Sergey Sosedov, Russian music critic and TV presenter, dies at 58

Music critic and television host Sergey Sosedov has died at 58, journalist Vadim Takmenev reported on Wednesday.

In an Instagram post, Takmenev referred to the shows “Superstar” and “Vocal-Instrumental Ensemble Superstar” and wrote: “We’re all in shock. This morning we lost our friend Sergey Sosedov, an indispensable part of our team and the heart, soul, and driving force behind ‘Superstar’. We were all supposed to get together this Saturday to watch the first episode of the new season of ‘VIA Superstar’. He was really looking forward to seeing everyone and to the premiere. The entire season will be dedicated to his memory. In memory of the man he was — spontaneous, fair, stubborn, kind, gentle, vibrant, and genuine!”

According to the Telegram channel Shot, Sosedov died in an accidental fall down the stairs while on tour.

Sergey Sosedov was born in Moscow in 1968. He graduated from Moscow State University, where he studied journalism, and worked for the newspaper Rossiyskiye Vesti in the mid-1990s. He became well known for his appearances on the TV-6 show “Akuly pera” (“Sharks of the Pen”), where he interviewed Russian and international entertainment stars. He was also a judge on “The X Factor” in Ukraine and on the Russian television music shows “Superstar!” and “Ty — superstar!” (“You’re a Superstar!”). Sosedov also hosted the NTV talk show “Za granyu” (“Beyond the Edge”).

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sosedov criticized Russian performers who had left the country. He called for Maxim Galkin and Chulpan Khamatova to be “denounced and put in their place” and called them “disgraceful” artists. Ukraine placed Sosedov on its sanctions list in 2023.