Oksana Stefanivna Hrytsai, known professionally as Mika Newton, adopted her stage name from a combination of the first name of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and the term "new tone." Born in Burshtyn, Ukraine, on 5 March 1986, she has established a career as a singer, actor, and film performer with a focus on pop and pop-rock music.
Early Development and Training
Newton began her musical education by mimicking radio artists. At age nine, she started participating in regional voice competitions. At 16, she relocated to Kyiv to enroll in the College of Circus and Variety Arts, where her curriculum included voice, piano, acting, dance, and pantomime. During this period, she signed with the Kyiv-based Falyosa Family Factory label.
Eurovision and International Recognition
In 2011, Newton represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. Her entry, "Angel," was written by Ruslan Kvinta and Maryna Skomorohova. The national selection process involved a combination of SMS, Internet, and jury voting. In the contest final held on 14 May 2011, she placed fourth with 159 points. Her stage performance featured sand-artist Kseniya Simonova.
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Take the IQ test →Relocation to the United States
Following a visit to Los Angeles to record with songwriter Walter Afanasieff and perform for producer Randy Jackson, Newton signed with the JK Music Group and the Friendship Collective. She moved to Los Angeles in June 2011. In 2012, she released the single "Don't Dumb Me Down," with an accompanying video directed by Marc Klasfeld that premiered on MTV's Buzzworthy. She also appeared on the Chinese reality show Maoren Queen.
Musical Releases and Public Appearances
Newton continued releasing music in the United States, including the single "Come Out and Play," which featured a remix by Paul Oakenfold. She promoted the track at the 2012 Winter Music Conference and held acoustic performances throughout Los Angeles in 2013. Her single "Magnets," co-written with Rune Westerberg and Victoria Horn, saw its video premiere in May 2013. She has appeared in publications such as Maxim and Chulo Magazine.
Activism and Personal Life
In December 2018, Newton married talent agent Chris Saavedra in the United States. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, she performed at the 2022 Grammy Awards alongside John Legend, Siuzanna Iglidan, and Lyuba Yakimchuk to honor lives lost during the conflict, preceded by a message from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Her sister, Liliya Hrytsai, has served in the Ukrainian Army during this period.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 March 1986, Burshtyn, Ukraine
- Profession: Singer, actor, film actor
- Eurovision 2011 rank: 4th place
- Spouse: Chris Saavedra
- Primary genres: Pop, pop-rock
- First US single: Don't Dumb Me Down (2012)
Questions readers ask
What is the origin of the name Mika Newton?
The name is derived from the first name of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and an abbreviation of the words new tone.
Where is Mika Newton currently based?
She is based in Los Angeles, California.
