Nataša Bekvalac is a Serbian singer, model and actress. Rose to prominence in 2001 with debut albumNe brini, she is now recognised as one of the most eminent Serbian pop stars.
Life and career
Early life
Nataša Bekvalac was born in Novi Sad on September 25, 1980. Her father is a football coach and former player Dragoljub Bekvalac. She grew up as the middle daughter with two sisters, one of which is Serbian fashion designer and former contestant, Kristina Bekvalac. In 1989 Bekvalac made her music debut on a children music festival where she performed alongside popular Bosnianrock bandRegina. Later in 1990, she was also noted for appearing on the children music show called Muzički tobogan.
Career
Bekvalc rose to prominence in 2001 with her first album, titled Ne brini released under City Records, which was nominated for the album of the year. Her sophomore record Ništa lično, featuring stand-out "Mali signali", was then released the following year. In November 2004, she released Stereo ljubav containing hit-songs such as "Nikotin" and "Ponovo". Four years later, in November, Bekvalac dropped an EP, called Ljubav, vera, nada, with three new songs and their R&B infused remixes In December 2010, Bekvalac presented Ne valjam. The following year she collaborated with Emina Jahović on their duet 'Gospodine' and was later declared female pop artist of the year at the Serbian Popularity Oscar ceremony. In June 2016, Bekvalac saw great commercial success with her fifth studio album, 'Original', which also featured six previously recorded singles. Over the years, she has also made several acting appearances on television and in 2016 had her theatre debut as Queen Draga Mašin in the musical 'Tajna Crne ruke'. In 2018, Bekvalac replaced Jelena Tomašević as the judge on the televised children singing competition Pinkove Zvezdice broadcast on TV Pink. In October, she successfully released single 'Mala plava' featuring rapper and record producerCoby. In December, Bekvalac released 'Neprijatelj' with Magla Band. In late January 2019, she performed a medley of her greatest hits at the 2019 Music Awards Ceremony. In October, Bekvalac had another duet with Emina Jahović, titled 'Muško više ne mogu'. She successfully sold out her first concert in the Belgrade Arena, titled 'S.O.S. za ljubav', held for the Valentine's Day 2020.
Personal life
Throughout her career, Bekvalac's personal life has been the subject of constant media attention. In the year 2000, Bekvalac made headline news for dating Serbian entrepreneur Miodrag Kostić, who is twenty years older than her. In 2004, she began relationship with Serbian waterpolo player Danilo Ikodinović. They eventually got married in 2006 and Bekvalac gave birth to their daughter Hana the following year. The couple eventually separated in 2011, after Ikodinović allegedly had cheated on her. Bekvalac was then briefly married to handball player Ljubomir Jovanović, between 2015 and 2017, whom she left to marry her third husband IT entrepreneur Luka Lazukić. In 2018, however, Nataša was physically assaulted by Lazukić just a month after she had given birth to their baby girl named Katja. This case went to court followed with substantial media attention and Bekvalac filed for a divorce once again. Bekvalac was also declared gay icon of 2019.
