Ulziibuyan Mergen was born in Mongolia and discovered her contortion abilities at an early age. According to her, she first realized her natural flexibility as young as four years old. Recognizing her potential, her mother enrolled her in Mongolia’s National Circus School in Ulaanbaatar when Ulzii was just seven . There, under rigorous training, she honed her contortion skills in the rich tradition of Mongolian circus arts.
In Mongolia, contortion is revered as a cultural art form – often considered a feminine art – and Ulzii embraced this heritage wholeheartedly. Surrounded by renowned coaches and a legacy of champion contortionists, she progressed rapidly. By age 9, her exceptional talent caught international attention: Cirque du Soleil scouts were searching for young contortionists, and Ulzii auditioned. She was one of two girls selected, a life-changing opportunity that set her on the path to a professional career.
Ulzii’s success with Alegría led to featured roles in other Cirque du Soleil productions. She was cast in Amaluna, a production renowned for its powerful female performers and mythic storytelling. In Amaluna, Ulzii performed as a solo contortionist and principal character , delivering a spellbinding hand-balancing and contortion act. One signature piece involved Ulzii performing in and around a giant water bowl – a centerpiece act of Amaluna – where her sinuous movements and strength symbolized the show’s themes of fluidity and femininity. It was during Amaluna that Ulzii met her future husband, famed juggler Viktor Kee, who was also starring in the show. Their first encounter backstage (him in a green lizard costume, her preparing for her contortion act) became the beginning of both a creative partnership and a love story .
Breakthrough with Cirque du Soleil
Ulzii’s international breakthrough came when she joined Cirque du Soleil at the astonishing age of 11, making her one of the youngest performers ever to tour with the company . She debuted in Cirque’s iconic production Alegría, performing as part of the show’s famous duo contortion act. Night after night, the young Ulzii bent, twisted, and balanced in jaw-dropping poses, captivating audiences with her snake-like fluidity. Alegría was a global phenomenon, and Ulzii toured with it extensively – helping bring Cirque du Soleil’s magic to over 40 countries during her decade-long tenure. Critics and fans praised the grace and ease with which she executed extreme flexibility, and her contortion duo became a highlight of the show’s enchantment.
Years of
experience
As Cirque du Soleil rotates artists among productions, Ulzii next brought her talents to Totem, a show inspired by evolution and the circus’s human-animal artistry. Joining the cast of Totem, she continued to perform breathtaking contortions, now in new thematic costumes and scenes . Whether emerging as a lithe creature or an otherworldly being, Ulzii made each performance unforgettable. Over more than ten years with Cirque du Soleil, she earned admiration as a versatile artist who could adapt her contortion acts to different narratives, from the classic whimsical world of Alegría to the female-empowered universe of Amaluna and the visually striking Totem. By her early twenties, Ulziibuyan Mergen had firmly established herself as one of Cirque du Soleil’s star contortionists, with thousands of performances and a global fan base.
Witness the mesmerizing interplay of two contortionists as they push the boundaries of human movement in a breathtaking and unique performance.
After a decade touring with Cirque, Ulzii embarked on a new chapter to further develop her individual artistic style. Stepping away from the structured world of Cirque du Soleil around the mid-2010s, she began collaborating with an array of international productions and companies. Ulzii sought roles that allowed her creative freedom – she started to craft signature acts that blended contortion with character work, dance, and storytelling. One of her notable signature acts is the whimsical “Hat Bunny” routine, in which Ulzii infuses playful character acting (donning bunny ears or a mischievous persona) into a virtuosic hand-balancing contortion act. This act, which she has performed on television and stage, showcases her charisma and sense of humor alongside her physical prowess. In an interview, Ulzii mentioned she loves performing as a bunny character – reflecting her “cute, happy, bubbly, and a bit naughty” side – and she has brought that persona to life in cabaret-style shows.
Ulzii’s post-Cirque career has included headlining engagements at high-profile variety theaters and immersive shows. She joined the famed Teatro ZinZanni ensemble, performing in their speakeasy-inspired circuses. In 2016 she first encountered ZinZanni in Seattle and expressed a desire to join; years later she made that a reality. By 2022, Ulzii was starring in Cabaret ZaZou’s “Luminaire” in Chicago – an offshoot of the ZinZanni brand – alongside her husband Viktor. In Luminaire, an extravaganza dinner-theater production, Ulzii’s act is a show-stopper. A Chicago theater critic described her as “the best contortionist I’ve ever seen” and marveled at how “she makes it look like her feet have minds of their own as she bends and twists in remarkable ways” . Ulzii’s ability to integrate her contortion into narrative themes elevates these shows; whether she’s an ethereal creature or a comic character, she brings a unique dramatic flair to her routines.
Beyond Cabaret ZaZou, Ulziibuyan Mergen has been featured in special events and productions worldwide. She has performed in European variety festivals and luxury entertainment venues, from Il Rossetti Theatre in Italy to exclusive gala shows in Asia. In 2022, based in Europe, she joined the Pink Rabbit Show at AURA in Zurich, delivering a sultry late-night contortion act to acclaim. That same year, she wowed Ukrainian television audiences with a televised performance of her “Hat Bunny” act, demonstrating that her art crosses all language barriers. Ulzii’s post-Cirque repertoire has grown to include not only contortion on a mat or pedestal but also aerial elements and prop work, continually pushing the boundaries of her discipline. In every new project, she “carefully crafts her creation,” ensuring it expresses her unmistakable style and vision. This dedication to artistic evolution has solidified Ulzii’s reputation as an innovative contortionist who isn’t afraid to break the mold and fuse genres – she is as much an actress and storyteller on stage as she is an acrobat.
Ulziibuyan Mergen’s extraordinary career has garnered significant media attention and international recognition. As a child performer with Cirque du Soleil, she was often highlighted as a prodigy in press coverage; her story – a girl from Mongolia touring the world – captured public imagination. Over the years, Ulzii has been profiled and interviewed by entertainment media and news outlets. In a WBBM Newsradio feature in 2022, she was introduced as a “world-famous contortionist” who had traveled the globe since childhood . The piece recounted her early start and celebrated her return to the spotlight in Chicago, underscoring the resilience behind her artistry during personal and global challenges. On television, Ulzii has made special appearances to showcase her talent. In Chicago, she and Viktor performed a featured contortion-and-juggling duet on WGN-TV’s morning show as a Valentine’s Day special, dazzling viewers with their chemistry and skill. In Europe, Ulzii’s acts have been broadcast in variety specials – for instance, her “Hat Bunny” act aired on Ukrainian TV in 2021, bringing her playful contortion style to a broad audience. Ulzii’s performances have also been shared widely online: Cirque du Soleil enthusiasts circulate videos of her classic Alegría contortion routines, and newer fans discover her through YouTube clips of her Teatro ZinZanni acts. Within the circus and performing arts industry, Ulzii is held in high esteem. She is frequently acknowledged as one of the top contemporary contortionists, often mentioned alongside the legends who inspired her. A Cirque du Soleil alumni profile describes her as a “celebrated Cirque du Soleil star and performing artist” . Critics have praised her elegance and control; for example, in Cabaret ZaZou: Luminaire, reviewers singled out her act as a pinnacle of the show’s magic . Having performed before hundreds of thousands of spectators worldwide, Ulzii has achieved a level of global recognition that few in her field attain. Yet, colleagues note her humility and professionalism – she remains focused on perfecting her art and sharing it with joy. Ulzii’s story has also been an inspiration beyond performance circles: after she and her family escaped war-torn Ukraine in 2022, local Chicago news outlets covered their journey, highlighting Ulzii’s courage and her triumphant return to the stage in a new home . This blend of artistic acclaim and personal resilience has made Ulzii a respected figure not only as an entertainer but also as a role model.
Throughout her career, Ulziibuyan Mergen has sought to give back to the performing arts community.
As she matured as an artist, she became increasingly involved in choreography and creative direction for her acts. Ulzii often collaborates with directors and composers to ensure every contortion routine tells a story or evokes emotion – from choosing music that complements her movements to designing costumes that enhance her characters. She has worked closely with her husband, Viktor Kee, on choreography; for instance, one of her recent contortion-handbalance acts “Once Upon a Dream” was choreographed by Viktor , blending her fluid movement with his theatrical vision. Ulzii’s input in act creation, whether for her solo pieces or segments in ensemble shows, demonstrates her evolution into a well-rounded performing artist who thinks beyond acrobatics to the art of staging and production.
Ulzii’s post-Cirque career has included headlining engagements at high-profile variety theaters and immersive shows. She joined the famed Teatro ZinZanni ensemble, performing in their speakeasy-inspired circuses. In 2016 she first encountered ZinZanni in Seattle and expressed a desire to join; years later she made that a reality. By 2022, Ulzii was starring in Cabaret ZaZou’s “Luminaire” in Chicago – an offshoot of the ZinZanni brand – alongside her husband Viktor. In Luminaire, an extravaganza dinner-theater production, Ulzii’s act is a show-stopper. A Chicago theater critic described her as “the best contortionist I’ve ever seen” and marveled at how “she makes it look like her feet have minds of their own as she bends and twists in remarkable ways” . Ulzii’s ability to integrate her contortion into narrative themes elevates these shows; whether she’s an ethereal creature or a comic character, she brings a unique dramatic flair to her routines.
One of Ulzii’s most impactful contributions is her role as a mentor and teacher to the next generation of contortionists. In recent years, she has begun sharing her expertise through specialized workshops and master classes around the world. Now based part-time in the United States, Ulzii has partnered with circus schools and training programs to coach aspiring contortion students. In Chicago, she was an exclusive guest instructor for an intensive contortion training program, where young acrobats had the chance to “train contortion with [a] world-class artist – Ulzii Mergen” and learn from her experience as a Cirque du Soleil star . Internationally, Ulzii headlines clinics such as the Art of Flexibility Contortion Masterclass in Las Vegas, where she is billed alongside Mongolia’s legendary coaches as a “celebrated… performing artist” offering world-class instruction . In these workshops, Ulzii not only teaches advanced techniques and exercises for flexibility and strength, but also mentors students in performance quality – emphasizing expression, safety, and the psychology of being an artist. Many young contortionists look up to her as a living example that with passion and discipline, it’s possible to have a long, successful career in circus arts.
Ulzii has also contributed to the arts community through advocacy and sharing her personal journey. As a mother of two, she penned a widely-read article in 2022 encouraging performer-mothers to pursue both family and career, detailing how she returned to peak performing shape after pregnancy . By openly discussing challenges like balancing motherhood with touring, she has provided guidance and hope to fellow artists. Additionally, Ulzii and Viktor have occasionally used their performances to support charitable causes, including appearances for the Viktor Kee Foundation, which brings circus arts to underprivileged youth. Whether through direct teaching, creative collaboration, or inspirational storytelling, Ulziibuyan Mergen embraces her role as an ambassador of contortion. She remains committed to “carefully crafting” her art and passing on her knowledge, ensuring that the beauty of contortion continues to thrive in the global performing arts community.
A captivating duet of human flexibility.
Witness the mesmerizing interplay of two contortionists as they push the boundaries of human movement in a breathtaking and unique performance.
Through my flexibility, contortion, and handstand lessons, I help people of all ages and body types feel free and energized! Every day, we can become more flexible, stronger, and more connected to our bodies. But beyond movement, this journey is about bringing people together—creating a world where health, happiness, and limitless possibilities thrive!
Improve your flexibility, strength, and coordination.
Escape to a welcoming, tranquil environment where you can enhance your flexibility, refine your skills, and find true relaxation. Enjoy expert, personalized coaching designed to meet your unique goals, paired with a friendly atmosphere that feels like home. Whether you’re a performer aiming to improve or simply seeking a peaceful getaway, this retreat offers the perfect blend of focused training and rejuvenation. Experience warm hospitality, expert guidance, and beautiful surroundings.
This is the perfect blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and transformative training.
I strive to create performances that are not just feats of strength, but also intricate works of art. Through years of dedicated training and a relentless pursuit of artistic expression, I have developed a unique style that blends grace, power, and an undeniable sense of wonder. Prepare to be captivated by the poetry of motion.
Add a unique and unforgettable touch to your event.
Looking for collaboration?
Kee-Production LLC Sarasota, FL 34238, USA
Looking for a job? Send your resume
