16th February 2025 – (Shenzhen) Shirin Abdullayeva, a celebrated Uzbek singer and actress known for her linguistic talents and contributions to cultural exchange, has passed away at the age of 20. Her manager, Chen Qian, confirmed her death on 15th February following an illness, though the exact cause has not been disclosed.
Abdullayeva, often referred to as the “Voice of Central Asia,” was fluent in four languages, including Mandarin, which she used to connect with audiences in China. She gained recognition for her active participation in major Chinese cultural events, such as multiple appearances on China Central Television’s gala programmes.
On Lunar New Year’s Day, she performed at the CCTV Global Chinese Spring Festival Gala, where she introduced audiences to Uzbek culture, including traditional dance, and extended New Year greetings in Uzbek. She also collaborated with Chinese singer Wang Feifei in a performance of “Crescent Bay” for the programme Harmony in Diversity.
Beyond her artistic career, Abdullayeva was pursuing an undergraduate degree at Tsinghua University’s School of Social Sciences. Her academic and artistic achievements earned her the Zulfiya State Prize in Uzbekistan for contributions to the arts in 2023.
Abdullayeva began her singing career at the age of three, composing her own music and participating in numerous domestic and international music competitions.