Cinema can be more than entertainment. Sometimes, it becomes a space where we live another life, try on different emotions, and quietly understand ourselves better.

In this FeelReel interview, Olia speaks with Ukrainian actress and voice artist Kristina Vyzhu – a woman whose voice has accompanied millions of viewers through some of the most recognisable modern stories. From Emily in Paris to Wednesday, Kristina has become an emotional bridge between global cinema and Ukrainian audiences, translating not just words, but inner states.

This conversation takes place across an ocean – between evening London and morning Los Angeles – yet feels deeply intimate. Kristina reflects on growing up in Berdyansk, her path through Ukrainian acting education, her experience in cinema and dubbing, and her gradual shift from performing to creating. She speaks openly about insecurity, freedom, creative exhaustion, and the quiet joy of finding light in voice work during difficult times.

This is not an interview about success as a title or a role. It is a conversation about cinema as life, about voice as presence, and about what it means to create honestly – even when the world feels unstable.

“What Is Cinema for You?”

Olia:I would like to start with the first question. What is cinema for you?

Kristina: Life. It is an opportunity to live another life. At the moment, I have stepped a little away from the profession – for certain reasons. But for almost seventeen years, I loved this work deeply precisely because it allows you to become someone else. To feel a different era, different circumstances, a different character. Actors are probably those same children who did not finish playing in childhood, so they continue to play in their profession.

Childhood, Loneliness, and the First Dream

Olia: That is a very deep answer. When you paused and said the word “life,” something responded inside me, somewhere in the solar plexus, because it is very close to me too.

I was also a lonely teenage girl, and it always felt to me that when I watched a film or a series, it transported me into another world. There I could be another person, and it was somehow easier to live through my own problems and emotions. At what age did this happen for you – when you first understood that you wanted to become an actress and looked into the world of cinema?

Kristina: I grew up in Berdyansk. Unfortunately, it is now an occupied territory. Why I am saying this – we did not have theatres there, no acting studios or clubs – at most, a television. How I decided that I would become an actress, honestly, I do not remember.

But people told me that when I was two years old, I told everyone, “I am a People’s Artist of the USSR!” (laughs) I think this desire was born because as a child and as a teenager I was very insecure. And when I imagined myself as someone else, it became easier. Because then it was no longer me – not the one who was “not beautiful enough, not smart enough.”

But when I performed in school plays, when I put on the mask of a character – that was it. I was confident. I could do it. Probably that is where the roots of my desire to become an actress began to grow. And then TV series started. And of course, I fell in love with the main characters. And I thought – how can I reach them? For a girl from Berdyansk, this was unrealistic. But if I became a famous actress – then I could meet them, and maybe even marry one of them! (laughs)

Fate, Fear, and Love

Olia: A perfect plan. But it seems life made its own adjustments – because I think you found your person.

Kristina: Yes, karma worked. I met a dentist. And I was most afraid of doctors, especially dentists. And life said, “Here you go.” (laughs)

Olia: And now – you are not afraid anymore?

Kristina: No, not anymore. Because now I know that I can make my husband nervous. (laughs) He always says that I am the worst patient of his entire practice. But what can you do – it is what it is.

The Road to Karpenko-Kary University

Olia: Returning to your story – your path inspires me very much. Because it would seem that Berdiansk is not Hollywood, not Kyiv, not a cultural or cinematic centre. But you still went this path and entered Karpenko-Kary University, right? Can you tell us where this strength and determination came from – to follow your direction and not give up?

Kristina: I think not because I was so strong – but simply because I did not know what I was getting into. (laughs) I knew what I wanted, but I did not know what awaited me. And that gave me courage. I only knew that Karpenko-Kary University existed – the best, state one. And if I was going to apply, then only there. I did not imagine that there were two hundred people per place, that there were auditions before the exams.

When I arrived in Kyiv and saw these huge lines, heard people saying, “I work with a coach,” “I attend acting school” – and I had not studied anywhere – the first doubt appeared: “Maybe I am not ready.” But then I thought – I still need to try.

Apparently, the stars aligned. I passed the auditions, then the exams, and studied there for five years. It was extremely difficult, especially emotionally. But now, looking back as an adult, I understand that it was a true path of formation. The education sometimes broke you, but at the same time tempered you.

When I compare it to America, I see a completely different approach. Here everything is built to open a person. There – to shape you into what is needed. Despite everything, I am grateful for that experience. We were young, in love with art, striving to understand the world and ourselves. And although the education was not easy, it gave me a lot – friends, understanding, and strength.

Olia: This resonates deeply. I also understand what a “school of life” our Ukrainian universities are. Now, when I see how students are treated here in the UK, it is a completely different approach. I have friends studying marketing, design, photography – and I see how differently the entire process is built.

Here, people are not broken – they are supported. And I truly believe that Ukraine is also moving in this direction. Everything left from Soviet times is slowly falling away, like old skin. And I am very happy about this. Because I want to believe that our generation – and the generation of our children – will be able to completely rebuild this system and change the approach to education and development.

Kristina: I completely support you in this. Because after university, when I entered the professional field – and it is one hundred percent young people, around my age or a bit older, and then younger – I am honestly in awe of these people. They have a completely different mindset, a different approach. They are more oriented… they are free. That is how I would describe it – free.

They are not in this system of “you must be this, this, and this – only then.” They can express themselves. And they allow you to express yourself as well. This is a kind of growing up. Something that needs to be outgrown.

Ukrainian Experience as Strength

Olia: We, as Ukrainians, have this background. This “tempering” that we went through. And we already know that what happened to us, how we were taught, was not right.

Yes, it was painful. But we became stronger through this pain. And now we can distinguish where it is right and where it is not. And we will definitely not teach our children this way.

But there is one more thing. This unique experience that we received in Ukraine from those old systems – it can bring a completely different colour into Europe, England, and, I believe, America. We can bring something of our own precisely because of this experience, even if it was negative.

Kristina: We are like diamonds, polished from all sides. As my friend here in America says: “I am wealthy and I have everything I have because my grandfather emigrated, invested, created companies. And now I am simply harvesting the fruits.” And a Ukrainian says: “And I am like this because my grandfather survived.” That is all.

“Like the Bumblebee That Should Not Fly”

Olia: You said that Karpenko-Kary is essentially our strongest and most famous university, and that you did not even know people prepared in advance, collected portfolios, trained beforehand.

And it reminded me of a story. I do not know whether it is true or a legend, it is often attributed to NASA. They say that the bumblebee does not know the laws of aerodynamics and does not know that according to its body shape it “should not” be able to fly. But it flies anyway – simply because it does not know the rules.

Your story feels exactly like that to me. If you do not tell a person that they “cannot” – they can do anything.

Kristina: That is such a great phrase. I will remember it.

First Crushes and Early Cinema Memories

Olia: You mentioned that you were in love, that there was an actor or a character you wanted to “reach,” and that this also influenced your decision to go into acting. Do you remember who it was?

Kristina: Of course. But I will say this – there was not just one. I was extremely romantic, terribly so. The first was Brandon from Beverly Hills, 90210. And then Cole from Charmed. That was a real crush. Something incredible. Unfortunately, this actor passed away this year.

Olia: Yes, I heard that news too. And sadly, there are more and more such stories.

For example, actors from Harry Potter, which came out from 2001 to 2011 – many of them have already passed away. When I see such news connected to my childhood or teenage years, I feel sad. But at the same time, I begin to value time even more.

And I completely understand your love for Cole. That character was very influential, very charismatic. Yes, the relationships there were toxic, but his energy was powerful.

Do you remember your first cinema experience? What film was it, and was it in Berdyansk or another city?

First Cinema Hall Experience

Kristina:I t was already in Kyiv. I was fourteen. We came to visit my aunt – she was studying at the conservatory at the time. It was exactly the period when I came for auditions. We went to the cinema – but I do not even remember which film it was, because what impressed me more was not the film, but the moment itself. The hall. So many people. Everyone watching together, laughing together, popcorn.

I tell this now as if it were the Stone Age, when people “came to see cinema.” But before that, my only experience was something like summer camps – a white stretched screen in a hall, something old playing, not premieres.

And here – a real cinema, a real screen, live reactions of people. And I sat there thinking how wonderful it would be to be there, on that screen.

“Now I Gonna Love You” – First Feature Film

Olia: If I am not mistaken, the film Now I Gonna Love You… Unfortunately, I did not see it in cinemas at the time – it was not exactly my area of interest then. But could you tell me about that experience? Was it shown in cinemas or more as a television release?

Kristina: The film is called Now I Will Love You. The director is Roman Shyrman, the producer is Olena Fetisova. I am extremely grateful to them, because it was exactly the kind of approach to cinema that I consider correct.

It seemed to me that they believed in me even more than I believed in myself. Because it was a leading role. I was young. It was my first full-length film. And it was released in cinemas. This was around 2016. It had a full theatrical release. Later, after a few years, it appeared on streaming platforms.

And there I was – without experience in feature films – next to Bohdan Benyuk, Olha Sumska… a very strong cast. And I thought: “What am I doing here? They make sense. But what am I doing here, and in the leading role?”

But the team was incredibly supportive. Everyone wanted to make one thing – not to show off individually, but to make cinema together. We filmed in Ukraine, and some scenes were filmed in Georgia.

For me, the story of my character was about lack of self-love. About how a girl can be kind, gentle, beautiful – but have no personal boundaries. And because of that, people use her. She does not know when to say “no.” She wants to be convenient, good, deserving approval.

And as often happens in such stories – someone appears who believes in her, who saves her. And then everything goes differently… I do not want to spoil it. (laughs)

In short, it is a romantic comedy, but not the kind where you just laugh and leave. There is something to think about.

For Ukrainian cinema in 2016, it was filmed beautifully. Very aesthetic, very deep. Perhaps at that time the audience was not yet fully ready to perceive it so openly.

Ratings, Hollywood, and Expectations

Olia: When I saw this film in your filmography, I was researching Ukrainian cinema. FeelReel is now based between Ukraine and London – we are launching first in the English-speaking market and then moving toward Ukraine. And the title itself – Now I Gonna Love You – it is very philosophical.

Kristina: Yes. “Today, I will love you. Tomorrow, I will love you”

Olia: When I look at Ukrainian films and series on platforms, I often see low ratings. Stars, percentages, tomatoes. Do you think this is fair? Why do we sometimes treat our own cinema with distrust? As if the bar is set at Hollywood level, and if it is not Hollywood – then it is already “not good enough.” Why can a film with meaning and story receive a five out of ten?

Kristina: You know, in recent years I have stopped believing in the word “fair” at all. Everything just happens as it happens. Why ratings are like this – probably because everyone compares with Hollywood. And honestly – yes, it is not Hollywood. We can start with budgets. Our budgets are completely different. The second point is demand.

If you turn on television, the highest ratings will be for shows like Supermom or Best Housewife, not for a deep film based on real events. That is demand. People want to rest. And they watch what gives them rest. As Shevchenko said – everyone has their own fate and their own wide path.

Acting on Screen vs Acting with Voice

Olia: You starred on screen and then became a voice actress, the Ukrainian voice of heroines known by millions. How different are these two professions?

Kristina: The difference is not that big. Even behind the microphone, you must live the same life as the actor in the original. Yes, technically it is different. In frame, you know where the close-up is, how you move, where you stand. At the microphone, you are not visible, but you must remember rhythm, breathing, tempo. You do not record everything in one day. You come back the next day and must instantly “switch on” exactly where you stopped. One hour you voice a sixteen-year-old girl. An hour later – a woman who has lived an entire life. It is constant switching.

Dubbing vs Voice-Over

Olia: I grew up watching Friends on Ukrainian TV. And despite its popularity, I could not watch it – the voice-over bothered me so much. Now, in 2025, I see comments saying Ukrainian dubbing is better than the original.

Kristina: Here I want to clarify. There is voice-over, and there is dubbing. Voice-over is when you hear both the original language and Ukrainian on top. Often one or two voices speak for everyone. Dubbing is when the original sound is removed completely and everything is recreated – voices, breathing, sounds. That is why dubbing is easier to listen to. There is no overlap. Ukrainian dubbing is done by incredibly talented people. And there was even an international ranking where Ukrainian dubbing was recognised as one of the best in the world.

“Emily in Paris” and Emotional Connection

Olia: How did you combine Lily Collins, Emily, and yourself in Emily in Paris?

Kristina: Honestly – I do not know. I watched the screen, liked it, imagined how I would do it. Without ruining it, but in my own way. They told me, “We see only you.” And later I understood why. I loved this project deeply. It is painful that after I left Ukraine, the next seasons were without me. People wrote saying they missed my voice. This role gave me light. After each recording, I flew out of the studio. Even during blackouts and fear – it was my light.

Social Media, Voice, and Mission

Olia: You no longer act on screen, but your voice is everywhere – especially on social media. How did this idea come to you?

Kristina: It started long ago, still in studios. When you stand for four hours recording serious projects, you start joking, playing. Later, already abroad, I recorded one video. Then another. It grew. People write that my videos distract them, give warmth, help them smile. I cannot change the situation. But if I can help someone relax for a moment – that is already my mission.

The Magic Wand Question

Olia: If you had a magic wand, what contract would you want tomorrow?

Kristina: I do not want to return to acting on screen. I want to create. If there were no limits – I would want to be part of creating a Hollywood project. Behind the scenes. Not “you were told – you did,” but “you created this.” Perhaps as a creative producer.

Olia: Thank you so much, Kristina. This conversation was deep and honest. I truly believe your path is only beginning.

Kristina: Thank you. And I wish FeelReel a big journey forward. You are doing something truly meaningful.