Kamaliya

**Kamaliya Zahoor** (Камалія Захур, Камалия Захур; born May 18, 1977) is a Ukrainian musical performer, actress, and model of Russian origin, and the 2008 Mrs. World.She became more widely known after being featured, with her husband, in the British TV-series *Meet the Russians*.

## Biography

Kamaliya (real name Natalya Shmarenkova; Наталья Шмаренкова) was born in 1977 in Zabaikallye, Chita Oblast, Soviet Union. 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). 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).

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

## Career

In 1993 Kamaliya became the laureate of the Chervona Ruta (Red Rue) Festival in Ukraine and then won the TV-Chance-Stars contest in Moscow. In 1997 she graduated from the University of Culture with a Degree in Variety Art and Mass Shows Direction. 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*. 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.

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. In 2007 she took part in the *Svit talantiv Ukrayiny* (All-Ukraine Children Festival), and undertook a charity mission to Pakistan. Kamaliya has its own charity called " Kamaliya Foundation".

In 2009 she filmed a television pilot *Coffee with Kamaliya* where she interviewed celebrities.

Kamaliya performed at the Yuna Music Awards 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 in Ukraine, including a duet with Germany’s Thomas Anders of *No Ordinary Love*.. She was headliner at the "Mr. Gay World 2012" pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kamaliya performed at Ahoy, Rotterdam at Symphony 31 "DJ meets Orchestra" on 14 & 16 March 2015. Kamaliya is a regular performer at the Gay Prides in Germany& UK and now planning in Netherlands too.

### Beauty contests

In 2003 she became "Miss South Ukraine" and "Miss Open – Odessa".

#### Mrs World 2008

On June 30, 2008, Kamaliya won the Mrs World pageant. The event took place in Kaliningrad, Russia. 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.

### Music

In December 2011, Kamaliya released her debut UK single *Crazy In My Heart*. The track was mixed by the UK dance duo Digital Dog.

Kamaliya’s second UK single *Rising UP* was released on February 26, 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.

Kamaliya's love for animals caught the attention of the animal welfare charity World Society for the Protection of Animals (Now known as World Animal Protection) and on February 23, 2012 during a promotional trip to the UK, Kamaliya was asked to headline their annual fundraising party.

Recent notable performances include as a support act to the STEPS reunion tour across the UK. Kamaliya performed as a warm-up act to 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.

Kamaliya also released her debut UK album *Kamaliya* onto digital websites and for free with OK! Magazine on 7 August 2012.

In 2013 Kamaliya released her new album, "ClubOpera", which was written and produced for her by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen and DSign Music. Prior to its release she released 4 singles out of this album. Those were "Butterflies" (2012), "I'm Alive" (2013), "Love Me Like" (2013), "Never Wanna Hurt You (Bad Love, Baby)" (2013).

### Film and television career

Kamaliya's first film role was in the comedy film *Muzh Moey Vdovy* (*My Widow's Husband* ) by Leonid Gorovets. The movie had its theatrical release on April 1, 2010 in Ukraine and Russia. She also appeared in the 2013 American action film Officer Down as Katya. She also played a lead role in sci-fi movie called "Mantera".

Her new movie, "What About Love", in which she's co-starring with Sharon Stone, Andy Garcia, Jose Coronado, is to be released in the USA in end 2015.

Kamaliya also featured in many TV series and movies:
Fathers and sons (и отцы, и дети); Russian 8-episode serial;
Bagarne effect (Эффект Багарне);Russian 8-episode serial; and
Gift of life (Подарок судьбы); Russian TV movie

She also featured in the reality shows:
Riches cry too (Богатые тоже плачут) -Ukrainian TV
Meet the Russians (FOX)
The lifestyle of the Rich and Famous (NBC)

### Albums

* *Techno Style* (1997) (Techno)
* *Kamaliya, With Love* (Dance)
* *Year of the Queen* (Dance, Pop)
* *Kamaliya* (2012; in both English and Russian including remix version) (Eurodance)
* *Club Opera* (2013) (Classical crossover, Dance, Eurodance, Trance, Electronic, Lirica)
* *Timeless' (2017)*

### Singles

* "Crazy in My Heart" (2011)
* "No Ordinary Love" (2012 featuring Thomas Anders)
* "Rising Up" (2012)
* "Arrhythmia" (2012)
* "Butterflies" (2012)
* "I'm Alive" (2013)
* "Love Me Like" (2013)
* "Never Wanna Hurt You (Bad Love, Baby)" (2014)
* "Timeless" (2016)
* "Aphrodite" (2016)