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Marinika Smirnova (Russian: Мариника Смирнова; born 13 November 1982) is a Russian-born model, a TV presenter, an actress, a business woman and a socialite. She currently resides in London.
Early years
Born in Moscow, Marinika Smirnova is the daughter of Elena Kolesnikova, a Soviet gymnast champion, and Evgeniy Smirnov. Via her father's family line, Marinika is a great niece of Pierre Smirnoff, the famous Russian pre-1917 revolution businessman, one of the famous Smirnoff brothers, who were official suppliers of Smirnoff Vodka to the Court of Emperor Nicholas the II.
A professional dancer since the age of 7, Marinika Smirnova started performing since early childhood. In her youth she had two particular passions: dance and synchronised swimming. She received a master diploma in Gemology from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 2004.
Performing arts
Since the age of 15, Marinika Smirnova was a leading performer of the "SWEET" dance project, and travelled all over Russia supporting top Russian pop stars. She was a cast member in numerous music videos, both as a dancer and as a model.
At the age of 18, Marinika Smirnova was signed to Modus Vivendis, a top modelling agency in Moscow. Smirnova did the covers of FHM, GQ, Marie Claire and more. In 2007, she became a face of nationwide campaign for the mobile phone giant Fly. Smirnova enjoyed modelling and also enrolled in intensive acting courses with top acting schools in New York and London. Smirnova won the Mrs Russia contest in 2008.
TV shows
Following her success as Mrs Russia 2008, Marinika Smirnova was a presenter on Russian prime time channel TV Stolitsa, on the new hit show Barbie and the Barber (Russian version of the French hit series). After moving to London in 2009 Smirnova continued to occasionally work with TV Stolitsa in the production of some of their lifestyle television programs, commercials, documentaries and feature films.
She became one of the leading characters of TV show Meet the Russians by Fox TV representing rich Russian living in the United Kingdom. The show was aired on BSkyB throughout September - November 2013.