I live a very different life now, with incredible privileges, but looking back I realise that growing up in Russia gave me tools that other people don't necessarily have - such as the will to push that bit further, to make things happen, to succeed.

When you become a mother, you think less about yourself and care more about the world.

I do modern jazz and contemporary combined. I like to feel strong, flexible, and so there is stretching involved.

Sometimes I just need to switch off.

I missed quite a lot of school because I was working from the age of 11.

When I was a teenager, I remember I wanted to put so much makeup on - it was just a natural thing over there. Why they do it, I guess, is because historically, there were twice as many women as there were men after the World War II.

If you never know hardship, you can't really support people around you.