Kristina Menissov of Downtown on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Kristina Menissov shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Kristina, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, my days are a mix of creativity, discipline, and real life. Mornings usually start with my son Kane, he is a big boy now, so I just tell him to get ready for school. After the drop off, I take a little time to center myself before diving into work. Most days include vocal training, songwriting, teaching and self tapes. On projects days, there are, go-sees, fittings, shoots, or brand collabs. Now on my days off, I make sure to keep some time for my wellness routines, whether it’s a workout, skincare, or quiet reflection. Evenings are for the family, or studio time if inspiration strikes and I want to write and record. It’s definitely a full schedule, and I’m barely juggling it all, but I don’t want to change it, I love it like that.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kristina Menissov — a singer, songwriter, model and most importantly a mom. My journey actually began in classical opera, which gave me a strong vocal foundation and deep respect for musical discipline. Over time, I started blending that classical background with contemporary pop and world sounds, creating a cinematic style that feels both powerful and emotional. Along the way, modeling became another form of expression and income, from walking major runways to being on the cover of Vogue. I love merging both worlds of fashion and music because together they allow me to tell stories in a visual and beautiful musical way. This year has been incredible 🤩 My single ‘Geisha’ released with Universal Music Group and Virgin Music charted Top 100 on iTunes, and I’ve been performing live while continuing to grow my brand. What makes my work unique is that everything I create, whether a song, visual, or performance, comes from a real place of transformation and self-discovery. Right now I am working on a new single written by Luciano Layne “Work dat” which I feel like will be an absolute trap infused club anthem, so you guys follow me and stay tuned 💋

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a kid who wasn’t Asian enough, wasn’t Black enough. I didn’t fit in any box, even though people kept telling me I was lucky, that I could represent anyone I wanted. But in reality, it meant not truly representing anyone, except maybe other mixed kids who feel the same way. Growing up between worlds taught me how to create my own. That’s why I express myself through music and visuals, because they don’t ask me to choose who I am. They let me be all of it.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yes! More than once. There was a time when I almost walked away from music completely. I had stopped singing for a while, when becoming a newly single mom and after internalizing too many destructive comments, and it felt like I had lost the part of myself that was most alive. But sometimes, silence has its own way of waking you up. One day I realized that my voice doesn’t have to be perfect, it still deserved to be heard. That moment impacted future choices! I came back stronger, with a deeper understanding that art isn’t about being flawless it’s about being honest. Every note I sing now carries that lesson.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say family, I know that for 100% cause I just asked haha 😆 No matter what’s happening in my career, my son and my loved ones are my grounding force. Creating something that feels real and meaningful. I’m the kind of person who will chase big dreams, but I’ll always come home to love, connection, and the people who remind me who I am and why am I keeping it going.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Wow! What a question! If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop doing things that don’t generate significant value or income. My priority would be to secure my son’s financial future, so I’d focus on taking calculated risks, investing wisely, and pursuing high-impact opportunities that could lead to substantial financial gains. At the same time, I’d also try to understand the reason behind my early death, whether it’s related to genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors, and work on mitigating those risks to maximize the time I have left with my son.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kristinamenissov.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinamenissov
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinamenissovofficial
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kristinamenissovvevo4830
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/XR1uOPWoaQlRqA1Rxk
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kristina-menissov/1521796682

Image Credits
Photographer: Bertran Harden
Retoucher: Margarita Antumaraki