The first public stage appearance for Yuliia Oleksandrivna Bebko occurred at age three, backed by an ensemble led by her father. Born in Kyiv in 1990, she eventually transitioned from early childhood performances to professional music, establishing a career as a vocalist, composer, and actor within the Ukrainian pop and alternative rock scenes.
Early Education and Musical Foundations
Born on 11 October 1990 in the Ukrainian SSR, Sanina underwent formal training at the Music School of Jazz and Variety Art, graduating in 2005. She pursued higher education at the Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. By 2013, she had earned a master’s degree in folklore studies, a period during which she also explored professional interests in journalism.
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Between 2006 and 2008, she performed with the band Sister Siren. Her collaboration with producer Valeriy Bebko began in September 2011 with the short-lived duo Val & Sanina. Following this, the pair rebranded as The Hardkiss, shifting toward a heavier sound and English-language songwriting. Their debut video, Babylon, was released in late 2011, followed by a performance opening for the band Hurts and the release of their track Dance with me.
Television and Media Career
Beyond her recording work with The Hardkiss, which signed with Sony BMG in 2012, Sanina expanded into television and digital media. She launched a YouTube channel in 2014 to document behind-the-scenes band activity. Her television presence grew when she served as a judge for the seventh series of The X Factor Ukraine. In 2023, she co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool and became a coach on The Voice of the Country. Her 2024 professional activities included providing the voice for the character Agatha in the Ukrainian localization of the video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
Fast facts
- Born: 11 October 1990, Kyiv
- Stage name: Julia Sanina
- Band: The Hardkiss
- Education: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
- Eurovision co-hosting year: 2023
- Voice role: Agatha, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Questions readers ask
What is Julia Sanina's band called?
She is the frontwoman of the rock band The Hardkiss.
Which major international event did she co-host?
Sanina co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, held in Liverpool.
