Lithuanian singer Inga Valinskienė revealed a surprising aversion to watching recordings of her own performances, comparing the experience unfavorably to simply enjoying a concert. The artist, currently preparing for a series of farewell arena shows, confessed she finds self-critique overwhelming when reviewing past function. “I never re-watch my concerts, so now I’m very curious and interested to see them. I believe We find people who would be interested, for example, to watch my concerts instead of ‘Home Alone’ during Christmas… But I don’t like that, I don’t enjoy it,” Valinskienė stated, according to a press release.
The admission came during an interview where archival footage from various stages of her career was played – including her first tour in 2016, participation in a dance project, and appearances as a television presenter, and judge. The conversation was sparked by a clip featuring Valinskienė and dancer Andrius Butkus, alongside her husband, Arūnas Valinskas. When asked if she truly lived with two men simultaneously, Valinskienė playfully responded, “I don’t know how it is for them, but I like it!”
She elaborated on the arrangement, explaining that the trio cohabitated for a period although preparing for the dance competition. “I had forgotten this number. With Butkus, we definitely lived with three people for a while, because practically all the rehearsals for the dance project were done in our living room, together with Valinskas. Valinskas came up with some really great ideas, ones we wouldn’t have come up with ourselves. Some of the performances were excellent and maybe not technically perfect, but strong in terms of their idea, theme, and emotional impact. So yes, we lived with three people then,” Valinskienė said.
Beyond her concert schedule, Valinskienė has been a frequent presence on Lithuanian television, appearing in popular shows like “Muzikinė Kaukė” (Musical Mask). Reflecting on footage from the 2017 season of the show, where Dileta Meškaitytė-Kisielienė impersonated her, Valinskienė expressed amusement and appreciation. “It was very decent. Dileta physically resembles me: in height, facial features, everything. And besides, she is an excellent vocalist. Regarding this particular performance, I couldn’t help but laugh because you can see how much work went into it. It’s easy to recognize my own mannerisms, every little movement… But not everyone portrayed me accurately, although participants received this task almost every year. Not everything was equally accurate,” she noted.
Valinskienė’s upcoming “Visada Jūsų” (Always Yours) tour is billed as a farewell to arena performances. When asked if she planned to debut anything unexpected during the shows, she indicated a desire to remain true to her established persona. “I wish to say goodbye to the arenas as the me that people have seen throughout my life. It’s very beautiful, the goal is simply to help everyone remember Inga, to capture what I really am. And I am completely lyrical,” she concluded.
The “Visada Jūsų” tour dates are: February 20th at the Kalnapilio Arena in Panevėžys, February 27th at the Šiauliai Arena, February 28th at the Švyturio Arena in Klaipėda, March 7th at the Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius, and March 14th at the Žalgirio Arena in Kaunas. Further information is available at valinskiene.lt.