We caught up with the brilliant and insightful POLINA YATSUK a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
POLINA, appreciate you joining us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
In my teenage years, the show “America’s Next Top Model” aired on Russian television, quickly gaining popularity. I remember coming back from school and enthusiastically watching every episode. Back then, I couldn’t imagine that I would one day become a part of that world. I simply watched the show, envisioning myself in the shoes of those girls, but I never seriously considered it. It seemed unattainable to me. Tyra Banks was my idol. Beautiful, intelligent, and wise, she delicately sensed each model and guided them. That’s when I first became interested in the modeling business, and Tyra Banks became my first source of inspiration.
Later, already on the runway, I had the opportunity to meet many famous and talented people, including Natalia Vodianova. She came to Moscow to present her collection as part of Fashion Week, where I also participated. This delicate but strong woman inspired me with her example—fearlessly pursuing goals while preserving her uniqueness. Natalia’s story fascinates me: a girl from a regular family, reaching great heights. It’s worth noting that we both come from Nizhny Novgorod, adding a special meaning to it. I still follow her career and feel inspired by her creativity.