Today we’d like to introduce you to Polina Yatsuk.
Hi Polina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in a small town in Russia to parents who were not rich, so I attended a very ordinary school. As a child I was very different from the other children: I was much taller, very thin and had freckles all over my body. I completely stood out from the other girls, which made me very uncomfortable and I desperately wanted to fit in. As I matured, I realized what a natural gift I had been given. A couple of years later, our family moved to Moscow. It was at this time that I began to look at myself differently. After school, I would run home to watch the “America’s Top Model”, a television show that helped boost my confidence. Every time I turned on the TV, I admired the gorgeous and unique girls on the screen. Tyra Banks was my idol! I realized then that if I wanted to succeed, I would need to start working on my modeling career right away. Since I didn’t have any influential relatives or friends to help me, I knew it was up to me to make it happen. Fortunately, modeling agents began noticing me on the streets in my hometown and suggested I join the Model Agency. Although I did not have any modeling experience, I decided to give it a go and began studying at the best modeling school in Russia. It was the best decision I ever made!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every model probably faces some difficulties, especially at the beginning of their career. For me, the castings were the most difficult and posed a real challenge to my self-esteem. It is not easy to withstand the competition and criticism, especially when you are young and new to the business. At a casting, I was surrounded by beautiful girls and would automatically start comparing myself with each one of them. This can easily lead to an inferiority complex and instill a lack of confidence. The main thing I had to remind myself was that if I didn’t get the job, it wasn’t necessarily something I did wrong, but maybe I just wasn’t the right fit for that particular designer. I kept thinking that although I was not chosen today, tomorrow just might be my time to shine. As I look back there are many stories that I now find funny, but at the time that was not the case. I remember my first show at the Russian Fashion Week for the Dutch designer Mari Tonnetti. I was honored to close the show but ended up having to run the walkway in very high heels, which were not my size! I remember how afraid I was of falling or losing the shoes right there on the runway with all the cameras and the audience focusing on me. I came to find out that this is a very common practice in the industry where you often have to wear shoes that are a couple of sizes too small or too big for your feet. You do eventually get used to it, but it can be quite challenging when you are just beginning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started modeling in Russia in 2011. During that time, I participated in several shows at Russian Fashion Weeks, often opening and closing for them. In all, I took part in more than forty runway shows. For a period of time, I was the face of LONDA PROFESSIONAL, and my photos were placed in beauty salons all over the country. I have also been published in various print and digital magazines including VOGUE Russia and BURDA STYLE Magazine. After having more than eleven years of experience under my belt, I decided to take the big leap and move to the US to pursue an international modeling career. I wanted to prove to myself that anything is possible! My dream became a reality when I joined the wonderful team at EMG Models. It’s only been a few months and I have already participated in runway shows during New York Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week. A lot of girls aspire to enter the modeling industry. From the outside it may seem like an easy job, posing in front of a camera and walking on a runway but only a handful of people really know how much effort is involved. I’ve come a long way to get where I am today but like many immigrants, I often feel like I am in a state of limbo, just waiting for my turn to come. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far and feel that I am on the right track. I believe it’s just a matter of time before my plans become a reality.
How do you think about happiness?
I love to travel and explore this amazing world. I have already visited more than twenty-two countries and I’m not even thirty yet! I imagine myself, one day, growing old in Italy but for now, I am incredibly happy where I am and the life I am living. Who knows, maybe one day I will be lucky enough to meet Tyra Banks and tell her my story.
I believe that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself. Hopefully, my story will inspire others to go after their dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emgmodels.com/lost-angeles/women/la-w-main/polina-yatsuk/portfolio/la-w-main
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polina_yatsuk/
Image Credits
Natalia Rzhevskaia @donatello.ph Yana Studenikina @yanaafoto Nastya Klimacheva @nastyaklim
