakova: For me, it was life-changing. I still keep in touch with many of the celebrities who were involved, and many of the professionals. I saw Renata and Valentin just a few days ago at an event. It's just nice when you work so closely with people and friendships develop, even though it's a competition. My closest friends mainly come from my school days, which I'm very happy about, but meeting people who do the same thing creates a different balance. Apart from the friendships, dancing has stayed with me. I took lessons again in London, although not immediately. I had to take a little break, my body was tired (laughs). I also tried new things like Reggaeton, which is definitely not my style and quite challenging at my height. It's wonderful to simply step out of your comfort zone and feel that connection. When you dance, you connect with your body. When you sing, you connect with your voice. When you perform for people, you connect with others and feel more comfortable in your skin and less shy. Those are the biggest insights for me from the last year.
Will dancing also be a part of your live performances as a singer?
Ermakova: I love watching Popstars who dance. I grew up with Britney, Lady Gaga, or Beyoncé. They were my three big idols. Of course, I'm not them, but I'll try to do a little something.
With the mentioned singers, styling is a big topic...
Ermakova: Styling is very important. It expresses who you are, and it's another part of yourself that you share and inspire others with. I'm doing all my styling myself at the moment. I've taken the reins back because I want to be authentic and stay true to myself. My looks are usually colorful, a bit sexy, and a bit sparkly.
How has your daily life changed through your music career?
Ermakova: I've obviously spent a lot of time recently with singing lessons, studio recordings, and thoughts about my performance. But my daily life hasn't changed much, I go for walks in nature, I write in my journal, and I try to practice gratitude. The more I live in the show business, the more I want to come home and just be alone and enjoy the peace. If I do travel more, I'm lucky to have friends who are understanding. It's really nice to always have their support.
So, will London always be your base?
Ermakova: For now, yes. There's so much new in my life and so much change, so it's important for me to just come home. But I like keeping life interesting and discovering new things. I'm always open to all the possibilities life has to offer and I don't rule out a new environment. You only live once, so you should make the most of it. I've learned to trust my inner voice, my heart, more and more.
What else do you have planned for the future?
Ermakova: I feel very blessed that many of my dreams have come true so far, including my university degree, learning a new language (German), winning 'Let's Dance', recording an album, and performing on stage. I'm really proud of myself, but that also means a lot of pressure that can be overwhelming. So now I'm trying to stay in the present, be grateful for the little things in daily life, and give my best to everything I do. I'm open to all the possibilities the universe has to offer, so we'll see what the future brings!
Good luck with your future musical endeavors, Anna.
I'm excited to see how you'll continue to grow and evolve as an artist, drawing inspiration from your past experiences and channeling that into your music.
