What does it take to leave a successful career behind, move to Hollywood, and start building your dream all over again?
In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Ukrainian actress, model, dancer, songwriter, and television host Liliia Halushko to discuss her journey from a small village in Ukraine to the international entertainment industry—and her latest suspense short film, The Impression.
Liliya opens up about being bullied and deeply insecure as a child, finding confidence through dance, modeling, television, and performance, and eventually moving to the United States to pursue acting at a higher level. She explains why acting requires the same discipline as an elite sport and why talent alone is never enough without constant training and preparation.
The conversation also explores her award-winning modeling career, her work as a television host and recording artist, and the personal experiences that inspired her to connect so deeply with The Impression.
In this episode:
- How Liliya went from a small Ukrainian village to the entertainment industry
- Overcoming bullying, insecurity, and self-doubt
- Her experience studying television, cinema, and performance in Kyiv
- How modeling and international competitions helped build her confidence
- Why acting should be treated like daily athletic training
- The challenges of moving to Hollywood and rebuilding a career
- What she learned from working in television, music, dance, and modeling
- How her Ukrainian identity influences her creative work
- The story behind the suspense short film The Impression
- Why first impressions can be dangerously misleading
- How trust, fear, and ordinary moments can completely change a life
- Preparing emotionally for a dramatic role
- Working with director Luke LaFontaine and a young child actor
- Her advice for performers trying to break into the entertainment industry
- Why persistence and preparation create unexpected opportunities
In The Impression, Liliya plays a young immigrant mother who cannot find childcare before work and is forced to bring her son along on a train ride. A seemingly ordinary encounter with a stranger soon changes all of their lives, revealing how danger often arrives without warning—and sometimes behind a friendly smile.
Liliya also speaks candidly about leaving family members behind in Ukraine, the emotional impact of war, and why she believes she can help her country by continuing to build her voice and career in the United States.
Whether you are an aspiring actor, immigrant artist, filmmaker, model, or anyone working to overcome fear and pursue an ambitious dream, this episode offers an inspiring conversation about resilience, discipline, identity, and the courage to keep moving forward.
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