Christian Ray

Christian Ray Flores was born in Moscow, Russia, on March 15, 1969, to a Chilean father and Russian mother. The family moved to Chile when Christian was nine months old.

During the 1973 military coup of Augusto Pinochet, Christian's father, Americo Flores, was arrested along with thousands of others and spent time in one of the infamous concentration camps. His mother Larisa, along with two children, went into hiding under an assumed name and with a fake Argentinian passport. After Americo's release, the family spent several months in a refugee camp and was granted asylum in Germany, moving to Munich. After some time in Germany and Russia, Americo and Larisa moved to Mozambique, at the invitation of the government, which was recruiting international professionals after a mass exodus of Portuguese upon the nation's independence. Christian learned four languages by the age of nine: Russian, Spanish, English, and Portuguese. After his parents' divorce, Christian returned to Russia with his mother and sister in 1983. Christian got a master's degree in economics in 1991 from the RUDN University in Moscow.[1]

In 1993, Ray released his first single in Russia, and became an instant success, playing to large crowds by 1994. Back to back top-ten hits culminated in his number-one single, "Our Generation"[2] – an anthem of freedom and change. It became the official song of Boris Yeltsin's election campaign. Christian tirelessly campaigned for Yeltsin as part of the Russian version of Rock The Vote, which is credited to giving Yeltsin the youth vote and victory in the campaign.[3][4] Ray, together with his co-producers, Andrey Grozny and Andrey Shlykov, produced several other musical projects including a "girl band" called Blestyashchiye, which has had a more than 20-year run and generated several of the biggest female solo careers in Russia.[1]

Christian Ray Flores in 2019

After moving to the US in 2004, Christian worked for the international charity HOPE Worldwide, serving as a country director for Latin America, focusing on health care and education for the poorest of the poor in nine different countries. He also developed and directed the Positive Choice program, which promotes abstinence until marriage.[5][6]

Christian co-founded a production company, Hollywood World, in Los Angeles with his wife, Deb de Flores. Hollywood World provides international artists the ability to work with top Hollywood producers and directors. Among other projects, Ray lends his voice to English and Spanish versions of Masha and the Bear, one of the biggest animated TV series in the world, with over a billion views on YouTube.[1]

After moving to Austin, Texas, Christian and Deb co-founded (with Brandon Knicely) Third Drive, focused on strategic development, marketing, funding and team development for emerging businesses and non-profit organizations.[7]

Christian speaks to audiences all over the US and internationally, produces podcasts including the Third Drive Podcast[8] dedicated to business and Animate Podcast[9] dedicated to spiritual growth. His recent short film Dance With Me[10] is being screened at several film festivals, and the title song was released on all major music platforms.[11]

Christian married Deb de Flores[12] in 1999. They met during a Christian conference for entertainers in Los Angeles, where Deb was living at the time as she worked for MTV, Universal Studios, and VH1, as well as serving in Christian ministry.[1]

Ray and de Flores have three daughters: Diana, Violetta, and Isabella.

Christian and Deb have been active in Christian ministry in the US, Eastern Europe, and Latin America for two decades. They lead The Tribe,[13] a community of faith in Austin, Texas. Ray frequently speaks to different audiences in the US and overseas. They are also active in philanthropy through their charity Ascend Academy in Mozambique that lifts children out of poverty through developing character, communication, and computer skills. Ascend Academy.[14]

• Third Drive