On August 8, 2026, Jerry Hale will perform in Frankfurt am Main, and on August 9, 2026, she will take the stage in the German city of Fecht.
This is part of a major European tour by the Ukrainian pop singer, who in just a few years has gone from performing amateur covers on YouTube to placing third at Eurovision.
Biography of Jerry Heil
Jerry Heil is a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, blogger, and composer who has successfully transformed her online popularity into a successful music career. Today, Jerry Heil is among the most recognizable Ukrainian artists both at home and abroad. Her concerts consistently draw crowds, as each of her performances is a blend of powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and a modern musical style.
Real Name and Background
Jerry Heil’s real name is Yana Aleksandrovna Shemaeva. She was born on October 21, 1995, in Vasylkiv, Kyiv Oblast. Her stage name has become such an integral part of her artistic identity that many fans perceive “Jerry Heil” as the singer’s real name, even though there is a simple story from her youth behind it.
What Jerry Heil Is Known For
Jerry Heil gained widespread fame thanks to her original songs, which quickly went viral on social media and music streaming services. Her music blends pop, elements of electronic music, original songwriting, and a vibrant performance style.
Among the singer’s most famous works are the viral track “Security, Cancel” (2019) and her debut album #Я_ЯНА.
In 2024, she represented Ukraine at Eurovision in a duet with rapper Alyona Alyona with the song “Teresa & Maria” and took an honorable third place in the final in Malmö. Jerry Hale is also the founder of her own label, Nova Music, and a member of the Recording Academy (Grammy).
Childhood, Education, and Musical Background
Yana Shemaeva grew up in the small town of Vasylkiv near Kyiv. Her parents enrolled her in creative classes as early as age three: music became a part of her life long before her first public performances. In the singer’s own words, she had a “straight-A student complex” from childhood—she gave her all to everything, and music was no exception.
Family
Yana’s family was far removed from show business: her parents raised and sold meat. The future singer grew up in a house where livestock was slaughtered right outside her window—this experience affected her so deeply that, as an adult, she became a committed vegan and raw foodist. Yana herself calls this “the irony of fate.”
Musical Education
Jerry Heil’s professional foundation was built seriously and consistently. She graduated from the Kyiv Institute of Music named after Reinhold Glier with a degree in choral conducting and also studied at the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine.
Later, the singer enrolled at the prestigious Berklee College of Music (Boston)—one of the world’s leading music colleges. It was there, according to rumors, that she met her future boyfriend. Her academic background gave Yana an understanding of vocals, arrangement, and polyphony—all of which are clearly evident in her music.
YouTube, Covers, and First Steps in Music
It was through covers that Jerry Heil learned to hear herself and gradually came to realize that it was time to “say something of her own.”
Covers as a search for style
Jerry Heil’s path to the pop scene began during the heyday of YouTube blogging. Yana recorded covers of hits by Ukrainian and international artists, gradually developing her own voice and style. Covers were not just entertainment, but a learning experience: a way to understand what resonated and what didn’t.
Thanks to YouTube, the artist managed to attract her first audience and gain experience working with musical content. Many listeners first learned about her through her covers.
The Transition from Covers to Original Songs
The transition from covers to original material is always a risky move. Jerry Heil took it consciously: she began writing lyrics in Ukrainian, developing her own aesthetic, and searching for a label that would share her vision. This search led to a fateful meeting with Vidlik Records.
The stage name Jerry Heil
Like many young artists, Yana spent a long time searching for her own creative identity. An important part of this journey was choosing a stage name, which later evolved into a recognizable musical brand.
The story behind the name
The stage name Jerry Heil came about by chance, as is often the case with the best names. When signing up for a social media platform that was popular at the time, Yana named herself Jerry Mouse—in honor of the character from the cartoon “Tom and Jerry.” Later, the name evolved, and “Heil” was added naturally.
Thus, a random nickname became part of the artist’s creative identity. The result was a memorable brand that resonates easily with both Ukrainian and international audiences.
Collaboration with Vidlik Records
The turning point in her career came in 2017: Yana sent her demo recordings to the page of the label Vidlik Records, founded by sound producer Yevgeny Filatov (The Maneken) and musician Nata Zhizhchenko (ONUKA). They recognized the young artist’s potential and took her under their wing. Under the label’s guidance, her debut mini-album “De Mii Dim” was released, featuring the tracks “Postil,” “Nebo,” and “Nadiya.”
The EP was followed by her appearance on The X Factor—Yana received four “yes” votes from the judges at the audition, though she left the show after the first challenge. But the experience of performing in public and the media attention did their part. In 2019, a single was released that changed everything.
Viral Success and the #Я_ЯНА Album
The real breakthrough came after the release of a series of viral tracks and her debut album #Я_ЯНА. The artist managed to combine contemporary sounds, humor, self-irony, and social commentary, thanks to which her songs quickly spread across the internet.
“ОХРАНА, ОТМЄНА” as a turning point
In 2019, Jerry Heil released “#ОХРАНА_ОТМЕНА”—and the track literally blew up the Ukrainian internet. The song went so viral that, according to legend, cashiers in stores stopped saying Jerry Heil’s phrase “Security, Cancel” when removing items from a receipt—it had become so closely associated with the hit. The track won music awards and paved the way to a large audience.
A few months later, the full-length debut album #Я_ЯНА was released—featuring tracks like “#ВІЛЬНА_КАСА,” “#НАТВЕРКАЙ,” “#WHITE_SNEAKERS,” and other hits that racked up millions of streams. Yana literally shouted from the stage and through the speakers: “I’m not Lena—I’m Yana.” It wasn’t just a statement about her name, but a manifesto of identity.
Jerry Heil’s Creative Style
Jerry Heil’s success is largely due not only to her memorable hits but also to her unique approach to music. The artist has created a style that blends contemporary pop music with sincerity, intelligent songwriting, and relevant themes.
Her work combines pop, electronic elements, original lyrics, and vibrant vocal parts. At the same time, the singer isn’t afraid to experiment with sound, collaborate with other artists, and seek new forms of musical expression.
The Ukrainian Language and the New Pop Scene
Jerry Heil is part of a generation of Ukrainian artists who embraced their native language in pop music long before it became a political statement. Jerry Heil’s songs in Ukrainian sound natural and modern: without archaism, without artificiality. It is organic vocals in a contemporary pop sound.
The singer has proven that the Ukrainian language can sound equally compelling in both lyrical compositions and dynamic pop hits. Thanks to her work, a young audience has come to see Ukrainian music as modern, competitive, and closely connected to their own life experiences.
Many music critics consider Jerry Heil to be among the artists who have made a significant contribution to the development of the new Ukrainian pop scene, alongside other representatives of the generation of independent performers.
Social themes
Jerry Heil’s work is often described as “everyday pop”—she sings about everyday experiences that are instantly recognizable. Themes of self-identity, freedom, the female voice, and unity run like a common thread through her discography. With the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine, these themes have taken on new depth and emotional power.
In her songs, the artist often addresses people’s inner struggles, their relationship with society, the search for one’s own path, and maintaining dignity in difficult circumstances. At the same time, she presents even serious topics in accessible language, combining emotionality with self-irony and lightness. It is precisely this ability to speak about important issues without being preachy that has helped Jerry Heil win the trust of a wide audience and form a strong connection with listeners both in Ukraine and beyond.
Eurovision: Teresa & Maria
In February 2024, Jerry Heil, together with rapper Alyona Alyona, won the Ukrainian national selection (Vidbir) with the song “Teresa & Maria”—and went on to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. The duo took third place in the final, winning the hearts of both European audiences and critics.
This was Jerry Heil’s third attempt at Eurovision: in 2020, she participated in the national selection with the song “Vegan,” and in 2022 with “When God Shut The Door,” finishing in third place. On her fourth attempt, her dream came true.
The Meaning of the Song "Teresa & Maria"
The song is dedicated to female solidarity and spiritual strength. The authors used the names Teresa and Maria not as references to specific historical figures, but as symbols of people with kind hearts—those who are called by these names for their selflessness and humanity.
The song celebrates the ability to unite in the face of adversity and bring light even in the darkest times. In the context of the war, the track has become an anthem for Ukrainian women who are holding the country together.
On a global level, the song calls on us to remain human, to unite, and to believe in the triumph of good.
International Reach and Recognition
Following her success on the European stage, interest in Jerry Heil’s work has grown significantly. She performs concerts in various countries, and her audience continues to expand.
Ukrainian music for a global audience
After Eurovision, Jerry Heil began to gain attention abroad. The singer is a member of the Recording Academy (Grammy) and founded her own label, Nova Music.
Her collaborations extend beyond the Ukrainian music scene: in 2022, she released the track #KUPALA in collaboration with Alyona Alyona and German artist Ela (Elżbieta Steinmetz), which stayed in the Ukrainian YouTube trends for a week.
Jerry Heil’s biggest hits
Among the artist’s most popular songs are:
“OHRANA, OTMEANA” — a viral hit from 2019, a symbol of an entire generation;
“BOMBA_RAKETA_PUSHKA_GRANATA” — a lighthearted and ironic pop track about shopping;
“#PROVINCE” — released in May 2020 and a follow-up to the hit “#FREE_CASHIER”;
Teresa & Maria (feat. Alyona Alyona) — the 2024 Eurovision track;
#FREE_CASHIER, #NATVERKAY, #WHITE_SNEAKERS — tracks from the album #I_AM_YANA;
“CATHARTICUS” — dedicated to purification through prayer and powerful emotions;
“КОЗАЦЬКОМУ РОДУ” — a patriotic anthem dedicated to the indomitable spirit of Ukrainian defenders and the greatness of their historical Cossack ancestors;
Я_ЯНА — the Ukrainian singer’s debut studio album, released in the fall of 2019;
#KUPALA (feat. Alyona Alyona & Ela) — the summer hit of 2022;
“From Which Floor of the Sky Are You?” — from the album “ARCHETYPES” (2025);
“Turn Up the Volume (12 points)” — a 2025 single; this dance track encourages listeners to let go of doubts, be themselves, and never compromise on their dreams;
“Hello” — a 2026 single, a manifesto track that encourages you to believe in yourself, live in the moment, and embrace your individuality;
“Dark Disco” is a 2026 release, a synthesis of rave aesthetics, baroque, and gothic.
These songs are regularly performed at concerts and remain popular among the singer’s fans.
Jerry Hale’s Personal Life
Yana jealously guards her privacy. In 2023, she revealed that she had been in a relationship for a year, though she did not disclose her boyfriend’s name. According to rumors, they met in the U.S. while studying at Berklee; Yana herself only said that he is not involved in show business. In the spring of 2025, the singer announced her breakup and that she is focusing on music. Jerry Heil has never been married.
Jerry Heil Today
In 2025–2026, Jerry Heil is actively touring Europe, releasing new material, and continuing to develop the Nova Music label.
By the end of 2024, she had become the most-streamed Ukrainian artist on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube: her tracks garnered 499.9 million streams over the course of the year (data from the Nova Music label for Forbes Ukraine).
Her official YouTube channel has over 556,000 subscribers and 441.5 million views, while her Instagram account @thejerryheil has over 1 million followers.
