Smart. Sexy. Philanthropist. Opportunist. Hedonist. Get to know this all-round stunner!
Tell us a bit about your shoot – where, when, the idea behind it, etc…
Mila Zvereva who is a producer and a photographer of this shoot is my best friend so we came up with this idea together. I bought my Lamborghini Urus a couple months ago so we were playing around with this fact and decided that it could be cool to shoot the car wash with the exotic luxury cars. Also back in the days in Russia I used to work in a car dealership as a brand manager so I was obsessed with the cars for the last 10 years.
Are there any other funny anecdotes you can share about this shoot?
It’s always a bit awkward when you’re almost naked and there’s ten people around you who are working with light, smoke, cameras etc. Someone is applying the baby oil to your butt, someone is fixing your hair, so usually I feel like my body is not mine anymore while we are shooting. This time I was laughing so hard when between the shoots guys who were working with the light were taking photos with the Ferrari and Lamborghini. I said that would be a cool pic for my Tinder profile.
Have you ever been to New Zealand?
I’ve never been to New Zealand and Australia. It was on my plan for 2020 but Lockdown started. So hope to visit you guys as soon as borders are open. I want to see kangaroos and all the hikes, beautiful nature and amazing architecture. Also I want to explore Japan and Singapore.
If not, where would you like to visit?
I’m obsessed with hiking and also love beautiful nature and landscapes so I can’t wait to visit. Want to spend at least a month in New Zealand, travel across the country, explore interesting spots and feel the vibe.
When do you feel sexy and why?
Always. This year I’ve lost it just once when I got Covid and was sick for 2 weeks. After the recovery I didn’t have smell and taste for 2-3 weeks so even having sex wasn’t the same when you smell nothing. I felt like I’ve been disconnected with my body. But now I’m back on track with my gorgeous body and all the senses.
What is your best asset? Physically and otherwise.
My brain and creativity for sure. Also I am wise and have good communication skills which is really helpful for connection building and money-making. Also I’m investing money so I have different types of assets. Want to start a jewelry business next year.
Give us a little more background about yourself and your life story so far.
Originally I’m from Saint Petersburg, Russia. i am currently living in Los Angeles. Moved here 4 years ago. I was looking for a place with amazing weather during the year and good infrastructure so when I’ve been to Los Angeles for the first time I fall in love with all the amazing things we do have here like Ocean, 330 sunny days per year, mountains, hills, beautiful nature, nice people so I’ve decided to stay here I love being outside and exploring national parks and hiking trails, doing yoga somewhere in a park, going to the beach and dancing at a silent disco, meditating and spending time with my friends. They think I’m an amazing cook so usually I’m making a lot of delicious food like crepes with osetra caviar, Russian salads and other dishes. Also I love short trips for 3-4 days to New York City, Miami or Las Vegas with my friends. Usually I call it “workation” like a mix of “work” and “vacation”. I’m working online not attached to any place so I like to change places.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
Fun fact. I was overweight from when I was a kid till 26. I was around 250lb (120kg). So it was a long and really hard journey to get rid of the excess weight and get in shape. Now I’m working out 3-4 times a week, hiking, doing yoga etc, so it’s hard to imagine that back in the days I was literally twice bigger.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Sexy. Smart. Philanthropist. Opportunist. Hedonist.
How long have you been modelling and what would you do if you weren’t modelling?
As I mentioned I was overweight so I started as a plus size model 10 years ago and it was just a hobby. I tried to accept my body and appearance so doing modeling and posing was a challenge for me but it worked great. Then I’ve lost half of my weight, moved to Los Angeles and started modeling as a regular model. I love creative photo shoots. Like a nighttime photo shoot in the middle of Times Square with a fancy dress, a burger and a homeless guy. That was a spectacular photoshoot. Now it’s become a cover shoot for one famous magazine in Ukraine. But modeling is just a hobby. In real life I’m doing marketing consulting and online education. I grew a $9 million consulting business in the last five years, doing a lot of charity in Africa and running my social media.
What have you learned about men over the years?
That their actions are speaking louder than words.
What’s one thing men should always know about women?
Sometimes women don’t need any advice, just a bit of compassion and warm hugs.
What do you look for in a man?
I’m not looking for anything or anybody I think that every person is whole and complete. So I’m just enjoying my life and would love to share some cool experiences and communicate with the people with the same vibes. Who cares about themselves and our planet, has a good sense of humor, who is active, spiritual and loving life. Good physical and mental health is a prerequisite.
Describe your ideal date.
This summer I went to Namibia and we had a private helicopter flight with no doors and a hot air balloon flight on the same day. We started on a sunrise with the balloon and then had a helicopter before the sunset. The views were scenic. I felt how much I’m grateful for all the beautiful landscapes I can see and all the experiences I can feel. Then we landed at the top of the hill and had a picnic break there at sunset. That was a really cool and impressive date.
What can we get you at the bar?
Virgin Mojito. I’m not drinking for the last 4 years. I don’t need alcohol to relax because I’m pretty relaxed with no stimulation
Got a hangover cure?
The best hangover cure is not to drink the night before a hangover.
What’s your best hidden talent?
I’m singing. Last year we recorded a couple of Adele and Billie Eilish covers so probably one day I’ll show it to the world.
Do you have any phobias?
When I was 23 I had a really serious near to death experience. We were rafting on a river. I fell out of the raft and almost drowned After this I don’t like to spend time in the open water.
Who is your girl crush and why?
I like Margot Robbie. Especially in The wolf of Wall Street and Focus. She is so damn sexy.
What’s the freakiest/weirdest thing someone has sent you via social media?
One girl was sending me Threatening Voice messages on Instagram DM. Not open any Voice messages on Instagram after that.
What is your motto in life?
Impossible is nothing. I’m a fat Russian girl who grew a 9M consulting business, moved to the USA, and now I’m on a magazine cover. Come on. It seems like nothing is impossible.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon you can share with us?
My new project idea is pretty kinky but I want to share it with you guys. I want to create a female oriented adult video production. Because now almost all the content is created for men. Men’s interests, men’s needs, their fantasies. And almost nothing for women. So I want to change it. And create something Really unique based on my marketing and social media experience, using all my psychology skills and knowledge. It’s gonna be adult videos with the Stanislavski acting approach
Finally, where would you like to be in five years?
I’d be a female version of Tony Robbins with a huge amount of followers around the world. I’d still do a lot of charity in Africa for the young ones and for rescuing animals. Probably I’ll launch my jewelry brand and go to outer space as a tourist. We will see cause nothing is impossible.
Photographed and produced by Mila Zvereva @mila_zvereva
Model: Lily Aspen @lily.aspen
Stylist: Hannah Kerri Viselli @hannahkerrri
Makeup: Jordann Aguon @jordannaguonmakeup
Hair Stylist: Olya Banar @hairbyolya
Photography assistant: Casey @j0lkina
Gaffer: Konstantin Frolov @teenfrolov
Gaffer assistant: Maxim Frolov @maximphroloff
Talent booking and coordination: Emily Blair Marcus / Emily Blair Media @emilyblairmarcus @emilyblairmedia
For the full article grab the November 2021 issue of MAXIM New Zealand from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
