Recently, I received the opportunity to catch up with dancer, author, content creator, and actress Lolita Milena! She is an extraordinary, talented, and stunning woman! Lolita’s story begins in Siberia, where she was born. Then her story continued as she migrated to the U.S. with her then foster family. During that time, an incident involving child abuse unfolded that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Being a paraplegic has not stopped her one bit in her journey to achieve her goals! It has not stopped her from tapping into her plethora of gifts. She is unstoppable and the epitome of greatness.

At an early age, she was introduced to the arts and has been excelling ever since! Having then performed in 20 theatrical productions. She would later land a role in her first big screen (Lionsgate) film, “1UP” back in 2022. She self-published four novels and won the NANOWRIMO contest for her novel, “2459.”

Lolita is a true and powerful example of what defying the odds looks like. Her disability does not define her, nor does it control her. It’s her beautiful and brilliant mindset that determines her ability to be successful! What an inspiration to myself and countless others! Check out her interview below to learn more!

I hope that you know just how extraordinary, empowering, and inspiring you are! And you have a powerful story. Take us back a little bit to before, when life began for you in Siberia, to when you relocated to the U.S.

Awe, thank you! Yes, I was born in Siberia along the Amur River in a barn (?). More like a shed, according to the reports. My life there was extremely short as I immigrated to the USA at age 2. I was brought to the States by a foster family with the intent to adopt, alongside a young boy around my age. 

At what point in your life did you decide that you were not going to allow being a paraplegic to define you as a person and dictate who you could be and what you could do?

I’d say around day 1. My father was meticulous in documenting my early childhood. My upset was around the confusion I had as a young child. It was not mourning the fact that I could no longer be “normal,” but rather “Why is this the way it is?” I used to call it: a morbid twist on a child’s curiosity. 

What led you into the world of acting?

Dancing came before all else. I got the best of both worlds early in my life when the Ballet Theatre of Ohio had signed me on to their seasonal performances of The Nutcracker. For 5 years, I played Clara’s little sister, a role written in for me. The final year I had a second part as a candy in act 2. While learning not only ballet but also how to adapt it to my capabilities, I was learning how to act on a stage in front of thousands at a young age. 

Tell us about your first big screen film, 1UP, where you portrayed the role of “Jenna.” How did this role come about for you, and what was the experience like?

The role came through just as all the others, a self-tape at home. Really, I had no anxiety over it (because I, for once, didn’t check who was making the project). It wasn’t my first comedy, and at that point in my life, I still struggled to see myself as a comedic person. So, I did it with my then-roommate, who was such a trooper given her modest personality and having to read very raunchy, fun dialogue. Two or so weeks went by, and I didn’t think much of it until I got a call late one night from my agent that I had booked the part and that I had to fly out the next day!

I understand that you are also an accomplished writer, and you’ve published some novels. Amazing!! More amazingly, you won the NANOWRIMO contest for your novel 2459—what was the inspiration behind writing this book?

Thank you so much! The story of 2459 is dear to me because it was a little world I had in my head since my early grade school days. My mind constantly plays what I’d call “my TV show” in the back tab of my head. So, when writing 2459 it came naturally, because I had the plot going for about 14 years at that point. It was just a matter of putting the thoughts to the page. 

How do you maintain your resiliency and motivation to keep going, to keep achieving your goals? 

I’m just a very stubborn, blunt woman. Younger me would be told I couldn’t do something due to there being some kind of hindrance. I’d often reply, “Well, why not?” My goals as I grew up shifted from basic independence as I gained it back to my creative endeavors. Hollywood was very selective in how they portrayed disabled people from onscreen to behind it in a writers room. So my mind shifted to “If they won’t write it, I will.” And again, I am a stubborn woman and will break down the so-called obstacles until I have that clear path. 

When you’re not busy, how do you practice self-care in order to maintain your well-being?

I used to answer this question with, “a good catnap.” However, self-reflection helped me realize those naps were coming from a place of depression. So, I’ve gotten better at handling that. Self-care now for me would be doing skincare and browsing educational websites and novels. I’ve always loved learning and absorbing information on varied topics. If I have an interest that week in forensic sciences, I’ll find myself browsing all evening on the different branches in the field and the breakdowns on how the science is found from case to case.

Before you go, drop a gem or some great advice for our readers out there. Feel free to say whatever compels you. I like to call this section Unpacking Her Thoughts. Let them know, Queen!

I’d like to first say, thank you so much for having me! To those reading, know your goals and be stubborn. It will be worth it in the end. 

Thank you so much, Lolita!

Keep up with Lolita Milena:⁣
Instagram: @lolita.milena ⁣
TikTok: @loitamilena ⁣
Website: https://www.lolitamilena.com/