as the producer and judge of such popular tv music contests as "become a star" (the russian version of "pop star") and "star factory" (the russian version of "star academy") shulgin may be said to be the "simon cowell of russia." he also judges many other russian and international contests. british singer sam brown took part in his popular russian contest "morning star" and shulgin was also a judge on "donetsk olympus" (ukraine).