Ekaterina Varnava: “I’m learning to formulate my wishes correctly”

We planned the interview with the presenter, actress and just a beauty Ekaterina Varnava long ago. The only thing we were waiting for was her arrival in Kiev for the filming of the next series of the program “Who’s on Top? And suddenly, a week before the meeting, the news came out of the blue that the artist had been banned from entering Ukraine…

Catherine, I want to thank you right away for not cancelling the interview with our publication. Although anything was possible in light of recent events…

And I have nothing against your publication, as well as against the country as a whole. It’s Ukrainian politicians who have something against me. But politics is such a complicated, sad thing. So let’s talk about something good.

Let’s talk about you. Sense of humor – is it an innate gift or an acquired one?

In my case, it’s acquired. A lot depends on the people you talk to, the companies you go to. Of course, my parents, who have a good sense of humor, were also an influence. In general, my whole family is fun. I call it the “big Greek family.” We are very noisy, talking loudly in unison, not listening to anyone. From the sidelines, it’s nothing but comedy. That’s the kind of family I grew up in, and it affected the fact that I am also a loud, temperamental lady. My dad is in the military. Do you know how funny they are? Mom is a doctor. Do you know how cynical they are? There you go! Such a mixture of honey and salt (laughs).

Parents are from “serious professions. How did they react to the fact that their daughter had chosen a “non-serious” profession?

And I myself could not assume that acting would become my profession. It was just a pleasant pastime and an extra income. The institute was over, KVN was over, I had to work somewhere and go out into adulthood. Here very handily came the offer to participate in a new club show, which was created on the basis of the girls.

In miniatures “Comedy Woman“You’ve been given the role of a bitch. You look so organic in it that you involuntarily think that you are the same in life. Tough, strong-willed. And when you are an ordinary, weak woman?

With my parents, my boyfriend, I relax, I feel weak, vulnerable, and I like it a lot. Of course, like any person, I am different. You’re right to say that to outsiders I seem tough, stern, and willful. I’m actually very kind (laughs). You know how easy it is to pull the strings out of me! The people close to me are my weak point, through them I can be very strongly influenced. So I try not to reveal this weakness to outsiders.

I loved the story about how your dad personally selected photos to be published in a men’s magazine. What were your feelings at that moment?

None. When I went to my dad and asked, “Can I be in a men’s magazine?” I thought the answer would be 90%: “No, of course not! It’s out of the question!” So I was surprised by the reaction of my father, who, instead of being categorical, began to wonder why I needed to take this picture. But since I was living with my parents at the time, I couldn’t help but consult with them. You rightly said that I have a strong bond with my parents, so my dad’s approval, his blessing for this step, was important to me. I am never tired of being amazed at the wisdom of my parents.

Let me ask your daddy’s question: why did you need to do that?

I was flattered by the offer. I was just at the beginning of my television career, so that might have done me some good. I still get offers to star in men’s magazines, but I reject them. I was planning to make an exception for a Ukrainian publication, but you see how things turned out. And I was ready for my last revelation (laughs). But after a year, I will stop making such offers myself, I will not be in a very necessary way.

But now, with the abundance of plastic clinics, you can always struggle with age.

I am constantly suspected of resorting to the services of plastic surgeons. But it’s not. I swear! Once, when I was young, I had my upper lip done, but I got rid of it, too, because the gel just dissolved. But I understand that there are different circumstances in life when women have to resort to the services of plastic surgeons. I understand and do not condemn such women.  You have to have measure in everything.

You are a vegetarian. What was the reason for this?

I’ve had eating problems since I was a kid. As an adult, I got tested and checked. It turned out that my body just does not accept meat. Maybe it’s all because of the blood type. It’s rare enough for me to have a B-negative. My doctor advised me to switch to vegetables, fruits, porridge. For two months I was on such a diet. Then, when I happened to come across a meat dish, I realized that I just couldn’t eat it. And I haven’t eaten in over 13 years. And five years ago I got seafood poisoning, and I haven’t eaten seafood since.

Your spouse is a professional dancer and choreographer. Was that the key moment when you told him, “Yes!”?

That too (laughs). I didn’t have a chance to become a professional myself – at least that’s how I see it, from a VIP position (laughs). My husband is not only a damn good-looking man, he’s a really terrific dancer, one of the best in the country! A wonderful choreographer. He’s very talented, ambitious, stubborn, cocky – and those are the qualities I like about him.

How often do your dreams come true?

I’m learning how to properly articulate my dreams and desires. I always saw myself on stage. As a little girl, I clearly imagined myself standing on the stage, and a huge number of people looking at me. True, I didn’t imagine myself as a jester in my dreams (laughs). It would more likely be related to music and dance, but certainly not to the spoken word genre. When I was a child I had a speech problem – I stuttered.

How did you get rid of stuttering?

And it didn’t go away! I stutter from time to time when I get very emotional. And I can’t pronounce words well (laughs). I’m basically made up of a number of defects that I’ve wrapped in my favor.

You are a brilliant woman!

Thank you, I try (laughs).

Do women often envy you?

It’s hard to say. I can only speak for myself. I only admire successful women. For example, I love Loboda! It’s such a pleasure to watch all her work, listen to all her songs, and realize that a very cool “star” has appeared in show business. Stylish, delicious, very properly presented. I don’t know how she perceives me (laughs).

How many public figures supported you when you got the news about the entry ban into Ukraine?

The fact is that many public figures have found themselves in the same situation (laughs). If we’re talking about Ukrainian show business, no one wrote me any bad stuff. Mostly words of sympathy, support. I really enjoyed working on the “Who’s on Top?” project, the soulful people who worked alongside me, the professionals. That’s what I’m really sorry to lose.

Everyone was waiting to hear what your co-host Sergei Pritula had to say about it. But we never waited. Can you honestly say, at least privately, he expressed to you words of regret and support?

Let’s keep it between me and Seryozha. Agree that not everything that happens between public people should be made public. Many people were expecting comments from me too, but didn’t get them. To this day, they continue to send a frantic number of messages asking for comment. What am I supposed to comment on here?

We, unfortunately, live in a time when it is considered the norm to wish a person happy birthday through text messages or social networks. I do it very rarely. I prefer not to write, but tell the person everything in person. For me, congratulations on Instagram are just a matter of checking a box. I have a categorical attitude to it.

Are you saying that you write letters and postcards by hand and send them by regular mail?

I swear! I love the gift store, postcards. I always try to choose the original one. I can even draw a card myself (smiles). I get fan mail at work, and I read them all! I read and try to imagine who wrote to me: why he has such a handwriting, whether he is right-handed or left-handed, I try to draw an image of this or that person. I always pay attention to the little things. I’ve loved detective stories since I was a kid. When I was a kid, I read all of Stephen King. I was very afraid, but I read. I love horror movies. I don’t like melodramas and dramas because I can cry. Especially when it comes to animal movies.

Do you often turn off your phone?

Lately, more and more often. I began to get tired of the people, the crowds, the attention. I want to fence myself off from the outside world more and more often.