Having summed up the
Miss Atom-2008 beauty contest results, Nuclear.Ru interviewed Yulia Nagaeva of TVEL, this year winner. She told about her feeling when she had become aware of her victory, and what implications a beauty contest could have on a girl working in a serious industry such as nuclear power.
Nuclear.Ru: Yulia, how did you take the victory in the contest? Was it unexpected for you?
Yu. Nagaeva: Certainly, I was hoping to win deep in my heart but the voting progress kept me and my colleagues on nerve till the very end. When everything ended at six in the evening, the only thing for us was just to sit crisscrossing our fingers and wait for results. Was it unexpected? Coming back to the point where the voting stated, it was, absolutely! You know, high competition, a lot of beautiful girls. Then, there was the race for top places.
Nuclear.Ru: What did you feel when you found out that you had won?
Yu. Nagaeva: The first thing that came to me when I found out that I had won was a feeling of relief. Having decided to contest, I was representing my company and certainly, I shouldn’t have let it down. And pleasure, of cause, since it’s an honorary title, no doubt.
Nuclear.Ru: In your CV you say you are fond of making pictures. The pictures you have attached to your CV, were they staged by you or you just selected the most nice ones?
Yu. Nagaeva: I staged some of them. For any photographer, professional or not, the largest problem is that he or she is always left behind, off screen. However, when I am being photographed, I see clearly how it should be and say what angle to take, what light should be. As for the contest, I selected pictures my colleagues loved most.
Nuclear.Ru: Have ever thought of trying the model business?
Yu. Nagaeva: There have been offers to work in the model business. They asked me to work for a well-known hair fashion glossy and swing out for several times. I finished a model school even. But my business schedule is so tough; it just leaves no time for this. My close friend used to work in this business, so I know what it is like. Of cause, it would be interesting to try the model business, but only if it doesn’t interfere with by basic job.
Nuclear.Ru: Have been often said nice words about your appearance?
Yu. Nagaeva: They often pay compliments, but it doesn’t make it less pleasant to receive them. Just opposite, there is always a motivation to look nice. Certainly, you should forget about sports and live a healthy life for this.
Nuclear.Ru: How could the victory affect your career? Would it impede or give more self-assurance, would facilitate further success?
Yu. Nagaeva: I think if there is an effect, it would be positive. Any victories, large or small, produce positive moods, increase self-esteem and make move forward.
Nuclear.Ru: In 2005 you won Vice Miss Atom. How do you think the contest has changed since then? What did move you in this time?
Yu. Nagaeva: The contest itself and its arrangements become more interesting and of higher quality from year to year. No doubt, the organizers, whose professionalism is top high, are to be praised for this. Just everything: from the website design through to prizes and award ceremony, is evolving and becoming nicer. That is why, perhaps, a number of girls is increasing that makes the competition tougher. In 2005 I worked for TVEL-Invest-Technology and dealt with non-nuclear products. The company is small but abundant in nice girls. Having decided to try in this year, I was representing the mother-company, TVEL already; this is another level, another responsibility. It wasn’t easy to win because this time the contest gathered a record number of participants not only from Russia but also from other countries. It adds more importance to the victory and makes it more pleasant that it is me who have the honor to win.
