From Russia with Gloves

Natasha Alexandrovna's first album, Russian Revolution, is out this month, to be followed by her first American movie, the action comedy Taxi Dancer. GEORGE WAYNE caught up with the heavily hyped "Russian Madonna" between L.A. engagements.

George Wayne: I've never heard of any Russian with personal style. Do you consider yourself the first?

Natasha: No, Veruschka, that famous model years ago, she has style.

G.W. But wasn't Veruschka German? Anyway, you are the first Russian woman to be signed by a major Western record label.

N. I'm signed to BGM Records in Montreal. I have been a performer since I was six years old. BGM Records saw me perform at Cannes and signed me.

G.W. So has Jean-Claude Van Damme called? You'd make a great love interest in his next movie.

N. Not yet, but I'm waiting.

G.W. You've actually lectured at Harvard on relations between the U.S.A. and Russia.

N. I'm very interested in education. My parents were very well-off in Russia. I was taught English by Oxford professors. My background is the opera, ballet, the classics.

G.W. So you grew up in a well-to-do Russian family, and yet you defected.

N. Because it doesn't matter how well-off you are. You want your freedom.

G.W. I read your legs are insured for $5 million.

N. I used to model for Johnny Casablancas, and I did a lot of ads where my legs were prominent. G.W. Did you know Daryl Hannah has cellulite?

N. [Laughs] No.

G.W. I've seen it myself. What do you do to prevent cellulite?

N. [Laughs] Be careful of what you eat. I have always been very conscious of my body. I was a gymnast since I was four years old in Russia. Now I swim about a half-mile a day. G.W. What is your greatest asset? Is it your eyes, your lips, your breasts, or is it. . . ?

N. My eyes. They're smoky almond.

G.W. Would you enlarge your breasts, if it meant adding another $3 million to your bank account?

N. [Long pause] I'm not saying every woman should have an operation, but they should do whatever they feel is necessary to look better.

G.W. But would you get breast implants? N. Well, I'm pretty big now. But say if I were to have a baby, and say I breast-fed the baby, and my breasts sagged, got small, I think I would.

G.W. What is your ultimate fantasy?

N. My ultimate fantasy is to be larger than life. That's why I came to America.