“The real work is just beginning,” the girl said after leaving the show
She needs no introduction, because from the moment she appeared at this year’s castings of the Italian “X Factor” she became a real sensation, which enchanted with her talent not only the jury of the show, but also its viewers. And although she is only 16 years old, Nikol Palascheva, better known by her nickname Nika Paris, has achieved what many can only dream of – made the world notice her, but also love her.
Each performance of the Bulgarian in the form became an absolute hit in cyberspace, attracting the attention of millions of users who spoke just as kindly about her vocal abilities as the established musicians who entered the image of mentors in the show. The press in Italy described her as a real phenomenon, and the singer Mika predicted a bright future for her, predicting a dizzying career, like those of the already established stars Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, and this in itself is a huge recognition.
Although Nicole dropped out of the race for first place, she is now the winner who won the biggest possible prize – the love of the audience. This is evidenced by the fact that she was sent with adoration by those present in the audience in the hall, whose loud applause lasted a long time. In addition, the posts about her on the social networks of reality gathered the most comments and likes. But, as she herself points out, the real work is yet to come. At the moment, Palascheva has received a series of proposals from various managers, producers and artists who want to work with her, but according to her mentor Dariana Kumanova, it is still too early to dwell on a specific idea, because now is the time to rejoice in success. to her, resting from the great tension.
Nika has not yet returned to Bulgaria and will stay at Botusha until December 9, when the final of “X Factor” will take place, as she has been officially invited to attend. Especially for Life.dir.bg she shared more about the last months spent there, as well as about the exciting experience, from which she leaves ready for new challenges.
Hello, Nika! Tell me, how did you feel in the last days, approaching the final of the Italian “X Factor”?
I felt more and more responsible, realizing what was happening to me.
Now that you’ve left the show, will you miss this experience?
Of course! The feeling of singing every week on this stage was unique, and when we add to it the adrenaline rising in the veins before each concert … It was really indescribable.
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What was the most important lesson your participation in the form taught you?
Above all, teach me patience. It can definitely be said that I became more independent. I also began to control my emotions.
Did you believe you could get that far ahead of the show?
If I didn’t believe, how could I even make others believe in me ?! However, let us not forget that, in principle, all participants in such formats are driven by the desire to reach the end.
Did you have a personal tradition of luck that you followed before going on stage for each of the live concerts?
I usually concentrated a lot, telling myself that I should sing for the last time.
How did your story called “X Factor” actually start?
Quite a joke. My mentor Dariana Kumanova decided to enroll me a few days before the deadline and I did not think they would take me at all, as I did not speak Italian yet. But here I am …
How did you meet Dariana Kumanova?
I have been singing since I was 4 years old, I have participated in many competitions and we met her at one of them. This meeting turned out to be fateful. When the pandemic broke out, I felt depressed, I needed to keep singing and make some significant changes in my life. So one day my mother and I decided to call Dariana to go to Italy and continue to follow my heart, in which music has always had a special place.
Did she immediately think of you when she contacted her?
Yes, right away, which pleasantly surprised me.
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Wasn’t it hard for you to fly alone from one place to another and do you miss your parents when you’re there?
It’s not hard for me to travel, I even enjoy it. Of course, I miss ours, but they support me a lot and we are in constant contact. In the end, both I and they are aware that this separation is temporary, but what is happening is worth the sacrifice!
Although you have experience with television, as you have participated in the “Great Hopes” and “The Show of Fame” in the past, as well as in a number of competitions and even the selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, did you worry when you first faced the jury during the castings?
No. I was actually having fun.
Are you glad you got on Mika’s team, or did you prefer one of the other mentors?
I think Mika is the perfect mentor for me. And he is an emigrant and had to fight for his place under the sun. He speaks French and English, just like me. There is an extraordinary synchronicity between us.
What kind of person is he really? What is the most valuable music advice he has given you?
Mika always says what she thinks. The most valuable advice he gave me was to use my emotions.
What did you think when the otherwise demanding Mika told you that according to him, after Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, you are the next big Balkan star?
Praise is something that is very difficult to hear from his mouth, which is why I accept them as an extremely high rating. It makes me feel happy, but also even more responsible.
What did you rely on to reach the final and what was the thing that gave you the strength to move purposefully forward to the final goal?
I relied mainly on my talent and the feeling that gives me the fact that I represented not just myself, but the whole of Bulgaria – it gave me great strength.
Tell me, how did your days go after you became part of the show?
All participants lived in a hotel and could not go out, but our program was filled at any moment – with rehearsals, with preparation for concerts, with refinement of styling … in general with all the elements of our performance. We were really completely isolated, but we didn’t have time to think about it.
Why did you only have to stay in the hotel?
On the one hand, because of the strict measures related to the pandemic, but also because of the regulation of the form.
I understand that in that case during that time you could not understand exactly how big a star you are in Italy, right?
As far as we had free access to the Internet, I could find out from social networks where my popularity was going. Let’s not forget that journalists also write ratings for each of our presentations and I was among the participants with the highest marks.
Given the serious preparation for the live concerts, how did you manage to cope with the school at all, since you are a student at the International High School “Prof. Dr. Vasil Zlatarski”?
In the beginning, when I came to Italy, I studied remotely – like everyone else. But after I was approved to participate in “X Factor”, the commitments related to it increased dramatically. So at one point, learning unconsciously paused, even though I was doing my best. But now I will catch up!
I am sure that with the help of the Internet you kept in touch with your friends, classmates and teachers all the time. Tell me, how did they react after it became a real sensation? Has their attitude towards you changed in any way?
Yes, that’s right, I talked to my closest friends. Their attitude towards me did not change after my success – on the contrary, they supported me, loved me and were my fans to the last, even now.
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The concert, which took place on the 25th of this month, was attended by one of the biggest stars of modern industry – Ed Sheeran. Were you excited about this meeting?
Yes, definitely because he is one of the best male performers. Meeting such a star live is a privilege.
What is your biggest dream to date?
To be a successful artist, to leave a mark in time and to convey my message. I am glad that after this great reality emotion for me now comes the real work.
What will you do first when you return to Bulgaria?
I will embrace my loved ones.
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