Just by looking at model/actress Polina Sikorska, you know there is something special. Originally from Ukraine, Polina has worked hard and taken the world by storm being the face of some of the top modeling campaigns from Tokyo to Japan to New York and Los Angeles.
And if modeling for Toyota, Panasonic and Canon wasn’t enough, Polina has also used her acting skills and appeared in commercials for Diet Coke, Moet, and Pepsi, while also appearing in a guest role recently on the hit CBS daytime television series The Bold and the Beautiful.
The Levity Ball sat down with Polina at her current home in Hollywood, California to find out more…
When did you first know you wanted to get into the entertainment and modeling industries?
I grew up in a small town in the south of Ukraine. Since I was young I always wanted to be an actress, but I never knew that I’d become a model first. It wasn’t until I won a very famous beauty contest in Ukraine and signed my first contract at the age 16 that I knew this was for me. That win allowed me to travel, make money and move, and start studying acting at the National University.
Was it difficult moving from your home in Ukraine around the world for work? How old were you when you first started to travel for work?
I was 16 years old when I first started traveling. It was very hard at the beginning, because I didn’t speak a word of English. Plus I was such a “home” girl. I didn’t know much about modeling but I was willing to learn. When all of the sudden you’re separated from your parents and there’s no one to help you mature very fast, I had to learn quickly the ins and outs; Those first modeling trips helped me to become independent and responsible for my own actions. There was no time to play, I was away and I had to earn money.
You have traveled and worked in Hollywood, Japan, New York, etc… where has been your favorite place to work?
I love traveling. I love learning something new about each new city and new culture. Every place is different. Every place is magical. My favorite city to work in is definitely Tokyo. I consider that city my second home. There’s something magical about Tokyo. It’s like another planet… I speak Japanese and love everything that has to do with Japan. I’ve been there 10 times and every single time has been absolutely amazing. I hope that one day soon I’ll go there again.
What type of modeling jobs interest you the most?
I enjoy shooting TV commercials. It’s the best combination of modeling and acting. You’re still a model, but you’re getting an opportunity to act and it’s always FUN. It is Fun with the capital “F” 🙂
You were on the popular show The Bold and the Beautiful… how was this experience for you?
It was terrific to be part of that show. It’s always interesting to see how such professional actors work especially on something as famous as “The Bold and The Beautiful”. That show has been on TV since 1987… it was airing before I was even born. I was a bit nervous at the beginning but everything turned out to be great. I had a lot of fun on set.
If you had to pick: Do you love acting or modeling more?
If I had to pick I would say acting. Acting can give you everything you want. Acting has always been my ultimate dream. Unfortunately the modeling industry doesn’t really support aging, so obviously you can’t be a model forever, but you can work as an actress until the last day of your life… In acting you don’t get older you just get better!
Any advice to others looking at either being a model or actress?
My only advice is to follow your heart. It applies to anything either it’s modeling or acting or simply a relationship with your boyfriend or friends. Listen to your inner voice, check how you feel, as your feelings are the best indicator of where you are in your life and if you’re moving into the right direction. Believe what your heart tells you, not what others say.
Do models eat?! What is your favorite food?
Models eat!!! Smart models eat small portions, but often. There was a time in my career when I didn’t know any better and was following different diets, I was starving myself in order to be super skinny. Now since I am older and definitely smarter, I found the the best way for me to maintain my slim figure is to workout at least 4-5 times per week and eat clean. I don’t eat any junk food. Also six months ago after all the research I’ve done I came to conclusion that I have to stop eating animal products and I went vegan. I never felt better, healthier, prettier and skinnier than I do now! When you stop eating junk food, you stop craving it, you actually start craving very simple food. I really enjoy eating fresh organics strawberries, blueberries and any other kind of berries.
What is the best advice you have ever gotten?
The best advice I’ve ever gotten was by my mom when I was a little girl. She said once: “Dream as big as you can and then work as hard as you can to make your dream come true”. Since I was a little baby I dreamed, I dreamed that one day I’d move to Los Angeles and would become an actress. I worked hard to be where I am right now, but somehow I was able to manifest almost everything from my dreams. Dream people!!! Dream a lot!!!
Where do you see yourself in five years from now? What is your ultimate goal?
My ultimate goal is to get an Oscar for an outstanding performance in a leading role! That’s what I’m dreaming about right now. And that’s where I see myself in 5 years… Standing on a stage and holding my Oscar in front of the thousands of people inside the Dolby Theatre.
What upcoming campaigns or projects can we look for you in?
The upcoming movie entitled “Rage” that I was a part of is currently in post-production. You’ll see me there. Also since I have a degree in theatrical directing I will be part of the directing team on a very interesting project that I can’t really share any information about right now… but stay tuned!
You can stay tuned and follow Polina on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/polllina/
