Nataša Bekvalac (Serbian Cyrillic:Наташа Беквалац;pronounced[nǎtaʃabekʋǎːlats]; born 25 September 1980) is aSerbian singer. Nicknamed the "Barbie ofNovi Sad" (Serbian:новосадска барбика /novosadska barbika),[1] she began her professional music career in 2001 with the release of her debut albumNe brini. To date, she has recorded six studio albums, and in 2020 she held her first headlined concert at theBelgrade Arena.[2] Additionally, she has served as a judge on thesinging competition shows,Pinkove Zvezdice (2018–2019)[3] andIDJ Show (2023–present).
Bekvalac was born on 25 September 1980 inNovi Sad,SFR Yugoslavia. She is the daughter of footballer and coach,Dragoljub Bekvalac,[4] and Mira.[5] Bekvalac grew up as the middle child with two sisters, Dragana and Kristina.[6] In 1989, she performed with the Bosnian bandRegina at the children's music festivalDeca pevaju hitove.[7] The following year, Bekvalac also appeared on the popular variety show hosted byMinja Subota, calledMužički tobogan.[8] Before pursuing a career in music, she graduated from a senior coaching school.[7]
At 17 years of age, Bekvalac made her professional debut at the 1998Beogradsko proleće festival with the song "Mojoj ljubavi".[9] Her first album, titledNe brini, was released in 2001 underCity Records. The song "Laži me" was presented a year prior at the pop music festivalSunčane Skale inHerceg Novi.[10]Ne brini was followed byNišta lično (2002) andStereo ljubav (2004), which included stand-out hits like "Mali signali", "Nikotin" and "Ponovo".
In November 2010, Bekvalac releasedNe valjam. Between 2011 and 2014, she released a series of singles, including "Gospodine" (2011) withEmina Jahović, "Pozitivna" (2012), "Kraljica novih ljubavi" (2013) and "Mogu da prođem" (2014).[11] Bekvalac performed alongside other artists likeCeca andKiki Lesendrić at the 2014New Year's Eve concert in front of theHouse of the National Assembly.[12] Her fifth album,Original, was released in June 2016. It was preceded by the singles "Original" and "Pseto" a year before.[13] In 2016, Bekvalac also made her theater debut, starring as QueenDraga Mašin in themusicalTajna Crne ruke.[14] In 2018, she was a judge on the fifth season of the children's music competitionPinkove Zvezdice.[15] Later in November, Bekvalac collaborated withCoby on the single "Mala plava".[16] It was followed by "Neprijatelj", featuring Magla Band in December.
On theValentine's Day 2020, she held her first solo concert in theBelgrade Arena, entitledS.O.S. za ljubav (S.O.S. for Love).[17][18] In June 2020, Bekvalac performed alive stream concert via Serbian streaming service YouBox, which attracted close to 100,000 viewers. During the live show she was joined by her childhood musical influence,Bebi Dol.[19] Bekvalac paired up withRasta for the single "Iz daleka" in July 2021.[20] In September 2022, she embarked on anAmerican tour, where she had six shows performing mainly forSerbian diaspora.[21] Bekvalac joined the judging panel of the music competitionIDJ Show for its second season in September 2023.[22]
On 14 October 2025, Bekvalac released her albumMama (Mom) under IDJTunes. It served as a reflection on her love life and family. The last track on the album, titled "Izlečena", is believed to be the last song written by lateMarina Tucaković.[23]
In public surveys, Bekvalac has been cited as one of the most successful public figures fromNovi Sad.[24]
Recognized for publicly supportingLGBT rights in Serbia, she received the title of the Serbiangay icon in 2019.[25][26] During 2021, she advocated for the legalization of same-sex partnerships in Serbia.[27] Later that year, Bekvalac served as 2021Belgrade Pride's "godmother", where she stated that she is not an ally to thecommunity, but a "part of it".[28]
Bekvalac has also received widespread media attention because of her personal life. She has been married three times and has two daughters. In 2004, she started dating Serbianwaterpolo playerDanilo Ikodinović.[7] They married in July 2006. The couple welcomed their daughter Hana on 17 March 2007.[29] After five years of marriage, Bekvalac divorced Ikodinović in 2011.[30]
Between 2015 and 2017, she was married tohandball player Ljubomir Jovanović.[30] Subsequently, she marriedIT entrepreneur Luka Lazukić.[30] Bekvalac gave birth to her second daughter, named Katja, on 28 February 2018.[31] On the night of April 12, she was physically assaulted by her then husband.[32][33] In April the following year, Lazukić was charged fordomestic assault and was sentenced to eight-month suspended prison sentence.[34] Bekvalac filed for divorce from Lazukić in October 2019.[35]
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