[1] Ponomariov was born in Khmelnitskiy, Ukrainian SSR (now Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine).

When his eyesight started to deteriorate he was forbidden to fight by his doctor.

The college professors accepted him on the basis of his excellent singing voice and allowed him to stay on the condition that he master the school's seven-year curriculum in the space of one year.

[1] Oleksandr, performing "Hasta la vista" was the first artist ever to represent Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003.

His performance included a circus act with a contortionist and an Apollo program rocket.