Winning the title of Mrs. Russia this year has been one of the most meaningful moments of my life.
It is a great honor, a deeply emotional achievement, and a milestone I had worked toward for many years. Even now, it still feels surreal. I am living in that rare space between disbelief and gratitude, still taking in the fact that this long-held dream has become reality.
My journey in pageantry began in 2008, when I was just 20 years old. I attended the casting for the Krasa Magnitki competition in Magnitogorsk with very little understanding of that world. In fact, I had bought my first pair of high heels just before the contest. I was nervous, uncertain, and completely new to everything — yet I was equally captivated. From that first experience, I understood that pageants were never just about beauty. They demanded discipline, endurance, composure, and a willingness to keep working on yourself, again and again. That first competition became my first victory, and it opened a path that would shape so much of my future.
Over the years, I took part in a series of competitions that each added something important to my personal and professional growth. Winning Miss Student of the Chelyabinsk Region 2009, placing in the Top 10 at Krasa Rossii, and earning second place at the international Miss Photomodel of the World competition were all defining moments. Each step taught me something new — about performance, character, and the kind of woman I wanted to become.
At the same time, I was building a serious career outside the pageant stage. I studied at Magnitogorsk State University, then continued my education at the Ostankino School, where I trained in TV and radio hosting and journalism. Later, I worked as a correspondent and live television presenter on the morning show Good Morning, City! That chapter gave me another kind of confidence — the confidence to speak, connect, and stay composed under pressure.
In 2018, I became a mother. After the birth of my son, I stepped away from the stage and entered a completely different season of life. When I returned 11 years later, it was already in the Mrs. category. That return felt deeply symbolic. I stepped onto the stage in my hometown once again and won the main crown at the Zhemchuzhina of Magnitogorsk competition. In that moment, I knew this passion had never left me. It had matured with me.
My work then grew into something much larger through my involvement with I Am a Woman, the largest women’s movement in the Southern Urals. Within that community, I became an organizer, stage director, and runway coach for beauty, sports, talent, and poise competitions. To date, I have completed seven major projects and worked with more than 300 graduates. Watching women transform in front of my eyes — gaining confidence, presence, and belief in themselves — has become one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
My professional life has been equally dynamic. I built a successful clothing brand, ran three ateliers, and today I work as an entrepreneur in the field of commercial real estate. I have always believed in growth, reinvention, and staying in motion. For me, life has never been about standing still.
With all of that behind me, entering a national-level competition felt like the natural next chapter. In mid-May, I began preparing for Mrs. Russia 2025. For three months, I immersed myself fully in the process: developing my program, refining my image, selecting my wardrobe, and thinking carefully about how to leave a true impression on the judges. One of the most personal parts of that preparation was writing a song dedicated to Mrs. Russia, which I later performed during one of the competition stages. By the time I arrived in August and the official opening took place on the 8th, I knew I had given everything to that preparation.
What followed was an intense and unforgettable experience. Every day felt like a marathon — packed schedules, constant rehearsals, emotional pressure, physical exhaustion, and the need to stay fully prepared from morning until late at night. It tested every part of me. Pageantry at this level asks for complete presence. You must be ready outwardly and inwardly at every moment. Even now, I feel that I am still processing the intensity of those days.
I came to Mrs. Russia with one clear goal: to win. I believed in myself, and I knew exactly why I was there. I do not rely on lucky charms or rituals. My only ritual is hard work. I study the task, understand what is required, and give the strongest version of myself to the process. This victory did not come from chance. It came from years of persistence, discipline, and a deep commitment not only to my own path, but to supporting other women too. I have always believed in one simple truth: first, you believe in yourself — and then others begin to believe in you as well.
The final took place on August 15, and that was the day my long journey led me to the crown. Hearing my name announced as the winner was a moment I will carry with me forever. It was the result of years of preparation, inner work, and determination. Since then, I have received countless messages and congratulations from family, friends, colleagues, and even people I have never met. That warmth has touched me deeply.
One of the loveliest parts of the competition was the women I met along the way. The atmosphere in the Mrs. category has its own character. These are women with life experience, women who have gone through motherhood, change, growth, and responsibility. There is a different depth to that energy. They are strong, grounded, self-sufficient, and often much more generous with one another. Even when comparison exists, it feels softer, quieter, and far less sharp. I am especially grateful to Alla Yuryevna Markina, the director of the competition, for creating an environment where dignity and mutual respect are clearly valued. Her work, along with the work of her team, deserves sincere appreciation.
I have always admired beautiful women, but I have never had one fixed ideal I tried to copy. My true reference point has always been the strongest, fullest version of myself. That is why this victory means so much to me. It was never only about a crown. It was about honoring everything I have lived through, built, and grown into.
This title carries special meaning for my hometown as well. No one had ever brought this crown to Magnitogorsk — or to the Southern Urals — before. To be the first is both humbling and deeply moving. Throughout this entire journey, my family stood beside me. My parents gave me the kind of support that teaches you how to fly without fear. My son greeted me at the airport with tears of pride, and that moment alone was worth everything. My closest friends, many of whom have been beside me for decades, were there too. So were colleagues, supporters, and the place I call home. That circle of love and belief became my foundation.
I am especially thankful to the people who supported me throughout this path: Svetlana Bashkova and Liliya Leontyeva, the heads of Krasa Magnitki; Marina Sergeyeva, chairwoman of the I Am a Woman foundation; and Liliya Davletkireyeva, deputy chairwoman and coordinator of the foundation’s projects. Their faith in me meant a great deal.
People often ask about beauty, preparation, and the so-called secret to success. My answer is simple: there is no magic formula. Real results come from consistency. Sport, healthy habits, discipline, caring for your body, and staying attentive to your inner state all matter. Yet the true foundation lies deeper. Real beauty begins in the soul, and that inner state can only be sustained when there is balance between the spiritual and the material parts of life.
Of course, public victory often comes with public criticism. I was not spared from that. Some people celebrated my win, while others questioned it, criticized my appearance, or spoke about “naturalness.” I take that calmly — sometimes even with humor. We live in a world where people polish diamonds, style their hair, care for their skin, dress well, and present themselves with intention, yet still argue over what counts as “natural.” To me, self-care and self-expression do not take away authenticity. They are simply part of how a woman chooses to present herself. Everyone defines these boundaries in their own way. I have chosen not to be shaken by judgment. I keep moving forward with confidence, focused on what truly matters. And when complete strangers recognize me, congratulate me, and share kind words, that speaks far louder than criticism ever could.
Today, I hold this victory with deep gratitude. This crown is not just a title to me. It is the result of years of work, faith, discipline, and love for what I do. It reflects every lesson, every setback, every return, and every step that brought me here. I accept it with pride — and with full awareness of the path that made it possible.
