Ekaterina Varnava is one of those media figures whose career has developed at the crossroads of genres. She feels confident both on stage and in the frame. Ekaterina easily changes roles, because she is known as an actress, TV host, comedian and choreographer.
A wide audience recognized her thanks to bright humorous projects, but the artist is not afraid to change. She is perfectly able to keep the attention of the audience and is constantly looking for new forms of self-expression.
Where and when Ekaterina Varnava was born
The famous artist was born on December 9, 1984 in Moscow. This city would later become an important part of her career. However, her childhood can not be called typically Moscow, because shortly after her birth, Ekaterina Varnava's family went abroad for her father's service.
Ekaterina does not like to talk in detail about nationality, but it is known that her father is from Kazakhstan, and her mother is Russian. This mixture of cultures may have been one of the reasons for her bright, memorable appearance and resilient character.
Family, parents and childhood in a military family
Catherine grew up in a family where discipline was part of everyday life. Her father Vladimir Petrovich served as an officer, and her mother Galina Stepanovna worked as a therapist. Despite the strictness, the family felt the support, which later more than once helped Catherine to survive difficult periods. In the house also grew up two older brothers - Igor and Alexei. In such an environment, Catherine learned to survive, to joke, and not to yield to others.
And also childhood in a military family gave Catherine the ability to adapt and quickly fit into new conditions. She needed this later in life.
Life in the GDR and return to Moscow
Ekaterina spent the first six years of her life in Germany, in the closed military town of Wünsdorf, where her father served. It was a special space in which order, stability and even a certain distance from the rest of the world were felt.
But when the girl turned seven, the family returned to Moscow. Then the real trials began for her. After European life, she faced Soviet shortages, a more modest standard of living and a completely different environment.
This transition was painful for Ekaterina. At school she was perceived warily: her classmates were annoyed that she came from abroad. Elementary things, such as a pencil case brought from Germany, could become a reason for envy and conflict. For several years, she lived as if she lived apart from her peers. She had almost no friends, and the world around her seemed alien and unfriendly.
How childhood and appearance influenced her self-perception and public image
The teenage period turned out to be one of the most difficult for Catherine. The family lived quite modestly, and she often had to finish the clothes of her older brothers. She was often seen in sneakers, which she wore without taking off, and in a voluminous down jacket.
"Because of the baggy clothes and hair hidden under a hat, I was mistaken for a boy and even beaten several times," Catherine later recalled.
Until the age of fourteen, Katya was seriously engaged in ballroom dancing, but then she was injured. The diagnosis was harsh - displacement of spinal discs, and doctors forbade her to continue training.
After that, life prepared for her new challenges. Sharp growth, changes in appearance, overweight - all this increased peer pressure. But, paradoxically, it was this difficult experience that helped her in the future. She learned to cope with criticism with the help of humor, not to lose her self-irony and turn her flaws into strengths. Also, her family was very supportive of her during this period.
Education and creative ambitions
After school, the girl made, it would seem, quite a rational choice: she entered MISIS at the Faculty of Law. But the biography of Ekaterina Varnava was full of unexpected turns.
Studying at MISIS
Student life of Katya quickly went beyond lectures and notes. She decided that she wanted to be independent, and literally from the first course began to look for ways to earn money. The jobs changed one after another: first as a waitress, then as a book distributor, then as a cell phone salesman.
Later in her life dancing appeared again. Together with her friends she performed in nightclubs in the format of go-go. It was a completely different world - loud, bright, lively, and it clearly gave her more emotions than university classrooms.
By the end of her first year, Ekaterina had the idea of putting together her own dance group. They wanted to perform at discos, go to student festivals. But, as it often happens, life made its adjustments.
Why Varnava received a law degree
Despite a turbulent creative life, Ekaterina still brought her studies to the end and received a diploma in law. This was largely due to the persistence of her father, who insisted on receiving a serious profession.
At the same time Ekaterina Varnava herself later admitted that in those years she did not feel confident. Teenage complexes did not disappear anywhere, but on the contrary, intensified. She recalled that in 17-18 years she was worried about her appearance, overweight and skin problems, felt lonely and insecure.
But it was this period that became a turning point. Because in her life appeared something that really captured her - the stage. In the second year Ekaterina literally fell ill with the game in KVN.
The beginning of her career in KVN
Career Ekaterina Varnava in KVN began almost by accident. At one of the student evenings she was noticed by members of the university team and offered to try herself on stage.
The first performances in the team "Their Secrets"
When Katerina found herself in the women's collective "Their Secrets", it was an experiment for her. The girl was attracted by rehearsals in the evenings, performances at festivals, the first jokes. But very quickly it became clear to her: the stage gives her the feeling that she is in her place.
It was here that her recognizable style began to take shape - a little daring, with self-irony and bright presentation. Together with Maria Kravchenko they gradually became the central figures of the team.
Transition to the "National Team of Small Nations"
The next step was the transition to the "Small Nations Team". Ekaterina received an invitation after one of the Sochi festivals, where she was noticed by the producers of the team.
Already in 2004 Ekaterina first appeared on television as a guest member of the team. And since 2005 she joined the main cast.
The team had the opportunity to enter the KVN Supreme League, but unexpectedly flew out after the first game.
How KVN became a launching pad for a media career
Despite the team's failures, it was KVN that became a real springboard for Ekaterina. She learned to feel the audience, work with the image and keep the attention of the audience.
After the collapse of the "Team of Small Nations", she returned to "Its Secrets", where she was no longer a newcomer. The team continued to fight for airtime, participate in leagues and festivals, and Ekaterina felt more and more confident in the role of an artist.
Her last appearance on the stage of KVN was in 2008 as a member of the Moscow team. By this time it became obvious that the format of this game for her is already cramped. She grew out of it, and was ready for the next stage.
Ekaterina Varnava and Comedy Woman
After Ekaterina Varnava left KVN, a new stage began in her life. She was noticed by producers, and soon she found herself in the project Comedy Woman.
The image of the "sex symbol" and the role of the choreographer of the show
The Comedy Woman show for many years will become a business card of Catherine. She appeared on stage in an image that was impossible to look away from: tall, spectacular, in a corset and daring outfit. And almost instantly she became a real "sex symbol" of the project. But behind this image was a subtle game. It is interesting that Catherine treated this status with a slight irony. In life, Varnava not once emphasized that her appearance is far from the classical canons of beauty. Perhaps this is what made her alive and real.
In addition, Ekaterina was very useful for her dancing experience. She became one of the choreographers of the project, staged the numbers and helped to create the very dynamics for which the audience loved the show.
Next to her on stage was Maria Kravchenko - a friend since university and KVN. Their tandem was preserved here, but already at a new level.
How the project influenced her career after TNT
Participation in Comedy Woman made Ekaterina Varnava really famous throughout the country. But the project also gave her confidence in herself as an artist. She learned to work on camera, keep the attention of the viewer and create images that are memorable at first sight.
As time went on, rumors began to swirl around the show about closing, renewing the cast and looking for new faces. At one point it even seemed that Catherine might leave the project. She herself fueled the interest of the public, but in the end she remained part of the team until the very end.
The finale of the story came in 2019, when the project was closed. For many it came as a surprise, but for Varnava herself it was the logical end of the stage.
Television and entertainment shows
The next step in the career of Ekaterina Varnava was the role of a presenter on television.
Work as a presenter on NTV and "Russia-1"
One of the first steps was participation in the program "NTV in the morning". Here came in handy her ability to keep the pace, to be alive, natural and her own for the viewer.
Later, Varnava began to appear on other major channels. Gradually she turned into a TV presenter who knows how to adjust to any format.
Participation in the show "Who's on top?"
A separate page in her career was the participation in the project "Who is on top?" in Ukraine. Here comedian Ekaterina Varnava took the place of the host, and for several years became the face of the program. In a pair with Sergei Pritula they formed a bright and lively duet. Viewers liked the light humor, the constant competition between men and women, and improvisation in the frame.
This project showed Varnava from a new side. People saw a lively person with quick reactions and the ability to work without a strict script. However, in 2017, her participation in the show ended due to a ban on entry into Ukraine after visiting Crimea.
Other TV projects with Varnava
Catherine's television life has never been limited to one format. She regularly appeared in popular shows as an invited guest or participant. For example, together with Maria Kravchenko, she participated in the release of "Studio Soyuz", and with Nadezhda Sysoeva - in the show "Improvisation".
In 2020, she decided to return to dancing again, and performed in a pair with choreographer Denis Tagintsev in the project "Dancing with the Stars". Having suffered a ligament injury, one of the numbers she danced through the extreme pain. This moment became one of the most emotional in the season.
In parallel, Varnava continued to try herself in new formats. In partnership with Alexander Gudkov, she worked on the show "Fighting with Girls", and later with Dmitry Khrustalev led the project "The Secret".
Television popularity often becomes a springboard for going on stage. And if earlier viewers were limited to the screen, today they choose live performances, such as stand-up, rock concert or other large-scale events, tickets for which it is convenient to search online.
Theater, cabaret and stage projects
At some point Ekaterina Varnava decided to go beyond the usual work and try a new format. So in her life appeared cabaret.
In the fall of 2021, she became the central figure of the provocative and visually striking show "Absolutely Naga". It was already a whole other level of frankness. There was exceptional plasticity and inner freedom.
Preparation for the project turned out to be a real test. Strict discipline, hours-long rehearsals, demanding choreographers - all this was like a professional sport. But it was this process, as Ekaterina herself admits, that became a special pleasure for her.
Cabaret gave her the opportunity to reveal herself through body, movement and emotion. In this project she lived her image on stage. And the audience felt it. The premiere caused a resonance: some admired the boldness and aesthetics, others argued about the limits of frankness. But there were definitely no indifferents. In 2023, she left the project, passing the baton to another actress.
Today, viewers who follow the cultural life of Europe, often look for such formats through the service kontramarka.de, where it is easy to find concerts in Germany and theater productions with the participation of famous artists.
Personal life
In the life of Catherine there were several bright novels.
Relationship with Dmitry Khrustalev
The story with Dmitry Khrustalev began with flirting on stage, which the audience perceived as part of the number. In sketches he courted, she guffawed and refused. For a long time no one guessed that behind the scenes everything is more serious.
Their romance lasted about a year, and it was a relationship in which work and personal life intertwined too closely. They spent almost all of their time together. At first it seemed like a perfect match, but over time it became a challenge.
Both partners had a hard time with the separation, but managed to keep the main thing - respect for each other. Even later Catherine spoke about this union calmly and warmly. She said that it was an important stage, which ended without scandals and offenses.
Romance with Konstantin Myakinkov
The next novel turned out to be longer and deeper. With Konstantin Myakinkov, Catherine was also connected with feelings and work. He cooperated with the show where she performed, and their paths crossed long before the relationship began.
Officially about the affair began in 2010, and it lasted almost six years. During this time, the couple became perceived by others as a single entity. Konstantin even made Ekaterina an offer, and many were sure that the wedding is just a matter of time.
But over time, passion was replaced by something more calm. It is this, according to Varnava herself, and became one of the reasons for parting. The decision was not easy, but the initiative came from her.
Marriage with Alexander Molochnikov
The most unexpected for the public was the story with Alexander Molochnikov. Their acquaintance occurred while working on the project "Dancing with the Stars", and quite quickly the working communication grew into a romance. They were absolutely not embarrassed by the difference in age, although it was actively discussed in the network.
In 2021, the couple formalized the relationship. Ekaterina Varnava's husband treated her carefully, but the marriage was not long. After a few months it became known about the divorce. The reasons they preferred not to bring to the public.
It is known only that this experience became for Ekaterina not easy. She later spoke quite frankly about the disappointment in the marriage and that now in the relationship more appreciates the partnership.
What Ekaterina Varnava is doing now
Ekaterina Varnava is now constantly looking for new forms and meanings. At the beginning of 2024, she launched her own YouTube channel with the show "Secret". The format turned out to be easy and entertaining. Its essence is that guests share secrets, and participants try to solve them by asking questions that can only be answered with a "yes" or "no". In the first issue, the keepers of secrets were Alexander Gudkov and his sister. It was immediately clear that the project will be based on live improvisation and charisma of the participants.
Ekaterina Varnava's creativity is diverse. She tried on the image of Marlene Dietrich in the theater production "I am Marlene", which was shown in Europe. For her it was a personal challenge: she had to play a woman-legend with a strong character and her own philosophy of life.
Another ambitious project - Drama Queen Show, where Catherine got the main role. The premiere was scheduled for October 2024 in Cyprus. But the modern career of artists often goes beyond the boundaries of one country, and Varnava is not an exception. Viewers actively attend concerts of superstars, booking tickets through convenient online services.
Interestingly, there are also movies with Ekaterina Varnava. For example, in 2023 they began shooting the comedy "Shoeless", where Varnava played a secular heroine who found herself in unusual conditions of provincial life. The role turned out ironic, but with character.
Filmography Ekaterina Varnava:
- "Fandorin. Azazel."
- "Time of the year winter."
- "Heads and Tails. Movie" and others.
She was also engaged in dubbing in cartoons: "The Secret Life of Pets 2", "Sadko".
A separate direction is charity. Catherine cooperates with various foundations, for example, supports the initiatives of Konstantin Khabensky. She also participates in social campaigns aimed at helping teenagers who have faced bullying. This topic has become important for her since her school days.
Interesting facts
Ekaterina Varnava's appearance has changed noticeably over the years. She lost a lot of weight (about 20 kg), and now closely follows the figure.
Interestingly, Varnava herself has not once talked about her love for different genres of art. Today, viewers have the opportunity to freely choose cultural leisure, for example, tickets for classics, bright shows, theater productions, etc. are available to everyone.
High height and its role in the formation of the image
Catherine's height, about 181 cm, for a long time played against her. In adolescence, she stood out strongly among her peers, and this increased internal complexes. However, over time, it was this feature that became her strong point. On stage, she stood out favorably due to her height and expressive plasticity.
Today Varnava perceives her appearance as a resource. And it is thanks to this that she was able to turn what once seemed a disadvantage into her calling card.
