The American Dream: Natalia Gajah on the path from hostesses to beauty queen - ForumDaily
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The American Dream: Natalya Gazha on the path from hostesses to beauty queen

Odessa native Natalya Gazha has been on the covers of L'Officiel, Playboy, Maxim, XXL. Her list of personal achievements includes victories at Ukrainian beauty contests, half a dozen real royal crowns and a contract with a modeling agency in Miami. Here the Ukrainian won a new victory - the title “Miss American Dream”. Her path to the American dream was not at all easy - America was inhospitable at first. Natalya Gazha told ForumDaily about her victories and misadventures, meeting Mel Gibson and her beloved Miami in an exclusive interview.

How did you discover America?

It was the spring of 2007, I was 20, I was a fourth-year student at the Odessa University of Economics and was working part-time as a model at the city’s leading agency, Amazon. My sister had already been living in America for 7 years at that time. She introduced me to my first husband, who took me to the States for the first time. Before that, it was a long-term romance, it was difficult for us to maintain a long-distance relationship, and I decided to move. In addition, I was captivated by America, I understood that this is a country of opportunity, where all our dreams come true. Over time, the stormy romance ended and, unfortunately, not in the best way. Now I remember everything with a smile and lightness in my soul.

What were your first impressions after the move?

The first stage was very difficult. I then moved to Dearborn, Michigan. After sunny Odessa there, I unexpectedly had to face Muslim traditions, where female students went to school wearing hijabs and covered their faces. It was a psychological and religious shock for me.

I dreamed of seeing Hollywood, the Statue of Liberty, but at that time it seemed that I had moved to a Muslim country. Therefore, I returned back to Odessa - this is how my first move ended.

But then you tried your luck in America again.

Yes, after a couple of years I arrived in Miami - and this time everything was completely different, just like in the movies! But that first acquaintance with America began with a difficulty that I could not accept. It turned out that many people here live the same way they used to live in their own countries: not knowing the language, not trying to change themselves, not wanting to accept the local culture. Imagine that you are in Africa, where you don’t wear clothes - I had a feeling somewhere else. Plus the problem of the language barrier. But when you set goals, you force yourself to go forward without looking back, then something happens in this life. It is easy to succumb to weaknesses and then it is difficult to survive in difficult times. I understood that I needed to learn a language first, and I took up this very closely, although it was not easy. But I liked to study the cultures of different countries of the world, so now I am learning Spanish, whose knowledge in Miami is very, very useful.

What was your first job in the States?

I had an exclusive contract with the Miami modeling agency Image, where I began working as soon as I arrived in America for the second time. But first I needed to make a new portfolio and lose 5 kilograms - only after that I could start working. All this costs money, and I worked as a hostess at the Zuma restaurant. But this was still not enough, I went to a second job - also a hostess, only in a different restaurant - Baoli.

In Miami, the model has received a license of a beautician, and is now preparing to open its own beauty salon. Photos from the personal archive

In Miami, the model has received a license of a beautician, and is now preparing to open its own beauty salon. Photos from the personal archive

From one job I rushed to another, finished nights at 1, came home tired and hungry, and there an empty refrigerator awaited me, because my roommate used to eat all the food we bought for two, and I went to bed hungry.

I worked a lot, and I had no other chance to eat at home, except in the morning and late at night. But thanks to the roommate, I didn’t have this opportunity, so I lost weight quickly and immediately started working on the model. But I did not give up and the work of hostesses, since the salary from the modeling was not enough to pay all the bills plus you had to spend money on lawyers to make the documents and legalize in this country. Sometimes I had after a fashionable photo shoot in Los Angeles straight from the airport to go to a restaurant to work. Such a contrast is very sobering.

And success was not long in coming. How did winning the Miss American Dream contest change your life?

This competition, of course, significantly raised my ratings as a model. But the World Bikini Model competition made me even more popular, where I received the main title.

Is it harder for our girls to break into modeling business in America?

It is generally very difficult. Even the American model is difficult to succeed if, of course, it is not from a star family, but it is doubly difficult for us. This is a matter of chance, one of millions reaches real success. The competition in the modeling business is colossal. But all the same, you always need to believe in your dreams and realize them. I do not stop, my model career is developing successfully: new photo shoots, magazine covers, contests.

In America and in your homeland, you have come across many stars. What is the difference between our and American celebrities?

Because American stars are only stars on the red carpet, but in everyday life they are absolutely ordinary people.

Once I got on a charity evening with Mel Gibson, he modestly introduced himself as simply “Mel.”

It's hard to believe, but he is an absolutely simple person, very friendly and loves to help children, the sick and orphans.

Why did you decide to live in Miami?

I don’t know why I chose Miami, but it became a fateful city: it was here that I met my love, got married and am happy in this marriage. At first I lived in the Bay Harbor Islands area, next to my modeling agency, where I began my American modeling career. I still remember the first impression that Miami made on me. I was absolutely delighted! Everything around was so perfect that it seemed like I was in a fairy tale. Then I moved to Brickell - this is the business center of Miami, a lot of people, offices, universities and always terrible traffic jams. But in this city there cannot be unloved areas, even Little Havana is such a picturesque place with its own unique flavor. In fact, not only this area, but all of America rests on emigrants! Now I live in Aventure - it’s a calm area, there are family people with children, a very good place for family life. Now I am preparing to become a mother and am waiting for my miracle. At the same time, I am developing a business plan for my own business.

What will this business be?

Own beauty salon. In Miami, I received a license as a cosmetologist and laser technician. Now this industry is developing so rapidly, there are so many new devices and equipment that it is simply necessary to constantly learn and develop in this direction. Plus, I have an idea to add such a nuance to the salon, such as, for example, creating an image in an hour. This is very convenient if you need to get ready somewhere and completely complete your look, but you only have about an hour to do everything. It’s sometimes unrealistic - until you get to the salon, until everything is done! And we will have a similar service, and a woman will be able to leave in full dress, without even running home.

Where do you like to go, your favorite places in the city?

I love theaters, we are lucky - in our city there is always someone performing: concerts, festivals, operas. The cultural program in Miami is always intense, and all shows are held at the highest level. For example, Andrea Bocelli’s concert was very memorable.

What did America teach you?

America taught me, first of all, to remain a normal person at heart - and it doesn’t matter what your status is today or who you are at the moment.

You should never forget about your neighbor, and there should always be a place for love in your heart. And this is power - the power of human consciousness.

How do local men differ from Russians?

Our men compare favorably with the local by their special color, rich open soul. Some people think that all Russians are evil and forever dissatisfied with life, therefore they are constantly serious. We just take on a lot of responsibility, we want to do everything, but the Americans do not understand. They do not think about tomorrow and even more so about the distant future, they just live one day, repeating their favorite phrase “have a lot of fun” years before 50.

In 2016, Natalya Gazha took part in the beauty contest “Miss Russian Miami” - this time as a jury member, not a contestant. Photos from the personal archive

In 2016, Natalya Gazha took part in the beauty contest “Miss Russian Miami” - this time as a member of the jury, and not as a contestant. Photo from personal archive

What is dear to you here is most lacking?

Now there is practically no such thing

I live near the Russian area, there is everything the same as at home: food, restaurants, the Orthodox Church - everything is in our Miami.

What goals did you set for yourself in America initially, and which of them have already been fulfilled?

I have a lot of them, I’ve already completed half of them. Dreams Come True! I also want to start my own business. I want to be a completely free person and not think about the future. Taking an example from the same Americans - life is much easier this way.

You already have US citizenship. But the path to naturalization was certainly not easy?

I only became a citizen last year; my path to this took 7,5 years. All this time this story with the documents dragged on, I waited for them for a long time and paid for everything myself. I worked three jobs to cover all these expenses. Now I remember all this like a bad dream, but in fact it made me stronger. Now I know for sure: nothing is impossible - the main thing is to move forward towards your goal.

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