Today we’d like to introduce you to Daria Shevchenko.
Hi Daria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have started 11 years ago, in a tiny concert hall in a small Ukrainian town. I won a beauty contest. Same very evening, I was scouted by a local modeling agency. Soon there were modeling contracts to China, India, Thailand, Turkey, Europe and then USA. Life became very exciting. Along the modeling career, I realized – I wanted to do more than that, so I created a few art collections, lates was inspired by my experiences in fashion industry. I exhibited in Soho, New York and sold quite a few pieces. Working with multiple international brands and walking for fashion week is fun, and then again I am eager for more. Actin is my true passion since young age. Here I am now, studying with the best in the industry, pursuing acting in NYC and already working on a stage one woman show that is going to be recorded by the Geneses record book as the biggest amount of characters played by one actress. What can I say, exciting. Life is beautiful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always some bumps on the road, which keep us awake and alert. Language, accent, lack of work permit, missing my family – I went through all of it, but those things only made me stronger motivated me to be better and work harder. I am grateful for all the obstacles as they made me the way I am today, these obstacles pushed me to have my art exhibition in Soho, NYC. They pushed me to the NYFW catwalk, the dream place of the fashion world. And these very struggles are motivating me today to work harder on my acting craft and get that Geneses record, building the acting career I’ve always dreamed about.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am always being truthful to myself in everything I do. It started with my earliest modeling job and first travels. I always kept my values and cherished humanity over everything else. It kept me away from all the issues unfortunately many models are facing. Such as eating disorder or drugs used in order to stay in “shape”. In my art – I am speaking the truth too. I am honestly mocking the current label addiction that world is living in. Being truthful is so much fun and actually easier way to live life. Well, yes, not always, but I definitely prefer it over anything else.
And last, but not least, this deep self-awareness helps me in my acting career. Reading my emotions and embracing them is a very powerful skill required for a good acting work. Good actors never act, they live in the moment. I always wanted to be that actress.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I do ME. As we all know, all other roles are already taken. So the best thing I can do to myself and the world – be me, be the best version of me. In fact – it is so much fun because apparently people like it 🙂 My audience enjoys watching me developing my career, performing on stage or screen only because I am owning who I am. Never perfect, well, maybe sometimes, but always following my intuitions, my instincts, always doing what makes me happy, and by doing so – I inspire others to do big and small things they’ve secretly dreamed about. And, yes, I love myself because I believe – the only way to contribute to the world and those around me is to love myself and treat myself right, always. Have a good rest, do things that fulfill me, pursue career for my heart, keep friendship with people that make me feel good and fulfill me. I have to do all those things for myself in order to give more. Empty jar can’t fill out the water glasses placed on the dinner table. No matter how much you will tilt it and even shake it. Fill that jar and let the dinner begin.
Contact Info:
- Email: dariashe516@gmail.com
- Instagram: daria_s_
