Listen to your heart, don’t lie to yourself. Rely on yourself! Believe!

As part of my series about “Pop Culture’s Rising Stars”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Julia Yudina. Julia is an actress known for The Agency of International Affairs (2019), Prey of Wrath (2022), The Student (2022).

MD: Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

JY: It started with dance. My parents enrolled me in 101 extra classes, and only dancing stayed in my life forever. I had sports ballroom dancing for ten, years received a candidate for master of sports. Then it was hip-hop, hall, jazz; you name it.

But I stopped it because of my study at the University of Economics. I know it sounds weird. I graduated from Economic University to make a promising career and money. I even had spent two years working in a bank. But the Universe and our hearts know better what you should do and what makes you happy. I met a girl who shook me and said that it’d be crazy if I didn’t enter Drama University to start an acting career. I laughed a lot, and in 5 months, I did it. Then I did it a second time but in the best drama school in Russia. I was the eldest student from all history of the Mikhail Semyonovich Shchepkin Higher Theatre School (Institute) without fanfare.It is essential to be hired to state theatre, that means you are talented and trained. They told me I’d never do it. I worked in the two best theatres in Moscow and the first breaking immersive show. Now it’s time to make my childhood dream come true and get into the TV. Long trip ahead but I’ve bought the ticket to the terminus.

MD: Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

JY: It was accidental. I was always around but never even had an idea of being an actor. I used to have French classes on Sundays. My teacher’s daughter is an actress, director, and coach. I remember when she said she wanted to talk to me seriously. She said if I didn’t start my acting career, she would make me do it. I burst into laughter at her poker face. In a minute, I realized it was not a joke. You could see how firm her intention was. Now I don’t understand how to live without it. When I’m not on set or stage, I try to be in other people’s shoes to understand them, and I love people and human nature.

MD: Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

JY: I nailed casting to a provocative theatrical show in Gogol Center named Müller Machine. I learned the score by video and came to the rehearsal with the actors. I was so excited that I thought I could fly! At my premiere, I had to undress because the show was bizarre, as I mentioned, and the actors played goddess and human weakness, nazism, and love with naked souls as babies who were just born. I felt so complete with all senses and the director’s support. But the most exciting moment in my acting career was when I made a step from curtains to the stage naked!! It is something special! I felt so much freedom as me, Julia! I thought that I was so strong, beautiful, one and only! And I had the support of my team, the most beautiful and talented young actors who watched to the audience with the offer to trust yourselves, love your bodies, take care of your soul! It was many years ago, but I’m getting goosebumps.

MD: Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you started? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

JY: It was a show named Blue Bird. Not a classic version but, on the contrary, experimental. One of my scenes was a weird memoir of the lead hero about his childhood, and I was one of his toys- the duck (life-sized puppet duck). I was luckier than my friend Kate in the life-size puppet church. The fog machine worked so hard that it was hard to see anything without a costume, but we were feckless. The goal was to make a circle around the main hero. Because of everything, I walked into a wall and felt so ashamed, but when I finally understood where I needed to go, I saw my friend Kate fall and lie at the audience’s feet and was not able to stand up. Nobody could help her, and she had to lie till the end of the first action.

MD: What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

JY: I’m excited about the upcoming action movie Prey of Wrath. It played a starring role as a Spetsnaz soldier.

MD: I’m very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share some reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

JY: Diversity brings fresh minds and new senses. Recently we had a traditional mindset because of the lack of knowledge. Things change with time, and now I’m more in the documentary than ever. It gives me new ideas. It’s like a puzzle.

Some may say that the competition is so high, but now we have competition and at least people can do what they created. It was impossible some time ago. It is awesome!

Also, I think choice can help you understand who you are and help to concentrate.

MD: What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

JY: 

1. Leave the comfort zone — it kills your fresh mind and makes you nervous.
2. Don’t try to compare success with others, do not compare yourself with others — useless thing. Everybody needs their own experience; that is why they are unique to all of us.
3. “You will do it; I believe in you!” — I still need warm words and people to believe in me. It is everything. It is hard to be by yourself all the time.
4. You should listen to your heart — If you need time to stay in any position and you think you don’t move forward — you need this time to move forward. It is better for you. I wanted to be in one feature film, and I pushed as hard as possible. I got the role, but if I had waited for some time, I could have got a better one in the same project, and I was so disappointed with that fact.
5. Rely on yourself. It is hard, but you should be a manager, an agent, best friend, and at least an actor to yourself. Moreover, my naivety played a lousy game with me. I trusted so many people that stepped over me. Anyway, I’m thankful for their lessons.

MD: Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them thrive and not “burn out”?

JY: Listen to your heart, don’t lie to yourself, don’t show up — usually, lack of talent and self-esteem. Rely on yourself! Try to get as many skills as you can. Believe !!!

MD: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

JY: Brave movements! Just do it. If you are afraid to ski, go and ski; if you are scared of height, go and parachute jump.

I could move people ready to build the ladder to the moon to open new studios to film there. Romantic, horror, adventure landscapes with a 5 % discount for first clients!

MD: None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

JY: I can name modest people who inspire me and give me strength. My mom and my friend. Both are Elena. When I don’t have the strength or courage to do something, “they” always find the words to make me in tune to do what I need. Keep in mind that I met many beautiful people in my life, but Elena is super special and indeed my angel and wings.

MD: Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

JY: “Whether You Think You Can, or Think You Can’t… You’re Right!” Henry Ford. I hundred percent agree with this. Everything is in our brains. You can experiment.

MD: Is there a person in the world or the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? They might see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

JY: Elon Musk. Meryl Streep. No comments, I’m just obsessed with them, and I certainly admire them.

MD: How can our readers follow you on all your social media?

JY: I am on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

This was indeed inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!