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Interview With Sofiya Smirnova
By: Dennis M. Kelly

Early Years
Did you pretty much stay in one place most of your childhood or did you move around a lot?
Most of my childhood, I stayed in one place

Tell me about your parents, who were they?
Let's see, my dad is not a military guy, but he might as well be. He’s hard core about work ethics and very traditional in values and beliefs.

Coming from a Chinese/Russian parentage, did you (or do you) find any cultural differences in your family that make things challenging?
Very much so Dennis. I hate being called a banana, losing my blood, being called freak or jokes about being a mail order bride from communist countries.

What was your childhood like?
Very, very lonely. I was very shy. I had no friends. I spent a lot of my time alone and working. I’ve been working since 9 years old.

How were you in school?
I was picked on a lot, my hair spit on, bubble gum, tripped down the hallway. I hated school.

I am very sorry to hear that…
Yes, they play cruel games on me especially when they think they know I have a crush on a guy. Well, they’re right half the time. I would get fake letters from this one guy I had my first crush on. I thought it was real so I came up to him and confessed my admiration for him and I could remember that look on his face…

You have brothers, right? How many?
I have three brothers, two of which I absolute would die for.

Are you the oldest? Youngest? Middle child?
I’m the youngest.

What is your relationship with your brothers like?
I get wet willies everyday. The worst part was locking me the bathroom after they went #2. I would kick and slam the door but the both of them would hold it down on the other side laughing their head off while hearing me puke. They’re pretty gross brothers.

How do you feel your family sculpted you into the woman that you are today and would you change anything if you could?
I would not change anything. They brought out a lot of hidden talents in me and dared me to dream despite that was what they didn’t have in mind.

I’ve heard your brothers are also artistic, what are they involved in?
I’m the least talented artist but I make the most of my talents. Alexander is a computer scientist. He builds and designs custom alarm systems for private businesses. He likes to take car engines apart and put it back by memory. Nicholas, well I have to plead the 5th. Sorry.

Is the majority of your family (cousins, etc) in the States?
I don’t know. My family is private and close knit. I don’t know my cousins and uncles too well. What I was told is that they’re all over from France, Australia and New York City.

Artwork
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue art and graphic design?
When I was in college, I started a small word of mouth marketing service helping students type their essays (provided they have it written already) and I would also put their presentations onto PowerPoint.

What medium did you start working in when you started with your art?
Pencil, it was the only thing I had. I remember in elementary school, there’s a pencil vending machine with colorful cartoons. I’d save up to get one every other day.

Do you still have some of your oldest pieces of art at your home? If so, how old is it and what is it?
Yes, a watercolor painting of my dogs and over fifteen years old.

What artists have inspired you to create your works?
Nagel. He’s simple but makes a bold statement.

I came across an older interview with you and Glamourcon.com and in it you mentioned your commercial website (www.nsansui.com) which was due to be launched in Jan of 2005. I checked and it is currently not available. Can you tell me more about this site?
Oh, yes, it’s www.sofiya-smirnova.com. The older website name is my artist name. It’s a basic website that gives you an insight on my career and for booking.

Are most of your paintings of women?
Yes, of course. I love women…very much.

The women in the paintings, are they women you know or from photos?
Some are women I used to know, some are from my head. I recently started working with photos. I find it more flexible.

Besides women, what are some of the most interesting subjects that you’ve painted or created art from?
Ummm….okay, as long as you don’t think I’m a freak. In North Carolina, where I was living one time, I did a commission work for a couple.
Are you sure you want me to tell you this???

Sure

Okay, fine.
Anyhow, this couple have a very exquisite taste in “art” collecting. They wanted commission me to do an art piece. They weren’t sure what however. I met them over dinner, got to know them better and proposed to them a sculpture piece combined with molding. The problem was, I had the idea but was not very experienced with the actual molding process or have the equipment and materials. In college, it was available, but limited. So, they allowed me to have a friend who can assist me. The couple arranged for the materials and equipment.
<Sigh>, Are you sure you won’t…okay, okay, okay.
The first piece is the guy, the husband. I wanted to build a coffee table. The idea was sculpturing from his torso to his thigh. His back is attached to a metal table top as a base. Plexi glass would surround the piece like a display case. The table legs are sculptured to look like the guys two elbows and hand extending to the floor on one end and the other end, his calf and feet supports it. The thing about this piece was his cock, it was molded. I remember when we got to that part; I told the wife…well…he needed to be erect so, I left the room. It was seriously awkward for me.
Okay, moving on, as for the wife, I had her emerged from the wall structure with her right arm extending outward. I took a naked sculpture of body from the head to the waist and one arm.

Yeah…that was very interesting.

Modeling
Where did the inspiration or idea come from to pursue a modeling career?
I started out as a brand ambassador in college and the opportunities came so I got more and more involved.

Tell me about desire, how easy or difficult is it for you to turn on your desire for your modeling?
I love what I do. It’s fun, hardworking, and challenging. I love challenges.

What advice would you share with an aspiring model or actress?
Have perseverance. Success isn’t about having a lot of fans and being popular or having status. It’s about working hard to achieve your goals and making enough to say, “It’s my job, my profession and I do it for a living.”

Do you do anything with your looks to appease people in any way or do you focus on what makes you feel best about yourself?
Both, I do a lot with my looks when I am working, it’s my job and personally, when I am not working, I am plain Jane. You wouldn’t recognize me. I like my privacy.

Do you measure your own looks by other models around you?
No, I’m non competitive

What are your thoughts on models becoming too skinny?
More power to them if they feel that will help their career, beauty is in the eyes of beholder and there’s also of types.

Is beauty strictly limited to the outside of people or do you feel that beauty can be just as impressive inside?
True beauty is what’s on the inside and how your treat others. A positive attitude makes me look and feel a lot prettier on the outside, like a mental magic mirror even on days I do not look my best.

Do you do anything to keep your skin and complexion smooth and clear?
I drink 9 glasses of water a day and constantly use pure Vitamin E oil on my face.

What do you do to stay in shape?
Squats and arm lifts

Movies/Film
What horror movies inspired you the most and what type of horror movies in particular?
There are lots, but I would have to say She-Creature and Hellraiser. I hate gore horror or torture movies. It scares me literally. I like the b-horror because the idea and using my imagination is trembling and entertaining at the same time, for instance, Zombi Nation.

What actors and actresses in the horror genre have you most admired?
Jefferey Combs. He’s super hot, I can rape him.

So, do you feel you want to play all types of roles in horror movies?
Na, I like the vampire or zombies. Hint-Hint

How do you feel your performance was in the movie “Abattoir”?
I feel I sucked, cheesy….

You were also involved in a little DVD called “Blood Wrestling Volume 1”, but I understand you did not actually participate in it, is that correct?
Oh gaud no, I’ll get killed! I was the ring girl.

What did you think of this blood wrestling?
Orgasmic! Boobies and lots of boobies, so check it out.

Web/Graphic Design
When did you start with graphic design?
When I was in college. I started to pick up Photoshop, Quark, etc.

Did you go to any schooling for it?
College

Well, you’re an incredible designer, so I guess it paid off in a great way. Now onto your book and your poetry… How are things looking for your book collaboration with Don Prentiss? Where is it at right now with its productions?
I’m very excited and very, very scared. There are lots of personal efforts sacrificed in making the book. It’s still in processing due to my recent illness and recovery. I’m organizing the logistics such as getting releases.

Is there a story behind the title “Blind Ghost Within the Flesh of the Heart”?
The title was Don’s idea. It means haunting feelings that wanders within the walls of one’s heart.

Your story called, “Pretty Little Thing”, how long or short of a story is it and how long did it take you to research and write?
I wrote the story awhile back. There’s not a lot research because the story is erotic fiction.

Your poem that goes “Time is but an essence of which I have lost and swallowed and kept away within my heart to consume the night and day in it’s organ of so called 24 hours, time and minute…” It sounds like there is a lot of hurt, loss and even a little embitterment going on in the poem, but then you twist it around and in a sense make lemon-aid out of lemons. Would that be a good example of how you look at life?
Except failure is a growing process toward acceptance and happiness in myself.

Music
I understand you play the cello?
Yes, privately. I’ve made a promise to myself, I’ll serenade only for the person who holds my heart, other then that, I used to play on the lakefront at 4am in the morning before sunrise in the summer time.

How involved with the instrument are you?
If I cannot touch it or see it everyday, I’d die

When did you start playing it?
When I was young.

Have you ever played the cello with any other musicians?
Yes, my roommates when I was younger.

Sofiya Personally
Do you drink or smoke?
Both

What is your ideal kind of a day?
Scrapbooking, writing letters and journal

What drives you through your day the most?
Thinking of my friend, Jon K. Rodocker

Which upsets you the most, Lost time? Lost money? Or lost love?
Lost Love

You state in your bio, “Like all females, I love and want to be loved. To get that love, I seduce.” Just how powerful are your seductions?
I love to touch. Just pay close attention to me in public and you’ll know what I mean

Do you find you’re more creative at certain times of the day or night, if so when?
Night time.

How do you find the time to be so good at each of your creative endeavors?
I admire my friends and those I work with. They’re full of life, energy, crazy; they motive me.

How many languages do you speak?
I plead the 5th

Car of choice?
Lexus SC400

I’ve read that you felt your parents raised you almost like you were being formally trained to be a geisha. Do you feel your life has almost become like the life of an American geisha?
No, the reality is, it is just like another part of family life and how my family and I deal with each other and society. It’s boring; it’s annoying and just a part of growing up.

Sofiya Today
You’ve had quite a turbulent year in 2006, had things turned around for the better for you so far?
Yes, a hand reached out for me.

May I ask how things have turned out for your medical condition? (brain tumor)
I’m fine now, recovering.

You had described your childhood as being difficult and becoming sort of a loner, are you still a bit of a loner today?
Yes and no. I’m surrounded by good friends and family.

This may get you in trouble, but, who would you consider your best friend?
I plead the 5th

It felt like I didn’t know where to begin when writing these questions for you because you are so well versed in so many areas. Do you find you have a hard time keeping track of everything yourself?
Yes, I’m forgetful, absentminded.

Men
What about the men in your life, is there currently one in your life now?
I plead the 5th

Sofiya Tomorrow and Beyond!
Do you want to find yourself as big as Madonna is one day?
No.

What would be your consideration of success to where you feel “you’ve made it”?
I honestly cannot say.

You’ve done ballet, books, poetry, music, acting, web and graphic design, seriously, where do you go from here?
Nowhere, I’m always growing and I want to grow more into what I’ve done so far.
I love to dance, write, play, pretend, study, and advance.

Well, thank you very much for spending time with me today and answering these questions. It was a pleasure meeting you!