Ukraine-born singer Kristina Karo just moved to the United States in search of fame, but little did she know she would receive it right away! Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Kristina released her first dance track music video, Give Me Green Card – fitting for her immigration needs – and the song took off, capturing thousands and thousands of views online and turning her into an Internet sensation.
The Levity Ball sat down with the always blunt (and comedic) Kristina, who growing up was classmates with Mila Kunis and had a pet chicken named Doggie (because she could not afford an actual dog), to learn more about her fast-growing online fame and career in music…
When did you first “know” that you wanted to become a singer?
When I was 10 I used to sneak to my neighbors house who were the only ones in my village to have a TV set. It was 90’s and MTV was all the rage. I remember one night particularly when they were showing this song “Barbie Girl” and I start singing with the TV. After few seconds of singing and hearing myself I realized I can totally do it too. And may I humbly say that I can even do it better. There and then I knew my calling.
Who were some of your role models growing up?
I always had two great role models growing up: my grandma Olga who raised me all by herself and taught me not to take shit from anybody and Ronald Reagan who I believe is the very essence of the American Dream – the dream I come here to fulfill. It is quite astonishing how this person who started as an actor in Hollywood, reached the very top – being a president of the great USA. I want to follow his footsteps and getting my green card would be the first step.
Your first single’s video, Give Me Green Card, has gone viral… Tell us about this track and how you came up with the idea for it?
Everybody I know writes from their hearts and experiences. Some people need love, others need money and “Give Me Green Card” is not an “idea” it is simply the truth, a song about something I need – green card.
How does living and working in Hollywood compare to where you grew up?
It is really hard to compare Hollywood to Bereznitsa. There, I had to wake up every day at 4:30 am to pick up eggs, and here I can sleep in till noon and I don’t feel bad about it. I think this sums it up.
What has been the hardest thing you’ve gone through in the Hollywood industry since moving here?
The only thing that bothers me is that it is taking a little more time than I expected to become a superstar. On E! True Hollywood Story it takes them only 30 min!
