Lepota često biva posmatrana kroz strogo definisane okvire u svetu modelinga, ali retko se sreće osoba čija autentičnost, unutrašnja snaga i senzibilitet oblikuju njen profesionalni put jednako snažno kao i fizički izgled. U ovom intervjuu razgovaramo sa Alisom — mladom manekenkom koja je, uprkos svojim godinama (20), već izgradila upečatljivu karijeru, ali i duboku ličnu filozofiju. Njena priča govori o hrabrosti, borbi, empatiji, umetnosti i slobodi. Ona otkriva kako je prošla put od prvih fotografija u rodnom gradu do međunarodnih kampanja, kako balansira snažnu potrebu za privatnošću sa javnom profesijom i na koji način je ljubav prema životinjama i osećaj za pravdu oblikovao ne samo njen privatni život, već i izbor profesionalnih saradnji.
Alisa, pomenuli ste da je Vaš put u modeling više bio sudbina nego svesna odluka. Možete li podeliti trenutak kada ste shvatili da modeling može postati Vaša profesija?
Shvatila sam da modeling može postati moja profesija kada sam osetila da ispunjava i duhovni i materijalni deo mog života. Isprva sam bila samo posmatrač svega što mi se dešava—uživala sam u tome, ali nisam razumela gde će me to odvesti. Ali kada su drugi počeli da hvale koliko sam dobra pred kamerom, da moje fotografije bude emocije, i kada sam počela da zarađujem svoj prvi novac od toga—tada sam znala da može postati moja karijera. To je za mene bio veliki podsticaj, jer sam između trinaeste i šesnaeste godine radila kao administrator, konobarica i promoterka, i nisam mogla da zamislim da ću jednog dana zarađivati kroz umetnost i zadovoljstvo.
Sa 15 godina imali ste fotografisanje koje je promenilo sve. Kakva je bila Vaša reakcija kada ste prvi put videli te fotografije i kako su one uticale na Vaš doživljaj sebe?
Sa 15 godina snimila sam seriju fotografija sa fotografom iz mog rodnog grada, i iznenađujuće, te fotografije me i danas impresioniraju. Videla sam da pogledom mogu da prenesem više nego rečima. Nakon tog snimanja, od usmenih preporuka počeli su da mi se javljaju drugi profesionalci—šminkeri, fotografi—i nudili saradnje. Kasnije su moje fotografije završile u mojoj prvoj matičnoj agenciji. Moja prva reakcija? Kao da imam impostor sindrom. Šalim se. Ali zaista sam bila iznenađena, jer nisam izgledala kao devojka iz provincije, već kao model iz magazina—model sa dubinom.
Divite se filmu „Gia“ i vidite sličnosti između sebe i glavne junakinje. Koje osobine ili filozofija života heroine najviše rezonuju sa Vama?
„Gia“ sa Angelinom Jolie je jedan od mojih omiljenih filmova, a lik glavne junakinje duboko me dotiče. U meni postoji mnogo kontrasta: uz ženstvenost i gracioznost posedujem i snažnu „mušku“ energiju. To se vidi i kroz moja interesovanja — pored plesa i umetnosti, kandidat sam za majstora sporta u kik-boksu i imam rezultat u preponskom jahanju. Uprkos senzualnosti i nežnosti, u sebi imam mnogo sirove, iskonske snage. Osobine koje me vezuju za Giu su i izuzetna osetljivost i lično sazrevanje. Empatija je dar koji omogućava dublje viđenje sveta, ali istovremeno donosi ranjivost. A što se tiče ličnog razvoja—obema nam je detinjstvo bilo teško, ali smo poneli mnogo hrabrosti, energije i drskosti.
Opisujete sebe kao spoj ženstvenosti i „muške“ snage. Kako Vam ta dualnost pomaže u modelingu i koje izazove donosi?
Ta dualnost mi je alat u industriji, jer na meni mogu da se realizuju potpuno različiti koncepti—oštri, grubi, ili nežni i ženstveni. Međutim, teško mi je da se uklopim u šablone koji se kose sa mojom individualnošću. Ali kao svuda—prvo Vi radite za svoje ime, a onda Vaše ime radi za Vas.
Pomenuli ste metaforu da ste „menjač“ u modelingu. Možete li to detaljnije objasniti? Kako uspevate da se prilagodite različitim ulogama, a ipak ostanete svoji?
Za mene je ključ uspeha u modelingu biti „shape-shifter“, menjač. Taj izraz sam prvi put čula od fotografa tokom svog prvog ugovora u Istanbulu. To nije samo sposobnost da promenite izgled, već da se uklopite u svaki zadatak, da budete prilagodljivi, a da ostanete svoji—neka vrsta glumačke veštine, određena širinom ličnosti i emotivnog opsega. Pomaže mi to što sebe ne zatvaram u kutije. Za svaki zadatak postoji deo mene koji samo pustim da izađe. Verujem da me autentičnom održava to što čak i kada uzmete 30 različitih osobina—sve one žive u meni. Neki bi to nazvali ludilom, ali meni donosi ogromno zadovoljstvo što sam stalno drugačija.
Posle 5 godina u industriji, šta je bilo najneočekivanije što ste naučili o sebi ili poslu?
Za ovih 5 godina stekla sam mnogo iskustva, ne uvek pozitivnih, ali su me sva oblikovala kao osobu i za to sam neizmerno zahvalna. Snimanja, ljudi i zemlje kroz koje sam prošla formirali su moj sistem vrednosti čija je osnova autentičnost. To je ono što privlači—u kadru, u modelu, u bilo kom konceptu—nešto neuhvatljivo što tera posmatrača da zastane.
Autentičnost Vam je veoma važna. Kako je čuvate u industriji koja često zahteva uklapanje u određene standarde?
Čuvam je tako što i određenu ulogu „igram na svoj način“. Kao kada tri umetnika naslikaju isti pejzaž: kompozicija je ista, ali svaki umetnik ostavi svoj potpis.
Verujete da svaka umetnost „govori“. Šta želite da poručite svojim radom kao model?
Svaka umetnost govori, a ako nemate šta da kažete, teško je dosegnuti visok nivo. Moja misija je da pokažem da ženstvenost nije šablon, već autentičnost. I da senzualnost ne isključuje snagu.
Privatnost Vam je važna i kažete da Vas zbog nje javnost manje poznaje. Kako balansirate privatnost sa javnom profesijom?
Moja potreba za privatnošću verovatno najviše usporava moju javnu prepoznatljivost. Moja motivacija nikada nije bila slava, već želja da donesem nešto dobro ljudima. A balans? Još uvek ga učim. Periodično nestanem sa društvenih mreža ili prestanem da odgovaram na kastinge, i to usporava moj rast, ali učim da pronađem ravnotežu sa sobom.
Vaša motivacija je da donesete nešto lepo ljudima. Kako tu filozofiju prenosite na posao?
Na svojim mrežama trudim se da prikazujem ljubav i umetnost. U radu sa kolegama uvek sam topla i poštujem sve, čak i kada mi unutrašnje stanje to ne olakšava. Volim da dajem komplimente i zahvalim se timu—jer ljubaznost se umnožava.
Imate snažan osećaj za pravdu i empatiju prema živim bićima. Kako te vrednosti utiču na izbor projekata i saradnji?
Od detinjstva me vodi snažna pravdoljubivost i bezuslovna ljubav prema svim živim bićima. Dugo sam volontirala: u rodnom gradu pomagala sam pri spasavanju životinja iz cirkusa, klanica i od okrutnih vlasnika. Srce mi se lomi pri pomisli da neko može nauditi nečemu krhkom i bespomoćnom. Još nisam imala takvu situaciju, ali znam da ne bih mogla da prihvatim saradnju sa brendom koji deluje protiv ekologije. Ne bih mogla da radim ni sa životinjama koje se muče. Imala sam projekte sa konjima, zmijom i čak lavićem. Da, snimanje je generalno neprirodno za životinju, ali prihvatam ga samo ako ona ne trpi nikakav stres.
Priča o Vašem konju Donu je dirljiva. Kako Vas je njegovo spašavanje promenilo?
Dona sam kupila za simboličnu sumu od ljudi koji su mu oštetili leđa i odlučili da ga pošalju u klanicu. Zavolela sam ga zbog pogleda. Ta priča objašnjava i moj odlazak iz profesionalnog konjičkog sporta, koji je često okrutan. Moja filozofija je veza zasnovana na poštovanju, a ne na dominaciji. Ljudi često projiciraju svoje boli na bića koja ne mogu da se brane. Verujem da je odnos prema živom biću najbolji pokazatelj duše — njene empatije i sposobnosti da čuje tihe jezike srca.
Napustili ste profesionalno jahanje zbog njegove grubosti. Kako filozofiju „poštovanje, ne pokoravanje“ primenjujete danas?
Verujem da je sve moguće i da su ljudi slobodni i neograničeni, ali da naša sloboda prestaje tamo gde počinje sloboda drugog bića. Kada je reč o društvu i prirodi, uvek poštujem tu finu granicu. Nikada nikoga ne „primoravam“ na nešto; mogu samo da stvorim uslove za izbor. Konačna odluka uvek pripada onome ko bira.
Vaša misija je dokazati da je ženstvenost jedinstvenost, a ne kalup. Kako vidite razvoj industrije u pravcu veće individualnosti?
Drago mi je da se poslednjih godina modeling okreće individualnosti i jedinstvenosti. Ali, uprkos sloganima, početnicama i dalje mogu naškoditi očekivanja o „idealnim“ merama 90/60/90 — što je često u suprotnosti i sa zdravljem i sa promocijom različitosti.
Koji savet biste dali mladim devojkama koje sanjaju o karijeri modela, na osnovu svog puta?
Najvažnije je da se ne plaše i ne sumnjaju u sebe. Lepota je subjektivna. Vaša najveća snaga je individualnost. Možete je ugušiti pokušavajući da udovoljite nepristojnim kritičarima ili je možete nositi ponosno i razvijati je. Vodim se jednim pravilom: ništa ne dolazi slučajno; treba posmatrati i izvlačiti zaključke. Zato savetujem da probate sve i slušate srce. Mnogo puta ljudi iz mog okruženja nisu razumeli moje ambicije; neki nisu verovali jer nisu mogli da zamisle „drugačiji“ život. Ali danas, kada pogledam unazad, zahvalna sam sebi što nisam stala i što sam išla u nepoznato, jer sa 20 godina imam mnogo toga na šta sam ponosna.
English here:
Alisa, you mentioned that your path to the modeling industry was more of a destiny than a conscious choice. Could you share the exact moment when you realized that modeling could become your profession?
I realized that modeling could become my profession when I understood that it fulfilled both the spiritual and material aspects of my life. At first, I was just an observer of everything happening to me, enjoying it but not yet understanding where it would lead. But when I started hearing from others that I was good in front of the camera, that my photos were captivating and evoked emotions, and when I started earning my first money from it—that’s when I knew it could become my career. The last point was a significant push for me, as between the ages of 13 and 16, I worked as an administrator, waitress, and promoter, and I couldn’t imagine that earning a living could be through art and pleasure.
At the age of 15, you had a photo shoot that changed everything. What was your initial reaction when you saw those photos, and how did they shape your self-perception?
At 15, I had a photoshoot with a photographer in my hometown, and surprisingly, those photos still impress me to this day. I saw that through my gaze, I could sometimes convey even more than with words. After that shoot, through word-of-mouth, other professionals in the industry—makeup artists and photographers—started offering me projects. Later, my photos ended up with my first mother agency. My first reaction? Imposter syndrome. Just kidding. But when I first saw my professional photos, I was truly impressed because I didn’t look like a girl from the provinces, but like a model I could have seen in a magazine—a model with substance.
You admire the film «Gia» and see parallels between yourself and the main character. Could you elaborate on which traits or life philosophy of Gia resonate most with you?
One of my favorite films is “Gia” with Jolie in the lead role, and the character of the protagonist deeply resonates with me. I have many contrasts within me: I can confidently say that besides femininity and grace, I possess a lot of “masculine” strength. This is reflected in my hobbies: despite my passion for dance and art, I am a Candidate for Master of Sports in kickboxing and have a ranking in show jumping. Despite my sensuality and femininity, I have a lot of untamable strength and elemental energy. Also, the main similarities between me and the heroine are strong sensitivity and personal formation. Empathy is simultaneously a gift that allows you to see the world more deeply, but it also makes you vulnerable. And in terms of personal formation, both I and the main character had difficult childhoods, yet we possess a lot of courage, drive, and audacity.
You describe yourself as a mix of femininity and «masculine» strength. How do you think this duality helps you in the modeling industry, and are there any challenges that come with it?
This duality is a tool in the industry because looks with completely different motifs—edgy, sometimes rough, or delicate and feminine—are beautifully realized on me, as I possess both. However, it is very difficult for me to force myself into specific templates if they clash with my individuality. But, as everywhere else, first you work for your name, and then your name works for you.
You mentioned the metaphor of being a «shape-shifter» («оборотнем») in modeling. Can you explain this concept in more detail? How do you manage to adapt to different roles while staying true to yourself?
For me, a key element of success in modeling is being a “shape-shifter.” I heard this metaphor from a photographer during my first contract in Istanbul, and it stuck with me. Being a shape-shifter isn’t just the ability to change looks; it’s the ability to integrate into any task, to be adaptable while remaining yourself—a kind of acting skill that is also defined by the scale of one’s personality and emotional range. What helps me transform is that I don’t confine myself to boxes. For every task, there is a part of my personality within me that I simply release in the moment. I guess what helps me stay true to myself is that even if you take 30 different personality traits, each one finds expression within me. Some might call it madness, but I get incredible pleasure from always being different.
After 5 years in the industry, you’ve gained a wealth of experience. What has been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned about yourself or the industry?
Over 5 years in the industry, I’ve gained a lot of experience, not all of it positive, but in any case, it has shaped me as a person, for which I am immensely grateful. The photoshoots, people, and countries have all formed my personal value system, the main aspect of which is authenticity. It’s what captivates—in a frame, in a model, in any concept—something ephemeral that makes the viewer stop and take a closer look.
Authenticity is a key aspect of your personal value system. How do you maintain your authenticity in an industry that often demands conformity to certain standards?
I preserve my authenticity by playing even a specific role “in my own way.” It’s an interesting metaphor, but it’s like three different artists painting the same landscape: the general composition is the same, yet each creator leaves their own signature by which they can be recognized.
You believe that any art form «speaks» and that having something to say is crucial for success. What message do you want to convey through your work as a model?
Any art “speaks,” and if you have nothing to say, then achieving a high level in the industry is, in my opinion, unrealistic. My mission is to show that femininity is not a template, but authenticity. And that sensuality does not exclude strength.
Privacy is important to you, and you mentioned that it somewhat limits your public recognition. How do you balance the need for privacy with the demands of a public profession?
Perhaps the only thing limiting my public recognition is my deep need for privacy. My true motivation lies not in fame, but in the desire to bring something light to the masses. To answer the question: so far, I haven’t managed to find a healthy balance between the two. The fact that I can sometimes disappear from social media and stop responding to castings hurts my growth pace in the industry, but at the moment, I am learning to negotiate with myself.
Your motivation is not fame, but the desire to bring something positive to people. Can you give specific examples of how you incorporate this philosophy into your work?
On my social media, I try to illustrate love and art. When working with colleagues, I always behave respectfully and warmly—even if my current state doesn’t incline me to. I like giving compliments and thanking the team for their work—because kindness multiplies.
You have a strong sense of justice and compassion for living beings. How do these values influence your choices in modeling projects or collaborations?
Since childhood, I have been driven by a heightened sense of justice and unconditional love for all living things. I have been a volunteer for a long time: even when I was in my hometown, I helped rescue animals from circuses, slaughterhouses, and cruel owners. It breaks my heart to think that a person can encroach on something fragile and defenseless. I haven’t had such an experience yet, but I am sure I couldn’t agree to a shoot for a brand that works against ecology. I couldn’t participate in a shoot with animals where the animal is being tormented. I have had projects with horses, a snake, and even a lion cub. Yes, being in front of a camera is generally an unnatural activity for an animal, but I only accept it if the animal experiences no discomfort.
The story of your horse Don is very touching. How did rescuing Don change your life and your views on animal welfare?
The story of how my horse Don appeared is confirmation of this. Contrary to assumptions about my wealth, I bought him for a symbolic sum from people who had strained his back and, deeming him useless, sent him to slaughter. I fell in love with his eyes. This story also explains my departure from professional equestrian sports, which is often cruel. My philosophy is a connection built on respect, not submission. Many people are incapable of unconditional treatment; they project their pains and complexes onto those who cannot answer. And I believe that the attitude towards living beings is the best characteristic of a human soul, of its capacity for empathy and for reading the quiet languages of the heart.
You left professional equestrian sports due to its harshness. How do you apply your philosophy of «respect, not submission» in your current activities?
I believe that nothing is impossible and all people are free and limitless, but in my opinion, our freedom ends where the freedom of another begins. When it comes to society and nature, I always try to respect this fine line. I never “force” anyone to do something; I can only create conditions for a choice, and the final decision lies with the one who makes it.
Your mission is to prove that femininity is about uniqueness, not templates. How do you think the modeling industry can evolve to better embrace individuality?
I am immensely glad that in recent years, the modeling industry has been promoting individuality and uniqueness. But unfortunately, despite the bright slogans, not fitting certain parameters can play a cruel joke on a beginning model. It still seems illogical to me that, despite the talk of diversity, girls are often required to have 90/60/90 measurements—in most cases, this contradicts health and those very slogans about individuality.
What advice would you give to young girls who dream of a career in modeling, based on your personal journey and experiences?
The main thing is not to be afraid and not to doubt yourself. It’s worth remembering that the concept of beauty is extremely blurred and differs in everyone’s eyes. Your one and most powerful asset is your individuality. And you can either kill it in the pursuit of pleasing impolite critics or carry it with pride and multiply it. I live by one rule: all situations that come into our lives are not accidental; you just need to learn to observe and draw the right conclusions. Based on this, I advise trying everything and listening to your heart. Many times, I faced situations where no one in my circle understood my ambitions; some didn’t believe in me because they couldn’t even imagine a “different” life. But looking back, I am grateful to myself only for not stopping and moving into the unknown, because at 20, I have done and achieved enough to be proud of myself.
Team credits:
Photographer: Roman Labasta
Model: Alisa Semina @nea_lisss
Styling: Katerina Lebedeva @esliichto
Styling assistant: Natali Koroleva @natashaakoo
Makeup artist: Daria Shaposhnikova @mua_dash
Gaffer: Anastas Hananyan @a_haneezy
Producer’s: Valentina Gurova @valentinagurova & Cory Couture Productions @corycoutureproductions
PR: PR Aliyans Media Group @pr_aliyans
