Interview with Ella Mokrushin — Biochemist Model
Ella Mokrushin is a 20-year old model residing in Sacramento, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I was born in a little, beautiful city of Ukraine called Chernivtsi. Before reaching the age of 8, in the year of 2001, for the first time I stepped onto American soil. It was not a getaway or a vacation – California, USA was to be my permanent home which I grew to love. At the age of 12, I discovered my love and talent for vocal performance and at about the same time I started attending a school of music where I was taught to play piano, properly sing and music theory. I was and still am, an outgoing, loud and “class-clown” type of individual. Making everyone laugh is number one on my daily check list. I have a mad passion for science! I absolutely love spending long hours in chemistry labs, utilizing complex machinery including gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy to name a few. I am currently in Sacramento State University pursuing my bachelors degree in Biochemistry. However, I plan on going beyond. Modeling has been my passion since I was a tween. Me and my best friend, who remains till this day, would always organize photo-shoots in the backyard. And boy did we take a lot of photographs, I still have them all till this day – for laughs! Even in present day, we love going to photo shoots and castings together. What can I say, I’m just a nerdy girl blessed with a divorce-less family including two little sisters, who loves science, music and modeling!
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I was 18 when I officially got involved in the modeling industry. At first, inexperienced and not educated in the field, I browsed craigslist where castings were posted. However, craigslist was a bit too sketchy for my taste so I created a profile on Model Mayhem. I uploaded a couple of images of myself onto MM, they were not professional and messages began rolling in. I cautiously approached every message, examining it for potential scams. I then set up shoots with various, trustworthy-looking, photographers and brought along my best friend for safety. I also attended meet-ups and various runway castings. I was able to make a lot of connections, model for multiple online stores and walk on various runways – including for two designers in Sacramento Fashion Week. I enjoy modeling and it is something that I do well, for these reasons I got involved in the modeling industry.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
As far as modeling goals, I would love to get signed and become an agency represented model before my time runs out. Alternatively, I would love to build a vocal career as a singer. I also see myself with a bachelors, possibly masters or even PhD in Biochemistry – working in a laboratory and engaging in scientific research. Life is full of doors of possibilities, and my motto is not to limit myself to one door!
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I’ve had a bit of a break from modeling this half of the year, due to a big school-load. However, I am scheduling new photo shoots and planning to attend castings, including agency castings, in the near future. I mainly do fashion and commercial photo-shoot modeling. In addition, my height allows me to rock the catwalk! I am open to other genres excluding nude or lingerie.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
I am very fortunate to say that I haven’t had any “worst” experience in modeling. However, my best experience so far in modeling has to be the photo shoot I had for Electrik Fashions at the breathtaking Stinson Beach in California. Initially, several models were to attend to shoot the looks; however, me and a plus-sized model were the only ones who made it. This meant that I got to shoot all of the non-plus sized looks and that was very exciting! The weather that day was beautiful and not to mention, the drive was super fun because I became great friends with hairstylist and wardrobe stylist and makeup artist previously. After the long but super fun photo-shoot, the crew went to the nearby little town to grab a bite which was delicious! It was an amazing experience that I will forever cherish in my heart!
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
Yes, my second ever photo shoot with a photographer who was pretty famous in my area was composed of some out-of-the-ordinary happenings. Long story short, at first the lamp, which was pointed at me during the shoot, generated so much heat that I almost passed out and had to interrupt the shoot to go out and get some air, and everyone was freaked out, since I did not look too well. To make the story sweeter, towards the end of the shoot – as he was shooting my last look, this same lamp fell and shattered – short of a few inches from me! Just to put the final touch on the cake, as we were walking out of the building we were scolded – apparently, because we weren’t students of the particular campus, we were not allowed to occupy the room to take photographs, although the photographer was a student of the campus.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
If there was anything I would change about the modeling industry if I could, I would increase safety by encouraging models to support each other by advising to prevent tragedies, something that is associated with the modeling industry, unfortunately.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I am a recently turned vegan! One day I just looked at all the junk that I eat and said “No More!” Why am I packing myself with garbage that isn’t only not-beneficial but is self-destructive? A new outlook, perhaps in addition to my crazy love for plant-derived-foods, inspired my healthy transformation and I feel better than before. On another note, I cancelled my gym membership last month because I was too lazy to attend. I rarely sit on my butt for long and run errands everyday, which requires me to move. I realize that increased exercise would be greatly beneficial to my health, this is why I cannot wait to attend a complementary gym once my semester at CSUS begins in September!
Please share something people don’t know about you.
When I was born, the doctor told my mom that I will be a midget. I grew to be 177 cm tall.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I sometimes look in the mirror and critically judge my features. I wish my nose was smaller, I wish my teeth were straighter, I wish my hair was thicker, blah blah blah. However, in reality I am happy that I am imperfectly perfect. I think imperfections give character and make us incredibly unique and different from one another. Physically I strive to be fit and healthy, Spiritually I strive to be inspired and lifted. I believe a healthy inner-self completes a healthy outer-self; thus, both are equally important for a happy being!
Have you ever stolen anything?
Yes and I got away with it. When I was 5 years of age, I had a crazy love for flowers. My mom says I was a little grandma because I talked so much and befriended three grandpas. They all had beautiful gardens – with flowers, perhaps the sole reason for the existing friendship. Numerously, I crept into their gardens, in day light, and stole flowers… yes, I was a flower thief.