Olena Kravets Speaks Out on Controversy
In an interview with Masha Yefrosinina, former 'Kvartal 95' star Olena Kravets has addressed the scandal surrounding state funding for her show 'Quiet Evening' on the 'Dim' channel. She denies all allegations, expressing deep concern over the potential damage to her career. According to tender data, Kravets initially received over 27 million UAH from the state budget for the show's production. However, after contract amendments, the total was reduced by 5,328,000 UAH, resulting in a final development sum of 27,528,000 UAH.
The 'Dim' channel clarified that the allocated 27.5 million UAH covered expenses for 2023, not the budget for the following year. Olena Kravets, who worked at the 'Kvartal 95' studio for 25 years, stated she felt intense pressure due to the public controversy. Scandals involving state funding for entertainment are a sensitive topic in Ukraine, often sparking public debate about the use of resources.
“My voice was completely lost in the noise of these utterly baseless accusations. This is now a matter of past years. At the time, I relied solely on my internal honesty, on the fact that I wasn't ashamed to look people in the eye. I never took anything from anywhere.” — Olena Kravets
Career Impact of the Scandal
Kravets also shared her thoughts on how the scandal affected her professional life.
“You realize that everything you worked for over 25 years suddenly means nothing. It's as if it's being taken away from you. Everything else just crumbles. It felt like a complete fall to the bottom of all my own pits.” — Olena Kravets
Following the scandal, Olena Kravets launched the podcast 'Let's Talk at Home' with her daughter Masha and narrated audiobooks, including 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo'. She also described the difficulties she faced:
- “I lived in a state of constant fear.”
- “It's a kind of publicity trauma—you're afraid to put yourself out there again because suddenly another wave of hate might wash over you.”
Thus, the situation around 'Quiet Evening' caused significant public outcry, and Olena Kravets continues to seek new avenues for her creative projects. This case underscores the importance of transparency in funding cultural projects and the risks public figures in Ukraine face. With her extensive experience in show business, Kravets is now forced to adapt to new conditions and find alternative paths for development, which may shape the future of her career. In an environment of high competition and public pressure, she will need to find a balance between her creative work and social responsibility.