- Real name – Yana Oleksandrivna Shemaeva
- Date of birth – October 21, 1995
- City – Vasylkiv (Ukraine)
- Language – Ukrainian, English
- Activity – singer, songwriter
- Genre – pop music
History of the artist's development
Jerry Heil is the stage name of Ukrainian singer and songwriter Yana Shemaeva. The future star was born in Vasylkiv, Kyiv region, and from the age of three showed an interest in music and creativity. Sometimes, even instead of studying, the girl devoted time to singing. Yana attended music school until the age of 15. Then she studied at the Glier Kyiv Institute of Music (choir conducting). And later she entered the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music. But she left the institution in her second year, choosing her own creative path.
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Yana was immersed not only in the atmosphere of her parents' work from childhood. Her mother, Lyudmila Shemaeva, also sings and has recently been actively sharing her creativity online. In 2022, mother and daughter even released a video clip for their joint song "Not Sisters".
Yana chose the stage name Jerry Heil as a teenager. Then, fascinated by the cartoon "Tom and Jerry", she signed herself on social networks as Jerry Mouse. Later, "Mouse" changed to "Heil". The girl simply saw the name on the Internet and decided to use it, without putting any deep connotation. Thus began the story of the artist with a bright voice and even brighter charisma.
Creative path
At the age of 16, Yana posted a cover of the hit Somewhere Only We Know by Keane on YouTube. The video with a simple minus in the background was the beginning of the singer's confident movement towards popularity and recognition. Since then, the girl has regularly posted covers of songs by Ukrainian and international artists. Among them are the bands Okean Elzy, The Hardkiss, Twenty One Pilots and others.
In 2016, Yana's voice could be heard in the single "Electric Winter" by the band Arlett. And already in 2017, the singer tried to create her own group with her friends. The group rehearsed in a Kyiv garage. However, the creative collaboration quickly ceased. The group broke up, never gaining the attention of fans of modern musical culture. But Yana did not stop. She continued to perform solo. And at one of the events of the radio "DzhemFM" her medley impressed the organizers. Yana was offered to take the author's composition into rotation. This is how the track "Where is my home" was heard by a wide audience.
The release became an impetus for the search for a producer. Yana turned to the Vidlik Records studio, sending a demo. And - she received a favorable response from Yevgeny Filatov and Nata Zhyzhchenko. It was this label that released the singer's first mini-album "Where is my home" in October 2017, which included four tracks. A bright discographic debut opened the artist's way to the hearts of thousands of new fans.
Style and creative development
Jerry Heil's personal style is a combination of convenience, practicality and modern Ukrainian fashion. In the star's images, it is easy to notice a bold combination of classic and everyday styles: restrained dresses, suits, bright sweaters, torn jeans and embroidered shirts. The singer is not afraid to experiment, which allows her to harmoniously combine comfort and relevance.
In her work, the artist demonstrates a tendency to move away from the light comedic form with which her solo career began. Instead, Jerry Heil dives into a deeper emotional space. Her pop compositions are sincere stories from life, with inherent drama, lively melody and frank lyrics that awaken empathy and touch fans for life.
A real breakthrough for Jerry Heil occurred after the release of the song "PROTECTION, CANCELLATION". The track instantly became the leader of the charts and conquered YouTube. Success inspired Yana to create her debut album "#Я_ЯНА", which included such hits as "Вілна каса", "Натверкай", "Били кросы" and other compositions that consolidated the singer's position on the Ukrainian pop scene.
Participation in song contests
In 2018, Jerry Heil tried herself in the show "X-Factor", where she performed a cappella a medley of Oleg Vynnyk's songs. Despite four "yes" from the judges, the artist left the project after the first stage of the training camp.
In early 2020, the singer took part in the National Selection for Eurovision with the song Vegan. She reached the final, but did not win. However, in 2024, together with alyona alyona, Jerry Heil again took to the stage of the National Selection. Now – with the song Teresa & Maria. The duet won the national selection and represented Ukraine at a major concert in Malmö. In the final of Eurovision 2024, the artists took an honorable third place, gaining recognition from audiences from all over Europe.
Social activity
Jerry Heil takes an active part in various public and volunteer initiatives. In September 2019, the singer presented a video clip for the song “My Childhood Dream”, created as part of the charity project “Make a Dream Come True”. And in March 2022, Jerry Heil, together with Tina Karol, joined a large-scale international initiative in support of thecountry. Stars of the Ukrainian stage performed the "Youth Anthem" accompanied by the Polish choir Jana. Moreover, Jana translated the second verse into English.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the singer has constantly participated in charity events aimed at supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The singer's most famous hits:
- "Free Cash";
- "Security, Cancellation";
- "#Bomb_Rocket_Gun_Granite";
- When God Shut the Door;
- Dai Boh (with alyona alyona and Monica Liu);
- What floor of the sky are you from? (with Yarmak) and many others.
Awards and honors:
- Jager Music Awards 2019: Single of the Year ("Protection, Cancellation");
- Viva! Choice 2019: Opening Viva!;
- YUNA 2020: Opening of the Year;
- MME Awards 2023: Public Choice Award;
- Eurovision Awards 2024: Best Artistic Vision.
Interesting facts about the artist:
- in 2024, Jerry Heil's music gathered the largest number of listeners among Ukrainian artists on Spotify (over 1.6 million people per month);
- the singer managed to become a student at one of the most prestigious music universities in the world - Berklee College of Music;
- in 2024, the artist became part of the American Recording Academy, which gave her the opportunity to participate in voting for the Grammy Award winners;
- Yana created the song "NOT_BABY" for the popular show "From Boy to Girl";
- Jerry Hale follows a vegan lifestyle (practices a raw food diet).
