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Actress, Stunt Woman, Model, and Filmmaker Gia Skova is the Hottest Name in Hollywood Since her Starring Action Role and Directorial Debut in "The Serpent"

"Photo Credit: Edward Garry"

Next 'Mission Impossible' Heroine? 'Wonder Woman'? 'Black Widow'? Gia Skova is the iconic image of a fierce 'Femme Fatale' who beholds an ideal blend of beauty, talent, strength, and savagery that makes for an enviable action star. Destiny, karma, synchronicity, or simply meant to be, at the young age of 12, Gia Skova was no ordinary per-teen. She stepped into fame as a retail print model in Russia ( as Tatar/Bulgar descent) until she was discovered by a talent agent and embarked on her remarkable journey in America. International acclaim was nothing short of hard-work, relentless training and an unwavering vision to emerge as a reputed Actress, Model, Director, Filmmaker, and Founder of Valholl Production.

Today, Skova's image is showcased across notable beauty campaigns, brand endorsements, featured on elite magazine covers, performing in studio films, and developing new projects on both sides of the lens alongside Hollywood legends.

Fueling Inner Fire

Skova's skill is boundless and her work ethic is unwavering. From a young age, Skova's name is synonymous with elite fashion and beauty campaigns, such as L'Oreal, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu, BCBG, Armani, Dolce Gabbana, and Marc Jacobs. Her captivating beauty has also graced the covers of global magazine covers, to include: Vogue, L'Officiel, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, FHM, British Yoga Magazine, Fox Magazine, and InStyle. Notable brands engage her in endorsement campaigns, from Red Bull to J-Lo Apparel and the Dolce Vita Show, etc. As a top runway model, Skova has participated in Fashion Week around the world (New York, Los Angeles, Russia, Hong Kong, Denmark, and other European countries). Skova captures worldwide acclaim and intrigue.

GQ Magazine named Skova one of the "50 Most Beautiful Russian Models," as an international sensation in Europe, Asia, Russia, and America.

Her acting portfolio spans international advertisements to television and film. Most recently, Skova made her directorial debut and performed her own fighting and driving stunts as the lead actress in the all-star film "The Serpent."

Oleg Tabakov was a renown Russian actor, director, and public figure, who played over 100 roles in film and on TV. He is best known for his roles as Count Nikita Rostov in War and Peace (1965) by Sergey Bondarchuk, and as Oblomov in the eponymous film by Nikita Mikhalkov.

He was born Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov on August 17, 1935, in Saratov, Russia, USSR. His father, Pavel Kondratevich Tabakov, and his mother, Maria Andreevna Berezovskaya, were medical doctors in Saratov. His parents separated during the Second World War, and young Tabakov was brought up by his single mother and grandmother. He attended the all-boys school in Saratov, and was active in the drama class. From 1950-1953 he studied acting at the Saratov House of Pioneers under the legendary acting coach Natalia Iosifivna Sukhostav.

In 1953, Tabakov moved to Moscow and entered the Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT) School of Acting. He attended the class of Vasili Toporkov, graduating in 1957 as an actor. He made his film debut as Sasha in Sasha vstupayet v zhizn (1957) by director Mikhail Shvejtser, in 1956. That same year he became the youngest of the six founding members of Sovremennik Theatre under the directorship of Oleg Efremov. From 1957 - 1983, he was member of Sovremennik. There he played leading roles in such productions as 'Goly Korol' (aka.. Naked King), 'Tri Zhelaniya' (aka.. Three Wishes), 'Obyknovennaya istoriya' (aka.. Ordinary story) and other contemporary Russian plays. From 1970 - 1976 Tabakov was General Manager of Sovremennik, he promoted Galina Volchek to Principal Director of the company.

Since 1970s Tabakov had been teaching young actors at his master-class. Many of his students became successful professionals on stage as well as in film industry. His teaching credentials included workshops and productions at the Paris Conservatoire, the British American Drama Academy, Akademie Der Künst in Hamburg, the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna, Carnegie Mellon, The Juilliard School, New York University, Florida State University, The University of Delaware, and Harvard University.

In 1978 Tabakov and his students opened the "Tabakerka" Theatre in downtown Moscow. There Tabakov produced and directed several successful plays, such as 'Vesnoi ya vernus k tebe' (aka.. I'll be back in Spring), 'Proschay Maugli' (aka.. farewell to Maugli), and 'Belosnezhka i sem gnomov' (aka.. Snowhite and seven dwarfs). However, regardless of success with public and steady critical acclaim, the Soviet officials did not authorize Tabakov's new theatre, and his company dissolved by 1982. At that time Tabakov was depressed and transferred to MKhAT. There he played one of his best stage roles, Salieri, in the popular play 'Amadeus' under directorship of Oleg Efremov. Over the course of his acting career Tabakov appeared in about 150 roles, he also directed over 30 international stage productions.

During the 1990s, Oleg Tabakov was a strong supporter of democratic reforms and freedom in the new Russia. He made public speeches and was involved in many public events facilitating the cultural transformation of arts and theatres in Russia. Having himself experienced the Soviet control and suppression during his creative career, Tabakov became one of the leading proponents of cultural reforms in Russia. His efforts came to fruition in the revival of the Moscow Art Theatre under his leadership, as well as his participation in numerous cultural and political events in Russia. Over the course of his life and career, Oleg Tabakov rose to become one of the living symbols of artistic freedom in Russia. However, during the last years of life, Tabakov had shown public support of the ruling regime of Russia, supposedly out of the desire to help his students and the actors of his theatre.

Since 2000, after the death of his friend Oleg Efremov, Tabakov had been Artistic Director of Moscow Art Theatre named after A. Chekhov. He was also the Artistic Director of "Tabakerka" Theatre, and the leading actor in both companies. He was awarded the USSR State Prize for the Arts, the Russian State Prize for the Arts, and other national and international awards and decorations from Hungary, France, Poland, and the USSR. Oleg Tabakov was designated People's Actor of the USSR and Russia (1980s), and was decorated with the Order of Merit of Fatherland II degree, by the Russian president Vladimir Putin (2005).

Oleg Tabakov has been married twice. His first son, Anton Tabakov, is an actor and also a successful night-club owner in Moscow. Since 1996, Oleg Tabakov had been married to actress Marina Zudina and the couple had two children, son, Pavel (b. 1996), and daughter, Maria (b. 2006). Oleg Tabakov was hospitalized in the late November of 2017. His condition worsened gradually, ending in his death on 12th of March, 2018.

Russian born Katia Elizarova, also known in modelling circles as Katia E, is an international model, actress and television personality.

As an actress, Katia made her London stage debut in 2013, taking the lead role in Sunstroke, a Chekov / Bunin adaptation at the Platform Theatre. She also made her international cinematic debut in the 2015 film Our Kind of Traitor, directed by Susana White. This was followed by roles in Bridget Jones' Baby and as a voice-over artist for a forthcoming addition to a notable gaming franchise (rumoured).

Katia has fronted major television campaigns for Pepsi and LaForet as well as starred in various mini-feature music videos, including Music TV's video of the year Sky by Diskoteka Avariya, in which she played the narrator and female lead.

She appeared in Fox's Meet the Russians, and the BBC's Rich Russians Living in London as a fashion and lifestyle expert.

As a model in the role of brand ambassador she represents U.S fashion house Max Studio and U.K lingerie brand Made By Niki.

Her career began with a cover shoot for Jalouse Magazine, and has since seen her work for the world's leading names in fashion from Commes des Garcons and Calvin Klein to Chanel, Valentino and Versace.

Throughout her career Katia has worked with some of the world's leading design houses, fashion brands, photographers, directors, magazines and salons. This has included collaborations with: Helen Von Unwerth, Rankin, Kim Knott, Guy Laroche, Kirin, La Foret, Ines Valentinitsch, Etienne Aigner, Karen Walker, Preen, Jasper Conran, d Squared, Ghost, Avon, Shu Uemura, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Glamour, Madamme, Elle, Swarovski, New Look, Miss Selfridge, Fomarina, Victoria's Secret, Toni & Guy, Babyliss, GHD, Trevor Sorbie, L'Oreal , and Wella.

She is a supporter of Red Cross and Fashion for Good.

Katia is based in London, and holds a degree in Law from Queen Mary College, University of London.

Yana Yenzhayeva was born on 26 September 1994 in Saratov, Russia. She is an actress, known for Strazhnik (2023), Dark Spell (2021) and Prazdniki (2023).

Filipp Yankovskiy was born on 10 October 1968 in Saratov, Saratov Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor and director, known for V dvizhenii (2002), 100 Minutes (2021) and Statskiy sovetnik (2005). He is married to Oksana Fandera. They have two children.

An accomplished stage actor who, fresh from the theater academy, joined the chosen few of Oleg Tabakov's respected studio theater in 1990, Yevgeny Mironov first appeared on the silver screen in Alexander Kaidanovsky's 1988 film "The Kerosene Salesman's Wife." He went on to pay Prince Myshkin in the popular television series based on Dostoyevksy's "The Idiot." One of the leading Russian stars, Yevgeny Mironov received a Kinotavr award for best parts and a NIKA for best actor in 1994. He was honored with the Kumir prize in 1997. In addition to receiving the Russian State Prize, Mironov has been named both a Distinguished Artist of Russia and a People's Artist of Russia. A graduate of MKhAT, Mironov has been performing with Oleg Tabakov's theater since 1990.

Irma Tarkovskaya was born on 21 April 1938 in Saratov, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is a director and actress, known for Ivan's Childhood (1962), Andrei Rublev (1966) and Krestyanskiy syn (1975). She was previously married to Andrei Tarkovsky.

Igor Nefyodov was born on 28 March 1960 in Saratov, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for Five Evenings (1979), Naslednitsa po pryamoy (1982) and A Fox Hunt (1980). He was married to Elena Kazarinova. He died on 2 December 1993 in Moscow, Russia.

Zedd was born on 2 September 1989 in Saratov, Saratov Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is a composer and actor, known for Divergent (2014), The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) and Now You See Me (2013).

Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich is a Russian oligarch, businessman, philanthropist and politician. He is best known outside Russia as the former owner of Chelsea, a Premier League football club in London, England, and is the primary owner of the private investment company Millhouse LLC. He was formerly Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug from 2000 to 2008. According to Forbes, Abramovich's net worth was US$14.5 billion in 2021, making him the second-richest person in Israel, the eleventh-richest in Russia and the richest person in Portugal. Abramovich enriched himself in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, obtaining Russian state-owned assets at prices far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatization program. Abramovich is considered to have a good relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Ivan Lapikov was born on 7 July 1922 in Gorny Balyklei, Tsaritsyn Uyezd, Saratov Governorate, RSFSR [now Volgograd Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Andrei Rublev (1966), The Brothers Karamazov (1969) and Utro obrechyonnogo priiska (1985). He died on 2 May 1993 in Moscow, Russia.

Vladislav Mikosha was born on 8 December 1909 in Saratov, Saratov Governorate, Russian Empire [now Saratov Oblast, Russia]. Vladislav was a cinematographer, known for Chernomortsy (1942), Pobeda kitayskogo naroda (1950) and Pervyy reys k zvyozdam (1961). Vladislav died on 10 December 2004 in Moscow, Russia.

Sergey Filippov was born on 24 June 1912 in Saratov, Saratov uyezd, Saratov Governorate, Russian Empire [now Saratov Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Twelve Chairs (1971), Carnival Night (1956) and Dvenadtsataya noch (1955). He died on 19 April 1990 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].

Ivan Oganesyan was born on 9 March 1973 in Saratov, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Zapovednyy spetsnaz (2021), Fathers (2017) and Sniffer (2013).

Sergei Baryshev was born on 3 October 1963 in Saratov, RSFSR, USSR. He is an actor, known for Gibel imperii (2005), Streets of Broken Lights (1998) and In Tranzit (2008).

Igor Khripunov was born on 21 December 1980 in Voskresenskoye village, Saratov region, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for The Bride (2017), The Icebreaker (2016) and Zapovednyy spetsnaz (2021).

Raisa Maksimova was born on 2 November 1929 in Saratov, Nizhne-Volzhskiy kray, RSFSR, USSR [now Saratov Oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for The Idiot (1958), Vdovy (1977) and Kak Dzhanni popal v ad (1956).

Valeriya was born on 17 April 1968 in Atkarsk, Saratov Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Lilya 4-Ever (2002), YA tebya lyublyu - Je t'aime (2023) and Pervyy doma (2006). She has been married to Iosif Prigozhin since 5 June 2003. She was previously married to Aleksandr Shulgin and Leonid Yaroshevskiy.

Vladimir Konkin was born on 19 August 1951 in Saratov, Saratovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed (1979), Romanovy: Ventsenosnaya semya (2000) and Chyornyy okean (1998). He was previously married to Alla ?.

Lyudmila Zorina was born on 1 May 1941 in Saratov, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Kreytserova sonata (1987), Flights in Dreams and in Reality (1983) and Paren iz nashego goroda (1978). She was previously married to Oleg Yankovskiy.

Dmitriy Kulichkov was born on 3 June 1979 in Saratov, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Fortress of War (2010), The Fool (2014) and The Bride (2017).

Boris Dergachev was born on 13 April 1991 in Saratov, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor and director, known for Prazdniki (2023), Prazdniki (2024) and Kak druzya Zakhara zhenili (2022).

Aleksei Tolstoy was born on 10 January 1883 in Nikolayevsk, Samara Governorate, Russian Empire [now Pugachyov, Saratov Oblast, Russia]. He was a writer, known for Aelita, the Queen of Mars (1924), Khromoy barin (1929) and Peter the First (1937). He was married to Julia V.Rozhansky, Lyudmila Ilinichna Krestinskaya-Barsheva, Sophia Isaakovna Dymshits and Natalia V. Krandievskaya. He died on 23 February 1945 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia].

Boris Petroff was born on 19 December 1894 in Saratov, Russia. He was a producer and director, known for Red Snow (1952), Shotgun Wedding (1963) and The Unearthly (1957). He was married to Jane Mann and Alla Moskova. He died on 18 November 1972 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Marina Shimanskaya was born on 27 October 1955 in Saratov, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for 34-y skoryy (1981), Kogda ya stanu velikanom (1979) and Kultpokhod v teatr (1984).