New season of 'Factory of Stars' participant PRONKIN named the singer whose career he'd like to follow: 'A great path'

PRONKIN (Vladyslav), a participant of the new season of the Ukrainian vocal show 'Factory of Stars', shared in an exclusive comment whose career among the graduates of previous seasons of the project inspires him the most. The artist named Maks Barskih without hesitation, emphasizing that this performer's path after taking part in the show is the benchmark for professional development in his eyes. 'I think Maks Barskih has gone through a great path. I believe the hardest thing after shows like these is not just to flare up, but to keep the attention on you and keep developing,' PRONKIN stated. In his words, it is precisely the artist's ability to hold the audience's interest for many years after the project's finale that makes his career especially instructive for young musicians just beginning their path in the industry.

Not just Barskih: other graduates PRONKIN keeps an eye on

At the same time, Maks Barskih was not the only artist among the former participants of 'Factory of Stars' whose work interests PRONKIN. The singer separately highlighted Svitlana Tarabarova, who performed under the stage name Erika MamaRika during her time on the project. 'It's telling that many graduates of the "Factory" have truly become stars of the Ukrainian show business and even after 15 years continue to captivate listeners with new facets of their creativity. Svitlana Tarabarova, who back then performed under the name Erika MamaRika — I admire these artists,' the musician added. Thus, PRONKIN sees the project's graduates not merely as one-off television show participants, but as full-fledged professionals capable of long-term creative development.

Experience before the 'Factory': collaboration with leading producers

Before joining the new season of 'Factory of Stars', Vladyslav already had a significant professional background. The artist had worked with such prominent figures of the Ukrainian music industry as Jerry Heil, Artem Pivovarov, and Masha Kondratenko. However, by his own admission, he expected a fundamentally different experience from the new project. 'I was interested to see myself from the outside: how organically I look on camera, how the professional coaches in the industry would perceive me and my vocals. In other words, I wanted to understand how interesting I am within the framework of a television or streaming project,' PRONKIN explained. This approach sets him apart from participants for whom the show becomes the first step in their career: Vladyslav views the 'Factory' as a tool for professional reflection and an external audit of his abilities.

Competitors of the new season: who impressed PRONKIN

Talking about his rivals in the current season, PRONKIN does not yet single out anyone as the main competitor, explaining that he has not had enough time to get to know all the participants. At the same time, he named several musicians whose vibe and delivery made a strong impression on him: these are DISHA, LESAN, and Nana Solis. 'Many participants are very distinctive and stylish, and I definitely have a lot to learn from them,' the artist noted. At the same time, PRONKIN acknowledges that there are many strong participants in the season: 'I look at almost every participant with the thought that they could beat me. Everyone is great from the outside, full of energy, and understands what they are doing here. Of course, I still don't fully know how each person behaves on stage, but because of their striking appearance I already find myself unconsciously thinking: what if this person is really amazing?'

The project's context and its significance for Ukrainian music

'Factory of Stars' remains one of the key TV projects shaping the landscape of the Ukrainian show business. Over more than 15 years of the show's existence, an entire generation of artists has emerged who have become recognizable stars — from Maks Barskih to Svitlana Tarabarova and many others. The new season continues this tradition, providing a platform both for already-experienced musicians looking for a new impulse and for beginner performers. PRONKIN, with his prior experience working with leading producers, is an interesting example of how the 'Factory' attracts not only newcomers but also artists striving for professional self-analysis and audience expansion through television and streaming formats.