Emin Agalarov is a Russian pop star who helped arrange the meeting between Donald Trump, Jr. and the Russian lawyer who claimed to have dirt on Hillary Clinton.

WHO IS EMIN AGALAROV?

Following the 2016 presidential election, rumors and allegations of collusion between the Donald Trump campaign and Russian officials swirled around. Earlier this week, Trump Jr. confirmed the acts by making public a chain of emails in which he was promised and accepted a meeting with a Russian lawyer for information.

Rob Goldstone, a publicist for Agalarov (who goes by Emin in the entertainment world), handled the logistics of the sit-down at the command of the singer. Emin is the son and business partner of billionaire real estate tycoon Aras Agalarov. The Trumps and Agalarovs have collaborated in the past in business opportunities, most notably by bringing the then-Trump owned Miss Universe contest to Moscow in 2013.

While Emin himself is not seen as a political figure, his wealthy family supported Trump’s 2016 campaign. The power Emin has shows just how intertwined entertainment, business, and politics can be. “Not every oligarch can say that he has developed himself into a genuine pop star, said Boris Barabanov, a Russian music critic. “Emin found his own repertoire that allowed him to get rid of the image of a singing billionaire.” Though a billionaire he remained.

The 38-year-old pop singer was born in the USSR, but got his degree from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City in 2001. He returned to work with his father at his Crocus Group, best known for developing shopping centers in and around Moscow. Emin is listed as the company’s vice president. His father Aras is one of the wealthiest men in Russia, and has close ties to president Vladimir Putin. He was awarded with the Order of Honor, a top civilian award in 2013.

Emin released his first single in 2006 and has been working the entertainment world ever since. He is not a tier one celebrity in Russia, but he continues to make music and is supported by his friends in the industry, despite having fewer-than-stellar followers on his social media pages.

Emin was married to Leila Aliyeva, the daughter of president Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan until 2015. He also has stayed in close contact with Trump since the Miss Universe deal went through. Trump even appeared in one of Emin’s music videos, for “In Another Life.”

After Trump won the election last November, Emin posted a video that Trump had sent him two years prior for his 35th birthday. “You’re a winner, you’re a champ, you’re great at real estate, and boy an you entertain,” Trump said. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you, you did it, I never doubted you for one second,” Emin added in response.

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Hillary Luehring-Jones

Article by Hillary Luehring-Jones

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