IRINA

HOMETOWN: Moscow, Russia
INFLUENCES: influences: Abba, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand
ALBUM: Album due out 2014
WEBSITE: irinaglobal.com

“I was always involved in theater when I was in school,” says Irina, who was born and raised in Moscow. “I was singing in the choir as a mezzo-soprano when I was 6.” Later, Irina earned degrees in psychology and economics—but she eventually returned to her first love. She began writing songs with Russian artists until relocating with her family to the U.S. in her mid-20s. While in L.A., she was introduced to choreographer and creative director Mikey Minden (Pussycat Dolls). One of their first recordings, “Something About You,” snagged more than a million views on YouTube and reached the

Top 40 on the Billboard dance chart. Currently preparing her debut album, Irina is itching for her turn in the spotlight. “No matter which audience I am performing for, the most important thing is capturing those eyes in front of me and sharing this crazy energy with them,” she says.