In a candid conversation with singer Natalya Podolskaya, TV presenter Anfisa Chekhova opened up about a lifetime of perceived educational misfortune. She revealed that school years were marked by frequent clashes with teachers, tensions that eventually led to her expulsion from school. There were even attempts to remove her from the pioneer movement. Chekhova describes herself as a rebel during her time as a student.
She spoke of being an independent, freedom-loving learner who challenged ideas and spoke her mind on almost every topic. Chekhova noted that her outspoken stance made her unpopular in Soviet educational settings. She added that those early experiences left a lasting impression on how she raised her own son, Suleiman.
“If you think your teacher is wrong, you should go to the teacher and make your case,” she told Podolskaya. “I am teaching my son not to be simply obedient. I want him to defend his opinion and stand up for what he believes.”
Chekhova also discussed the lack of support she felt from her parents during those rebellious years and the conflicts with teachers. That absence of parental backing amplified the need for her to stand up for her child when the moment calls for it.
She described her mother as a kind person who never embraced rebellion or fighting. Chekhova shared that there was no father present in her life, which meant she often faced school problems alone. She learned to handle challenges without relying on someone to solve them for her and carried those lessons into her approach to parenting today.
Earlier conversations have touched on the delicate and sometimes difficult relationship Chekhova has had with her mother. The themes of independence, accountability, and the drive to protect a child run through these reflections, shaping how she navigates both careers and family life.