Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Menissov
Hi Kristina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into the world of entertainment began many years ago, when I applied to study in Kazakh National Conservatory of music to become an opera singer fueled by a passion for music, a love for creativity and desire to make it right and to know all the fundamentals before even starting the singing career. Then with the student exchange program I moved to Italy, Rome, to continue studying opera, that’s where I started hearing from every corner that I should become a model and only after I moved to Los Angeles and having my son, I had to try something completely new for me, in order to support my family financially, it seemed logical that modeling was the most suitable option to make more money per hour than the cost of a babysitter. From the moment I stepped in front of the camera it just felt right. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most prestigious magazines and brands, both in the United States and internationally.
I’ve shared the spotlight with some of Hollywood’s brightest stars and international celebrities, gracing the covers of iconic publications like VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. Each of these opportunities has been a milestone in my career, allowing me to express myself and connect with people around the world through the universal language of fashion.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been the chance to work with luxury brands that are the epitome of elegance and sophistication. Representing companies like Chopard, Michael Costello, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Balmain, Michael NGO, and Cartier has been an honor, and each project has added a unique dimension to my portfolio.
Through it all, my diverse appearance has been both a challenge and an asset, opening doors to collaborations that I could have only dreamed of. My journey in the modeling industry has been one of growth, learning, and relentless pursuit of excellence, and I am grateful for every step of the way.
In 2020 after I gained more of financial stability in modeling for me and my son, I have started spending more time with my first calling – music, I finally have time to work on my vocals and write songs and the highlight of my music career is that I wrote and have recorded myself a soundtrack for Dance Rivals Movie (2024), that is playing in the theaters now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggle was to find my footing in an industry where competition is not just fierce but relentless. I believe life is always spiraling. Now we add to it Los Angeles, with its incredible talent pool, is a place where everyone comes to pursue their dreams, and the best of the best from around the world come here. It’s a city where your dreams can either flourish or be crushed under the weight of the competition and I entered the competition with a newborn son in my hands and the pressures of establishing myself in a new city.
The entertainment industry is known for its high standards and often unrealistic expectations, especially when it comes to models. The pressure to maintain a certain image, the long hours, and the constant hustle to land the next gig were all magnified by the fact that I was navigating this while raising a whole human and still growing myself. There were days when I questioned whether I could balance it all—being a mother, a professional model, and an individual with my own dreams and aspirations.
I feel like it’s so important to find a center within yourself in order to be good at juggling and that’s how I found strength I didn’t know I had. Every obstacle became a lesson in resilience, teaching me to adapt, to push harder, and to never lose sight of why I started this journey in the first place. The challenges in modeling, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into a more determined and focused individual. They’ve taught me that success in every industry isn’t just about talent; it’s about perseverance, grit, and the ability to rise above the setbacks.
Today, as I look back on those early days, I realize that the struggles were an integral part of my growth, both personally and professionally. They’ve made the successes more meaningful, and they continue to inspire me to keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles lie ahead. Because as Tom Brady’s Inspirational quote says: I didn’t come this far, to only come this far!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
1. **What do you do?**
I am a professional model, singer and a recording artist, working with High Fashion and Top E-Comm brands, prestigious magazines, working alongside famous Hollywood artists like Tyga, TyDolla$ign, Nelli and top music producers and now I can add to that Hollywood Movie Industry, as I wrote my first soundtrack to a movie.
2. **What do you specialize in?**
I specialize in high-fashion modeling, with a focus on editorial and runway work, commercial modeling and modeling of beauty products. My portfolio includes collaborations with iconic brands such as Cartier, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and more.
3. **What are you known for?**
I am known for my diverse appearance, which has made me a prominent figure in the fashion modeling industry. My work has been featured on the covers of renowned magazines like VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle.
4. **What are you most proud of?**
I am most proud of my ability to overcome the challenges I faced when moving to Los Angeles while pregnant, and successfully establishing myself in a highly competitive industry. Balancing motherhood with a demanding career has been one of my greatest achievements.
5. **What sets you apart from others?**
What sets me apart besides my ethnically ambiguous look? It is my resilience and adaptability. My unique appearance, combined with my work ability and life experience allows me to sell anything through photos and videos on campaigns that I worked at, because I bring something different to every project I undertake.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My journey has been one of hard work and determination, but I couldn’t have achieved what I have, without the incredible support of those around me. My partner, my sister and her husband, and my family and friends around the world, have been my rock, providing encouragement, guidance, and unwavering belief in my abilities. They have played an essential role in helping me navigate the challenges and celebrate the successes along the way.
Their support has been invaluable, whether through offering advice during difficult times, cheering me on when I needed it most, or simply stepping in when I need someone to babysit my son, because it has been said you need a village to raise a child.
Now career wise I want to give credit to my LA Agency Aston Models, they have taken a chance on me when I didn’t have any portfolio or name, neither skills to be honest and my music producer Andrew Lane who have spent hours working on my notes after the studio sessions are over and let me tell you, those never ends, he is really talented, works with A-List celebrities and its an honor to be working with him for a girl who immigrated to America from a second world country and watched all those icons on TV and now here we are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristinamenissov.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristinamenissov
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinamenissov
- Twitter: https://x.com/kristimenissov
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCBBfY6BDBU80bagvFHkvksA
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kristinamenissov
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kristina-menissov/1521796682
Image Credits
Images from Campaign for DEVON COUTURE
Designer: Jannatul Akhi Ferdous
Photographer: Jaime Lim
Stylist: Anna Gupta
