You Ask Ruxandra Porojnicu (Alina)
They ANSWER!
Alina proved herself to be one tough cookie after she escaped a modern slavery ring – but will actress Ruxandra be as bold when faced with our readers’ questions?
“How do you feel about Alina’s return to Corrie? And what do the next few weeks hold for her?”
Well, I personally am very excited to be able to tell Alina’s story further. We’ll see what the future holds for her because, as we’ve seen in previous episodes, she was in love with Seb. They had quite a nice romantic relationship, but now he’s with Emma, so there
could be a love triangle! I’m such a romantic, so I would love to see Seb and Alina get back together.
“Do you think that Emma and Alina could be friends under different circumstances?”
Yeah, definitely, because Emma is a really nice character, and a sweet person. So, yeah, I could see them being friends.
“What does your family back in Romania think of you being in Coronation Street?”
They’re very happy for me – but it’s only since I got the role that they’ve discovered the show, because it’s not on in our country. So they didn’t really know all that much about it! They’re also excited to actually come and see the set here in Manchester. My mum is very keen to visit, she’s a proper fan of the programme now!
“I’ve seen lots of pictures on your Instagram account of you modelling. Is that something you enjoy?”
Yes, because that’s how I started out in London. Well, I first started out waiting tables, but I gradually went into modelling, and then started to do small acting roles.
“Which celebrity would you most like to meet?”
Oh, Brad Pitt, for sure. I know it’s such a cliché, but, please! When I saw him in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, I melted! I’ve been in love with him since a very early age.
“What do you miss most about home?”
My family. And maybe cheese! I know it sounds silly, but I really love Romanian goat’s cheese.
“Could Emma and Alina ever be friends?”
Maybe others wouldn’t agree, but I think it’s much better than the goat’s cheese you get here in the UK.
“Who or what inspired you to get into acting?”
I grew up watching Spanish soaps, so maybe they got into my head! I’ve watched them since I was about seven years old, and that’s how I learned to speak the language. Spanish soaps are equally as dramatic as UK ones, I would say, but their stories are concentrated on only two leading roles. I think British soaps are more interesting, and can help people learn more about real-life issues.
“What sort of reactions did you get from viewers to Alina’s modern slavery storyline?”
What really surprised me was the fact that so many people were saying, “Oh, I didn’t know this was actually happening on my street!” I think viewers were amazed by the fact that slavery is happening today, and it has so many forms, not just sex trafficking: that was the first thing I thought about when I knew that I was to be involved in a modern slavery storyline. Then when I learned about it and I saw how many forms it has, I was shocked.
“Now you’re back, who would you like Alina to become friends with?”
Everyone! Can she, please? I love Emma, I think she’s a really nice character, and Eileen, she’s amazing. And Ken Barlow! In fact, all the Barlow family, I think they’re brilliant. Also, I really like Evelyn, she’s so funny. I don’t know if I can be in a scene with her, though, I think I would just laugh!
“How’s your training for the London Marathon going? And what inspired you to run it?”
With the slavery storyline, people were congratulating me for helping to raise
awareness, but I felt I needed to do more. So I asked someone from The Salvation Army and they told me about the Marathon. When I first started training, I wanted to throw up! Even though
I go to the gym, I just wasn’t fit enough to run so much. But now I train five or six times a week, and I’m making good progress. I’m so excited!
“Who in the cast has taught you the most Mancunian slang words?”
Oh, Harry [Visinoni, who plays Seb], one hundred per cent! He says, “Let’s go get some scran, mate!” I love working with Harry so much – it’s always fun.
“Where’s the strangest place that you’ve been recognised so far?”
On the London Underground! It was packed, and I heard someone shout
“Corrie!” I didn’t know how to react, but I’m a bit more used to that sort of thing now. Most people are really nice.
To donate to Ruxandra’s London Marathon fundraising campaign for The Salvation Army, visit justgiving. com/fundraising/ruxandra-porojnicu
“How is your marathon training going?”