Meet the brainboxes and businesswomen living in the UK — but from Eastern Europe who are battling it out to be the next Miss USSR UK
Eight beauties will battle it in the final to be crowned the winner of Miss USSR UK 2017
THERE is more to these beauty pageant hopefuls than meets the eye.
Revelling in the bikinis, high-heels and glamour on show at the Miss USSR UK final are a host of university brainboxes and businesswomen. One is a chess champ.
Hailing from Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Russia, they are among the contestants vying for the crown in the annual competition, which celebrates the most gorgeous girls who have settled in the UK from Eastern Europe.
Since the break-up of the Soviet Union and the arrival of the first mega-rich oligarchs a decade ago, there are now said to be around 400,000 Russians living in London. And there are more than 800,000 Polish-born UK residents too — a jump of almost 750,000 in a decade.
Hundreds entered the contest, which is in its fifth year, and now just a handful remain.
Each will be judged on their beauty, talents and cultural heritage at the pageant at London’s Troxy concert hall on Saturday.
Last year’s Miss USSR UK — 26-year-old Lithuanian Agne Skopaite — won £2,000 and a year’s modelling contract.
She said: “This beauty contest shows just how many people like me are in the country now.
“It’s an amazing honour.”
Here, The Sun on Sunday meets eight of the girls up for this year’s crown to find out a bit more about their lives in Britain.
Alina Yan, Russia
FIERY Russian Alina has just arrived in the UK and hopes to bag herself a rich Englishman.
The 26-year-old left her home in Sochi to move to London, where she plans to open her own beauty salon.
Speaking through an interpreter Alina, who is learning English, says: “I am living my dream to be here. Now I need to find the perfect Englishman to complete the ideal life.
“He doesn’t have to be good looking. Just rich and strong and someone who is never late . . . although I’ll forgive him if he’s super rich!
“I love the beauty industry and hope one day I will have my own salon. I would be very happy.”
Jolanta Wnuk, Poland
JOLANTA loves to be beside the seaside, so much so that she is studying tourism at college on the Dorset coast.
Despite dreams of modelling for Chanel, the 23-year-old Pole is happy in Weymouth for now.
She says: “I come from a little village and was really shy when I first came here two years ago.
“Now when I visit home my family and friends can’t believe I am the same person – I am not so quiet any more.
“I don’t plan to go home to live until I am at least 60. Everyone here has been so helpful and kind and I love my life here.
“My favourite thing is how varied and cultural it is and I love London too.”
Evelina Vasiljevaite, Lithuania
GRADUATE Evelina loves her full English breakfasts almost as much as she loves the fashion industry.
After studying to become a designer at college in Middlesex, the 24-year-old is about to start honing her craft as an intern.
Evelina, who moved from Lithuania seven years ago and now lives in Stratford, East London, says: “Alexander McQueen was one of my all-time favourite designers but I love all the interior design here too.
“I love my food so much and the choices here are brilliant.
“I’ve been hooked on full English breakfasts ever since I arrived and have them twice a week without fail.”
Victoria Kalnina, Latvia
VICTORIA, 18, has spent more than half her life in Britain.
And she dreams of bumping into Johnny Depp – however unlikely it may be at her home in East Ham, London, where she has lived with her Bulgarian dad and Russian mum since she was ten.
She says: “Although Johnny is twice my age, he’s very edgy and I like that.
"I love modelling and being in England. There is so much to do – the museums, parks and cafes.
“I never tire of London and I dream of entering Miss World and Miss Universe.
“I used to be a real tomboy but that’s all changed now. It’s glitter and sequins all the way!”
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Anastasia Boil, Russia
MOSCOW brainbox Anastasia, 23, is wowing her new London pals with her language and chess skills.
She is a champion chess player and speaks English, Italian and Spanish, as well as her native Russian.
She studied management at London University and wants a City career.
She says: “There are so many opportunities.
"I have so many new friends from all over the world and I am learning all the time.
"The weather is better than back home but Moscow is a beautiful city. People there are more shy and reserved.
“I still love to play chess with my friends but they are always a bit shocked when I beat them.”
Alina Markova, Latvia
SPORTY Alina is studying for a masters degree in exercise and nutrition.
The 25-year-old is also a talented ice skater and keeps up her passion on the rink in Portsmouth, where she lives.
She moved here from Latvia in 2010 and welcomes the multiculturalism she found.
Alina says: “I love it here and my friends are from all over Europe, America and Asia.
“I try to get home twice a year but my life is very busy here.
“I love challenges and I make time for my synchronised skating and modelling when I am not studying.
“This is a fantastic country that has helped me so much.”
Arina Cernysiova, Lithuania
ARINA is mad for it – Manchester that is. She loves the city’s brilliant music scene.
She is a big Oasis and Joy Division fan. Not that she gets much time to go out clubbing.
The 27-year-old, from Lithuania, has a masters degree in architecture and works for a firm in the city.
She has no plans to leave the North any time soon after almost ten years in the UK.
She says: “The vibe is just fantastic. I love Manchester and Liverpool and music is my passion.
"I’m lucky to be in a region so rich with music.
“I’d love to be an actress, but for now I’ll keep my feet firmly on the ground and work hard.”
Viktorija Kartanovic, Lithuania
IT was only because people kept asking her if she was a model that Viktorija decided to give a catwalk career a go.
And she got a huge boost last month by winning Top Model Worldwide 2017.
The 22-year-old, from Lithuania, lives in Gravesend, Kent, and moved here four years ago to improve her English.
She says: “I had very little English when I arrived but it has got a lot better since.
“I love my new life but I do sometimes miss my home, including my sister and her family, so I try to go back a couple of times a year to visit.
“They are all so supportive of my career and very happy for me.”
- Pictures by Klaudijus Kairys