Larysa PoznyakLarysa Poznyak is a professional model/TV host based in West Hollywood, CA. Less than 2 years ago the 20 year old model from the Ukraine moved to Los Angeles. With 1 year of on camera hosting for a major European TV station - "Fashion TV" ( www.FTV.com ), Larysa has been exposed to over 300 million viewers worldwide. Her body is sculpted beautifully from regular work outs and spectacular genes, she manages a successful career, lives in Hollywood and owns a private collection of the rarest of rare cars! Who can hope for more than that?Author: Jonathan.L - owner Models Observer April 2008 | |||||
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* Larysa, how are you?
Larysa Poznyak: Hello! I am great as always! Thank you! (smiles). * Can you reminisce for me a little bit of your days in Ukraine, some of the greatest memories that you can remember? Larysa Poznyak: It is a very beautiful land. We have 4 seasons a year. Ukraine is the best in spring when all the greenery is blossoming. We have very nice people and very beautiful women. Ukrainian people also have very high family values. Typically, Ukrainian girls become mature in a very early age... and become ready for marriage and family in an early age as well... usually attracted to older men. Ukrainian women prefer not to work and simply stay home in order to create a "Family Heaven" for a men... One of the best memories is food! It is so different than American food! It's all about souses, dough, smell etc... Hard to describe, you have to try it! Here is US whenewer my mom cooks Ukrainian "Borsht" (soup with meat and beets) or "blini" (crapes with jam filling) it brings up the best memories from my childhood! * You are a unique combination of beauty and intelligence - you studied Business Management and you speak five languages! What sparked your interest in modeling and inspired you to pursue a career in modeling? |
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Larysa Poznyak: I always was getting a lot of attention as part of growing up because of my looks. Modeling came
first, actually, and then education. One day I understood that if you are a pretty girl, you don't
have to try that hard in life and most things will come right in your hands. However it's not
enough for me! I thought that if you are an educated pretty girl, it will get you way higher than
a regular "Quite". I enjoy modeling, but always considered it a tool to get into charity, set an
example for younger girls as a "role model", etc. I am what you call a "person with a cause", an
"activist".
* How did you bridge the gap between you background in Ukraine an the American culture? It sounds very challenging to say the least. Larysa Poznyak: It is challenging! I feel like I am still getting acclimated. Well, the knowledge of English of course is a big adventage. I learned it since I was 5 y/o. My mom put me into special classes, while I was still in a pre-school. She is a very smart woman, and she could see even then that my future will be somewhere in a foreign country, but not in USSR (at that time). * How were you chosen to be a host of Fashion TV? Larysa Poznyak: Oh my god, that was a "Tough to get" kind of job! (smiles) The thing is that Fashion TV's people come across millions and millions of new models and top-models all over the globe every day. So, when 2 years ago I've met my present boss Orna Gusinski, I didn't really expect to get this job. Meanwhile, she had her own show-business perspective regarding me. She thought that I was perfect for the job! She looked at me from head to toe with her experienced business woman's eye, then asked me a few tricky questions (to see whether I can respond sharp enough and fast enough, as well as the way I can hold myself etc). She loved it!!! My accent is considered an exotic and beautiful feature of my speech. I am a multi linguistic person, so it allows me to keep a conversation in 5 different languages. Also my International background (moving from Eastern Europe to US and traveling the world as a model in between) I guess for most people makes me look like a very open-minded and multi-cultural person. * What part of your work as television host of Fashion TV gives you the most satisfaction? Larysa Poznyak: I would say traveling also interviewing the major contributors to the fashion industry and hob-knobbing with top designers, top-models and of course movie stars!!! This has to be one of the most fun jobs in the world! * What factors influence the success of a TV host? Larysa Poznyak: In my hosting job, regardless of my young age, the key is to be very sophisticated in order to keep a strong presence on camera (and in real life) while interviewing the world's most snobby people - celebrities! * Why do you think so many women want to be models? Larysa Poznyak: I think a lot of these girls think it's an easy money, all you have to do is be glamorous and take care of yourself, that's it. Also you'll have tons of men by your feet!!! That is all a big mistake! Except the part about men!!! Kidding! Anyway, that's why most of these girls don't make it as models, cause before they really get into the industry they don't realize how much work it is! You have to be such a workaholic in this business, it involves so many different aspects: managing yourself, recognizing the scams, read people's character, pick the right agent, compete with thousands of other young girls, long travelling and getting tired from the plane right on a 16 hour set. Oh, my god! And it is just the beginning. In one word it's nothing like an average regular job that is 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. Here it's 24/7!!! There is NO weekends or quiet evenings, baby! * Tell me about the craziest party you've ever been to. Larysa Poznyak: I am really not into crazy stuff. I love elegant parties and red carpet events. To me good party is a high profile social event where you can talk to people without screaming into somebody's ear for them to hear you and loosing voice the next day. However I have to do events like this from time to time to interview models in a nightclub etc. * What is the biggest mistake you have ever made? What did you learn from it? Larysa Poznyak: Oh, that's a good question. For the last couple of months I've been so busy with my career and what most people would call "Hollywood lifestyle" that I didn't call Ukraine to my best girlfriend for a while. Usually I did it on a regular basis. She was my former classmate, beautiful blonde 22 y/o model. To make a long story short, my BEST friend as well as just a wonderful person inside and out. She tragically died in spontaneous tragic conditions. Sorry, I don't want to go into details. Anyway, I learned from it to call my friends and family more often. Life is just life. It's unpredictable and being alive and busy is one step away from "not being here any more". Sorry, for such a sad story. Larysa Poznyak video. * How is life in Hollywood different from "Country Life"? Larysa Poznyak: Hollywood life is very fast life, for fast thinkers and brave people who are looking for opportunities. It's also very stressful unlike "Country life". I am not a fan of the second one and never lived this lifestyle, however I am sure it's a great way to retire in a future :) * What are some of the perks of being a celebrity? What are the negative aspects of it? Larysa Poznyak: Positive aspects: I would have to repeat myself again about travelling, meeting people etc. Negative aspects: stress, lot's of things going on (sometimes it get's out of your control) etc. You don't really have time for yourself and family, you belong to the public. * What was it like for you in Greg Gutfeld show? Larysa Poznyak: It was super fun! He is such a nice guy as well as very smart. In fact he is married to a Ukrainian girl! How does that American saying go "All smart man think alike" ?! (smiles). * What is your relationship with your family? Larysa Poznyak: Very close, very warm relationship. I talk to my mom on the phone a few times a day even she is very close. My dad is still in Ukraine, but we communicate a lot and I help him out with everything he needs. * How did you meet your fiance, attorney Brian D. Witzer? Larysa Poznyak: His office is in West Hollywood - the beautiful "Witzer Law Building". Everyone on Sunset plaza knows who he is. Except me, at that time, a busy model that would have lunch in between my auditions in that area (West Hollywood is very popular area for young actors and actresses to hang out because most auditions are there). So we were sitting in a French cafe at 2 different tables that were very close to each other. He started a very intelligent and most importantly FUNNY conversation. I picked it up too. We liked each other. * How do you look so great? Do you workout a lot, or maybe climbing so many stairs in your five-story home is the best calorie burning exercise and the secret of your gorgeous figure? Larysa Poznyak: I love to work out. I have a big gym in the house as well as a hiking here in Hollywood hills is fabulous. However I don't really have time to do either of those things. Instead, believe it or not my diet is all day black coffee and chocolate till I have an early dinner. I am super productive this way, I feel great and I still stay in shape. A secret? Not anymore!!! * How much are you involved in decorating your huge house? Who adds toys to the fast cars and rare antiques collections? What is your favorite car (do you drive it?) and favorite antique from the coll? Larysa Poznyak: My fiance and I have a similar taste for art and antiques, so all of the decisions are made jointly. Of course I enjoy the Faberge egg the most because it reminds me of my cultural heritage. The one that we have was given by Tsar Alexander to Tsarina Katharine as a gift box for a jem that he was giving her as a gift. It's one of only 300 in the world, most of which are in the collection of a Queen Elisabeth. My favorite car in our collection is a 2 toned 1928 Lincoln touring car with a convertible top and a special Louie Vuitton luggage strapped to the rear luggage compartment. When we take the car out we have a special driver, cause it is quite difficult to operate. But I drive all the Ferraris in our collection. * Do you have a dream? Larysa Poznyak: Since I have always loved children I always knew that as I became more independent and successful in my career that I would "give back" so to speak by becoming more involved with charity organizations and foundations that focus on our children. Whether it is autistic children, Down 's syndrome, mentally challenged children or simply helping out underprivileged children. I have known that this was intended to be part of the activities I would be able to make a meaningful contribution. Although I am as busy as anybody I know at the moment with my career... I still have not lost sight of the fact that there really is nothing more important than the kids. It is my dream to get financially to such level where I could generously contribute into meaningful things like this one. I am also getting involved with the organization called "AM-RU" International Association that supports American Disabled Veterans. Our current project includes sending 30 Disabled Veterans to Moscow Russia this spring. The Veterans will enjoy an expense paid trip, while at the same time achieving nation and international media coverage and support for Disabled Veterans. I dream of accomplishing one day a generous mission, a mission of love, compassion and peace. I believe that together, we can open a door of light, which will shine upon the Disabled Veterans, and bring the needed attention to those who have served their country, and sacrificed much for their country. Now is the time for their country to embrace them and help them once again become a respected and productive member of society. * What do you do in your spare time? Larysa Poznyak: There isn't any (smiles) Ok, if there is I like to read a good book! * What is next for Larysa Poznyak? Larysa Poznyak: Well, I am a business woman. At a present moment I manage myself and market myself in a show-business. Honestly, it is not easy at 22 to be competing with daughters of producers, movie directors and famous actors in Hollywood. Luckly I have some years in front of me to continue doing what I am doing and building up an experience. It is a very interesting industry that I am in. I love it's glamorous side as well as its challanging side...I want to stay in the industry and to make useful all the experience and contacts that I got in it. What is that that I can do? One day I'd like to have my own boutique production company in Hollywood and manage it as a hobby. In order to do that I need to gain more and more experience. As of today, when my crew and I are filming Parties, Fashion Weeks and other Red Carpet events for Fashion TV I take care of a production part as well as do on camera hosting. You'll say... what? Production company...it's so... mascular, nothing feminine about that. Well, imagine that my production company from camera person to an editor are all going to be hot chicks! Wearing sexy clothes and carying tripods... That's gona be super hot! We'll always be in business!!! (wrinkles).
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