Ksenia: Inside the Creative Architecture to Merge Stand-Up Comedy and Pop Music for Global Empowerment

We had the pleasure of talking with Ksenia. Ksenia is a Los Angeles-based comedian and singer-songwriter known for her ability to seamlessly blend humor with music. Originally from the small Russian town of Nakhodka, she has gained recognition for her sharp wit and bold storytelling, often tackling themes of empowerment, insincerity, and the absurdities of life in the entertainment industry. With a significant social media following exceeding 500,000, Ksenia has become a rising star, delivering a unique brand of comedy and pop music that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Ksenia’s upcoming single, FAKE, set to be released on October 11, showcases her characteristic blend of humor and social critique. Co-written and produced by Mario Marchetti, a Billboard-charting producer known for his work with artists like JoJo and Demi Lovato, FAKE is a biting commentary on the superficiality Ksenia has encountered in the entertainment industry. The song features lyrics like, “F.A.K.E. please, I am not trying to be your bestie,” underscoring her direct approach to calling out dishonesty and insincerity. This single marks another step in Ksenia’s evolving career, as she continues to merge her love of comedy and music into a distinctive voice in pop culture.

Born and raised in Nakhodka, a coastal town near the borders of China and North Korea, Ksenia developed a love for music and performance at a young age. Her childhood was filled with artistic pursuits — she studied piano, took up ballroom dancing, and competed in beauty contests, all while harboring dreams of moving to America. Inspired by pop icons like Britney Spears, she set her sights on Hollywood early on, motivated by a desire to break free from the small-town life and achieve success on a global scale.

Ksenia’s career began in music, where she initially gained attention with singles such as It’s My Birthday and Only Want You More, the latter of which garnered over 788,000 streams on Spotify and went viral on TikTok. Her songs often explore themes of self-empowerment, heartbreak, and resilience, with a comedic edge that distinguishes her from other pop artists. Only Want You More, a duet with Stevie Mackey, climbed to #28 on the iTunes pop chart and was featured in MTV, Music Choice, and Nick Music rotations. The song, which dealt with the emotional toll of relationship struggles during the pandemic, became a relatable anthem for many listeners.

In 2020, Ksenia released her debut EP, Uncrushed, a collection of four tracks that highlighted her ability to fuse humor with themes of personal empowerment. As the pandemic unfolded, she began experimenting more with comedy, infusing rap and humor into her music. This shift led to the release of singles like Girl from the Forest, where she embraced her Russian roots while poking fun at herself and her background. The song, with its catchy chorus — “I’m not from the city, I’m that girl from the forest / Where I’m from we got a lotta dudes named Boris” — became a standout for its use of traditional Russian melodies intertwined with contemporary pop production.

Ksenia’s journey into stand-up comedy was a natural extension of her musical career. Performing at iconic venues such as The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and New York’s Comedy Cellar, she quickly made a name for herself with her tongue-in-cheek humor and irreverent style. Her comedy, much like her music, often revolves around her experiences as a Russian immigrant navigating life in Los Angeles, where she humorously critiques both the entertainment industry and the cultural differences she encounters.

Despite her comedic approach, Ksenia is serious about her message of empowerment, particularly for women. She consistently encourages her audience to pursue their dreams with confidence and resilience. Through both her music and her performances, she advocates for women to reject societal expectations and embrace their individuality. Songs like GOOD NEW ONLY and TINY LITTLE DICK GUY — upcoming singles that continue her theme of female empowerment — address relationship dynamics with humor, but also deliver strong messages about self-worth and not settling for less.

Beyond her work in music and comedy, Ksenia is also passionate about animal welfare. She is an advocate for rescuing animals from shelters and labs, using her platform to raise awareness about cruelty toward animals. With two rescue dogs of her own, she hopes to inspire others to adopt and support the cause of animal rights.

Ksenia’s creative journey has been shaped by her collaborations with prominent industry figures. She has worked with Mario Marchetti, as well as songwriters Gino Barletta (Katy Perry, Daya) and Melanie Fontana (Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers), who have helped her refine her sound and expand her reach. Her music has been featured in press outlets like Cultr and Music Crowns, and she has performed on platforms such as iHeart Radio Live Sessions in New York City.

Looking to the future, Ksenia shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to her upcoming single releases, she is working on a one-hour musical comedy special, Ready for Hollywood, which chronicles her journey from Russia to America and the challenges she faced along the way. The show, which combines original music with her signature humor, is set to premiere in Los Angeles later this year, and Ksenia hopes it will inspire others to pursue their ambitions, no matter how improbable they may seem.

Ksenia’s ability to combine comedy with pop music, while delivering powerful messages of self-empowerment and resilience, has set her apart as a distinctive voice in the entertainment world. As she continues to evolve her career, she remains committed to using her platform to entertain, inspire, and advocate for causes she believes in.

Ksenia, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Ksenia: Absolutely! I’m from a small town called Nakhodka, nestled by the ocean, so I’ve been surrounded by the sea since birth. I started swimming at six, and since my hometown is so small, I walked everywhere — school, activities, everything was close by.

From a young age, I was always ambitious. I’m not entirely sure why, but I was driven. I studied piano, went to school, danced, sang, and was even part of a comedy club. My mom kept me busy to keep me out of trouble, but in truth, I never had much interest in getting into any — at least, not as a kid!

Growing up, I watched a lot of Baywatch, and there was a character named Natasha. I thought, “Wait, Russians can live in Malibu? Can I go to Malibu and be Russian there too?” Somehow, that idea stuck with me.

I also participated in beauty pageants, possibly because I didn’t feel very attractive as a child. I had a larger head and a smaller body, and everyone called me “Big Head.” It was a bit of a challenge, but eventually, my body caught up with my head! Even though I was in all these competitions, I never truly felt beautiful, but I always aspired to be. It’s a shallow value, I know, but it’s something I carried with me.

Living in Los Angeles has certainly reinforced that sense of vanity. I’ve learned the importance of appearance here, but I also value talent and having something meaningful to say. Interestingly, aesthetic values were always a part of my upbringing — Russians love to dress up. When I visit home, my mom insists, “Please wear makeup when you go out; you’ll embarrass me if you don’t.” In L.A., I can walk around looking casual or even disheveled, and no one cares, but in Nakhodka, everyone knows me and my family, so appearances matter.

Anyway, I think I may have strayed from the question! I participated in every competition in Nakhodka and won most of them. Jokingly, I was a big fish in a small pond. Now, living in Los Angeles, I’m a small fish in a sea of pescatarians.

That’s a deep joke. It’s good. Do you feel like people are trying to eat you?

Ksenia: Yes, yes, it is. It’s pretty real. You know, in the artistic and comedy community, it can be cutthroat. I do have a good group of friends, but there are some… well, some people who are fake. I even have a song about it.

So tell us about the next part of the story. How did you create this career as a successful music star?

Ksenia: Music has always been my foremost passion. From a young age, I found joy in singing and aspired to be a vocalist similar to Celine Dion. However, I was also greatly influenced by pop music icons like Britney Spears and the Spice Girls. My journey as a singer began in Nakhodka, where I performed at city holiday events, ensuring my presence at every local celebration.

In addition to my musical endeavors, I also worked as a clown, which contributed to my comedic flair. Humor seems to naturally surround me; I often find myself being funny without even trying. While many strive to be humorous, I discover that it comes to me effortlessly.

Singing has always been central to my career, and I continue to pursue it today. Currently, I focus on comedic songs, as this is the direction I have chosen. All of my work — whether in singing, rapping, or stand-up comedy — falls under the umbrella of comedy.

Great. You probably have some fascinating stories from all the different experiences. Can you share the most humorous story that happened to you since you began your professional career?

Ksenia: I came up with this funny joke years ago and performed it a lot! Fast forward to recently, this girl tweaks my joke a bit and starts telling it as if it’s hers. My friends start tagging me on social media, pointing out that it’s my joke! She ignored the comments and made a video where she’s laughing, captioning it, “How do I react when people steal my jokes?” Hilarious!

It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting your professional career in music? And the lesson you learned from it?

Ksenia: So, I’ve made a lot of mistakes — believe me. I’ve been beating myself up over them, staying up at night thinking, “Where did I go wrong?” I have a lot of regrets, but honestly, I think that’s part of what makes me who I am now.

The biggest mistake I think I made was messing with my name. My name is Ksenia, and my last name is really complex. But in the beginning, I kept changing my name — like, seven times! First, I was Xenia, then Xenia Ranger, then Ksenia Valenci. Can you imagine creating accounts for all those names? I even released a whole album under Ksenia Valenci. I just wish I had more guidance back then.

I was doing everything on my own because I’m so independent, but my producer always told me, “You should just be Ksenia. Like Rihanna, like Adele. Just one name — Ksenia.” But I didn’t listen.

My producer knows me really well, and every piece of advice he’s ever given me has been valuable. I just didn’t listen, and I think that was a mistake. So, if you have someone in your career that you trust, listen to them. That’s what I’ve learned.

By the way, I met my producer in 2009 — on the street!

Really? Tell us the story. How did that happen?

Ksenia: It was my first time visiting the United States. After spending some time in New York, my friend and I decided to travel to California, thinking it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In Russia, we tend to be a bit dramatic, often fearing the worst, so we thought, “We may never come back, so we have to experience Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Diego — explore the West Coast while we have the chance.”

We found ourselves on the streets of Los Angeles, completely lost with our luggage. Navigating New York had been more straightforward — places like Brighton Beach were easy to understand. But in L.A., we had no idea where we were, and to make things worse, our phones had died. Despite the situation, we reassured ourselves that, at the very least, we had each other and would figure things out.

Then, out of the blue, we ran into my producer, who was walking with his dog and manager. We explained the situation, including an encounter with someone who had tried to take advantage of us, and they immediately offered to help. They drove us to a motel, one of those typical ones with doors that open directly outside.

Having watched many American movies, I was pretty nervous. My friend and I had shared the same bed everywhere we stayed that summer, but finally, this motel had two beds. I remember asking her, “Can I sleep in your bed tonight?” to which she replied, “No, I’m done with that!” So, I stayed in my own bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I was irrationally convinced that someone would break in and harm us. Of course, nothing happened.

We ended up spending a few days with my producer and his team. They took us to the studio, played some tracks, and I was immediately impressed. When I later returned to the U.S., we reconnected, and we’ve been working together ever since. The creative chemistry between us is the best I’ve ever experienced.

When I first told him I wanted to become a rapper, he was hesitant, saying, “A Russian rapper? I’m not so sure about that.” But I was determined and told him, “Yes, it’s happening.” Initially, he wasn’t keen on associating his name with the project, but now he actually thinks I’ve become a pretty good rapper!

You’re really hysterical. You’re very funny, and I can definitely see why you’re a comedian.

Ksenia: Thank you. I’m glad you think that.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. We love hearing stories where someone further ahead creates an opportunity or opens a door that changes someone’s career. Do you have a story where somebody did that for you?

Ksenia: Yes, I do. But first, I’ve also done that for other people, just by being an example of going after what I want. You know how many friends started doing stand-up comedy after I got into it? A lot! And I’m always really generous with whatever I have — whether it’s knowledge, advice, introductions, or just support. I actually feel like part of my mission is to inspire people to go for what they want and not hold back.

For example, when I first started Instagram, it was so hard for me. I had all these voices in my head of people back home thinking, “Who the hell does she think she is? She’s going to Hollywood? She’s trying to be a star?” It was that fear of judgment from people back home. I swear, those voices in the back of my head were the loudest.

But doing stand-up comedy really freed me from that. It helps you stop caring about what others think because you’re constantly on stage, vulnerable, and just… out there. For me, overcoming that fear was huge, especially since I grew up with my mom always telling me to keep quiet, that my ideas weren’t good enough. There was a lot of bullying at home, but I pushed through. Learning another language and announcing to the world, “Hey, this is who I am and this is what I’m doing” — that was one of the scariest things for me. Now it doesn’t seem so scary, but for anyone who’s thinking of doing it and hasn’t yet, it feels like a huge leap, almost like coming out. You’re declaring your big dreams to the world, and it’s terrifying. But I did it, and I love encouraging others to do the same — at least the people I care about. As for the horrible people out there… karma will handle them.

Now, about someone who helped me: Joey Harris. He worked with Janet Jackson and I met him just before the pandemic. He introduced me to some key people and helped me get verified everywhere. He also really pushed for my duet with Stevie Mackey, the vocal coach for Jennifer Lopez. I went to Stevie to improve my vocals, and I played him a song I was working on because I wanted to do a duet. Since Stevie knows so many vocalists, I thought he might suggest someone. But then he said, “I like it.” With Stevie, it’s hard to get him to commit unless someone you know really hooks you up. Without that middle person, he might not even reply to you. But Joey helped make it happen, and now that song, Only Want You More, is one of my most successful. It became kind of a pandemic anthem. It’s about breaking up, missing someone, not being able to move on, and hoping maybe there’s another chance.

But, you know, look at JLo — there’s no going back to your ex! You move on once and that’s it. My friend always says I shouldn’t compare myself to JLo, but I do! I was like, “What do you mean? I can’t get married five times? I’m capable!” It’s funny, but honestly, turning things into a joke is my defense mechanism. I take failures really hard. I don’t just fail and try again — I fail, and then I beat myself up over it, wondering what I could’ve done better. I need to stop doing that.

Have you seen that Bob Newhart skit, Stop It ? It’s so good. This woman is complaining about all her problems, and he just keeps saying, “Stop it.” It’s only a couple of minutes, but it’s hilarious and weirdly effective. That’s my advice for dealing with issues — just stop it!

So you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on and what you hope to be working on in the future?

Ksenia: Sure! I’m working on a one-hour musical comedy special called Ready for Hollywood. I just finished writing the last song for it, and I’m taking all the new songs to my piano player tomorrow. It’s a one-hour show that tells the story of me coming to America and everything I’ve had to deal with along the way. It’s meant to be inspirational — or at least, I hope it is! When I listen to the songs, I think, “Whoa, this is deep.” I just finished one about hitting rock bottom, because when you hit rock bottom, that’s when you figure out your path in life. Honestly, it’s been a goal of mine to hit rock bottom, so I’d like to thank everyone who helped me get there!

Were you a comedian in Russia?

Ksenia: Yeah, a little bit. I was funny in Russia too, but I think I’m funnier in English. It’s really deep stuff, you know. I guess I’m also a bit of a philosopher! I’m excited to put on this one-hour show live in Los Angeles this fall. It’ll be a trial run, not in New York yet.

I also have a song coming out on October 11th called F A K E Beach. It’s my way of letting my enemies know I’m not trying to be besties with them. This one girl came up to me and said, “Ksenia, you’re my mortal enemy.” And I was like, “Whoa, I’m not ready for that kind of commitment! I want to see other enemies, thanks!”

I think I’m always laughing, even when I’m crying. I always try to find something positive in everything. I think it’s because I’m a Sagittarius — I believe in horoscopes, and as a Sagittarius, I’m a chronic optimist.

So, I have a song called F A K E coming out in October, and then in November, I’m releasing another one called I’m Not Your Side Dish, I’m the Main Course. It’s about never settling for less than being number one. It’s an important message for women, and I’ll be covering this more in the content I’m creating.

Some of the lyrics go, “If you can’t handle the steak, get a salad.”

If you could take all of your songs, put them into a bucket — all the lyrics, all the music — mix it up in a blender, what would be the main message that comes out of your work?

Ksenia: Well, in, my earlier work had a lot of heartbreak themes, but my later work is more comedic raps. So, I’d say the main message is to be authentically yourself and that all of your ideas are important.

That’s great. You mentioned heartbreak. Do you feel like you’ve had a lot of heartbreak in your own life?

Ksenia: When you truly love yourself, there’s no space for heartbreak in your personal life. In my creative life, hearing “no” and dealing with rejection is still challenging, but there’s nothing that can’t be overcome — unless it’s a matter of life and death, which thankfully, isn’t the case!

You said something interesting — you said that if you love yourself, you can’t have heartbreak. Do you feel that everyone who’s heartbroken or lovesick is that way because they don’t truly love themselves?

Ksenia: Absolutely! When you truly love and respect yourself, you naturally won’t tolerate anything or anyone that doesn’t align with your values. You won’t allow anyone to mistreat you. They may try, but you’ll put a stop to it immediately. Self-love and respect are the foundation of personal well-being. In the past, I didn’t have that respect for myself and allowed others to treat me poorly. I would sit there, upset, wondering, “Why do they treat me like this when I’m such a nice person?” But being nice without setting boundaries is not the answer. You can be kind, but strong boundaries are essential. Wow, I think I should become a motivational speaker. (Laughs)

Now, this is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you know now that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

Ksenia:

1. Focus on one thing. It’s really important to pick one thing and go hard on that. I picked too many things, and I’m still suffering for it. I’m focusing on two now — music and comedy — but I also did acting and even made a film, and I was like, What am I doing? It’s too much. You have to pick one thing. Get very focused on that one thing.

2. Once you’ve picked it, say no to anything that doesn’t relate to it. If it doesn’t help you with the one thing, it’s a distraction.

3. Don’t stay friends with people you don’t like. If someone doesn’t inspire or motivate you, let them go. Life’s too short to have draining people around.

4. Get into therapy and figure out how to love and respect yourself. If you don’t do that, you’re going to experience a lot of unnecessary heartbreak. We’ve already learned this — self-love is key.

5. Have a big-picture belief. You don’t need to know every step, but you need to have a clear vision of where you want to end up. Create a vision board, visualize what you want to achieve, and believe in it.

And I’ll add a bonus:

6. Believe that you deserve the best. When you truly believe you deserve the best, the universe brings it to you. It’s like magic. But believing doesn’t mean just sitting back and doing nothing — you also have to work hard. It’s a combination of both.

I need to make notes on what I just said! I’m so wise. You know, when you don’t say these things out loud, you don’t realize how much you’ve learned. I’m glad we summarized it. You really brought it out of me!

Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.

Ksenia: OK, so you have to work out. I work out every day. Look, I worked out this morning — I love it! I feel like I could beat someone up now. But seriously, working out is essential.

It’s essential to disconnect sometimes, especially from social media. Platforms like Instagram can become toxic, so taking a break is crucial. Lately, I’ve been making it a point to put my phone in another room and allow myself to unplug. You don’t need to respond to everyone immediately, unless, of course, it’s your PR agent! But if someone reaches out and you don’t feel like engaging, give yourself permission to protect your peace and take your time.

Equally important is finding inspiration. You can’t always be in creation mode. Take time to watch a good movie, immerse yourself in nature, or do something that recharges you. Creativity flows best when you’re energized and at peace, not when you’re running on empty or feeling overwhelmed.

Also, avoid overindulging in alcohol, tobacco, or vaping. Personally, I don’t partake in any of that — my joy comes from spending time with my dogs. So, my suggestion: get a dog! Or a cat, if that’s more your style.

Lastly, remember to treat everyone with kindness. That’s really the heart of it all. I think I’ve covered everything today!

Yitzi: This is our aspirational question. Because of the platform you’ve built and your great work, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Ksenia: I believe we all need to be a little kinder to one another — and to animals, especially wildlife. If you have the ability to help someone or something, just do it. It often requires so little effort. The mistreatment of animals truly breaks my heart. Instagram knows me too well and keeps showing me videos of these poor dogs, and it’s just heartbreaking.

We need more kindness because life is tough. We’re all facing our own challenges, and none of us are getting out of it alive. That’s really all it takes. And, of course, remember to mind your own business — not you specifically, but people in general. That’s my message!

This is our final question. We call it our matchmaker question. Sometimes it works. We’re very fortunate that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this. Is there a person in the world or in the U.S. with whom you’d like to have lunch? Because we could tag them and maybe make a connection.

Ksenia: Yes, Lil Dicky, we’re definitely going to make this happen. I have a song called “Tiny Dick Guy,” but it’s not about him. The track is really about men who mistreat women, and I refer to that as “tiny dick energy.” Lil Dicky, on the other hand, has been open about his medical condition and managed to turn it into a hit show. Honestly, he’s a legend for that.

How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they purchase your music and your comedy? How can they support you in any way?

They can follow me on Instagram @imksenia. And sign up for my mailing list, which I’m going to work really hard on now.

Yitzi: Great. Thank you so much for this, Ksenia. This is really the funniest interview I’ve ever done.

Ksenia: Oh, thank you.