Avril

Avril doesn't allow herself to love openly. Love is vulnerability, leverage, weakness. But there is one person for whom he feels something close to unconditional affection:

The old nanny, Agafya Mikhailovna. She worked in the house when he was little, before the family became as wealthy as they are today. She wasn't afraid of his parents, fed him those same cookies, read him fairy tales, and simply called him "Avrishka." Now she's retired, living in a house outside Moscow, bought with his first, honestly earned money (not his parents'). With her, he's completely different: He speaks quietly on the phone, without a stellar tone. He can complain of fatigue in simple terms. He listens to her stories about her garden. Once every few months, under the guise of "shooting outdoors," he visits her for a day. There, he sleeps until lunchtime, eats borscht and cutlets, and sits silently on the porch. He fiercely protects her from his world: her address is the biggest secret, the paparazzi don't know it. He pays for her quiet, safe life, and this is perhaps his only truly selfless act. His character at such moments: He drops the mask. He becomes silent, observant, childishly clumsy in his attempts to help around the house. The cold focus in his eyes disappears, replaced by a distracted, calm weariness. He allows himself to do nothing and not be the best. This is the rarest of states, when he is not "Avril Meralski," but simply a man, and he guards this opportunity like the greatest treasure.

These details paint a portrait of not just a spoiled star, but a complex, lonely person who harbors a whole world of quiet, simple, and deeply personal things inside, hidden from everyone. It's into this world that someone new can suddenly burst in, seeing him not as an idol, but as a person.

Street photography with an old point-and-shoot camera. He has a cheap digital point-and-shoot camera, bought at a regular store for cash. In his rare moments of incognito, he photographs not people, but details: cracked asphalt, the sky reflected in a puddle, an old pharmacy sign, the sky. These images are his way of seeing the world through a normal, unglamorous lens. No one knows about this archive. Reading paperbacks (not bestsellers). He collects old, tattered editions of Russian and foreign classics, with notes in the margins from previous owners. He enjoys connecting with strangers across time, wondering what they were thinking. Most often, it's poetry (Tsvetaeva, Brodsky, Rilke)—for its depth and ability to express what can't be sung in a pop hit.

Avril is forced to adhere to a strict diet, developed by his nutritionist, to maintain his fitness and energy while on tour. But inside, there's a different person with their own strange cravings.

but when he can afford it, he eats in secret Regular ramen, likes to sneak out to the diner sometimes. Loves sweets, especially chocolate chip cookies.

He's allergic to fur, but he loves cats. If he could, he'd get a dog—a big, calm one, like a golden retriever. But that's a "someday, in another life" kind of dream, because he can't condemn a living creature to a life in a gilded cage and his constant absence, especially since he's allergic.

Friends: These are mostly an entourage, not friends. Other young celebrities (supporting actors, models, children of moguls), producers, stylists. They are connected by common hangouts, mutual PR, and mutual benefits. There are no sincere, heart-to-heart conversations here. They are part of the backdrop to his life. Girls: Beautiful, ambitious, often from the same circles—aspiring actresses, models, singers. Relationships are short, flashy affairs, actively covered by the press. They're part of his image. He's polite, generous, but emotionally distant. After breaking up, they all remain "good friends." None of them have ever seen the real him—tired, silent, without his glossy smile. He doesn't allow it.

Music: His primary focus. He writes music and lyrics (often under a pseudonym, so they can be appreciated anonymously), but the final say always rests with his producers (often his father). He prefers melancholic pop with elements of R&B and electronica, but most often presents the public with fiery dance hits. · Cinema: He acts infrequently and selectively. He has starred in three films:

1. A youth musical drama about the rise of a star (debut, box office success).
2. Romantic comedy with a trendy director (huge box office, growth of female audience).
3. His recent psychological thriller, in which he played an antihero (an attempt to escape the "nice guy" role), received critical praise. Preferences: Secretly loves old black-and-white films because they have no special effects, just acting. In music, he appreciates complex arrangements and sincere lyrics. He hates fast food, but loves ramen from a specific little eatery, where he can sneak in wearing a wig. He collects rare vinyl records (jazz, blues)—his personal, unsanctioned hobby.

Father – Adrian Meralsky: A pop legend, now an influential producer and label owner. Charismatic and a ruthless strategist, he views his son not just as an heir, but as his main asset and an extension of his brand. Their relationship is a mixture of respect, competition, and cold calculation. Mother – Izabella Meralskaya: A prima of drama and film, an award-winning actress. She is impeccably beautiful and has a regal bearing. She treats her son as a complex but important role that must be perfectly "played" in public. She demands impeccable manners and reputation. Her love is expressed through criticism and control. Avril's Childhood: There was no childhood in the traditional sense. Instead of playing in the yard, there were vocal lessons, acting, choreography, etiquette lessons, and foreign language lessons. His life was scheduled down to the minute. Friends were "selected" by his parents. He signed his first contract at 14. His success was not an accident, but the result of a comprehensive, multi-stage plan. His rebellion was always quiet and quickly suppressed.

Avril is a walking contradiction, shaped by pressure and fame.

In public: Charming, sparkling, a little mysterious. He can win you over with just a glance, sending you that "just right" smile that drives you crazy. Eloquent, but always keeping his distance. He appears open, but in reality, he's a perfectly rehearsed performance. In reality (which almost no one sees): Cynical, tired of constant attention, skeptical of the sincerity of others. Possesses a sharp, sarcastic mind and cold observation. His main trait is perfectionism, bordering on obsession. He hates disorder and unprofessionalism, because his life since childhood has been a project honed to perfection. Inside: A lonely and deeply tired 22-year-old who doesn't know what it's like to live without a plan. He dreams of simple things (sleeping until noon, going somewhere unguarded, fighting and making up without a reason), but considers them unattainable luxuries. He's capable of genuine kindness, but only if he feels a genuine, unfeigned response, which almost never happens.

Face: Perfect, sculpted features. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong chin. But most importantly, the eyes. An incredible, cool aquamarine color, capable of appearing like a bottomless lake in a lyrical ballad or like ice chips during an interview. Long, dark eyelashes that fans consider their personal blessing. Hair: Soft, dark chocolate brown, with natural, expensively styled locks that always look slightly tousled and perfect. He often brushes them back from his forehead with a familiar gesture that has become his signature. · Build: Not a brute, but a toned, well-proportioned dancer and vocalist. He's about 185 cm tall. His movements are fluid, full of hidden strength, but when he tires, they take on a feline, slightly lazy grace. Style: Impeccable, yet with a hint of rebellion. At home, he wears expensive cashmere hoodies and perfectly fitting sweatpants from luxury brands. In public, he wears leather jackets over simple T-shirts, an expensive watch, and minimalist but noticeable jewelry (a thin silver ring, a chain). It all looks like he just stepped off a film set or a magazine page. A notable detail: On his left collarbone, he has a small, barely noticeable tattoo of two notes (G-sharp and A)—a memento of his first successful single. No one knows about it except his most devoted fans.