Irina Paley

Irina Paley

TV presenter
Country: Ukraine

Content:
  1. Biography of Irina Paley
  2. From Personal Crisis to National Psychologist
  3. Not a Psychoanalyst, but a Seeker of Answers
  4. Midnight Conversations
  5. No Staged Calls
  6. A Nomadic Life
  7. From Acting to Broadcasting
  8. A Reluctant Working Woman
  9. A Personal Life Behind the Camera

Biography of Irina Paley

Irina Paley is a television presenter who is known for her ability to listen and speak to her viewers. She hosts the show "Blue Trolleybus" on TVC, where she engages in conversations with viewers who open up to her and share their problems. She presents herself as a strong woman who is capable of solving her own problems.

From Personal Crisis to National Psychologist

Irina Paley took on the role of a national psychotherapist out of selfish reasons. She was going through a serious emotional crisis and felt that she needed to address her own problems. After losing her job as a news anchor, she struggled with depression for several months. Reluctant to burden her friends with her problems, she decided to seek help from a psychoanalyst. The experience was successful and inspired her to create a television program based on the idea of providing assistance and support to others. She believed that such programs were popular in the West and could become the foundation for her own show.

Not a Psychoanalyst, but a Seeker of Answers

Although Irina Paley is not a psychoanalyst herself, she believes that she, like everyone else, is constantly seeking answers in life. She consulted a renowned psychologist on how to gain people's trust, and he advised her to first take care of herself, as people are more likely to trust someone who appears healthy. Following his advice, she intentionally gained weight to present a more solid and relatable image to her audience.

Midnight Conversations

Irina Paley chose the late-night time slot for her show because she believes it is a time when people are more inclined to have meaningful conversations. She refers to it as the "hour of the soul" when people are more open to discussing important matters. Despite not having formal training on how to talk to people with personal problems, she believes that actors, directors, and writers often excel in conversations because they are emotional and unguarded. She emphasizes that her show is not limited to "problematic" viewers, as everyone has their own struggles and the right to communicate and be heard.

No Staged Calls

Irina Paley does not resort to staged calls on her show as she finds it unnecessary. She recalls a time when there were no calls during the first episode, which turned out to be due to an overwhelming number of people trying to reach them simultaneously. To handle the high call volume, the show now has three multi-line phones, and even after the move to a different studio, they still face a barrage of calls every night. She estimates that in Moscow alone, there are around three million people awake during the night, ensuring a constant stream of viewers.

A Nomadic Life

Irina Paley has led a nomadic life, moving from place to place. She was born in Dnipro, Ukraine, then moved to Moscow to study at the institute. Currently, she holds residence permits in both Russia and Latvia, as her husband is Latvian. She splits her time between Moscow and Riga, enjoying the freedom of being a cosmopolitan. However, she admits that she does not feel a sense of belonging to any particular place.

From Acting to Broadcasting

Irina Paley's journey into broadcasting was not a straightforward one. She initially attended the State Institute of Theatrical Arts in Moscow to become an actress. However, she admits that during her studies, her focus was primarily on her personal life. After graduation, she became a mother and considered herself fully occupied with raising her child. It was only later, with the opportunity to host the Tabakerka show, that she started to pursue a career in broadcasting.

A Reluctant Working Woman

Irina Paley's husband initially opposed her decision to work, believing that a wife's primary role should be focused on the family. However, he eventually grew accustomed to her work and accepted her career. While her friends have recently started making significant changes in their lives after many years of marriage, she feels that she has already experienced and overcome those challenges. She acknowledges that the future is uncertain, but she believes that the biggest mistakes in her life have already been made.

A Personal Life Behind the Camera

In her personal life, Irina Paley is a devoted mother. Her younger son is currently in school, while her older son is pursuing a career as a cinematographer. Paley views herself as an overprotective mother, constantly worrying about her children and their well-being. She splits her time between Moscow and Riga, where her mother-in-law resides, and frequently visits her to provide assistance. Paley admits to being a closed-off person and prefers not to let others into her inner world, even though her husband wishes she would be more open.

© BIOGRAPHS