Milla Jovovich turned out to be a man of word and gave an exclusive interview to Lady Day.Az. By the way, we were talking in Russian. The actress was so full with impressions of our country, that she herself set the tone for the conversation.

Where have you been in Baku? What have you seen? What do you remember best? What will you tell your friends and family about us? Let’s talk straight.
I’ve already told my friends that the architecture here is simply stunning, with perfect accompaniment of antiquity and modernity in the shape of the city. I’ve seen here the buildings that we’ll never see in America, with very unusual combinations to meet the most selective tastes of the public. The only view from the window of my room in the hotel where I stayed is worth a lot! This view has impressed me very much. I arrived in Baku to shoot a commercial for Milla. I was told that it is a leading producer of dairy products in Azerbaijan. We shot for Milla against the background of various historical and modern sights of Azerbaijan. Viewers will likely to see this ad with my participation this fall. So, unfortunately, I had very little time. But I definitely know that would love to come back here, but not to work, especially given that you all speak in Russian. So, there’s no language barrier for me in your country. Most of your compatriots with whom I encountered during my stay in Baku, were from the film crew. I really enjoyed their company. Your people are always smiling, always in high spirits.

How much have you eaten and have you promised to starve yourself upon arrival home? All our guests usually do so after overeating goodies in Baku…
(Laughing) Oh, yes! I have eaten a lot of vegetables and fruits. And loads of lamb! I’m not used to too much meat. But I could not just resist here. But when I get home, I’ll have to get rid of all those calories. (Laughing)

The star status takes a lot of time. Living in the constant traveling, under the scrutiny of cameras leaves little to remain personal. Was it worth it? Are applause, high fees, and recognition, worth common human happiness which celebrities often lack?
I live my personal life, no public involved. When I’m in Los Angeles, it’s much more difficult to deal with curious people. And I myself am a person pretty closed from the crowd. Even the slightest appearance in public with my family and relatives brings a lot of discomfort. But I love to travel. And far away from home I can enjoy all the delights of privacy. I even regret that I have not brought my daughter along. They would protect me here, I’m sure, like in Europe, where paparazzi do not disturb me by taking pictures of me when my child is by my side. They respect my reluctance to make my child a public domain. I get very confused, I think it’s weird when I see a photo of my daughter on the pages of magazines … and she doesn’t like this stuff either.

But I have been living this life since I was a little girl, so I’ve got used to the attention. But I cut short the excessive curiosity. Also, I don’t show off sitting behind the wheel of a pink car, or sparkle heels with Versace logo! (Laughing) I will not wave my hand and say, “Hey, I’m here, take a picture of me! It’s me, Milla Jovovich!” I know a lot of stars in Hollywood who complain about all these paparazzi only for form’s sake. In fact, they give a handle to get noticed! But I could not live this way! It’s not a life!

You’re a Hollywood movie star. Your mom is a Soviet actress. And these two systems differ so much…
(Interrupting) They repel each other like oil and water! (Laughing).

Do they have much in common from the creative point of view?
My mother left the Soviet Union, because she knew there could be a problem because of her husband, my father. He is an ethnic Croat. But she quickly turned into a Hollywood woman. She quickly adapted. But for all her life she has kept this Soviet belief that one should always learn. She gave me a great European education. But at home, we used to read a lot of Russian literature, art history, I learned to play piano, guitar and danced, as a true Russian girl. And she brought me up so that I knew about my roots, but those roots should not stop me from living the American life.

There are many myths about celebrities. For example, they say, the life of stars is completely automated and they don’t do anything with their hands. What about you? Can you keep your house on your own and organize your life if you suddenly get into the situation when there’ll be no one to bring you a glass of water?
By the way, I always cook myself at home for my daughter, and for all other family members. And I really hate when my house is full of strangers. I’ve no assistants at home. I myself can bring a glass of water or make coffee.

So, you can cook scrambled eggs by yourself?
Well, of course! Why would ask someone for that? (Laughing) My husband frequently finds a fun place, and we go out on a picnic, where everything is done with our own hands, without aides and assistants.
And when I shot in China, there was a break in the filming for a few days. And my friend and I went to Mongolia. We retreated so far that we even had to sleep in sleeping bags or in a tent. I like situations where you are in complete harmony with nature. Only solitude can give such a feeling.

– Then you should have definitely liked Gabala.
Oh, it’s so beautiful! Just amazing! Mountains! There was a great desire to take a backpack and go hiking in the mountains! I want to come to Baku for a walk as those four days that I was here, I only worked. And I was surrounded by people for whom I was a Hollywood actress. But I would like more to stroll around the city, take a trip to the country, when no one would recognize me, and I’d relax in your beautiful country. I wanted so much to walk along the boulevard and get lost in your town! (Laughing).

And finally, could you give Lady Day.Az a tip for youth and beauty? How do you maintain such freshness, despite all these make-up tools that simply deprive the skin of air?
For more than half a year I have a secret. I’ll share it with your women with pleasure. I make smoothy, a cocktail, which includes a lot of greens, vegetables, green, papaya, and some fruit green to taste. I mix all this in a blender and drink. And thanks to this cocktail I look better now than two years ago, though, I got older by two years. My skin is clearer, it just sparkles. And I look fresh, even if I don’t sleep enough, even after all these make-up tools! I use make-up less as the skin is much clearer. With this cocktail I can even afford a little bit of meat. However, then I have to get rid of extra pounds in the gym, as I am inclined to corpulence. After giving birth, everything has completely changed in my body. I began to gain weight. And I’m not that young. I am 37 years old. So I have to care about myself and control the weight. You can do all sorts of masks, creams. But you only treat the symptoms of the skin. And you need to treat yourself from the inside. This cocktail revitalizes the entire body, and as a result your skin is cleansed. It helped me very much. Try it.