Sasha Strunin

Strunin was born on 27 October 1989 in Saint Petersburg, Russia (then Leningrad, Soviet Union) to a Russian father and Ukrainian mother. Her parents, Igor and Vita, were both opera singers. In addition to her Russian and Ukrainian heritage, she also has Polish and Belarusian roots, with her great-grandmother coming from the Polish Stankiewicz noble family.{{cite web|last=Gzyl|first=Paweł|title=Sasha Strunin, kobieta w czerni: płynie w niej polska i rosyjska krew|publisher=Gazeta Krakowska|language=Polish|date=2017-03-10}}{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/artysta-the-jet-set,aId,4114|title=The Jet Set: Biografia|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2015-04-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iamsasha.eu/biografia|title=BIOGRAFIA|website=iamsasha.eu|language=Polish|date=2017-03-24}} Strunin spent the first two years of her life living in Ukraine, and then moved to Poznań in Poland with her parents in 1992, after they got jobs performing at the Grand Theatre, Poznań. Although she was born in Russia, Strunin states that her primary language is Polish and that she identifies herself as a Pole. She is an Orthodox Christian.{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosci/news-sasha-strunin-swieta-w-styczniu,nId,1655000|title=Sasha Strunin: Święta w styczniu|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10}}

Strunin finished primary school in 2002, and then began her studies at Poznań Gimnazjum No. 22.{{cite web|url=http://idol.interia.pl/ucz/?mid=24561|title=Aleksandra Strunin – Sasza|website=idol.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2015-03-22}} In 2008, she graduated from the IV Private High School in Poznań.{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.wp.pl/rid,384012,title,Sasha,plyta.html?ticaid=110868|title=Sasha – Sasha Strunin|date=2013-05-04|website=muzyka.wp.pl|language=Polish|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130504060053/http://muzyka.wp.pl/rid,384012,title,Sasha,plyta.html?ticaid=110868|archivedate=2013-05-04}}{{cite web|url=https://poznan.wyborcza.pl/poznan/1,36037,3898762.html?disableRedirects=true#ixzz4K3KSTGc3|title=Rozmowa z Sashą, poznanianką, która będzie reprezentowała Polskę w konkursie Eurowizji|publisher=poznan.wyborcza.pl|language=Polish|date=2016-09-12|accessdate=2017-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Sasha+Strunin-1306310/biography|title=Sasha Strunin – Biografia|website=filmweb.pl|language=Polish|date=2016-09-12}} While in school, Strunin began playing piano, and learned English and German.{{cite web|last=Fabiański|first=Bogdan|url=http://www.fabianski.com.pl/old/wywiady/wywiad_sasha.html|title=Wywiady: Bogdan Fabiański rozmawia z SASHĄ STRUNIN|website=fabianski.com|language=Polish|date=2017-01-17|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2017-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117205330/http://www.fabianski.com.pl/old/wywiady/wywiad_sasha.html|url-status=dead}} In 2009, she began studying photography at the University of Fine Arts in Poznań, and graduated in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news-sasha-trzeba-marzyc,nId,1644143|title=Sasha: Trzeba marzyć|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10}}

File:The Jet Set-2 beax.jpg

Strunin began her music career in 2003, performing at the 10th Festival of English Song in Brzeg, where she performed "When You Told Me You Loved Me" by Jessica Simpson, and won the children's category.{{cite web|url=http://www.gloswielkopolski.pl/artykul/1071396,aleksandra-strunin-wraca-w-nowej-odslonie,id,t.html|title=Aleksandra Strunin wraca w nowej odsłonie|website=gloswielkopolski.pl|language=Polish|date=2017-01-17}}{{cite web|url=http://fpabrzeg.pl/index.php?lang=pl&Itemid=601|title=X Festiwal Piosenki Angielskiej Brzeg 2003|website=fpabrzeg.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-08-27}} In 2005, she reached the semi-finals of season four of Idol Poland.

In December 2005, Strunin became the lead vocalist of the Jet Set.{{cite web|url=http://www.rmf.fm/muzyka/biografia,1057,The,Jet,Set.html|title=The Jet Set|website=rmf.fm|language=Polish|date=2013-03-16}} The following month, they performed in the Polish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "How Many People". The song came third in the competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurowizja.info/krajowe-eliminacje/2006|title=Piosenka Dla Europy 2006|website=eurowizja.info|language=Polish|date=2014-09-20}} That spring, along with Belgian singer Danzel, the band began the Simplus Tour, which had sixteen concerts in Poland.{{cite web|url=http://media2.pl/reklama-pr/7747-Simplus-Tour-z-Danzelem.html|title=Simplus Tour z Danzelem|website=media2.pl|language=Polish|date=2015-02-23}} The band released their debut studio album, Just Call Me, in July 2006. The album was certified gold by the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry, and reached number-35 on the Polish albums chart.{{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=326&lang=|title=OLiS – sprzedaż w okresie 31.07.2006 – 06.08.2006|publisher=olis.onyx.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-09-02}}{{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/wyroznienia/regulamin.php|title=Regulamin przyznawania wyróżnień|website=bestsellery.zpav.pl|language=Polish|date=2014-09-27}}{{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/wyroznienia/zloteplyty/cd/archiwum.php?year=2007#title|title=Złote płyty CD (przyznane w 2007 roku)|website=bestsellery.zpav.pl|language=pl|date=2014-09-27}} They performed the album's title single at the 2006 Sopot International Song Festival, placing second.

In 2007, the Jet Set competed in the Polish national final once again, with the song "Time to Party". This time, they won the competition and gained the right to represent Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, held in Helsinki.{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.onet.pl/newsy/the-jet-set-pojedzie-na-eurowizje/zq8kv|title=The Jet Set pojedzie na Eurowizję!|website=muzyka.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-16|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2017-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117213739/http://muzyka.onet.pl/newsy/the-jet-set-pojedzie-na-eurowizje/zq8kv|url-status=dead}} In preparation for the competition, they toured Europe, visiting Spain, Ireland, Russia, Ukraine, Cyprus, Latvia, and Lithuania.{{cite web|url=http://www.empik.com/strunin-aleksandra-sasha-biografie-kategorie-empiklopedia,39280,a|title=Strunin Aleksandra (Sasha)|website=empik.com|language=Polish|date=2013-03-16}} At the Eurovision Song Contest, they placed fourteenth in the semi-final, and did not qualify for the final.{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news-trzeba-zmienic-eurowizje,nId,1633107|title=Trzeba zmienić Eurowizję!|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-16}} In February 2007, they rereleased their debut studio album, Just Call Me, and at the 44th National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, they received the Song of the Year Award for "Time to Party".{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.onet.pl/pop/reedycja-plyty-the-jet-set/cfej3|title=Reedycja płyty The Jet Set|website=muzyka.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10}} In 2008, they released their final single, "The Beat of Your Heart".{{cite web|url=https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/the-jet-set-zobacz-sashe-w-slonecznej-hiszpanii/5m6vc|title=The Jet Set: zobacz Sashę w słonecznej Hiszpanii|website=wiadomosci.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2015-03-21}}{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news-sasha-naprawde-dojrzala,nId,1644266|title=Sasha: Naprawdę dojrzała|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10}}

On 1 January 2009, the group announced that they had disbanded, as they had previously only been formed to release one studio album.

After the disbandment of the Jet Set, Strunin signed a solo contract with Sony Music Entertainment Poland.{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.onet.pl/sasha-nagrala-plyte-z-pomoca-michaela-jacksona/tqxrj|title=Sasha nagrała płytę z pomocą Michaela Jacksona|website=muzyka.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-08-27}} That year, she released the single "Emely", in a collaboration with Swedish singer Danny Saucedo.{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.wp.pl/title,Danny-Sasha-nadchodzi-dlugooczekiwana-premiera-duetu,wid,361820,wiadomosc.html|title=Danny & Sasha – nadchodzi dlugooczekiwana premiera duetu|website=muzyka.wp.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10}} She later released her debut solo single, "To nic kiedy płyną łzy", which was submitted to represent Poland in the 2009 Sopot International Song Festival.{{cite web|url=http://polki.pl/kultura_muzyka_artykul,10015466.html|title=Nowa płyta Sashy|website=polki.pl|language=Polish|date=2014-12-28}}{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/trojmiasto/46-miedzynarodowy-sopot-festival-znamy-uczestnikow/612bc|title=46. Międzynarodowy Sopot Festival – znamy uczestników|website=wiadomosci.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2014-07-30|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2014-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050452/http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/trojmiasto/46-miedzynarodowy-sopot-festival-znamy-uczestnikow/612bc|url-status=dead}} In September 2009, she released her debut solo studio album, titled Sasha. It was the 25th best-selling album in Poland in September 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cgm.pl/aktualnosci,4168,13_pierwszych_miejsc_13_nowosci,news.html|title=13 pierwszych miejsc = 13 nowości|website=cgm.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2017-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117215007/http://www.cgm.pl/aktualnosci,4168,13_pierwszych_miejsc_13_nowosci,news.html|url-status=dead}} The album's second single, "Zaczaruj mnie ostatni raz", was released in November.{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news-romantyczny-apel-sashy,nId,1645089|title=Romantyczny apel Sashy|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2014-06-06}}{{cite web|url=http://www.przylipiak.com/?page_id=29|title=MUSIC VIDEOS|website=przylipiak.com|language=Polish|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2011-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715125138/http://www.przylipiak.com/?page_id=29|url-status=dead}} In 2010, she recorded the song, "Muzyki moc", along with Polish musicians Doda, Ewa Farna, Gosia Andrzejewicz, Kasia Cerekwicka, Kasia Wilk, Piotr Kupicha, Sylwia Grzeszczak, and others, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of VIVA Poland.{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.onet.pl/pop/12-polskich-artystow-w-piosence-muzyki-moc-na-10-lecie-viva-polska/nh1e8|title=12 polskich artystów w piosence "Muzyki Moc" na 10-lecie Viva Polska|website=muzyka.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2014-05-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140529114633/http://muzyka.onet.pl/pop/12-polskich-artystow-w-piosence-muzyki-moc-na-10-lecie-viva-polska/nh1e8|url-status=dead}}

File:Sasha Strunin at Rynek Starego Miasta, Warszawa 3.8.2019 (cropped).jpg in 2019.]]

In May 2011, Strunin left Sony in order to perform as an independent artist. She founded the production company AS Music Production, along with music producer Andrzej Prymuszewski, but the project was soon ended.{{cite web|url=http://sasha-strunin.com/biografia/|title=BIOGRAFIA|website=sasha-strunin.com|language=Polish|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2013-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128014634/http://sasha-strunin.com/biografia/|url-status=dead}} In September, she released the single, "Game Over".{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news-sasha-koniec-gry,nId,1653436|title=Sasha: Koniec gry!|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2015-01-05}} In 2013, Strunin performed as the opening act for French singer Zaz at a Warsaw show.{{cite web|url=http://modern-technology.pl/2013/rozrywka/alexandra-strunin-jako-support-podczas-koncertu-zaz|title=Alexandra Strunin jako support podczas koncertu ZAZ|website=modern-technology.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-07-03}} Strunin premiered her debut EP, Stranger, on 29 October 2013. Its title track promoted the release.{{cite web|url=http://radioaktywne.pl/2013/10/premiera-teledysku-alexandry-strunin/|title=Premiera teledysku Alexandry Strunin|website=radioaktywne.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-12-21}}

In December 2013, Strunin recorded a Christmas single, "Magia Świąt", as a part of the reALICJA project. All proceeds from the sale of the song were donated to Alicja Borkowska, a Polish actress who had suffered a stroke the previous month.{{cite web|url=http://realicja.pl/realicja/Magia_Swiat.html|title=reALICJA|website=realicja.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-12-11}}{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news-przyjaciele-dla-alicji-borkowskiej-teledysk-magia-swiat,nId,1664301|title=Przyjaciele dla Alicji Borkowskiej (teledysk "Magia Świąt")|website=muzyka.interia.pl|language=Polish|date=2017-01-17}} In 2014, Strunin was to take part in SuperDebiuty at the 51st National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, but was disqualified and replaced with another artist.{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.onet.pl/koncerty/51-krajowy-festiwal-piosenki-polskiej-opole-2014-znamy-liste-artystow-koncertow/b7504|title=51. Krajowy Festiwal Piosenki Polskiej Opole 2014: znamy listę artystów koncertów SuperPremier i SuperDebiutów|website=muzyka.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2017-01-17}} The reason for her disqualification was because all participants must not have released more than one album previously, whether as a solo artist or as a member of a group.{{cite web|url=http://festiwalopole.com/festiwal-opole-2014/zmiana-wystepujacych-koncercie-0|title=Zmiana występujących w koncercie SuperDebiuty|website=festiwalopole.com|language=Polish|date=2014-05-24}} In November 2014, Strunin performed at a concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Employers of Poland. The concert was attended by then Polish President Bronisław Komorowski and former Polish President Lech Wałęsa.

In 2015, Strunin began recording music for her second solo studio album.{{cite web|url=http://www.sasha-strunin.com/#!biografia/bvrzg|title=BIOGRAFIA|website=sasha-strunin.com|language=Polish|date=2016-01-08|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2016-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108102607/http://www.sasha-strunin.com/#!biografia/bvrzg|url-status=dead}} All songs on the album were composed by American jazz musician Gary Guthman.{{cite web|url=http://www.sasha-strunin.com/#!dla-ciebie/c22zk|title=DROGI SŁUCHACZU|website=sasha-strunin.com|language=Polish|date=2016-01-08|access-date=2017-03-28|archive-date=2016-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108102607/http://www.sasha-strunin.com/#!dla-ciebie/c22zk|url-status=dead}} The album, titled Woman in Black, was released on 14 October 2016. The album's self-titled lead single was released on 30 September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.dlastudenta.pl/artykul/Zmyslowa_Kobieta_w_czerni_czyli_Sasha_Strunin_w_zaskakujacej_odslonie,121589.html|title=Zmysłowa "Kobieta w czerni" – czyli Sasha Strunin w zaskakującej odsłonie!|website=muzyka.dlastudenta.pl|language=Polish|date=2016-09-23}}

Before beginning her music career, Strunin was a model.{{cite web|last=Saracyn-Rozbicka|first=Agnieszka|url=http://paplife.pap.pl/palio/html.run?_Instance=cms_paplife.pap.pl&_PageID=9&dep=45330&kat=13&depStart=401&_CheckSum=23270012|title=Sasha Strunin: Biorę z życia ile się da!|website=paplife.pap.pl|language=Polish|date=2013-08-31}} She was signed to Elite Model Management and had modeled in cities such as Paris and Tokyo.

In 2008, Strunin was a contestant on the celebrity edition of Big Brother Poland 5. She voluntarily left the house on day 30 due to her obligations as a singer which prevented her from remaining in the house, placing fifth overall.{{cite web|url=https://muzyka.dlastudenta.pl/artykul/Sasha_Strunin_w_programie_Big_Brother,19297.html|title=Sasha Strunin w programie Big Brother|website=muzyka.dlastudenta.pl|language=Polish|date=2014-07-30}}

In 2010, Strunin had a recurring role on the Polish soap opera Pierwsza miłość, as Kalina Świętochowska.{{cite web|url=https://filmpolski.pl/fp/index.php?osoba=1168846|title=Sasha Strunin|website=filmpolski.pl|language=Polish|date=2017-01-17}} She also acted in the film Koniec świata, as Oliwia, and voiced a character in the Polish-language version of the PlayStation 3 video game TV Superstars.{{cite web|url=https://gry.onet.pl/wiadomosci/sasha-strunin-gwiazda-tv-superstars/q4th4|title=Sasha Strunin gwiazdą "TV Superstars"|website=gry.onet.pl|language=Polish|date=2017-01-17}} In 2011/12, she was the face of clothing brand GAVEL's autumn-winter line.{{cite web|url=https://lamode.info/marki-87/articles/sasha_strunin_twarza_kampani_poslkeij_marki_gavel.html|title=Sasha Strunin twarzą kampanii polskiej marki Gavel na sezon jesień-zima 2011/12|website=lamode.info|language=Polish|date=2013-03-10}}

{{update|section|date=July 2023}}

On 18 April 2015, Strunin became engaged to music producer Marek Piotr Szumski while in Rome.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/601608992/posts/10153308195458993/|title=Post na osi czasu Sashy Strunin w serwisie Facebook|website=facebook.com|language=English}}{{Cite web|url=http://weekend.gazeta.pl/weekend/1,152121,20833155,sasha-strunin-wraca-na-scene-mialam-wrazenie-ze-oszukuje.html|title=Sasha Strunin wraca na scenę. "Miałam wrażenie, że oszukuję publiczność|language=Polish|last=Nowakowska|first=Kasia|date=2017-01-12|website=weekend.gazeta.pl|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117215540/http://weekend.gazeta.pl/weekend/1,152121,20833155,sasha-strunin-wraca-na-scene-mialam-wrazenie-ze-oszukuje.html|archivedate=2017-01-17}}

{{Main|Sasha Strunin discography}}

• Sasha (2009)
• Woman in Black (2016)

{{Commons category|Sasha Strunin}}

• [http://iamsasha.eu/ Official website]

{{reflist|2}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Strunin, Sasha}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Polish pop singers

Category:Polish jazz singers

Category:Polish women jazz singers

Category:Russian emigrants to Poland

Category:Actresses from Poznań

Category:Musicians from Poznań

Category:Polish female models

Category:Polish actresses

Category:Eastern Orthodox Christians from Poland

Category:Idols (franchise) participants

Category:English-language singers from Poland

Category:21st-century Polish singers

Category:21st-century Polish women singers

Category:Models from Poznań

Category:Polish people of Belarusian descent

Category:Polish people of Russian descent

Category:Polish people of Ukrainian descent