Nashville, Tennessee.
Known worldwide as ‘Music City’ due to it’s long-standing place as the home of country music, Nashville is a city on the rise. Capital of Tennessee since 1843, the city of 1.9 million is one of the fast-growing, culturally-diverse and hippest in the country.
Home to prestigious schools such as Vanderbilt University and tourist attractions such as The Grand Ole Opry, Music City Center, the Country Music Hall Of Fame, Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena.
Dubbed by the New York Times as one of the new “it” cities and “Nowville” by men’s magazine, GQ, Nashville has a new nickname, Smashville.
While many associate the city more as a country-music loving football town due to being home of the Vanderbilt Commodores and NFL’s Tennessee Titans, it is their 20-year old NHL expansion Nashville Predators that has the country music mecca singing a different note.
Appearing in their first-ever Stanley Cup Final against the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the success of the 16th-seeded Nashville Predators has brought out a who’s who of Nashville and country music elites such as Carrie Underwood as fans.
While not known as a modeling and entertainment hotbed, notables from who were born, raised or have worked in Nashville include Adair Tishler, Reese Witherspoon, Yvette Nelson, Rachel DiPillo, Connie Britton and Oprah Winfrey.
Could fashion and fitness model Polina Gaydamachenko, but the next Music City miracle?
Gaydamachenko, who moved to the United States at the age of four from her native Ukraine, has modeled for the likes of Japanese lingerie and underwear brand, Wacoal, locally-based couture fashion lifestyle brand, Prophetik, women’s lifestyle brand, Roxy, and Turkish-based lifestyle brand, Markafoni, Gaydamachenko is one of the most promising fresh new faces in the world of modeling and fashion to keep an eye on.
A slender and toned 5’8, thanks to her fair complexion, blue eyes and flowing blonde hair, it is easy to mistake Gaydamachenko for fellow model and Hollywood actress, Cara Delevingne. They say we all have a twin or doppleganger in the world, one cannot help but see the resemblance between the two.
Below is my Q and A with Polina as we talk Music City, Smashville and her adopted hometown Predators, fitness and fashion tips for the summer, modeling in Tokyo and how many times she gets mistaken for Cara.
Name: Polina Gaydamachenko
Age: 18
Height: 5’8
Birthplace: Donetsk, Ukraine
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Measurements: 32-23-34
Modeling Agency: None
Social Media Links: Instagram: @official.polina | Facebook: Polina Gaydamachenko
Robert D. Cobb: What kind of model to you consider yourself?
Polina Gaydamachenko: I consider myself a commercial and fashion model.
Robert D. Cobb: How many times do you get the “you look like Cara Delevingne” comment?
Polina Gaydamachenko: I get that comment a lot!
Robert D. Cobb: What brands have you modeled for? Which one do you enjoy modeling for the most?
Polina Gaydamachenko: I modeled for Wacoal (lingerie), Prophetik, Roxy, Markafoni, etc…. I enjoyed modeling for Wacoal the most.
Robert D. Cobb: Where has been your favorite place to shoot?
Polina Gaydamachenko: My favorite place to shoot was in Tokyo, Japan.
Robert D. Cobb: What is the most exciting aspect of modeling?
Polina Gaydamachenko: The most exciting aspect of modeling is being able to travel around the world and meet artistic and interesting people.
Robert D. Cobb: Within the industry, who is your inspiration?
Polina Gaydamachenko: My inspiration within the industry is Gigi Hadid.
Robert D. Cobb: What is your secret to staying in shape?
Polina Gaydamachenko: My secret to staying in shape is staying hydrated, eating healthy food, and exercising on a daily basis.
Sports question: Who are your favorite teams and clubs?
Polina Gaydamachenko: My favorite team is the Nashville Predators
Robert D. Cobb: How bout those Preds! Since you’re from a hockey-loving region, have you jumped on the Predators bandwagon?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Yes.
Robert D. Cobb: Fave player?
Polina Gaydamachenko: (Nashville Predators goaltender) Pekka Rinne!
Robert D. Cobb: How many games have you been to?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Three.
Robert D. Cobb: How does a girl from the Ukraine end up in Music City? And how much do you love living in Nashville?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Because my dad brought my family there. and I find it an interesting city to live in because it is the the main place of country music and it has a lot of historical and cultural places to visit.
Robert D. Cobb: Any famous country music star sightings?
Polina Gaydamachenko: No.
Robert D. Cobb: Carrie or Taylor?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Taylor
Robert D. Cobb: What are your favorite cities to travel to?
Polina Gaydamachenko: My favorite cities to travel to are Tokyo, Milan and New York.
Robert D. Cobb: With summer now here, what fashion and style tips and trends do you have for looking good when the temperature rises?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Wear minimal makeup, light clothes from natural fabrics, bright colors, floral prints, and anything else that correlates with warm sunny days. I think because it is getting warmer, but still can be a little cool in the morning and in the nighttime, i think layering is the key and right now what’s very trendy is the denim jacket. so one would be a great addition to any outfit.
Athleisure? Fashion or fitness fad?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Fashion
Robert D. Cobb: What swimwear trends do you see being big this summer?
Polina Gaydamachenko: One-piece swimsuits with Brazilian cuts, bright colors, crochet bikinis.
Robert D. Cobb: What is your go-to swimwear style that you MUST have.
Polina Gaydamachenko: A well-fitted one piece with high-cut legs
Robert D. Cobb: Describe your daily workout routine?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Lunges, crunches, cardio, squats, jump rope, hula hoop.
Robert D. Cobb: What is your workout and fitness secret to staying in shape?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Healthy eating, staying hydrated, and working out everyday. Just do it regularly everyday, never skip a workout.
Robert D. Cobb: As someone who has is fit, toned and athletic, what do you think best exudes sexiness and confidence?
Polina Gaydamachenko: A friendly smile, proper posture, and a positive attitude!
Robert D. Cobb: What is your opinion of the whole “shaming” issue that seems to permeate across social media and how have you handled it, if any haters tried to call you out?
Polina Gaydamachenko: I do not understand this issue, because I feel that a person’s body is their own business and it is not up to anyone else to judge it. When it concerns me, if I see it as constructive criticism, then I work to improve it, but if it is just “hate” I just ignore it.
Robert D. Cobb: What would you say is your best feature?
Polina Gaydamachenko: My legs.
Robert D. Cobb: Any beaches you plan on hitting up this summer?
Polina Gaydamachenko: No, because I am working in Tokyo, Japan this summer and cannot get tan.
Robert D. Cobb: Any future projects coming down the pipeline?
Polina Gaydamachenko: There are some, but I prefer keeping them a secret for now.
Robert D. Cobb: Outside of modeling, what are your hobbies?
Polina Gaydamachenko: I like to do learn how to do makeup, and styling people.
Robert D. Cobb: What advice would you give to women aspiring to get into fitness and modeling?
Polina Gaydamachenko: Be self disciplined, self motivated, persistent, and have a positive attitude.
Special thanks to Ms. Polina Gaydamachenko for her time and assistance during the Q and A interview process. Images used with permission and are the rightful property of their rightful owners.