Valeria Lukyanova is the Ukrainian girl who turned herself into a real life Barbie doll – an extreme example of body morphing through alleged cosmetic surgery and image manipulation. Since her computer-perfect visage went viral last year, speculation and controversy have surrounded her every move.
However, what most people don’t know, is that Valeria wholeheartedly claims not to be a real lady at all, but a time traveling spiritual guru whose purpose is to save the world from the clutches of superficiality and negative energy.
In an exclusive access film, VICE travelled to Valeria’s home in the Ukraine to uncover the truth behind the woman’s extraordinary appearance. Valeria claims that she never tried to look like a doll, but that dolls are simply based upon the notion of the “perfect woman”. However, troublingly for Valeria, she believes that “perfection has no limit”.
Casting herself as a psychic, almost messiah-like figure, and spiritual leader, Valeria clearly holds a lofty perception of herself. Yet, speaking to her friends and family, VICE explore the reality of a life led largely online, meeting the girl behind the mask and ultimately asking: what happens when that mask slips?
