Check out our exclusive interview with gorgeous Belarusian model, influencer, and Instagram star Polina Malinovskaya.
With a staggering following of over 2.2 million, Polina stands as a towering figure in the world of luxury lifestyle influence. Her journey from starting as a model to becoming an Instagram sensation is nothing short of inspirational. Known for captivating her audience with stunning images that showcase her toned figure, Polina has also skillfully navigated the realm of brand partnerships, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry. From discussing her early beginnings to her current endeavors and future aspirations, join us as we uncover the multifaceted world of Polina Malinovskaya. Whether you’re a long-time admirer or new to her work, this interview promises to offer a fresh perspective on her remarkable career and personal philosophy.
Follow Polina @Polinamalinovskaya
Hi Polina, please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Polina. I’m a model and influencer. I was born in Belarus, but I grew up in Italy. I speak Russian, English, Italian, and a little bit of Belarusian, and I’m planning to learn Spanish.
I danced ballet for 8 years. I love sports like yoga, Pilates, and stretching. I’m very shy as person, even if you can’t say so from my feed on Instagram.
Describe yourself in three words.
Patient, loyal, and empathetic.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My dad was a big part of my life as someone who would always encourage me, motivate me, and believe in me. I can’t describe in words how grateful I am for him and his love in my life.
How and when did you start modeling?
When I was little, I always liked the idea of modeling, and one day my dad asked me if I wanted to try it, and then he (ps. he didn’t know how modeling works; he had nothing to do with it) started to ask people around for advice on what agencies to contact, and he helped me do my first Polaroids, and then we sent them to a few different model agencies in Milan.
Some agencies were interested in me, so they asked if I could come to Milan to see them.
Me and my dad went to Milan together, and on the same day I signed a contract with an agency.
At that time, I was 15 and still going to school, so we decided that I would only model during the summer holidays so I wouldn’t miss school.
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what is not?
I think the fun thing is traveling for work in different countries and meeting new people, making new friends, getting out of your comfort zone, and shooting in beautiful locations.
Honestly, sometimes you can meet very rude people who will destroy your day, and you can’t do anything about it; you have to stay professional and polite.
Can you name a few of the brands you are working with or have worked with?
Motivi, Guess, Cotril, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and L’Oréal.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Remember, it’s not the end of the world; try again; don’t give up. It’s not about failing; it’s about what you learn from failure.
The most important thing when you are shooting is:
Be in a good mood and have good music on the set. It is also very important to feel confident with the photographer, so no creepy vibes.
What’s your advice for young models and influencers?
To not pay attention to people who are trying to put you down, 99% of the time they are just jealous. Never take the “opinions” of haters seriously, because once you look at their lives, you will understand why they are hating.
What mindset helped make you so successful and popular?
To not care what others think.
When you started your social media accounts, did you expect such a success?
I started when I was like 13. First, I had Facebook, where I started to get a lot of followers and likes, which was soooo cool at the time. I remember getting a lot of hate in high school just because of my popularity on social media. And then everyone started to use ask.fm and that’s where everything began, I would get thousands questions a day, I would get a lot of followers everyday, I would answer a lot of questions everyday, I would speak about my life, share my photos, etc.
And then Instagram came along, and I started to use it more because it was more “creative” and interesting at the time.
As a popular model and influencer, you are followed by so many people, including young girls. How do you feel about the pressure to always do the right thing and encourage people to follow their dreams?
It’s good to show people that it’s okay to fail, that it’s normal to fail, and that nothing is wrong if you fail.
The most important thing is to not give up on your dreams; try harder, work harder, try again and again, and don’t be scared of failure.
What do you think is the secret to having a successful social media channel?
I think the biggest secret to having a good audience on Instagram is speaking with your followers, making them feel important, sharing your life with them, answering their messages, giving them advice, and being real with them.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you have received so far?
Hahah, oh my god, I have to tell you that.
One year ago, I received a message from a woman asking me to sell her my egg cells for 50k dollars so she could make a baby. I was shocked, and ofc I refused.
And about the best dm pickup, I’m still waiting for that one hahaha
What would you say are the greatest lessons you have learned so far?
To accept some bad moments in your life and just let them go. Accept forgiveness and let it go.
Can you share an experience in your life when women supported other women and what you learned from it?
Mom and daughter relationships Obviously, women’s wisdom is being passed on through generations, creating a strong basis for healthy relationships.
What actor, actress, or model do you admire the most, and why?
Keanu Reeves—oh, who doesn’t like him?
I looove him. I think he is an amazing actor AND person. He is very down to earth and has a very kind soul, which is very inspiring.
On the Traveling side, we know you love traveling. Tell us your top 3 countries to travel to.
Greece, Palau Koror, Mexico.
And which countries or cities are still on your bucket list?
Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, Australia, Cuba, and Thailand.
Which place that you have visited do you think changed you in a particular way, maybe for motivation or to see a different reality, etc.?
Hmmm I think Mexico. I was there while there was COVID time, and everything was so different back then, like so empty and so quiet that you could fully enjoy the nature of the country without millions of tourists.
I remember I stayed a few months on my own there; it helped me grow mentally and spiritually just by being on my own. I became stronger and more independent.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
I would love to go to Antarctica so much—my biggest dream ever—and I would love to volunteer in Africa.
What’s next for Polina Malinovskaya in the last months of 2023 and in 2024?
Focus on myself, discover myself more, find new passions, find new hobbies, explore new countries, learn new things, invest all the time, and love myself.
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
Not wasting time on people who don’t care about you was the biggest mistake in my life. I still regret letting some people into my life and trusting them fully. Unfortunately, sometimes because of the “feelings and emotions,” you don’t see reality. For a few years, I was living in illusion.
If you were a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“8 billion stories and you picked mine” speaks by itself
What is your own definition of happiness?
Having a cat, having work of my dreams, having loyal friends, having millions of perfumes, living in a safe country, working on myself, traveling around the world, being independent, having a house next to the beach, helping animals, having a Pilates machine at home, being healthy, and seeing my family and friends happy.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or for karaoke?
Nelly Furtado – Maneater
Name one of your strengths.
Being flexible and adaptable
What is the most challenging thing you deal with about consistently staying in top shape?
Drink water. I swear, this is my biggest problem ever. Sometimes I don’t drink water for like 2–3 days, and I’m fine. I feel okay; I just have to force myself and remind myself to drink water every day.
Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?
I wake up, I go to do some stretching or Pilates in the morning, then I go to have some breakfast with my friend, then I have a one-hour call with my therapist, after which I make some time to organize shooting or I look for a location for my next post, and in the evening I would go with my friend to the cinema.
What’s your favorite form of cardio? And how often do you workout?
I focus more on my flexibility, so I don’t do so much cardio in general, but I try to do some activities at least two times a week.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Broccoli soup.
And your favorite cheat food?
Sushi.
Name three things you can’t live without.
Perfumes, music, and skin care products.
Best advice ever given?
IT IS BETTER TO TRY AND FAIL THAN NEVER TO TRY AT ALL.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Britney Spears, haha. I’ve been her fan since I was 10; I’ve never been to her concert, and I truly believe that one day I’ll meet her, and I’m going to be the happiest person alive. She gives me good vibes and an innocent soul.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years?
I would like to continue developing my skills and knowledge in order to be able to take on more responsibility within creativity.
Do you support any charities?
I do. I do support animals, and in the future, I want to build a charity for animals only.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Wake up at 12 in the mountains. Go to ski with my friends, go to a sushi restaurant, and after that hot bath and skin care routine, watch some horror movies in the night.
What do you think of social media?
Social media can give you so many possibilities and so many ways to learn something through it. It can be very fun but also very useless if you just scroll through your feed every hour and hour and lose your real life, and instead of going out and creating new memories, you just stay at home on your phone.
So it has to be in balance. Social media can be good, but use it right.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram: @Polinamalinovskaya
Quote: More knowledge, less opinions.
Song: Justin Timberlake: What Goes Around
Movie: We Are The Millers
Travel Destination: Japan
Food: Sushi
Sports Team: none
