Evgenia Medvedeva discusses a Maxim cover and social media in a candid YouTube interview
Russian figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva spoke in a recent YouTube episode of the show BeS Comments, addressing her decision to participate in a candid photo shoot for Maxim magazine. She explained that she does not regret the choice, although she later faced the challenge of closing her Instagram account for a period. The owner of the Meta company has been labeled an extremist in Russia and faced a ban, a fact Medvedeva acknowledged as part of the broader online climate around public figures.
According to Medvedeva, the decision to close direct messages followed her appearance on Maxim’s cover. She described a stream of messages that targeted her, including messages from people who were supposed to be allies and friends, which she found unwelcome and upsetting. She said she did not regret the shoot because it helped reveal her as a woman and contributed to her inner confidence. She noted that while the decision to publish an image in a swimsuit was weighing on her at times, the context of being on Maxim’s cover made the decision feel more straightforward. The moment reinforced a sense of personal strength and self-assurance that accompanied her public life.
Medvedeva also commented on the lack of censorship she experienced online in certain spaces. She described a direct message environment that could become intrusive and uncomfortable, emphasizing that the experience highlighted the realities athletes face when engaging with public platforms. She described a contrast between casual greetings and aggressive messages, suggesting that this dynamic can complicate personal boundaries in the digital age.
Medvedeva is a celebrated figure in figure skating, known for her accomplishments on the world stage. She is a two-time silver medalist from the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games, where she placed second in the individual event and also contributed to a second-place finish in the team tournament. The women’s singles title at those Games went to another Russian skater, Alina Zagitova, who finished just ahead of Medvedeva by a narrow margin.
Beyond the Olympics, Medvedeva has earned gold medals at both the World Championships and the European Championships, underscoring a career with multiple high points across major competitions. Her last competitive appearance occurred in December 2019. In April 2023, she announced her retirement from professional figure skating. She continued to stay connected to the sport through performance opportunities, including a stint with the show Ice Age, allowing fans to see her artistry on ice in a different format.
As a note of context, there have been other stories about athletes sharing swimsuit images in public forums or press outlets. These moments often reflect broader conversations about media exposure, personal choices, and the pressures athletes face when navigating fame and privacy in the digital era.