Zarina, your journey from Taraz to becoming an internationally recognized model and actress is inspiring.Could you share more about your early childhood and how your dreams shaped your career? My childhood in Taraz was deeply shaped by my grandparents. My grandmother— always elegant, always beautifully dressed, perfume from afar—taught me that beauty was not just what you wear, but how you carry your soul. She never let me see her without makeup; she made beauty feel sacred. Through her, I inherited a love for fashion, for details, and for expressing personality in every outfit.
My grandfather was kindness incarnate—his love was quiet but strong. He always made me feel like everything is possible. He put me first in his world. Because of them, I grew up believing dreams are not just fantasies—they are invitations. And I still wear their lessons in everything I do.
You initially pursued a degree in finance. What was the defining moment that made you transition into modeling and acting? My family believed, as many do, that a “real” education meant something secure—so I studied finance. I wasn’t passionate about it, but I excelled: I was top of my class three years in a row, driven by the dream of earning a scholarship. That discipline, that feeling of being able to shape something through perseverance, it stayed with me long after those finance classes. Then, one day, everything shifted. I was walking through a park when a modeling agency owner saw me—she asked if I ever considered being a model. Her question was simple, but it struck a chord. I saw in her belief a window into another life.
Soon after, I booked a tiny part as a beauty queen pageant participant in a movie. On that film set for the first time, I witnessed the magic of cinema—the lights, the cameras, the energy—and I was in awe. It felt like something inside me aligned. That’s when I fell in love.
From that moment, my journey opened up. Finance gave me foundation: discipline, resilience, strategy. But modeling and acting gave me the space to create. The defining moment wasn’t just being asked to model; it was entering that unexpected set, and realizing I wanted not just to succeed—but to belong somewhere my heart aleady knew it belonged.
Could you tell us what it felt like to be discovered by a modeling agency scout on the street? Did you ever imagine this would be the start of such an incredible career? At the time, everything felt casual—like a gentle breeze rather than a thunderclap. I wasn’t expecting anything huge. I didn’t imagine that walk in the park would be the moment that changed everything.
But then the first job: a major campaign for a restaurant chain. Suddenly I was doing high-paid modeling work right away. It was surreal. More than surprised—I felt seen, like finally someone else recognized the spark I always held but didn’t yet understand. And then I booked a small movie role. They needed models in the film, so I played a beauty- queen pageant contestant. The first time I stepped on that movie set, I felt magic—lights, cameras, the energy. Everything clicked. In that moment I fell in love, completely.
Since then, every job has felt like a gift, an adventure. I’m still in love with this work—the creativity, the vulnerability, the chance to tell stories. That casual moment in the park became the beginning of everything I didn’t yet know I could become.
Winning titles such as «Best Model in Kazakhstan» and «First Vice-Miss» at the Beauty Queen of the World contest must have been unforgettable experiences. What do these achievements mean to you, and how did they influence your career? Oh, those moments… they were like stepping into a dream I didn’t even know I had. Winning “Best Model in Kazakhstan” and then that “First Vice-Miss” title at the Beauty Queen of the World contest—it’s hard to put into words without my heart racing all over again. To me, they meant validation, not just of my looks, but of the endless hours of grit and grace I’d poured into every step, every pose, every smile. They were proof that the girl from the steppes could stand tall on the world stage. Career-wise? They were rocket fuel. Suddenly, doors flew open—magazine covers, campaigns, shootings. But more than the gigs, they taught me resilience; beauty pageants aren’t just crowns, they’re battlegrounds of confidence. They shaped me into the fierce, multifaceted woman I am today, blending modeling with my passions for advocacy and storytelling.
Could you share your perspective on the challenges you faced while auditioning for the German Sidakov Drama School, where only 5 women were selected out of hundreds of applicants? Auditioning for the German Sidakov Drama School was a crucible, one of those make-or-break moments that define you. Hundreds of women, all fiercely talented, vying for just five spots—it was like stepping into an arena. The pressure was immense: multiple rounds, each one peeling back another layer of your soul, demanding not just skill but raw, unfiltered authenticity. I remember the doubt that tried to creep in, especially after someone close to me once said I had “zero talent” and would never make it as an actress. Those words stung, and for a while, I believed them. They made me question every choice, every performance.
But getting through those grueling auditions—each round a test of resilience, craft, and heart—was like reclaiming a piece of myself I’d let someone else define. When I got accepted, it wasn’t just about making the cut; it was about proving to myself that I could trust my own fire. That moment flipped a switch. For the first time, I started believing in my potential, not just as an actress but as someone capable of building a life on her own terms. Since that day, it’s been a journey of discovery— finding my voice, my strength, and my path, one step at a time.
Your role in «Tomiris,» which was nominated for prestigious awards like the Golden Globe, brought widespread recognition. What was the experience like working on such a historically significant film? Working on “Tomiris” was pure magic—channeling my Kazakh roots as the fierce Amazon Tana in that epic tale of Queen Tomiris. The film’s nod
to the Golden Globes longlist felt like a dream, shining a global light on our history.
I dove into horseback riding across vast steppes, mastered archery until my arms ached, and nailed those intense fight scenes. Every grueling moment was exhilarating, bonding us like warriors around campfires. It transformed me.
You’ve worked in diverse genres, including drama, historical films, and sci-fi. Do you have a favorite genre or type of character you enjoy portraying the most?
Oh, genres? Drama and action are my absolute playground—they let me dive into the raw, messy heart of a character while unleashing that physical fire. I crave roles with deep emotional traumas, where you peel back layers of pain and resilience, but then pair it with something fiercely physical, like high-stakes chases or battles that leave you breathless. My dream? A mash-up of Wonder Woman’s unyielding strength and the gut-wrenching choices in Sophie’s Choice—Meryl Streep’s Sophie haunts me with her quiet devastation, and I’d love to blend that vulnerability with Diana’s warrior grace. It’s all about transformation, feeling that alchemy on screen.
As someone with experience in both modeling and acting, how do you navigate between these two dynamic industries? Navigating modeling and acting is like dancing between flames—modeling sharpens that visual snap and discipline, while acting dives soul-deep into vulnerability. They overlap in the hustle, so I bridge them with storytelling: modeling boosts my on-camera confidence, acting adds depth to shoots. Stay fluid, protect your energy, and trust your fire.
What values or philosophies guide you in your career, especially when taking on new projects or roles? Authenticity and resilience are my north stars—they’ve carried me from Kazakh steppes to global stages. I choose projects that ignite my soul, ones that challenge me to grow, honor my roots, or amplify underrepresented voices, like fierce women warriors or stories of quiet triumph. When evaluating a role, I ask: Does this let me blend heart and hustle? Will it push my boundaries, physically or emotionally? It’s about manifesting boldly—surrounding myself with positivity, mentors who lift me, and a community that fuels the fire. Hard work without that spark? It’s just noise. At the end of the day, it’s reclaiming my power, one authentic step at a time.
Finally, with such a bright and diverse career, what are your hopes and dreams for the future? Is there a particular milestone or goal you’re striving for? My dreams stretch like endless horizons—becoming a better me daily, headlining a global action-drama as a resilient heroine, uplifting diverse voices through my work, and mentoring young dreamers through a foundation. Legacy with heart.
