ANNIVERSAY ISSUE 0717

PROFILE
Sometimes, Saying a Prayer
Can Make An Acting Career Soar
Victoria was born in the
Russian city of Rostov-on-
Don and was the younger
of two girls. Early in her
childhood she begged her
parents to buy her a piano
and when that dream came
true, she enrolled in the
local music school. Music
became her first big
passion in life. Later, her
mom moved to a new
home in Moscow. As she
was growing up, she began
to get modeling and acting
work. After high school,
she was enrolled at
Moscow University where
she studied journalism and
broadcasting. During her work on the Russian TV
station, she flew to Los Angeles and totally fell in love
with California. She later relocated there to pursue a
career in the performing arts.
Viktoria recalls, “Most of my acting jobs were in
commercials for Bank of America, Samsung and
Microsoft. When I received a call to have a part in the
feature film, Sully, starring Tom Hanks and directed by
Hollywood legend, Clint Eastwood, I couldn’t wait to
be on the set. I was cast as
one of the passengers on the
fateful flight. It was not a
speaking part.
One day, Director Clint
Eastwood approached me and
asked if I could speak Russian.
“Yes,” I said. And, before I
could even blink, they added a
special scene where I was
filmed reciting a Russian
prayer in my native language.
It was probably one of
the most difficult roles I’ve
ever done in my whole acting
life. We were in cold water
inside of the plane most of
the time. But, the excitement
from working with such a legend
and the story of that flight itself was definitely
worth it. The atmosphere on the set was amazing as
everyone was great!
She went on to say, “This opportunity was made
easier for me because of the kindness and professional
manor of the film’s First Assistant Director, David
Bernstein, who worked on my scene.
It would be great to work with this amazing crew
again someday.
IN ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE 25