With a remote conversation, because the Red light back to CDMX, and plans to meet in person Irina Baeva they changed; The Russian by birth, but Mexican at heart, told us about her childhood in that country, the curious way she discovered her destiny to be an actress and what her arrival was like in Mexico, where her professional success awaited and also found love for side of actor too Gabriel Soto.
-Irina, you come from Russia, how was your childhood in that country?
“Yes, I was born in Russia in the 90’s, which was a difficult time for my family because my father was in the army at the time ”.
-Why was it difficult?
“Because we traveled from one city to another because of his work, and we had to adapt. My mother, who is a primary school teacher, taught children in the provinces where we came to live. Although it was a tough childhood, my parents prevented me from seeing it that way. “
– What difficulties did they face?
“At the time, families came together to share because we were short of produce, so while one family had a lot of flour, the other had apples, so we shared and supported each other.”
– Do you remember the places where your family lived when you were a child?
“I had to live in beautiful places such as Ural mountains and islands in the Arctic Ocean, where polar bears walked the streets. In those places I had incredible experiences, such as seeing the Northern Lights, things that many in their lives do not see. Maybe I appreciate it now that I’m an adult, but then I saw it as normal, I didn’t think I had a chance to see unique things ”.
– At what point do they stop moving so often?
“When I was 10 my father quit in the army and we moved to Moscow, they wanted to move there so that my sister Nina and I could have more access to schools and universities.”
-How did you get along with your sister?
“Nina and I were always super close, but we became complicit when we got to Moscow because they gave me a year ahead, thanks to what I learned with my mother. So even though she is a year older, we study together ”.
– Few know you studied journalism, why did you quit?
“Yes, I studied journalism at the Moscow State University, but after a year and a half I said ‘no more!’ It was then that I was studying Spanish and watching the Mexican soap operas aired in Russia, and one day I decided I would come to Mexico to try my luck. “
-But it was a different continent, different customs, weren’t you scared?
“The truth, no. In 2012 I quit my studies and found out about the existence of CEA (Television Arts Education Center)So I gathered my courage, packed my bags and came by ”.
-How did you end up at CEA?
“First I sent an email saying that I wanted to live Mexicothat he wanted to study there and that he asked them for a chance ”.
-What did they answer you?
“They told me they accepted me, but all costs would be borne by me. And so was my first trip to Mexico. I stayed for five weeks and then returned to Moscow to tell my parents that I would stay in Mexico, that acting was my dream ”.
– Did someone from your family come with you?
“I came alone, very lonely (laughs). When I joined CEA my parents supported me financially, but sometimes I had to work as an aide-de-camp and get a little more money. It was difficult for all of us and at CEA we all shared our tuna cans, our rice and chicken fillet (laughs) ”.
– Have you never thought about going back to Russia?
“There were very complicated moments, but I am a person who adapts to change and I always saw things positively, besides that I never had a plan B because I think if you propose something and you have it very clear, you don’t have to have plan B. Well, when it gets complicated, you stop chasing your dream ”.
– Was it difficult for you to master Spanish?
“It was the hardest part for me; nothing to do with how I talk now. Often they said to me ‘you almost have the accent’ and it frustrated me because I didn’t know what else was missing, but little by little my voice started to modulate and I think I did it (laughs) ”.
-You made your debut in 2015 in ‘Italian Girl Gets Married’ and a year later you were already in the lead, what did you feel when you saw your career take off?
“I did have the goal to play in a telenovela, but the project came to me very quickly, by surprise, and I handled it the best I could, because carrying the weight of a telenovela is an important thing.”
How did your family react to seeing the success you had achieved?
“My parents don’t speak Spanish and Nina, my biggest fan, downloads the episodes of my soap operas and explains them to my parents. It was funny because my sister is the official translator; she doesn’t speak Spanish, but she understands it very well ”.
–So your parents were never able to come to Mexico to see you work …
“No, but when the World Cup came, I better go see them (laughs)”.
-In 2016 you meet Gabriel in ‘Vino el amor’, then something arose between you in the middle of the scandal. Now that that time has passed, how do you see everything you were involved in?
“Gabriel and I met in 2016 and, considering it from a distance, it was worth everything. I believe that everything learns in this life and that’s how I do it. The past is over and now I am grateful that things happened the way they happened because they helped me to be the person I am, and most of all I am grateful for the result ”.
– Much has been said in the media that if the wedding, the ring, the kids … how much is true?
“At the moment our priority as a couple is to continue to grow together. The truth is, we are not here to plan and make more for the pandemic. Gabriel and I are more happy and in love than ever. Getting married and having children are matters that have been discussed, but all in due course ”.
– You say your parents don’t speak Spanish, how does Gabriel understand them?
“It’s very funny (laughs) … Gabriel really wanted Russian, in fact, when my sister came to the start of the pandemic it was so funny to see my 5-year-old cousin Gabriel learn words in Russian and I couldn’t pronounce them, and he would learn the baby words in Spanish and he did right away! “
-2020 was a difficult year for everyone, what reflections has it left you?
“It was definitely a difficult year. In my case, I was lucky enough to spend more time with my sister’s family who, by chance, were able to stay at my place for three months; it was nice to be with them. I think the most important lesson that 2020 has left us is to appreciate the things we have ”.
-What do you expect professionally and personally for 2021?
“Professionally, a film comes out, my first approach to cinema; Personally, I hope in 2021 that we will continue to grow as a couple; I love Gabriel and I am happy with him ”, he concluded.
