Model: Veronika Zolotova. Photographer: Swipe AG/ Mike Iarkeev.
At 22, Veronika Zolotova has already lived a lifetime’s worth of experiences — going from posting casual Instagram covers in Minsk, Belarus to making waves in the U.S. music scene. Known for her ethereal voice, vibrant social media presence, and remarkable perseverance, Veronika sat down with us to share insights into her remarkable career and the moments that have shaped her journey.
Harper’s Bazaar (HBZVN): Let’s start at the beginning — Minsk, when you were 16. How did singing turn from a hobby into something bigger?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: Honestly? No grand plan at all. I was just a teenager, messing around with Instagram covers, hoping a few friends would listen. And, okay, full disclosure — I had a crush on this boy (laughs). I’d upload these short singing videos hoping he’d notice. My phone was always running out of storage, so I’d record 10-second clips, post them, and delete them to make space. Then one day, I covered Havana by Camila Cabello, and boom — it went viral. Suddenly, people weren’t just watching my videos, they were asking for more. That’s when I realized, “Wait… maybe this is something real.”
HBZVN: And then things started moving fast, right? You got discovered on social media.
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: Yeah, crazy fast. Out of nowhere, Zair Usupov, a producer for Hype House, messaged me. I thought it was a scam! Like, why would a Moscow-based producer care about a random girl from Belarus? But he was serious — he invited me to come work with them. That was the moment everything shifted.
HBZVN: But moving to Moscow wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. You moved to Moscow in 2020 during a challenging time — amid COVID restrictions. How did you even get in?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: Honestly, looking back, I have no idea how I pulled that off. I had no visa, no residency, nothing. At one point, I thought, “They’re definitely going to send me back.” But somehow, I made it. Moving to Moscow was a leap of faith, but I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
HBZVN: You were the youngest in Hype House. Was that intimidating?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: So intimidating. Hype House was intense. I was this wide-eyed teenager suddenly surrounded by big influencers and creators. But it was also exciting — there was this electric energy, this feeling that we were all onto something huge. And then, out of nowhere, brand deals started rolling in.
I’ll never forget my first big check — a million rubles (about $13,000). I went from getting paid 600 rubles ($8) for a tiny ad to holding more money than I’d ever seen in my life. It was surreal.
HBZVN: But after a while, you left Hype House. Why?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: I felt like I was getting lost in the noise. Hype House was amazing, but I wasn’t just an influencer — I was an artist. I wanted to focus on my music. That’s when I started working with Masha Pogrebnyak in 2021. She and her team saw me as more than just social media numbers. They pushed me to develop my own sound, write my own songs, and really think about where I wanted to take my career.
HBZVN: By December 2022, you’d made another bold move — this time to the United States. What made you take that leap?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: The U.S. has always felt like the ultimate challenge. I’ve loved American music for as long as I can remember, and I knew I wanted to break into that market. Getting my visa and moving was nerve-wracking. I didn’t know what to expect, but it felt like the right step for where I was going creatively.
HBZVN: You’ve been in the U.S. for nearly a year — has it been everything you expected? What’s your focus been since making the move?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: Well, It’s been all about the music. I’ve been writing and recording nonstop — working toward releasing tracks that can really resonate with an international audience. It’s different from what I was used to. You’re in the same room as people who’ve worked with some of the biggest names in music. The competition is tough, but exciting at the same time. And that’s exactly why I came here. I don’t want to just fit in — I want to bring something fresh, something uniquely me.
HBZVN: Looking back, what’s been the most surreal moment of your career so far?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: There have been many moments actually. Crossing the border to Russia without documents in 2020 was definitely wild. But another moment that stands out is when I first walked into a studio in LA earlier this year. I just thought, “Wow, I’m really here. I made it this far.”
HBZVN: And what’s next for Veronika Zolotova?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: Right now, it’s all about the music. I’m laser-focused on releasing new tracks and making my mark in the U.S. It’s not easy — breaking into this market is brutal — but I love the challenge. I also want my story to inspire other artists. I started with an iPhone and an Instagram clip. No fancy studio, no industry connections — just a voice and a dream. If I can make it from Minsk to LA, anyone can.
HBZVN: You’ve come a long way! Before we wrap up — if you could go back and give 16-year-old Veronika one piece of advice, what would it be?
VERONIKA ZOLOTOVA: I’d tell her to stop stressing about the boy (laughs). But really? I’d tell her to keep going, even when it feels impossible. At the end of the day, it’s not about luck — it’s about persistence. And if you really want something, you have to chase it like your life depends on it.
From posting short Instagram clips in Minsk to working toward a breakthrough in the U.S., Veronika Zolotova’s journey is one of raw ambition, risk-taking, and reinvention. With her sights set on global stardom, this is just the beginning of her next chapter. We can’t wait to see what Veronika does next.
Model: Veronika Zolotova.
Photographer: Swipe AG/ Mike Iarkeev
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
