Anastasiia Tsymbalaru is one of the most prominent Ukrainian actresses of the new generation, confidently building her career in cinema and television. Her characters are always diverse but invariably authentic, and behind each role lies deep preparation, professional demandingness, and sincere dedication to her craft. Despite her popularity, the actress openly speaks about doubts, creative crises, and the search for inner support, proving that success is, first and foremost, the result of daily work on oneself.
Exclusively for Business Woman magazine, Anastasiia Tsymbalaru spoke about her journey in the profession, her greatest acting challenges, personal sources of strength, the balance between career and personal life, the future of Ukrainian cinematography, and why you shouldn’t wait for the perfect moment to dare to change your life.
1. Today, you are known as one of the brightest Ukrainian actresses. What moment in your life became a turning point and convinced you that acting is precisely your path?
Perhaps I still haven’t fully felt such a moment. There is always a grain of doubt regarding the correctness of my own choices, the extent of my own talent and skill. There are always moments of losing faith in myself, a certain degree of disappointment in the profession — this is all the path you choose to walk, immersing yourself in creativity.
But it is precisely such moments that demonstrate your strength and readiness to remain in the profession despite everything, providing opportunities for personal growth and development. This sphere was and remains financially and emotionally unstable. But a long time ago, having had the experience of studying at the faculty of law, I clearly realized that I would rather choose this thorny path of instability, but in a profession that captivates and calls to me, than stability with a complete feeling of living someone else’s life and doing what I do not love.
Perhaps this very episode became my starting point. And I can say with confidence that over the 10 years of my career, despite all the difficulties, I have never regretted it once.
2. Over the years of your career, you have played many diverse roles. Which character became the greatest professional challenge for you and why?
For me, there are no simple roles or characters. Therefore, I declare: every role and every character.
Perhaps this is due to my excessive demandingness towards people and my beloved work, but first and foremost — towards myself. I clearly realize that the opportunity to embody a character on screen among many other talented actors was entrusted specifically to me, and this is a great responsibility not only to the audience but also to the film crew, the production company, and the TV channel.
It is based on the results of my work that the series or film as a whole will be evaluated. I have never approached any work with a sense of ease and tranquility. I prepare for each new project, and this process takes a lot of time and requires emotional expenditure. However, it gives a sense of confidence in my own work and in the final product.
3. You always give the impression of a sincere and strong woman. Where do you draw your inner resource from when you have to go through difficult periods in life?
To be honest, I don’t always feel strong. But I have learned not to run away from difficult moments, but to live through them.
My inner resource is replenished by the people I love, time alone with myself, sports, new impressions, travels—which I have recently started allowing myself more often—gratitude for what I have, and the understanding that any difficulties are temporary.
4. Today, many women strive to find a balance between career, personal life, and self-realization. What helps you stay in harmony with yourself?
I don’t think harmony can be achieved once and for all. It is a process in which sometimes something takes precedence: whether it’s work, relationships, or time for oneself. And that’s okay.
The most important thing is to sense when the balance begins to slip and return to yourself. Furthermore, I have learned not to demand perfection from myself in everything. It is the acceptance of oneself, rather than the pursuit of an ideal, that gives me a sense of inner harmony.
5. Ukrainian culture and cinematography are going through an important stage of development. What changes in the industry inspire you the most, and how do you see its future?
I like that Ukrainian cinematography has finally stopped imitating anyone. We tell our own stories — honestly, boldly, and from our perspective. It is this authenticity, in my opinion, that resonates the most today, both in Ukraine and beyond its borders.
At the same time, I see how the level of professionalism across the entire industry is growing — from screenwriting and directing to cinematography and producing. More and more people are appearing who are ready to take risks, experiment, and create a high-quality Ukrainian product.
I want to believe that the future of our cinema lies in stories that will be understandable and close to millions of people in different countries. Because good cinema always begins with truth. And today, we definitely have something to say to the world.
6. Do you have a professional or personal dream that you haven’t realized yet, but are confidently stepping towards?
Of course, I do. Although I am not taking giant strides, I am confidently moving toward my ultimate goal.
This path is difficult, but I am one of those people who don’t just dream boldly, but turn dreams into goals. Moreover, I don’t feel sorry for myself. This is my great advantage and, at the same time, the biggest downside for my physical and mental health.
7. What would you like to say to Business Woman readers who are just starting their journey today, searching for themselves, or are afraid to take the first step toward their dream?
Fear will always be present. Don’t wait for the perfect moment when it becomes a little less scary, when inspiration comes, when you become more disciplined, when you gain the necessary amount of knowledge or experience, when free time appears, when the situation in the country becomes safer, when you find support, or when you lose weight, after all.
Absolutely everyone is scared. To me, it sometimes seems that I am the most scared. But between the fear of starting and leaving everything as it is, I will always choose the former. Because, at the very least, there is an opportunity to feel yourself in a new way, and with a high probability — even to become happy.
Therefore, boldly dive into this frightening unknown. And don’t forget to rejoice in small victories. It is from them that a great success story is built. Believe in yourself even when it seems that nobody else believes. After all, sometimes one brave step is capable of changing your whole life.
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Photo: from the heroine’s archive