January's Last Dish on Tarkan

Posted by Hatice Soylu from Istanbul, Turkey and Steffan Matrak from Moscow, Russia

The opening month of 2019 saw the Turkish press dish the dirt on Tarkan and divvy up rumours that included break-up claims in his troubled marriage just six months after the birth of his daughter Liya.

Amid a myriad of celeb break-up rumours popping up in January, it's been said that the jealous nature of Tarkan's wife has helped hit this particular relationship on the rocks - but there are also stories to look forward to in the news wires about the singer's unconfirmed projects and shows supposedly due to take place this year.

Rumour one claims that Tarkan is losing weight and writing new songs - with at least one track penned for his daughter - while rumour two says that Tarkan has signed over a 4m TL ($800,000) concert deal for a tour in Russia.

Known for his chart hits across four continents, the press rumour claims that Tarkan will be taking a tour of Russia amounting to nearly a million dollars. Accounts in the press pages claim that the singer will be repeating his 2009 "Prince of the East" Russian Tour by returning to the same Moscow venue he staged a show in ten years ago.

News stories circulated in the celebrity sections claim Russian fans are "overjoyed" at the news. (26 January)

Two days later, official confirmation came about two May shows in Russia, with Tarkan's own company HITT Productions tweeting concert posters and links to buy tickets online. (28 January)

Hopping on the media train, Russian Rambler's media portal ran a post on Tarkan's show in Kazan, criticizing the high ticket prices. (30 January)

In December last year there had been stories in the press that Tarkan would be performing in Russia in 2019.

Sputnik's Turkish language edition wrote about the possibility of a Tarkan concert to help strengthen ties between Ankara and Moscow.

UPDATES: Red Choir to hit Istanbul stage >>
Tarkan Moscow Hall show "sold out" >>
Tarkan Central Asia tour claim >>
"Year of Culture with Tarkan" to start >>
Moscow"s 10-year wait for Tarkan >>
Tarkan to perform in Russia >>

In a user contributed post for social media platform Onedio, Tarkan has appeared in a list of 16 celebrities who caused a commotion with their hairstyles in times past. Sitting in fifth position, Tarkan has been added for his "Kuzu Kuzu" (Karma, 2001) era hairdo.

Adopting a Latin fused Eastern look, his windswept hair was copied "for many years" the article says, reminding readers that the look inspired the man in the street and burgeoning pop star alike. (28 January)

Supplanting the past for the present is an article by Takvim reminding its readers how celebrities have split from their other half throughout magazine history. Separating as friends, Tarkan and Bilge Öztürk's split is on the list; the couple had ended their seven-year relationship amicably with a dinner in 2008. However, Tarkan had quoted the lyrics from his song "Dudu" (Dudu, 2003) to reporters about the impossibility of "breaking up without tears".

Öztürk was a lawyer but left the rat race for an organic lifestyle, and is now a competitive kite surfer. Labelled as one of Tarkan's "three great loves" - Öztürk's time with Tarkan saw a lot of press gossip about their relationship being an arrangement as a cover for his homosexuality. (24 January)

Elif Dağdeviren, another old flame and the second of Tarkan's "great loves" has also been in the press recently in her role as a film producer pressing for changes in the law. The Turkish president shook hands with Dağdeviren as actors and producers met up to sign in the new changes that would protect film producers and investment in film and the arts - a Sabah article writes.

UPDATE: Sabah columnist says music industry should follow suit >>

Ending an impasse in the industry, big film producers in Turkey had been objecting to what they see as unequal share of income, sparking a recent crisis between producers and movie theatre owners. (29 January)

Returning to his "man of nature" persona, Tarkan has shared another photo of himself immersed in nature for Throwback Thursday. Relaxing in a winter scene, the singer wrote "Kış Günesi" under the share.

It's a reminder of Tarkan's track "Kış Güneşi" (Winter Sun) from Tarkan's second album A-acayipsin (1994). The song was written by Tarkan's music buddy Yıldız Tilbe, who was inspired by Tarkan and Jülyet Dilge's tumultuous relationship - the third of Tarkan's "greatest loves", and the first played out in the public eye. (31 January)

On a final note is the story that a Turkish-German professional football player and his wife have taken inspiration from the singer to call their newborn daughter Liya, too.

Readying themselves for the arrival of their first child, German-born Milan winger Hakan Çalhanoğlu and his wife are going to name their daughter Liya, like Tarkan's six month old daughter, Takvim's celebrity pages write.

Young Çalhanoğlu is looking forward to being a father at the age of 24, with the paper citing that both in-laws are delighted with the couple's choice in name. (9 January)

More on Tarkan at Tarkan Deluxe Tarkan Welcomes Baby Girl Tarkan's Father's Day Tarkan's Mother's Day News Snippets: More Baby Buzz News Snippets: Baby Buzz Tarkan's Baby Bump Tarkan Shares Baby News Baby Tarkan on the Way?

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