“I supposedly kept my daughter in the basement.” Rayhon Ganiyeva, who grew up as an orphan, earns $1,000 from a single performance, and whose famous colleague complained about her to the Department of Internal Affairs, turns 48 (photo, video)

“I supposedly keep my daughter in a basement.” Rayhon Ganiyeva, who grew up an orphan, charges $1,000 per “one-shot” performance, and whose famous colleague complained about her to the police, turns 48 (photo, video)

Rayhon Ganiyeva, who comes from a dynasty of great artists, starred in a movie at just one year old, and has fans of all ages, turned 48 on September 16. On the occasion of the birthday of the artist, who stands out among her colleagues for her sincerity, has been married twice, and dreams of having a daughter, we take a look at her life and career.

**Rayhon lost her father at the age of 6**

The singer's great-grandfather, Nabi Ganiyev, was a famous actor and director of his time. He directed films considered masterpieces of Uzbek cinema, such as “Nasruddin in Bukhara” (1943), “Tohir and Zuhra” (1945), “The Adventures of Nasruddin” (1946), and “Daughter of Fergana” (1948). He had four children, none of whom wanted to become artists. Only his grandson Otabek Ganiyev, the son of his son Hotam, continued his grandfather's profession.

Otabek Ganiyev married actress Tamara Shakirova in 1977. From the love of the two artists, a curly-haired girl named Rayhon was born. At first, everything was fine. While Otabek Ganiyev was playing his best roles, he met with an accident and passed away. Rayhon Ganiyeva was a 6-year-old girl at the time. The early death of the head of the family was certainly not easy for his loved ones.

**“My childhood was not joyful”**

Tamara Shakirova focused all her attention on her career, collaborating not only with Uzbek but also with Azerbaijani and Indian filmmakers. She starred in more than ten films until 1993, and then married for the second time. From this marriage, she had another daughter and named her Nasiba.

— You know, many people say childhood is the happiest period. But I cannot say this about my childhood. Because my childhood was not happy and joyful. That is why I do not want to remember those days. My parents were very busy actors of their time, they were always on film sets and trips. No matter how much my mother loved me, due to livelihood and work, she was forced to send me to a 24-hour boarding kindergarten. Imagine, I even stayed at the kindergarten at night. Later, my school years passed in the same way. The strict discipline of the music schools named after V. Uspensky and Glière deprived me of simple childhood joys. I did not run around with children in the street; I always had to sit in front of the piano and practice. My willpower today, my ability to endure any difficulty, is precisely the product of that childhood spent in loneliness.

But I still remember my mother giving me a puppy when I was 12 years old. I was so happy to get what I had dreamed of for a long time, says the singer in one of her interviews.

**“My mother did not want me to be an artist”**

The singer starred in a movie at just one year old. In 1980, she played the role of Hadicha's child in the film “My Leningrad Children,” shot by the “Uzbekfilm” film studio. The role of Hadicha was played by her mother, Tamara Shakirova. Although Rayhon was born into a family of artists, her mother strongly opposed her pursuing this profession.

— I had always dreamed of being a ballerina like crazy. At home, I walked in pointe shoes instead of slippers, and I was even ready to sleep without taking them off. But since my mother knew the difficulties in the world of art, she wanted to direct me to another path. She deceived me, saying, “To become a ballerina, you must first master playing the piano perfectly, they won't accept you for studies without it.” Thus, 11 of my years were spent in music school. On the eve of graduating from school, I won a prestigious competition and got the opportunity to perform with a symphonic orchestra accompanied by the legendary conductor Haqnazarov. But back then, seeing the unfairness behind the scenes, people's envy of each other, and the intrigues, I was deeply disappointed. Saying, “If the world of music is like this, I won't stay here,” I entered the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, which was close to my home.

**“I graduated in English philology and starred in a movie”**

Rayhon Ganiyeva, who graduated from the Faculty of English Philology of the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, took her steps into professional creativity in 1999. She first became popular with her song in the musical film “Tohir and Zuhra,” shot in 2000. In those days, there were not as many singers as there are today. That is why Rayhon's songs quickly became popular among modern youth.

— My biggest problem was that I had no money. Of course, my mother was also against me choosing art. Then, realizing that I had put my heart into music, my mother started supporting me. They say the show business industry is full of shady dealings. But I have never encountered such a situation in my life. Only financial problems troubled me.

The film “Tohir and Zuhra” was a turning point in my life. Actually, another cast — the most famous stars of that time — was supposed to participate in the film. But look at the coincidence, one singer declined just one day before the shooting. They called me at night and said: “We have to fly tomorrow morning at 6:00, can you come?” I agreed immediately, without even knowing what awaited me. The song “Azoblaysan” became a hit back then, and I became famous beyond my expectations. Even though I had no money, I had passion and the luck given by Allah, says Rayhon.

The singer managed to present her first solo concert program in 2002. As they say, when luck comes, it comes all at once; Rayhon became the winner of the “Nihol” award in 2002. “My interest and desire for art gave me the strength to overcome all difficulties,” she says.

**“Does Rayhon have leukemia or cancer?”**

However, rumors spread among people saying, “Rayhon Ganiyeva has leukemia, she has cancer. That is why they are giving her awards one after another.” But the singer ignored such rumors and continued her work. Later, unconfirmed reports spread that the singer suffered from kidney failure and underwent a major surgery. But the singer never spoke about this in any of her interviews. In 2020, in an interview, she answered a journalist's question about undergoing a major surgery as follows.

Photo: Instagram

— I have been between life and death, it is very difficult to talk about this, the singer gave a general answer.

She was surprised by the journalist's question: “Your photo is said to be hanging on the wall in the office of a famous surgeon in Russia.”

The peak of Rayhon Ganiyeva's career fell in the years 2005–2010. The songs created in those years are still on the lips of her fans. Her songs like “Yodingdami?”, “Kechir”, “Orzungga ishon”, “Doimo”, and “Baka-baka bang” continue to be passed from mouth to mouth among listeners.

**“‘Kechir’ was the last one”**

During her career, Rayhon Ganiyeva also tried her hand at acting. The film “Kechir,” in which she participated, was warmly received by the audience. She wrote the screenplay for this film herself and tried to expose the vices in the world of show business in the picture.

Although the main character Samira (Rayhon) is a very famous and successful pop singer, she feels lonely in her personal life. One day, she meets a simple but talented photographer, Said. Pure love arises between them, but life's trials and social stratification hinder their relationship.

**“I got divorced and fell into depression for several years”**

Rayhon shared how her relationship with her first husband, actor Yigitali Mamajonov, started and how she attended therapy sessions after the divorce.

Photo: Sayyod.com

— This is probably known to everyone. It all started during the music video shooting process. When the marriage proposal also came over the phone, we were a bit surprised because of the age difference. It was destiny, we got married. I prepared food for my husband on time, ironed his clothes, and washed his laundry. I kept my home neat and cozy. Like many women, I did not ask my husband how much money he was making... But the marriage ended in divorce.

Photo: Instagram

I believe that every marriage is made in heaven and in destiny. The divorce was a big blow for me. Like every woman, I also had depression and fears like “how will my children live without a father?” I was in a deep depression for several years. My sister Nasiba, my friend Yakzon, as well as sessions with a professional psychologist helped me. Only after that did I understand myself and start looking at life differently. Now each of us has our own family. And I am happy to have two sons, says the singer.

**“I will not break up someone else's family”**

Rayhon Ganiyeva waited anxiously for a long time to have children. In 2014, she gave birth to not one, but two twin sons.

Photo: Instagram

— I will not break up someone else's family, and I am in favor of families being strong. Every person has the right to be happy, Rayhon Ganiyeva said in one of her interviews.

**“A friend of mine was in love with Farhod”**

— Farhod and I have known each other since our student days. Interestingly, a friend of mine at the institute was very in love with him. So that our friend would be happy, we used to sit in a cafe and wait for Farhod to pass by the window (laughs). Years later, destiny connected us. When he proposed to me, I was very embarrassed, and I even asked for permission from that friend, wondering if she would be upset. Rashid Kholikov was the catalyst for my marriage. He invited me to lunch and advised me, saying, “Rayhon, Farhod is a very good guy, I guarantee it myself. You need a husband and your children need a father, do not be afraid.” I respected him deeply and did what he said. Here we are, living happily for 10 years, she says.

Photo: Instagram

There were also those who thought that the family built with Farhod Alimov would not last long. But Rayhon was able to prove that she is a person who does not separate a father from his children. She takes her husband's children on family trips. She also does not miss posting photos on her social media pages.

**“DJ Piligrim reported me to the police”**

Rayhon also spoke about the conflict with her colleague DJ Piligrim.

— Ilhom (DJ Piligrim) and I studied together at the institute; he was already famous back then. The conflict that happened with him was one of the most incomprehensible situations in my life. We had recorded a great duet, everything was fine. Suddenly he stopped all work, I suggested we talk and clarify everything, but he called me and started showering me with terrible accusations and even called me a thief.

Then I heard that he reported me to the police. He apparently accused me of “insulting his personality.” I was shocked because it was the first time in my life that I had to give explanations to law enforcement officers. In the end, they checked all my interviews, said there were no insulting words, and closed the case. I was very deeply hurt back then, but now it is all in the past. I do not hold a grudge. I think Ilhom is a person with very volatile moods. Maybe we will record another duet (laughs), says Rayhon.

**“I want to have a daughter”**

Rayhon is one of the most disciplined singers in Uzbek show business. She hates not managing her day properly and wasting time on unnecessary people.

— My favorite activity is being with my children. I rest when I am with my children. When I spoke to my husband about wanting a baby, he said we have passed the age of having children, says the singer.

— We are not planning to have another child. I have three, and Rayhon has two — we have five children in total. I consider raising children to be a very complex and difficult process. It would be a big deal if we just raise these five children. In general, our children are close and friendly with each other, says Rayhon's husband, Farhod Alimov.

**“I supposedly keep my daughter in a basement”**

Rayhon Ganiyeva listed the funniest and most terrible rumors about herself.

— There is no count of rumors. The most shocking must be the fabrication that I have a daughter hidden from everyone and that I keep her in a basement. I wonder who came up with this. Perhaps, back then, they thought so because our neighbor Rashid aka's little daughter was very attached to me and we went to work together. Also, the talk about my husband and me living “under a contract,” and our children being born “under a contract”... All of this is nonsense. My personal life is only on my Instagram page; everything else is a lie.

**Does Rayhon have no friends in show business?**

— I have a friend in show business. She is the famous singer Sagdiana. I am on good terms with everyone in Uzbek show business, but we are not close. I just do not speak with two colleagues, that's all. My acquaintances invite me to dinners, but I do not go. I want to spend my free time with my children, says Rayhon.

**Is Rayhon's era over?**

What is the singer's reaction to the talk that “Rayhon's era is over”?

— I take criticism very hard. Even if there are a hundred praises, I fall into depression after reading one bad word. Once, when a publication even wrote, “Rayhon's tickets are not selling, she now looks like a fallen pilot,” I was offended by them and canceled my subscription. But a month later, at my 2024 concert, all tickets were sold out. This was my answer on stage! I am still on stage, still cherished by my fans.

**She presented her last concert, but...**

In 2023, the singer announced that she would present the last concert of her career. The singer, who said she intended not to give concerts anymore and to focus all her attention on her children, announced that due to the demand of her fans, she would give another concert in 2026, and she held it as a big show as well.

Rayhon Ganiyeva is one of the most in-demand singers for weddings and celebrations. The singer's fee for a single performance at weddings in the capital is set at $1,000.

Currently, the life of the wealthy Uzbek singer is rich in such variety. In short, she was not born a star either and did not reach these days easily.