Born in Kazakhstan (bordering neighbor to Russia and China), model and now pop singer, Kristina Menissov, is making her mark in the sunny world of Los Angeles and is ready to let everyone know that’s she taking over.
Menissov first moved to LA from Italy, five years ago and has now been in the modeling scene for about four years. From working with famous designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Michael Ngo and Michael Costello, to gracing the runway during Los Angeles Fashion Week and starring in Tyga’s “IBIZA” music video, she’s showing off the true meaning behind working hard.
Besides being a model, Menissov is also Italian-trained as an opera singer which makes her move to become a pop singer a bit more sense.
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After signing with music producer, Andrew Lane (known for his work with The Backstreet Boys) last summer, the Kazakhstan-born model released her debut single “Taking Over LA” and is getting ready to release her second track, “Breakout.”
“There is a saying ‘speak it into existence.’ So, “Breakout” pretty much is me manifesting my ‘breakthrough,’ that we all very much crave for,” Menissov shares. “It is about my feelings that it’s time to just go and get my own success that is a right moment away.”
“Breakout” is available on all music streaming platforms and features a collaboration with Italian DJ Marzia Dorlando.
Make sure to listen to her new single and read more about Kristina Menissov in the rest of our interview with her down below. You can also keep up with the model by following her on Instagram.
Celeb Secrets: Hi, Kristina, thank you so much for chatting with us. How are you? How has the modeling world been treating you since quarantine started?
Kristina Menissov: “Hello, Celeb Secrets. Thank you for having me with you guys. Los Angeles is finally opening up and the weather here is spoiling us, so I feel great. At the beginning of quarantine, several modeling projects that I was so happy that I booked them, have been canceled, some of them were postponed and I also had to cancel a big release party of my first single “Taking Over LA”, so, like the rest of the world I was not ready for it and sad, and obviously scared about what to expect. But after we all adjusted to the new way of living, personally, I am so used to it now. Even doing auditions via Zoom or making a self-tape, have its own benefits…obviously after I figured how to do all that. Last week, I had my first audition in person, and I realized that by doing a self-tape you can actually cheat a little bit and instead of 2 takes like you do it at an in-person audition, you make 102 and send them the best one. It’s all about leaving your comfort zone.”
CS: You were born in Kazakhstan and started your modeling career in 2017. Were you scouted or how did your career start?
KM: “Yes, I was born in Kazakhstan and grew up there, moved to Italy, Rome, and 5 years ago decided to move to Los Angeles. After living here I tried to go to a couple of big agencies and when they didn’t show any interest I thought I just don’t have ‘The Look,’ but my followers encouraged me to keep trying. I downloaded a list of all the agencies in Los Angeles and decided to try to go into each one of them by alphabetical order, and I got signed on the letter A; my agency’s name Aston Models. I wish it was a fancier story, but you just have to try harder. That’s the secret.”
CS: What sparked your interest in modeling? Or did you always know you wanted to be a model?
KM: “I actually wanted to be an opera singer because in Kazakhstan you can’t really make a living being a model, so I had a couple of shoots and fashion shows here and there, but never even thought I could make it this far. Thank you to my Instagram followers that always are so sweet and supportive, they were the ones who always commented that since I am in the best place in the world for making the modeling career [she should try] and they were right.”
CS: Since you started, you’ve worked with some incredible designers such as Michael Ngo and Roberto Cavalli. What has been your favorite show you’ve walked for or photoshoot so far?
KM: “I really love working with incredible and talented, Michael Ngo and to see celebrities wear the same outfit that I walked in on a runway, makes me so happy. His shows are so full of his special energy and so different with elements of dance shows. He is my favorite designer to work with.”
CS: Do you have a fashion designer you would love to model for, if so who is it and why?
KM: “I would love to model for Dolce and Gabbana I think they are both so talented with some strong family values, and I just love anything Italian.”
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CS: Besides modeling, you’ve also started your career in music by signing with Andrew Lane. That’s incredible, congratulations! Did your background in opera singing influence that decision or why did you decide to restart a career in music?
KM: “The answer is yes! My musical background definitely influenced that decision. Without music, I kept feeling that something was missing in my life. But starting to sing opera again after all these years seemed like an impossible task, and living here [LA] it feels only natural to sing pop.”
CS: You released your first single “Taking Over LA” last summer and your next song, “Breakout” just dropped. Can you tell us a little bit about the song? What inspired it? What can we expect to hear?
KM: “There is a saying ‘speak it into existence.’ So, “Breakout” pretty much is me manifesting my ‘breakthrough,’ that we all very much crave for. It is about my feelings that it’s time to just go and get my own success that is a right moment away. Don’t forget to listen to it on April 22nd on all the digital platforms.”
CS: Who are your music influences?
KM: “In every genre, there is someone you can be inspired by. When it’s opera–definitely Maria Callas and when it’s pop–Beyoncé and Ariana Grande.”
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CS: When you’re not modeling or working on your music, what else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
KM: “I am a mother to a 5-year-old handsome boy, Kane Richard. So, all my free time I spend with him, we go to the beach, we paint, we sing a lot together.”
CS: Since we are Celeb Secrets, can you share a secret about you with us? Is there anything people would be surprised to hear about you?
KM: “I can eat 2 pounds of chocolate and not feel guilty about it.”
