Russian ballerina Anastasia Volochkova has become a viral sensation among Gen Z social media users this summer as interview compilations gain millions of views. Young viewers on TikTok have memorized quotes from the artist about drinking expensive prosecco with fresh strawberries, wealthy suitors comparing private jets, and a former lover renting the Bolshoi Theatre for her. The attraction stems from her consistency, as the same phrases and personal anecdotes have reappeared in her media appearances for years.
Compilations highlighting her repetitive remarks have reached massive audiences, leading to discussions in comment sections where users call her a legend and an embodiment of stability. The phenomenon has prompted parodies across social networks and led to humorous calls for schools to introduce a subject dedicated to her life, termed Volochkova studies.
Repeated Quotes and Viral Compilation Clips
In one widely shared clip from Moskva 24 television, Volochkova protested against claims that she had alcohol problems. She stated that half the country drinks heavily, whereas she is labeled an alcoholic for enjoying a glass of expensive prosecco with fresh strawberries, adding that an alcoholic could not perform on pointes for three hours every day. Internet users discovered at least eight other interviews where she used the exact same wording to refute drinking rumors. A compilation of these clips uploaded to TikTok in early July accumulated nearly 13 million views within weeks, prompting commentators to express surprise and joke about her repetition.
Another popular compilation, titled I Am Not a Vengeful Person, focused on her grievance against singer Sergey Lazarev, drawing five million views. The conflict began in December 2023 when Volochkova approached Lazarev on the red carpet at the Golden Gramophone awards to ask for a photograph, which he refused. In earlier interviews featured in the clip, she maintained that she gave no significance to the encounter and paid no attention to his refusal. However, in a later segment, she voiced anger, claiming Lazarev refused the photograph because he was jealous. She also recalled an incident from 2019 on the First Channel program Let Them Talk, where she climbed out of a grand piano to wish him luck at the Eurovision Song Contest, only for the segment to be cut at his request, prompting her to say it was fine that he had crossed her out.
A third clip featuring stories about senator and businessman Suleiman Kerimov gathered 3.1 million views. Volochkova regularly recounted how Kerimov rented the Bolshoi Theatre in 2000 for his company anniversary, inviting her to perform before attending a private banquet. Social media users joked about her repeatedly sharing the story, with one commenter comparing it to telling friends about a three-day fling for five consecutive years and another remarking that she could defend a dissertation on the topic. User dannytxz joked that after Lazarev refused a photo, Kerimov rented the Bolshoi Theatre for her and met her with expensive prosecco and strawberries, while other users defended her, noting that anyone would mention such an event frequently.
Personal Habits and Recurring Statements
Volochkova frequently mentions her wealthy suitors in interviews, stating that her male companions compare the sizes of their rose bouquets, private jets, yachts, and automobiles. Addressing attention from married men, she consistently responds that a man is not a goat on a rope to be led away or brought back. Clips also revealed her dietary habits, as she noted that she completely avoids bread and subsists on a diet of boiled eggs, lettuce leaves, and broth. She has also described herself as the only ballerina in Russia known personally by children from the age of five, boasted of never turning down a photo request, and expressed happiness that passersby smile at her on the street.
The ballerina regularly quotes a line stating that it is better to be an object of envy than compassion, which she attributes to Soviet theatre and film actress Faina Ranevskaya. However, historical records suggest the phrase originated with ancient Greek historian Herodotus. She also frequently cites another phrase stating that whatever is said behind her back is heard by her rear end, also attributing it to Ranevskaya despite a lack of evidence. She often adds that her tush is much prettier, slimmer, and tighter than the faces of gossiping women. Viewers commented that watching one interview means having watched them all, while others praised her consistency. Commenters such as TikTok user NeTasha wrote that she should be admired for her unchanging stance across the years, and user Igor Spinu described her combination of new dresses, new hairstyles, old prosecco, eternal strawberries, and Ranevskaya quotes as legendary stability.
Creator Background and Online Parodies
The compilation clips were created by blogger Evelina Zykova, who told Lenta.ru that she has managed TikTok accounts sharing celebrity interview segments for several years. Zykova noticed the recurring quotes while watching two new interviews in late June and subsequently reviewed older footage to create additional content. She explained that searching through interviews and editing the clips requires substantial time, noting that she has dozens of remaining ideas for future videos.
Zykova added that she was inspired by Volochkova after performing alongside her with the choreographic ensemble Veselukha at a concert titled The Stage is Mine at the Strogino Cultural Centre. Zykova noted that Volochkova has invited young artists to her free performance programs for over 20 years, which made Zykova appreciate her kindness and sincerity.
The viral clips sparked widespread parodies across social networks. Blogger Alexey Igazaryan posted a video on Instagram, owned by Meta, which is recognized as an extremist organization and banned in Russia, reciting her prosecco quote under the title What Is Your Favorite Argument. Actor Daniil Khrustalev joked on Instagram that a themed metro train honoring the Bolshoi Theatre anniversary omitted Kerimov renting the venue for her. User dekorablev described her interviews as prepared scripts for small talk, user muratiswatchin likened her to a sleep paralysis monster, and user sindoism combined her quotes into a single monologue. Blogger zairacurly created a three-question suleimanology quiz about Kerimov, while users joked about introducing Volochkova studies in schools, with one user remarking that students should prepare notebooks for a dictation in the subject.
Career History and Expert Commentary
Volochkova has had a prominent career involving worldwide tours, a reputation as a sex symbol in Russia, and courtships by wealthy admirers, including Hollywood actor Jim Carrey according to her accounts. Following a dispute with the Bolshoi Theatre management that resulted in court proceedings and her departure in 2003, she pursued independent dance projects, film roles, and television appearances. In recent years, tabloid media coverage has frequently highlighted her alcohol consumption, leg splits in unusual locations, modestly wealthy suitors, and public antics.
Producer Leonid Dzyunik commented that Volochkova is impossible not to love, describing her as a leading advocate for a healthy lifestyle. Dzyunik stated that she is not an alcoholic but simply enjoys expensive prosecco with fresh strawberries while continuing to dance gracefully on stage despite experiencing breathlessness or reduced agility compared to earlier years. He attributed her popularity to her openness and disregard for public criticism. Clinical psychologist Vitaly Prusakov noted that public figures often reuse set stories that generate online engagement. Psychotherapist Darya Sidelnikova suggested that Volochkova returns to past events because they involved intense feelings of love, resentment, or disappointment that she has not fully processed.
Volochkova stated that she is pleased with the attention from younger audiences and explained that she repeats phrases and stories in interviews without any calculated strategy to gain publicity. She asserted that she does not need to invent fabrications like other show business figures. She added that she values her connection with children who recognize her, stating that she never refuses photo requests because it creates lasting memories for fans and fulfills her personal duty.
