There’s a moment in every artist’s life when the spotlight fades and the inner voice grows louder. Mine came not during a standing ovation, but in stillness—after 20 years of performing, traveling, and defying gravity both literally and metaphorically. Looking back, the stages I’ve danced on were never just platforms. They were proving grounds. Mirrors. Messengers.
What began in a small town in Yugoslavia has unfolded into a global journey—through triumphs and turbulence, from the Moulin Rouge in Paris to world congresses and academic classrooms. I often say life is choreography: a dance between chance, choice, and change.
When Success Isn’t What You Think
People often talk about success as if it’s a destination—a shiny place with applause and awards. But for me, success was never just about medals or contracts. It was about being healthy—mentally, physically, emotionally—and staying grounded through storms.
As a child, I was told, “If you don’t have health, you have nothing.” That simple truth shaped how I saw the world. And when others saw only politics or passports, I focused on possibility. Even when carrying a Yugoslav passport during times of global tension, I learned how to turn limitation into motivation.
The Courage to Pack Your Life in Two Suitcases
When I left Serbia with just 500 euros, two bags, and no French vocabulary, people called it bold. Maybe it was. But what I remember most isn’t the risk—it’s the clarity. I told my parents, “PMF will still be there. But my time won’t.” And so I went.
I didn’t just chase a dream. I planned it, funded it, and faced it—alone. From long bus rides to Paris, to translating insurance policies, I learned that reinvention isn’t made of magic. It’s made of paperwork, persistence, and one simple sentence:
“I came to stay.”
Beyond the Spotlight: What Moulin Rouge Really Taught Me
Yes, the stage lights sparkle. But behind them? Reality. Competition. Politics. Pressure.
What most don’t see in the glamor of cabaret is the complexity of human dynamics. Being part of a legendary institution like the Moulin Rouge doesn’t automatically elevate you. You decide whether it becomes your springboard—or your story’s ceiling. I chose growth. I always will.