MODEL for PEACE
It’s hardly surprising that Maria Yusefovna became one of the most sought after models in Sri Lanka. Standing 5’ 7” tall, this friendly, vivacious and gorgeous young lady wears a couple of beauty queen crowns in addition to being a peace ambassador. She also founded PATH (Perfect Attitude Towards Humanity) to do her bit for world peace.
Living in Connecticut with her husband Angelo Barnes (who is a software engineer, consultant, model and actor), Maria believes that she’s the only one who can stress or destress her better half. And he in turn calls her his ‘human doll’ who annoys him.
Having Russian-Sri Lankan roots, Maria’s childhood was spent in Sri Lanka with her grandparents – and Maria was a water baby since she literally grew up in the sea or pool. A tomboy who got into fights, hated long hair and makeup, and never wore dresses (opting instead, for boys’ clothing), Maria says she’s most comfortable in shorts and a tank top even today.
She enjoys being married, loves to travel with Angelo and says she’ll eventually have a baby or two to complete what seems like a dream life.
An obsessive shopper of groceries when she’s stressed, Maria also swears incessantly; it’s all about dirty jokes and she keeps a straight face as one funny joke after another is shelled out.
A frequent blood donor, her love for animals explains why she was a member of the Young Zoologists Association and spent heaps of time painting wildlife. Currently, she is mum to Rexy, a disabled rescue dog, and an attention seeking cat called Babooshka.
Savithri Rodrigo chats with Maria about her life, loves and Sri Lankan-Russian roots.
Q: Where did you grow up and what was childhood like?
A: We didn’t have a luxurious childhood but my grandparents gave us all the comforts we needed. We did move from house to house, first living in Ratmalana and then in Mount Lavinia… but I was a very happy child. I didn’t attend school until I was eight. My grandfather wanted us to study in the Sinhala medium and learn about Sri Lankan culture because at home, we usually spoke Russian and learned about Russia.
Q: Tell us about your Russian roots and how much that has influenced you.
A: My grandmother, who is from Kazakhstan, obtained a scholarship to Moscow State University where she met my grandfather who was also on scholarship from Sri Lanka. After marriage, they moved to Sri Lanka but my mother still lives in Moscow. I can read and speak Russian – though not very fluently.
Q: What were you like as a teenager?
A: As a teenager I was active, obsessed with cycling and swimming, and showing off my bicycle stunts to everyone. I also loved playing pranks and was punished often. And I was a girl with a very curious mind.
Q: How much influence did your grandparents have on you?
A: My grandparents were extraordinary people – they’re the reason I’m confident in what I do. They always trusted us to make the right choices and made us strong, as well as independent.
Q: So how do you like to spend your weekdays and weekends?
A: On weekdays, I usually do my chores and grocery shopping, visit the salon and have lots of naps. I count the days to the weekend to catch up with my friends for a movie and laughter over good food. Since I’m in the US now, I travel extensively with my husband.
Q: You’re a beach freak, we’re told – how did that come about?
A: When my grandmother who is a Kazakh arrived in Sri Lanka 30 years ago, she fell in love with the beaches here – she would take us to the beach every other day. My sister and I learned to swim in the sea when we were as young as four. In fact, my grandparents moved to Mount Lavinia to be close to the beach.
My grandfather wanted us to study in the Sinhala medium and learn about Sri Lankan culture
Q: What do you miss most about Sri Lanka?
A: I miss the beaches, food and my favourite drink – fresh Sri Lankan coconut water, which no canned coconut water in the US can match. I also miss the Sri Lankan New Year celebrations, as well as family and friends.
Q: How do you keep fit? And how about your dietary habits?
A: Since I love eating, I stay active to keep fit – I eat lots of greens for a healthy skin. And I don’t have to work too hard to keep my body in shape because that’s in my genes.
Q: So how did you meet Angelo?
A: Angelo was a student of Brian Kerkoven and I met him during a show choreographed by Brian for the ODEL store opening at K-Zone.
Q: And what was the courtship like?
A: When our relationship began, it was hard at first because we had different goals. For him, it was work; and for me, it was family. But neither of us wanted to lose each other. We lived apart a lot but knew we couldn’t stay away from each other. So he proposed and we married in two months.
Q: What was it about him that made you think he’s Mr Right?
A: Definitely his good looks and brains. He has a great personality and is loving, as well as kindhearted. He kept ticking all the boxes in regard to what I was looking for in a man and I knew he was my Mr Right.
Q: What’s your main weakness… and indulgence?
A: My major weakness is loyalty – I lose control when I’ve been lied to or betrayed. My main indulgence is shopping… shopping for groceries that I love rather than clothes.
Q: So what are the naughtiest and craziest things you’ve done?
A: Playing pranks on my teachers, swimming too far into the sea until no one could see me from land and challenging boys to cycling races on busy streets.
Q: What frightens you the most?
A: Heights, roller coasters, cockroaches, spiders and anything that has more than four legs.
I miss the beaches, food and my favourite drink – fresh Sri Lankan coconut water, which no canned coconut water in the US can match
Whether it’s global warming, poverty, war or child abuse, I believe that everything bad starts with hate
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I would like to be a little more sceptical about people. My life experiences have shown me that I trust people too much.
Q: Who’s the person you’d like to meet the most?
A: My father – because I’ve never met him. My family says that we have much in common so I’m sure we’ll have lots to talk about and would get along really well.
Q: If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be?
A: I want to be a Kardashian and travel the world on the most expensive cruise.
Q: Let’s say you had 24 hours to change the world – what would you do?
A: Whether it’s global warming, poverty, war or child abuse, I believe that everything bad starts with hate. So I’d spread love and kindness, which I believe is at the root of change.
Q: What would you like your future self to be?
A: I see myself as an entrepreneur, icon and influencer for younger girls planning a career path that’s similar to mine. I also visualise myself offering a helping hand to those in need.