Daria Levchenko is a 21-year-old Ukrainian circus performer currently employed by the world-famous company Celebrity Cruises. She performs in front of huge audiences on cruise ships, combines different disciplines and constantly strives for improvement.
In addition to her remarkable career, Daria has a clear position regarding the war that Russia has waged against Ukraine. In an interview with Circus Life, Daria Levchenko shared her thoughts on the ongoing situation and also discussed her plans for the future.
Daria, we initially discovered your Instagram profile when compiling our TOP-5 ranking of artists active on social media. With a current follower count exceeding 80,000, could you share insights into how you cultivated this audience and elaborate on its impact on your career?”
I manage the Instagram page myself. When I started, I had many friends who were into fitness and already had their audiences. They frequently tagged me in their stories, and this is how new subscribers began to join, leading to the first 5 thousand followers.
Then, I began selecting better music and hashtags and joined groups where beautiful photos or videos of athletes were regularly posted. This is how my audience started to grow. Currently, it is still expanding. Sometimes, I post a video, and it brings thousands of new subscribers because the video reaches over a million views. I’m often in shock because I never expected this level of response.
Does being popular on social media help my career? Well, at most castings, they request an Instagram page among other information, although I’m not entirely sure how thoroughly companies review it. Nevertheless, the company I currently work with, Celebrity Cruises, did pay attention to my Instagram. I was asked to show the stunts I showed in my videos.
In your profile, it says that you are a circus artist, and right next to your name, it says ‘sport.’ How would you say who Daria Levchenko is today – an artist, athlete, or performer?
When people on Instagram are not looking for a surname but simply write “sport”, they see my name among other accounts. This is another way to promote the page.
I consider myself a circus performer, but I can’t choose a specific discipline for myself at the moment. When I started practising circus art, I trained in the studio in several directions at once. We practised pair acrobatics and aerial gymnastics, built different pyramids in groups, mastered handbalancing, rode a monocycle, juggled, and walked on stilts. In essence, I did a bit of everything.
I didn’t choose one specific discipline, as most artists do. Instead, I’m trying to develop myself in many ways. Currently, I work as an aerial gymnast, focusing on improving my handbalancing.
You are 21 and a quite successful circus performer. When and how did you start your career?
At 10, I joined the Circus Studio “Mriia” in Kremenchuk (Poltava region). My coach was Halyna Rudovska.
I am grateful to Halyna Vasylivna for seeing my ability to work and talent, and for investing her experience in my development. When I was younger, I attended school and tutors and had 4 hours of training every day. Weekends were only on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we had long training sessions. We trained for 2 hours, then our parents came to bring us some food, and we worked for another 4 hours. That’s how much I loved it.
Also, I would like to mention an important person in my story – Tetiana Kuznietsova, the owner of the Contortion Style studio. Tetiana has a patented author’s technique, which is based on breathing.
When we bend over, our internal organs are in an unnatural state, making it difficult to breathe. Thanks to Tetiana’s training and the exercises we did, I began to feel more comfortable in all positions. Through these practices and massage, I experienced significant professional improvement within a year.
When did you get your first contract? How did you manage to combine study and work?
I was a full-time university student, so I didn’t consider contracts until graduation. Then a full-scale war began, and I fled to Germany. I spent a long time looking for a place to practice there, because aerial gymnastics is not very developed in the country, and I needed a gym for aerial gymnastics.
When I found what I needed, I resumed my training and online coaching activities. Before the war, I worked as an aerial gymnastics and acrobatics trainer at the Reforma gym in Irpin. When the full-scale war with Russia started, I continued my training with children. I did it for free because wanted to support them during such a challenging time. I understood the difficulties parents were facing, and I believed that engaging children in such activities could be helpful. Eventually, I also gained adult clients.
In 2022, for the New Year, I flew to Cyprus and made a wish to get a contract with Celebrity Cruises. On the 2nd of January, I got a call from my friend who told me about a casting opportunity with the company. We needed to make a performance together and attempt to pass the casting.
We went to Barcelona, which has a good sports facility, and in two weeks, we prepared our act. Then we recorded a video of it and successfully passed the casting. I secured the contract I had wished for on New Year’s. It marked a significant milestone for me. Currently, I’m on vacation until April, and then a new contract with this company begins.
An incredible story about the realization of a dream! What do you have planned for this New Year?
I have a dream, but I will probably keep it a secret. As people say, dreams should be kept to yourself, then they will come true faster. The main thing is to believe and act.
Maybe you have professional goals? Like working for Cirque du Soleil or participating in the Monte Carlo Festival?
I guess I’m not a typical circus performer. Most students of the Kyiv Academy of Variety and Circus Arts and those working in circus companies participate in many competitions. And I did it only when I was training in a studio in Kremenchuk. I’m not actively pursuing it.
Many people seek diplomas, awards, and jobs in specific companies. In contrast, I want to enjoy life and find joy in what I do. Travel is currently a priority for me, and it’s fantastic that I can combine work with the desire to see the world. Last year alone, I visited 27 countries. I believe that one day, I’ll feel the desire to sit by the sea with a cup of coffee and simply bask in the sun all day.
Of course, I want to try working in different companies for experience. I am experiencing growth within the company where I work. I don’t stand still; I try new stunts, learn new disciplines, and collaborate with other artists to create new acts. So far, I’m content with what I have and satisfied with my upcoming contract.
Daria, I have one last question for you as an artist performing abroad. The first post on your page is about the war in Ukraine and the condemnation of Russian aggression. We know that Russians recently performed at a circus festival in Budapest under a neutral flag. This tendency also occurs in other contests and sports competitions. How do you personally feel about it?
Of course, I condemn Russian aggression. I was in Irpin on the first day of the Russian full-scale invasion and heard explosions. I feel deep sympathy for the people who have suffered from this terrible war.
I believe that Russian artists shouldn’t be allowed to perform even under neutral flags. After all, thanks to performances at competitions, people earn money, and receive commercial offers or grants. They pay taxes to their country, and these funds can be used, among other things, to purchase weapons.
I am an ordinary artist, and I understand that I cannot influence it directly. But it bothers me when people whose houses and studios were destroyed are on the same stage, under the same conditions, as Russians who calmly trained, ate, lived, and did not worry about anything. It feels strange, and I do not understand why the world still allows this for the aggressor country.
Yes, it is a difficult question. However, it’s important to have more Ukrainians on such international platforms, sharing the truth. Thank you!
Read the full story about artist Darya Levchenko in Ukrainian here.
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