When the Circus Life team released an article about the TOP-5 Instagram profiles of circus performers from Ukraine, many readers asked us, “Where is Veronika Goroshkova?” We looked at the artist’s page and immediately realized that our TOP-5 urgently needs to be expanded.
Today, Veronika Goroshkova is a circus performer of Cirque du Soleil, wowing audiences with her Chinese pole tricks and proving her popularity with more than 120,000 followers on Instagram. So, we invited the aerialist for an interview to discuss not only her success on social media but also her work at Cirque du Soleil, her dreams of television, and other interesting topics.
Ms. Goroshkova, your Instagram profile is very lively and has a lot of followers. How did you achieve this, and why do you think people like to follow your life?
In the past, I was not very active on Instagram because I was solely focused on training. However, after moving to the US and working with Cirque du Soleil, I realized the importance of social media and began promoting myself.
Now I believe that social media is a powerful tool that can help artists in the future. It is important to start developing your social media presence early, as it allows more people to know about you.
I believe people enjoy my work because I demonstrate tricks that few can perform. Additionally, I create entertaining content and promote what I consider to be a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps, it’s also because my content evokes emotions in people even through the camera.
Your circus skills are truly impressive. Could you share with us how you first got involved in circus arts and where you began?
I am from the city of Mariupol (Ukraine). Since childhood, I have been involved in dancing in a group, with no experience in sports gymnastics or anything similar. However, my mother was a pole dance coach.
I never wanted to engage in pole dancing because it was stereotypically associated with stripping and tricks were not appreciated. However, one day I attended my mom’s training and became fascinated with it. I started participating in competitions and contests, but only at an amateur level.
I started pursuing it professionally after enrolling in the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Variety and Circus Arts. I chose the Chinese pole as a prop (it has a special non-slip coating and is not attached to the floor at the bottom). Performances on the pole require clothing and cannot be done undressed. At that time, I wanted to overcome the stereotype that the pole was only for performers in revealing attire. I needed to prove that it is aesthetic and powerful, and requires not only your body but also hard work and perseverance. Without this, you can’t do anything on the pole.
After joining the Academy, I became part of the “Raw Art” project, where I started training very actively with numerous sessions over many years.
Have you ever wanted to try working with a different prop?
I believe that you should focus on becoming a professional in one area before moving on to another. This is my personal opinion and may not apply to everyone. However, my point of view is that trying to do everything at once will dilute your efforts and prevent you from becoming an expert in any one thing.
I knew that to achieve something, I had to focus my efforts on one area. After reaching a certain level, you can try other props. However, I believe that becoming a professional in even two disciplines is challenging. Typically, the best performers work in only one discipline, investing all their energy into it.
You mentioned the “Raw Art” project. What was its essence, and what did it mean to you?
It is difficult to talk about this project because one day would not be enough to cover everything. “Raw Art” was incredibly special to me, and it’s hard to express in words.
As an ordinary person, if someone asked me, I would say that “Raw Art” is a project that presents the circus from a unique perspective. The artists present themselves, their work, and years of discipline and training. “Raw Art” presents the artists as they are, without pretence, masks or roles. It is not a show, but a community of artists who are willing to spend years working on their craft.
“Raw Art” was like a family to me, always providing help and support. We trained extensively, and Taras, Yurii, and Natalia Pozdniakova invested maximum effort in each student, passing on their knowledge and experience. This experience was invaluable, but not everyone can handle the intensity of such a school. My journey today may seem quick, but it is the result of years of hard work.
While my classmates were travelling abroad for work, I spent seven years toiling in the studio.
Despite the criticism that I made no money in Kyiv, those seven years proved to be crucial to my career. They completely transformed my life and enabled me to shape it as I desired.
We noticed from your profile that you took part in the “Inshi” project in Kyiv. Could you tell us how you got involved and if it was a stepping stone towards Cirque du Soleil?
This project was not a turning point for me. However, it was an important milestone. Roman Khafizov, a very talented man, was the circus director of “Inshi”. He is currently implementing his project in France.
“Inshi” helped me to develop my acting potential. While “Raw Art” required me to show my strength, ‘Inshi’ allowed me to portray a more delicate character. It was a new experience for me.
However, without the previous seven years of hard work, none of this would have been possible. That period was when I experienced the most growth, which went unnoticed by many. If anyone asked me how an artist reaches high levels, I would say that it takes years of dedicated training and discipline, not inborn talent.
There is an eternal question: is talent or effort more important? Do you firmly believe that effort is the key??
Honestly, I don’t believe in talent. While some people are naturally flexible, performing tricks without discipline and self-work is impossible. Motivation won’t help; it lasts a maximum of a month, and an artist needs consistency.
You may not want to go to training, but you go. Whether something bad happened, your head hurts, or your soul hurts — you must. Of course, if you’re sick, then stay at home. But in my opinion, those who aim to achieve high results must discipline themselves, their body, and their mind. After that, you can reap the rewards.
Your efforts led you to work in the Mad Apple show by Cirque du Soleil. How did you get into it, and what kind of show is it?
If we start from the very beginning, several years ago, I received my first offer from Cirque du Soleil. However, I turned it down at that time. This happened after my third year at the Academy, and I was incredibly happy. But after a conversation with my coach, I decided that it wasn’t the right time. So, I spent the next four years training, even though my parents urged me to accept the offer as it represented a new stage in my career. But I wasn’t ready.
Perhaps it was because I had a different dream back then. My goal was not just to get into Cirque du Soleil, but to become the best.
I thought a lot about whether I made the right decision at that time. But now, I understand it was the best decision in my life.
When the offer came a second time, I already felt my strength and was ready. So, I agreed and joined the “Mad Apple” show in Las Vegas. It can be called a dream contract, as I perform with a solo act which allows me to fully express myself.
“Mad Apple” is Cirque du Soleil’s newest show in Las Vegas, hosted at one of the world’s most popular hotels, the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. The artists present a wild and crazy New York night of acrobatics, dance, music, comedy and magic. Each act embodies a different aspect of the city’s nightlife. For example, my act takes people into the world of fashion in New York and is called “Vogue”.
“Mad Apple” is very energetic and cool. It features comedians, something Cirque du Soleil has never done before. The show is rated 18+ due to jokes not suitable for children, but there is no nudity.
I think that even if I were offered the chance to work in another Cirque du Soleil show, I would still choose to stay in “Mad Apple”. It’s already my home and I love it here. I appreciate the concept of the show and the lack of overly bright make-up. We have fantastic make-up and everything is stylish and tasteful.
Now, I understand why everyone wants to work in Cirque du Soleil because artists are treated very well here. You are respected and loved, and they do everything for you.
For the “Rise/Fall” act in the “Raw Art”, you had a rather dark image, which is unusual for a circus. In Cirque du Soleil, on the contrary, you are very bright. Which of these roles do you prefer?
It’s very hard to compare. In the “Raw Art” routine, I tried to put in as many tricks as possible to show everything I could do. In Mad Apple, I do my best, which is also challenging, but “Raw Art” was even harder in terms of tricks. At this stage, I probably prefer what I do in “Mad Apple”. We change and our tastes evolve.
For me, being an artist today is not just about doing tricks, although it used to be. I think it should be at the beginning of a circus career. But now I realise that to achieve good results, you need not only tricks but also dancing, acting and training in the gym.
When you start working in the circus, you have to put your soul and energy into every trick and every move. If the performer can feel it, then the audience can feel it as well.
You have invested many years and efforts in your development. What inspires you to continue with circus arts?
First of all, I love what I do. I am motivated by the incredible artists around me who give me a lot of energy and inspire me by example. That’s why I think healthy competition is so important; when you see someone do an amazing trick, you want to be even better.
It seems to me that I am even more motivated in the United States than in Kyiv. In Ukraine, I was working towards a dream and here it has come true. I just enjoy being surrounded by so many talented people and strive to get better.
When I was a student, I couldn’t afford to travel much or do many leisure activities. Now it’s not a problem. I can travel and try different sports like skiing, surfing or mountain hiking. It’s also a great way to recharge.
You mentioned that Cirque du Soleil is very supportive of its artists. Did you feel this support when a full-scale Russian invasion began in Ukraine?
I can’t say that there was any particular support. After all, we are adults and professionals, and Cirque du Soleil is a huge machine that creates a show, and that is what I get paid to do.
When the invasion began, it was difficult for me, of course, but I tried to do my best and not treat the work like a session with a psychotherapist.
Read about how circus performers survived the occupation in Ukraine in our interview with the founders of “Compliment” studio in Irpin.
You are currently working on a very high-profile show. Do you have any plans for the future?
I’m not planning on leaving the “Mad Apple” show just yet. I think I’ll be working here for the next few years, but it’s hard to say for sure.
Now I want to develop more in television and commercials. I’ve already done a commercial for Mercedes-Benz in Hollywood, and there are other opportunities. In this field, the ability to do tricks is very much in demand. You can do a trick on a car for a commercial, and get paid even more than in the circus.
Circus performers also take part in TV shows, like “America’s Got Talent” or something like that. That’s why I’m planning to focus more on television.
And if you want to follow Veronika Goroshkova’s journey to becoming a Hollywood star, don’t forget to follow her on Instagram: instagram.com/veronika.goroshkova/
And don’t forget to follow Circus Life: instagram.com/circuslife.com.ua
