— What emotions did Margot feel when she learned she had earned the coveted crown?
“Honestly, she’s still processing the moment. It felt like a shock to her body and her condition. Everything happened so quickly and unexpectedly. She had invested so much effort to win, and yet the reality remains astonishing.”
— How did she decide to enter the competition, and how did she prepare for it?
— At eighteen, the Miss Russia director invited her to cast for the pageant. In that moment, she knew she wasn’t ready. Over the years she refined herself—she organized her body, studied English with a tutor, learned Italian, and sharpened her acting and speaking skills. All of it proved valuable. In the penultimate year, once she was eligible, she gave one hundred percent.
— Which exam proved the most challenging for her?
— It was the most unpredictable and demanding trial: the preliminary jury. The questions were unknown, and nerves ran high. Each of the fifty finalists was contacted individually, and she kept her resolve tight. A singing task came up as in the intellectual round; she delivered Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” a moment she had already referenced on The Voice.
— What was the mood behind the scenes during the competition? Was there real rivalry among the contestants?
– Not really. The organizers emphasize psychological training and team-building to unite the women’s team throughout the event. Support ran deep during the final and the three weeks of the program. Even as she advanced to the top ten, many teammates offered encouragement. They told her she deserved the crown and that they supported her, with some admitting they voted for her in online polls rather than for themselves. That heartfelt backing mattered more than any jury decision.
— If it’s not a secret, what are the plans for the prize money?
“Part of the funds will go toward preparing for the Miss Universe pageant. The remainder will back a personal project—a music school for low-income and large families where children can engage in creative work, especially singing, on an affordable basis. Finding affordable education is a real challenge, even with established academies like Igor Krutoy’s. This project will require more than a million rubles, so she will pursue grants and possibly government support.”
— Is this project still in development?
– Yes. Her plan is to open the school and pursue teaching qualifications after graduation, ensuring the effort benefits society rather than serving as mere spectacle.
— Are you concerned about representing Russia at Miss Universe, given the experiences of previous contestants with peer bullying from some countries?
– She accepts the responsibility and the challenge. She knows it will be tough, but she believes her character is strong enough to persevere. Her aim is to win over the jury and contestants with a sincere, open heart, and she remains optimistic about the journey ahead.
— Has she begun preparing for Miss Universe?
— In addition to the photo shoots, she and the director of the competition mapped out immediate tasks. Her schedule includes podium training, makeup and hairstyling masterclasses, and daily grooming to stay stylish. There may be sessions with a psychologist to maintain mental balance and build confidence, plus English lessons to handle foreign journalists with ease.
— After winning, is there a constant stream of social media attention? How does she feel about it?
“She receives many messages inviting meetings or flowers. She is comfortable being alone for the foreseeable future, a personal preference she expects to honor. Even before entering the Miss Russia pageant, she planned to dedicate the year to personal growth, trusting that a worthy partner would come along once she had established herself as a complete person.”
— Could you summarize her modeling journey in a few words? When did she decide to model, and how did she land her first agency?
— It began by chance. She never saw herself as a model, always pursuing creativity: singing on stage since age five. She tried acting and signed up for a dumpling commercial casting. The moment she arrived at a modeling agency by mistake, she delivered a lively, expressive read about the soft dumplings, and the casting director reacted strongly. That moment led to a contract with a top St. Petersburg agency, which she kept until she turned eighteen.
She then moved to Moscow to study, focusing more on academics. Modeling opportunities paused, but she continued acting freelance, appearing in films, videos, and commercials, and even worked as a flight attendant. Those experiences boosted confidence and helped her refine communication with a wide range of people.
— What kinds of films and clips did she work on?
— She appeared in the music video for “You’ve Got a Range Rover,” a hit on TikTok. She also took on episodic roles in series like “The Oncoming Road,” “He Kept Women,” “Fitness,” “Vampires of the Central Zone,” and “Ballet.” It was a challenging yet valuable period. On set she witnessed how productions operate—the props, the staged interiors, the long waits before shooting. It was eye-opening. Her minutes on camera were brief, but the lessons were lasting, and she recalls shouting to her mother that she had starred in a movie. Over time, her interests shifted toward other paths.
Only two months ago she accepted an invitation to star in a project directed by a renowned director, set to release soon. She cannot reveal the artist yet, but describes it as a feature with a script, elaborate scenes, and numerous locations across Moscow. The shoot spanned a single day and covered four locations with several retakes, keeping her in almost every frame.
— Was her family supportive of the modeling career?
— Stereotypes exist, and concern from family members is natural. Yet the agency director encouraged her to bring her mother to see how things work. In the first month, her mother accompanied her everywhere and learned that modeling can be a legitimate profession with reputable agencies that focus on the craft, much like any other line of work.
She comes from a family of four; she is the eldest, with a 14-year-old brother and a 9-year-old sister in St. Petersburg. Her mother works as an anesthesiologist and resuscitation specialist in an oncology hospital, while her father designs vending machines. Her grandmother teaches biology. The younger siblings follow her example in singing, dancing, and art, while the middle brother pursues design, programming, and the exact sciences.
— Beyond the Miss Russia crown, which achievements stand out?
— A chronological glance reveals titles such as Miss Kalinin Pearl in 2018, Miss Students Russia in 2021, Union State Students Vice Queen, and Miss European Vice-Miss in 2023.
— She appeared on The Voice in 2021. Critics may have turned away then, but she isn’t easily disheartened. How does she view criticism?
— The show is a production designed for television. Some moments are edited. In her particular journey, the outcome hinged on interactions with the judges, and another judge ultimately encouraged her to persevere. The broader panel offered support, and Alexander Borisovich, in particular, urged her to keep training, retake the Unified State Exam, master solfège from scratch in six months, and gain admission to a creative university. That guidance changed her path.
— She studies at both the Russian Customs Academy and the Moscow State Institute of Cinematography. How does she balance two universities?
— She shifted to distance learning at the Customs Academy to avoid schedule clashes, aiming to finish both programs with good or excellent marks. It requires sacrifice, but the approach works for her.
— Everyone has a beauty secret. What is hers?
— The secret is straightforward: proper nutrition, consistent exercise, and cultivating feminine energy and charisma. When the eyes sparkle, a person radiates a light that outshines even the finest beauty.