Jolanta Majewska-Machaj: Who is your heroine in “Commissioner Aleks”?
Maria Jeleniewska: – My heroine’s name is Pati, she is an influencer just like me – and that’s where the similarities between us end. And we both like leopard prints (smile)… But apart from that, I don’t see any common features.
– He is a person characterized by negative emotions, strongly marking his territory, ruthless and rude. He uses vulgarisms that are completely alien to me in private, so playing this role, blunt and literal, was a real challenge for me. On the other hand, it’s an interesting experience, because it’s my first acting role in my life and my debut in a series.
How did you find him?
– I received an inquiry straight from the series’ production whether I would be interested in such an episode. I decided that if life gives me such an opportunity, why not. Or maybe I have a hidden acting talent… (laughter)
And you have it?
– We’ll see how it turns out and how the audience perceives me. I was accompanied on the set by my boyfriend, Kuba – he was offered to play a small scene with me on the spot, and we gladly agreed.
– I didn’t expect the photos to take so long, every day from dawn to dusk, but I like this job, the surroundings, the people. The director didn’t have any comments about my work – I don’t know if I was that good or did he think he couldn’t get anything more out of me? (smile).
– I thought that one day I would sign up for an acting course, for my own satisfaction, if I could find time for it. I try to develop myself in different directions and try new things because I like it very much.
This time can be a problem, because as a leading internet creator, you certainly have your hands full. You are a leader when it comes to coverage across the country…
– I’m glad to hear that, thank you (smile). I appreciate it every day, I put my whole heart into my work and I am glad that for several years I have had the opportunity to do this, have such a wonderful, engaged community with me and achieve such results.
The numbers don’t lie – 13.5 million followers on TikTok, over 1.2 million on Instagram – it looks impressive. How did you manage to become so successful?
– The key is to have a good idea and the motivation to implement it. Self-denial and not worrying about failures. You need to have passions that you want to share with others. Stay up to date with trends. Regularity, work at a constant, set pace at the same level and continuous development are also very important. And also creativity and constantly surprising the recipients.
From the very beginning, your recordings were distinguished by the quality of the film and editing. Who taught you this?
– I studied on my own. I observed creators from other countries, taking advantage of the extensive technical possibilities offered by the applications, focusing mainly on TikTok. I was the first in Poland to make transition videos, thanks to which the clothes, hairstyles and the place where one is can be changed in a recording resembling one shot. In Polish this is called transition – a sequence of recorded images is cut into pieces, from frame to frame and skillfully merged. No one here could do it before me. I studied for a long time, it took me hours a day, but I decided that if I devote time to it, there is a chance that I will succeed. Well, I did it… (smile)
The message conveyed by your work is nice, carefree, even idyllic. People want to enter this world where only good things happen…
– This was my assumption – to report reality through the prism of respect for others, kindness, culture and good emotions. And at the same time, show what surrounds me, what I do, what I am passionate about, what I want. I am aware of the responsibility that rests with Internet creators, whose audience is often very young people. That’s why I make sure to promote good values and behaviors worth imitating – physical activity, reading books, scientific, sports and travel passions.
– I remain in close interaction with my recipients, I show them gratitude that they are with me, that they want to participate in my life, and I can, to a large extent, be closer to them. Interestingly, there are also parents among them who also watch my films and thank me for providing their children and themselves with worthy entertainment and education. This wide reception and positive opinions are extremely valuable to me.
Success in online media is also a gigantic financial success, profits from views, advertising contracts, and cooperation with brands. Thanks to them, despite your young age, you are already so wealthy that you can probably afford everything?
– I’m not a spendthrift person. I rent an apartment, I used to drive an older car, which didn’t bother me… I’m a woman, I like to look nice – but I don’t feel a snobbish compulsion to wear luxury gadgets or logos of expensive companies, which I often encounter among various people and peers in my industry. I know the value of money, as a high school student I worked as a cashier in a clothing store, it’s hard work. That’s why I appreciate what I do now and the money I earn even more. I would like to emphasize that, first of all, my goal is not to do it for the money – when finances appear, they are only an added value. I invest them mainly in real estate, with future security in mind.
As you know, you bought three apartments in Spain – you gave one of them to your mother…
– She supported me from the very beginning of my business, talked to clients and negotiated contracts. She has always done it and continues to do so to this day, there is no one I trust more than her. He is my greatest, reliable friend, the shield that protects me from the evil of the business world and the harm that happens to me now or has happened to me in the past.
Apparently you were harassed by your peers when you were at school?
– Yes, precisely because of the recordings on the Internet. It wasn’t that fashionable yet. Because of this, there was some unfavorable behavior and finger pointing, especially two girls from my class conspired and ridiculed me in front of everyone. The teachers didn’t help either, they mocked me a bit, saying that it was such an infantile activity, that why did it need it and who needed it. I was afraid to go to school, the situation was unfavorable, but I did not give up, I survived, although it was not an easy time.
You couldn’t change schools?
– I didn’t want to leave my brother. He is a year and a half younger than me (although he went to school with my age, so we attended the same class in primary school and parallel classes – due to different profiles – in junior high school). I felt like I should take care of him. Our parents were divorced, my mother worked a lot, I had to keep an eye on him. That big sister sense of responsibility.
You also have a younger sister.
– A charming seven-year-old girl, she is in first grade. Surprisingly, she looks very much like me, even though she is my half-sister. It’s nice to have her, even though we have a significant age difference of several years.
You communicate easily with the whole world because you are a polyglot, which you largely owe to your mother…
– My mother is a German translator and she raised me bilingually, so I spoke German fluently by the time I was four. Then I went to kindergarten, I lost some of my fluency, but not enough to make up for it in high school, when I became a finalist in the German olympiad. I also took my Matura exam in this language and in English, which I speak fluently. I watch a lot of TV series, English-language films, read books, and use it at work. My next language is Spanish, I have been learning it first at school and for two years individually, but it is not yet the level I would like to achieve. My mother is a real polyglot, who speaks six languages fluently. He is an inspiration to me.
You inherited good genes…
– Genes are one thing, upbringing is another. Their parents had almost nothing, and they had achieved far through education and work. From childhood I was taught a sense of duty, diligence and reliability. I have always been a good learner, I liked gaining new skills and using them.
What about your studies?
– Unfortunately, I interrupted them. I didn’t want it very much, but I couldn’t continue for various reasons. Mainly because I probably chose a rather unfortunate field – business and media management. To be honest, I no longer need the knowledge offered by these studies at this stage, because I know these things from personal experience. I agreed with the university that one day I would come back and study something new – maybe it would be psychology, maybe finance – something that would expand my horizons and competences. I would love that.
Do you intend to act as an influencer in the coming years?
– I would like to know the answer myself. We don’t know what life will bring.
And how do you see your future privately? Already have a plan?
– Precisely specified. I’ll be able to live on my own in the next two years or so. Then start a family – get married, have two children and two dogs. Create a safe, loving home based on good values and mutual trust. Live wisely, pleasantly, peacefully and beautifully. I believe it will come true.
Is this all with your current boyfriend, Kuba?
– Just. With no one else! (laughter)
Interviewed by: Jolanta Majewska-Machaj