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BEAUTY AND THE EAST

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.

 Meet the babes from the old Soviet Union battling it out to be Miss USSR UK
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Meet the babes from the old Soviet Union battling it out to be Miss USSR UK

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.

 Contestants from left to right; Alina Yan, Jolanta Wnuk, Victoria Kalnina, Alina Markova, Arina Cernysiova, Anastasia Boil, Sitting - Eveliva Vasilijevaite (bottom left), Viktorija Kartanovic (bottom right)
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Contestants from left to right; Alina Yan, Jolanta Wnuk, Victoria Kalnina, Alina Markova, Arina Cernysiova, Anastasia Boil, Sitting - Eveliva Vasilijevaite (bottom left), Viktorija Kartanovic (bottom right)Credit: Klaudijus Kairys
 Arina Cernysiova (top left), Anastasia Boil (top right), Viktorija Kartanovic (bottom left), Jolanta Wnuk (bottom right)
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Arina Cernysiova (top left), Anastasia Boil (top right), Viktorija Kartanovic (bottom left), Jolanta Wnuk (bottom right)Credit: Klaudijus Kairys
 Victoria Kalnina (left), Alina Markova (centre), Evelina Vasilijevaite (right)
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Victoria Kalnina (left), Alina Markova (centre), Evelina Vasilijevaite (right)Credit: Klaudijus Kairys

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.

 Alina Yan plans to open her own beauty salon
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Alina Yan plans to open her own beauty salonCredit: Instagram
 The 26-year-old says she hopes to 'find the perfect Englishman'
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The 26-year-old says she hopes to 'find the perfect Englishman'Credit: Instagram
 The Russian beauty is currently learning English
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The Russian beauty is currently learning EnglishCredit: Instagram

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.

 Jolanta Wnuk is studying tourism in Weymouth
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Jolanta Wnuk is studying tourism in WeymouthCredit: facebook
 The 23-year-old has been living in the UK for the past two years
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The 23-year-old has been living in the UK for the past two yearsCredit: facebook

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 Vasiljevaite currently works as an intern
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Evelina Vasiljevaite currently works as an internCredit: Klaudijus Kairys

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!”

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.

 Anastasia Boil speaks four different languages
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Anastasia Boil speaks four different languagesCredit: facebook
 The 23-year-old is also a champion chess player
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The 23-year-old is also a champion chess playerCredit: Klaudijus Kairys
 She is hoping for a career in the city
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She is hoping for a career in the cityCredit: facebook

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.

 Arina Cernysiova is a big fan of the Manchester music scene
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Arina Cernysiova is a big fan of the Manchester music sceneCredit: facebook
 The 27-year-old has almost been living in the UK for a decade
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The 27-year-old has almost been living in the UK for a decadeCredit: facebook

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.

 Viktorija Kartanovic moved from Lithuania to Kent in a bid to improve her English
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Viktorija Kartanovic moved from Lithuania to Kent in a bid to improve her EnglishCredit: facebook
 Last month the 22-year-old won Top Model Worldwide 2017
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Last month the 22-year-old won Top Model Worldwide 2017Credit: facebook

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