“For a long time, I waited and searched for love. My closest friends have watched my transformation and say this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for all these years.” Evgenia Medvedeva on her love story with dancer Ildar Gainutdinov
Evgenia Medvedeva and Ildar Gainutdinov reflect on their bond and love story
original source: 7 Days magazine
Figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva and dancer Ildar Gainutdinov open up about their love story, how their relationship began, and the profound impact it has had on their personal and creative lives. Here’s a translation of their comments posted in magazine 7 Days.
How Their Relationship Started
The couple shared their journey in an interview with 7 Days magazine, recounting how their paths first crossed long before they were paired on the TV show Starry Dances.
Ildar Gainutdinov explained:
“In Starry Dances, Zhenya [Evgenia] and I were paired together. It might surprise you, but I hesitated for a long time before agreeing to participate. The rules of the show are designed to keep your partner a surprise, but I wanted to know who I’d be spending this creative chapter with before committing.
I’ve done many dance projects in the past, so I wasn’t sure I wanted to dive back in. But when I heard my partner would be Zhenya, I was intrigued. She’s not just talented – she’s an exceptional athlete. I thought it was an unusual and exciting pairing, and Starry Dances brought us together.”
Evgenia Medvedeva added:
“Actually, your guess is spot on – we first heard about each other years ago! About five years ago, my close friend Christian Kostov showed me Ildar’s page on social media and said, ‘Look at this talented guy, his name is Ildar.’ He showed me videos of Ildar’s dancing, and I was blown away. I’d never seen movement like that before – it was beyond the limits of human possibility. His talent was unforgettable.
Later, Kamila Valieva invited both Ildar and me to her birthday party. Ildar arrived briefly with his friend Eva Uvarova – they only stayed about 15 minutes. At the time, he stood out with bleached hair, and I remembered him. He didn’t remember me, though! Eventually, we officially met on Starry Dances.”
The pair’s connection deepened during rehearsals.
“We started practicing the usual way – two or three hours a day – but soon we were spending more time together. Regular rehearsal hours would end, but we’d stay behind and keep working because we enjoyed it.
Some of the routines required very intimate expressions – love, passion, and all its shades. In dance, I aim to be genuine and evoke the emotions I need to convey.
With Zhenya, everything felt incredibly vivid. During one of the performances choreographed by Sasha Mogilev – a routine with scarves – I realized my feelings in the dance matched my real emotions.
I felt a special chemistry and resonance between Zhenya and me – it wasn’t just about the dance anymore. From routine to routine, through movement and emotion, our relationship transformed into something deeper. We bonded emotionally and spiritually.”
Recognizing True Love
Evgenia Medvedeva shared how she realized their connection was more than a fleeting emotion:
“I understood it was love when I visited Ildar during his tour in Italy. He had back-to-back performances, but then he got sick. I noticed he was starting to cough and suspected a fever was on the way. I immediately went to the pharmacy, brought medicine, told him to rest and wash off his makeup. Eventually, he got really sick – high fever and all – and I took care of him.
And then I got sick too. Before that, we always tried to appear polished for each other – perfect hair, makeup, everything. But suddenly, we were there with 39-degree fevers, red noses, unable to even get out of bed.
But in those moments, the person by your side doesn’t feel repulsed or disappointed – they simply want you to feel better, and you want the same for them. You experience tenderness, care, and a palette of emotions that you wouldn’t associate with aesthetics or romance. It’s about pure love and kindness.”
A Balanced Relationship
Speaking about their dynamic, Medvedeva noted:
“Our relationship isn’t about perfection. Respect is fundamental – respect for each other, for what we do, and for personal space. Of course, there are minor differences. For example, I’m in a rush while Ildar takes his time – or vice versa.
We’ve learned to respect boundaries. Instead of nagging each other, we give space. Everyone has their own rhythm, and maintaining that individuality is important. It’s unrealistic to think life should always revolve around ‘us.’ We’re not naïve teenagers anymore – we’re adults with established life rhythms.
Our goal is to be a safe haven for each other amidst busy social lives and stressful environments. It matters that coming home feels peaceful.”
How Their Relationship Changed Them
Medvedeva reflected on how her relationship with Gainutdinov has influenced her:
“I feel loved, which makes me love myself more. It gives me strength, motivates me to work on myself, and even to take better care of my health.
I’ve developed a deeper interest in art. As an athlete, I’ve always been far removed from art despite performing routines like Anna Karenina. Leaving the world of sports left me searching for interests, but I’ve discovered how much I enjoy museums and theater.
For example, while Ildar was rehearsing in Italy, I spent my days exploring local museums and even traveled to neighboring cities. I saw Michelangelo’s David and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in one day – something I never imagined I’d do! Ildar inspired this newfound interest in art.”
Gainutdinov shared how Medvedeva impacted him:
“I think I’ve become better – both as a person and as an artist. This relationship has added new layers to my creativity. New colors, new ideas—I approach my work on stage with more confidence and passion now.”
A Shared Spiritual Connection
Medvedeva also revealed how his spirituality has influenced her journey:
“His deep faith played a major role in my feelings for him. My relationship with religion is very personal, but I’ve always wanted someone who could help me find answers to my questions about faith. Ildar became that person.
He guided me to church, and now I’m learning and exploring spirituality at my own pace. I even attended my first midnight service during Christmas – it was a huge step for me.”
Medvedeva shared that she longed for love for many years, often praying for it:
“For a long time, I waited and searched for love. My closest friends have watched my transformation and say this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for all these years.”
Related topics: Evgenia Medvedeva
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