1. Early Life and Education
Julia Vysotskaya was born in Novocherkassk, a city in the Rostov Oblast region of the Russian SFSR, which was then part of the Soviet Union and is now part of Russia. She completed her high school education in 1990, graduating from School No. 9 in the city of Baku. Pursuing her passion for performing arts, she enrolled in the Belarusian State Academy of Arts, where she successfully completed her drama studies and graduated in 1995. Furthering her theatrical training, Vysotskaya attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, completing her studies there in 1998.
2. Career
Julia Vysotskaya's career spans multiple facets of the entertainment and culinary industries, establishing her as a multifaceted public figure. She has made significant contributions as an actress in both theatre and film, a popular television presenter, a culinary expert, and a best-selling author.
2.1. Acting Career
Vysotskaya's acting career is distinguished by her notable performances across various platforms, from the stage to the big screen and television.
2.1.1. Theatre Work
Vysotskaya began her professional acting journey at the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre in Belarus. During her tenure there, she took on lead roles in significant productions, including The Star Without a Name and The Bald Soprano, both works by Romanian playwrights. Her performances on stage earned her early recognition, including a Best Actress Award for her role in John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger. Later in her career, she also performed in productions staged at the prestigious Mossovet Academy Theatre. Her theatre work further extended to the Moscow Dramatic Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya.
2.1.2. Film and Television Work
Julia Vysotskaya has built a diverse filmography, appearing in both feature films and television series. Some of her early film appearances include To Go and Not Return (1992), Bewitched (1994), and Game of the Imagination (1994). She gained broader recognition for her role as Zhanna Timofeeva in the 2002 film House of Fools, for which she received the Best Actress Award at the "Vivat, kino Rossii" festival. The same year, she appeared as Helen in Max.
In 2003, Vysotskaya played Alais in The Lion in Winter. Her later roles include Vera in Soldiers' Decameron (2005) and Inna Seliverstova in the mini-series The First Rule of the Queen (2006). She also featured as Galya in the 2007 film Gloss and contributed to the fantasy genre as Mother / The Snow Fairy in The Nutcracker in 3D (2010).
A pivotal role in her film career came with the 2016 Holocaust drama Paradise, where she played Olga. Her portrayal earned her widespread acclaim and multiple accolades, including Best Actress Awards at the Golden Eagle Awards, the Nika Awards, and the Munich International Film Festival. She continued her significant work in film with her role as Lyudmila 'Lyuda' Syomina in Dear Comrades! (2020).
2.2. Television Presenting and Culinary Endeavors
Beyond acting, Julia Vysotskaya has cultivated a highly successful career as a television presenter and culinary personality. Since 2003, she has hosted two popular programs on NTV: the evening program Let's Eat at Home! and the morning show Breakfast with Julia Vysotskaya. Let's Eat at Home! received the prestigious "TEFI" award in the "Entertainment Programme. Way of Life" category in 2007, along with an "Effie" award for Brand of the Year. In 2009, the program was further recognized with the "Approved by Russian Ecologist" accolade for its promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Vysotskaya's influence in the culinary world extends beyond television. In 2008, she was invited to serve as the culinary supervisor for a Russian evening at the World Economic Forum in London. The following year, in 2009, she became the culinary director of the Moscow restaurant "Family Floor." That same year, she assumed the role of editor-in-chief for the culinary magazine KhlebSol. Demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the digital culinary space, she also played a key role in establishing the [http://www.edimdoma.ru/ "Let's Eat at Home" culinary social network] and launching the [http://www.edimdoma.tv/ first online cooking channel], where users can access her video blog and watch her prepare dishes.
2.3. Literary Work
Julia Vysotskaya is also a prolific author, primarily known for her numerous best-selling cookbooks. She has sold over one and a half million copies of her culinary works, establishing her as a significant voice in the realm of gastronomy literature. Her books provide practical recipes and insights, reinforcing her image as a trusted culinary authority.
3. Personal Life
Julia Vysotskaya has been married to renowned film director Andrei Konchalovsky since 1998. The couple has two children: a daughter named Maria, born in 1999, and a son named Petr, born in 2003.
4. Awards and Recognition
Julia Vysotskaya has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career for her contributions to acting and television presenting.
- Best Actress Award for her role in John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger.
- Best Actress Award at the "Vivat, kino Rossii" festival for her role in House of Fools.
- In 2007, her program Let's Eat at Home! received the prestigious "TEFI" award in the Entertainment Programme. Way of Life category.
- In 2007, Let's Eat at Home! also received an "Effie" award for Brand of the Year.
- In 2009, the program Let's Eat at Home! was awarded the "Approved by Russian Ecologist" accolade for promoting a healthy lifestyle.
- Best Actress Award at the Golden Eagle Awards for her role in Paradise.
- Best Actress Award at the Nika Awards for her role in Paradise (2017).
- Best Actress Award at the Nika Awards (2022).
- Best Actress Award at the Munich International Film Festival for her role in Paradise.
5. Works
Julia Vysotskaya's professional output includes a wide range of theatre performances, film and television appearances, and published books.
5.1. Theatre
- 1993: The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco - Mrs. Smith
- 1995: Look Back in Anger by John Osborne - Alison
- 1995: The Star Without a Name by Mihail Sebastian - Mona
- 2002: Love Is a Golden Book, play inspired by A. Tolstoy's work
- 2004: The Seagull by Anton Chekhov - Nina Zarechnaya (Mossovet Theatre)
- 2005 and 2009: Miss Julie by August Strindberg - Miss Julie (Moscow Dramatic Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya)
- 2009-present day: Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov - Sonya (Mossovet Theatre)
5.2. Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | To Go and Not Return | Zosya | TV |
| 1994 | Bewitched | Girl in the public debate | |
| 1994 | Game of the Imagination | Zhenya | |
| 2002 | House of Fools | Zhanna Timofeeva | |
| 2002 | Max | Helen | |
| 2003 | The Lion in Winter | Alais | |
| 2005 | Soldiers' Decameron | Vera | |
| 2006 | The First Rule of the Queen | Inna Seliverstova | Mini-series |
| 2007 | Gloss | Galya | |
| 2010 | The Nutcracker in 3D | Mother / The Snow Fairy | |
| 2016 | Paradise | Olga | |
| 2020 | Dear Comrades! | Lyudmila 'Lyuda' Syomina |
5.3. Bibliography
- 2006 - "Let's Eat at Home. Recipes by Julia Vysotskaya"
- 2007 - "Let's Eat at Home all Year Round"
- 2007 - "Gloss"
- 2008 - "Let's Eat at Home Every Day"
- 2008 - "Tasty Notes"
- 2009 - "I Eat, I Run, I Live"
- 2010 - "Cooking for Kids of All Ages"
- 2010 - "New Year Recipes"
- 2011 - "One, Two and Ready"