With a long-distance discussion, because red light returned to CDMX, and intends to meet face to face Irina Baeva they have changed; The Russian by birth, but Mexican at heart, told us about her childhood in that country, about the curious way she discovered that her destiny was to be an actress and how was her arrival in Mexico, where her professional success awaited her. And also found love the side of such an actor Gabriel Soto.
-Irina, you are from Russia, how was your childhood in that country?
“Yes, I was born in Russia in the 90s, which was a difficult time for my family, because at that time my father was in the army ”.
-Why was it hard?
“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 the children in the provinces where we came to live. Although it was a difficult childhood, my parents made sure I didn’t see it that way. “
– What difficulties did they face?
“Back then, families got together to share because we had a shortage of produce, so while one family had a lot of flour, another had apples, then we shared and so we supported each other.”
-Do you remember the places where your family lived when you were a child?
“I had to live in beautiful places like Ural Mountains and the islands of Arctic Ocean, where there were polar bears walking the streets. In those places I had incredible experiences, such as seeing the Northern Lights, things that many do not see in their lives. Maybe now, when I’m older, I appreciate it, but then, I saw it normally, I couldn’t stop believing that I had the opportunity to see unique things ”.
“When do they stop so long?”
“When I was 10, my father stopped being part of 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 have always been very close, but we became accomplices when we arrived in Moscow because I was a year before, thanks to what I learned with my mother. So, even though he is a year older, we study together ”.
-Few people know that you studied journalism, why did you give up?
“Yes, I studied journalism at Moscow State University, but after a year and a half I said “no more!” At that time I was studying Spanish and watching Mexican soap operas that were broadcast in Russia and one day I decided that I would come to Mexico to try my luck ”.
-But it was a different continent, different customs, weren’t you scared?
“It simply came to our notice then. In 2012 I gave up my studies and found out about my existence CEA (Center for Artistic Education for Television)So I took my courage, packed my bags and came. ”
-How did you get into CEA?
“First I sent an e-mail where I wrote that I want to go live Mexico, that he wanted to study there and that he asked them for an opportunity ”.
-What did they answer you?
“They told me that they would accept me, but that all expenses would be borne by me. And so was my first trip to Mexico. I was there for five weeks and then I went back 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 alone (laughs). When I joined CEA, my parents supported me financially, but sometimes I had to work as a camp assistant and thus earn a little more money. It was difficult for all of us and there, at CEA, we all shared canned tuna, rice and chicken breast (laughs) ”.
-Have you ever considered returning to Russia?
“There were very complicated moments, but I’m a person who adapts to change and I’ve always seen things in a positive way, also, I’ve never had a plan B, because I think when you propose something and you have it very clear, it wouldn’t you have to have a plan B. Well, when things get complicated, you will stop pursuing your dream. ”
“Was it hard for you to master Spanish?”
“It was the hardest thing for me; nothing to do with the way I speak now. Many times they told me “you almost have the accent” and that frustrated me because I didn’t know what else was missing, but little by little my voice started to modulate and I think I succeeded (laughs) “.
-You made your debut in 2015 in “The Italian Girl Comes to Get Married” and a year later you have already played, how did you feel when you saw your career take off?
“I had the goal of playing in a soap opera, but the project came to me very quickly, by surprise, and I faced it as best I could, because having the weight of a soap opera is something important.”
-How did your family react to the success you achieved?
“My parents don’t speak Spanish, and Nina, who is my number one fan, downloads the episodes of my soap operas and explains them to my parents. It was funny because my sister is like the official translator; he doesn’t speak Spanish, but he understands it very well ”.
–So, your parents could never come to Mexico to see you at work …
“No, but when it was the World Cup, I’d better go see them (laughs).”
-In 2016 you meet Gabriel in “Vino el amor”, then something appeared between you in the middle of the scandal. Now that time has passed, how do you see everything you have been involved in?
“Gabriel and I met in 2016 and, seeing it from a distance, it was all worth it. I think everything learns in this life and I take it that way. The past is over and now I am grateful that things happened the way they did because they helped me to be the person I am and, above all, I am grateful for the result ”.
– It has been said a lot in the media that if the wedding, the wedding ring, the children … how true is it?
“Right now, our priority as a couple is to continue to grow together. The truth is that we are not here to make plans and not just for the pandemic. Gabriel and I are happier and more in love than ever. Getting married and having children are things that have been discussed, but all in a timely manner ”.
-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 beginning of the pandemic, it was so funny to see how my 5-year-old nephew taught Gabriel words in Russian and I couldn’t pronounce them, and he taught the baby Spanish words and he did it right away! “
-2020 was a difficult year for everyone, what reflections did it leave you?
“It was definitely a difficult year. In my case, I was lucky enough to spend more time with my sister’s family, who happened to be at my house for three months; it was nice to be with them. I think the main lesson that 2020 has left us is to appreciate the things we have ”.
-What do you expect for this 2021 professional and personal?
“A film will come out professionally, my first approach to cinema; From a personal point of view, in this 2021 I hope that we will continue to grow as a couple; I love Gabriel and I am happy with him “, he concluded.
