A new scandal is brewing in the Russian entertainment industry involving singer and TV host Sergey Lazarev. His behavior on the popular show “Come on, Everyone Together!” on the “Russia 1” channel sparked a massive backlash on social media.
During a performance by the folk group “Taloka,” which was singing folk songs, Lazarev, who served as the head of the jury, expressed his dissatisfaction. The artist admitted that during their performance, he felt “as if he were at some kind of drinking party.” Later, the group’s members wrote on their Telegram channel that “authentic Russian music is receiving the lowest scores” in the show’s new season.
This comment sparked a wave of outrage among pro-government activists and bloggers. Z-culture groups, such as “Russky Sych,” began openly criticizing Lazarev, hinting at possible legal consequences and “corrective labor.” The Real Kultras channel also joined in the smear campaign; it is considered one of the main “informants” of Russian Z-culture and is behind many denunciations of pop stars.
The situation went beyond professional criticism: Z-journalists, including Igor Maltsev, began using offensive language toward the artist and discussing his sexual orientation, effectively forcing him to come out.
Journalist Renat Davletgildeev emphasized on “The Breakfast Show” that the current attacks are taking place against the backdrop of Lazarev’s complicated history with the authorities. On the first day of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the artist published an emotional anti-war post, which was later deleted. According to sources close to the singer, Lazarev was effectively “taken hostage,” with authorities blackmailing him using his children—his son Nikita and daughter Anna. It is reported that, under threat of having his parental rights revoked, he was forced to remain in Russia and perform at concerts in support of the special military operation, as was the case in Kaluga in June 2022.
To this day, Lazarev remains one of the most sought-after artists, but he is under strict surveillance. His travel to Western countries has been restricted, and he is effectively allowed to visit only destinations such as Turkey or the UAE, in order to prevent his possible emigration.
Experts note that the Lazarev case is part of a broader trend in 2026, which is being called the “year of reckoning” for the entertainment industry. Russia is currently undergoing a final “purge” of its cultural scene, where any stance deemed insufficiently loyal—or even a casual comment—can lead to an artist’s complete ostracization and persecution.
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