10 minute read
Rock Out
BABY BORIS
(& HIS ‘YUMMY COBHAM MUMMY’ TATIANA)
David Barabash (aka Baby Boris) made headlines in hundreds of national newspapers across the world when he was born on March 1st with a full head of long blonde hair like our charismatic Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. We took time out to catch up with this local Surrey celebrity and his glamorous mummy to find out about the most adorable internet sensation and what it’s been like for the family on their new-found fame.
WHEN DAVID WAS FIRST BORN WITH LONG BLONDE HAIR WERE YOU SURPRISED?
Of course! Not only by his appearance but also where it had come from! There was no one in my family with the blonde gene so I asked my husband if he had anyone – he couldn’t remember as well. Three days later his mother mentioned that she is actually a natural blonde!
WHEN DID YOU FIRST NOTICE THE RESEMBLANCE TO THE PM?
We started to make a joke of it immediately. His hair was very white, almost ash blonde. I stayed in Kingston Hospital for few more days and literally every new midwife said the same: “Look at this hair! I’ve never seen blonde babies with that hair, it’s miniBoris Johnson”. My husband even wanted to name him Boris, but I said that’s too much as he is such a unique personality that he deserved to be treated as himself.
HOW DID THE STORY GET PICKED UP SO QUICKLY BY THE NATIONALS?
It was unexpected, to be fair. I posted David’s photos on the Facebook group named “Parents of child-models” and asked which agencies to apply to. We got more than 150 comments and likes in few days. Then we were spotted by the journalist who works for one of the news agencies. She was so impressed by David’s look and asked me to give her an interview. We did it by phone and then she sent the script with our photos to national papers where it was picked up by most of them. I remember the first one: it was online Daily Mail, then Metro, and the next day – 5
print newspapers across the UK. So, we woke up famous. After that we were invited to This Morning – and our friends started to call us with: “Oh my god, we’ve just seen you on TV!”
DO YOU GET STOPPED IN THE STREET A LOT?
Yes. Even more than before now. I thought that when David was a bit older people will stop noticing. But even today everywhere we go, people stop us with lots of people asking to take a picture with David.
HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN YOU WERE GETTING REPORTED ON FROM AS FAR AFIELD AS AUSTRALIA & JAPAN?
After 3 days, when the main hype calmed down a bit, I decided to do some research. I have friends all over the world and they started to send me articles in Spanish, French and German. I decided to translate “Baby Boris” in different languages and Google it. I was shocked! I found articles in every language - all over Europe, Asia, America – everywhere! It was crazy. After that our lives changed forever and I even didn’t name Cobham in interviews, just Surrey. To keep things a little calmer we used to put a hat on David during walks.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO APPEAR ON ITV’S THIS MORNING?
Everything happened so fast that we didn’t have time to analyse it. I don’t watch TV much anyway, so for me it wasn’t that big a thing. My task was to get my husband on the shows too so everyone knew who David’s father’s was! I think it’s important to have a father figure in place so we were able to avoid any controversial comments. I think we successfully did it.
WERE HOLLY & PHIL AS LOVELY AS EVERYONE MAKES OUT?
Yes, they were amazing! But the funniest thing is that after the show I realised that when I was pregnant with David, I was actually reading Holly’s book about babies. So literally, I managed David based on her advice! But as I came to London 5 years ago and didn’t watch TV much – I didn’t know that the person from the book was the person from TV show we were on, so I didn’t mention it!
WHAT OTHER TV SHOWS OR APPEARANCES HAS DAVID DONE?
Straight after This Morning we were invited to The National Morning Show in Ukraine where we repeated almost the same interview in an hour. The next day, we were invited by The Red, which talks about worldwide famous celebrities. It covers Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It was another last-minute interview as well, so we had to make videos of David and film our total interview in 30 mins. All this while in a rush that morning I washed my hair with shower gel in a rush so I don’t think I looked that great! I have tried to gather all the media in David’s Instagram account, so it will be in one place for him when he’s older.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO COME OUT OF THIS AMAZING COMPARISON?
That a lot of people in the world see David as a future Prime Minister and they already love him. What better start to a political career for a young man! Of course, maybe he will be a successful Chelsea football player (his father’s dream) but he has plenty of options now!
HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF ENTERING DAVID INTO MODELLING?
Yes, even without the comparison with Boris – he is a beautiful boy with a positive attitude, who adores the camera! He loves to be surrounded by people and is always smiling.
WE DISCOVERED YOU ARE ALSO A BIT OF A CELEB YOURSELF WINNING SEVERAL BEAUTY COMPETITIONS?
When I was 20 – I won a beauty contest in Moscow and got a brand new car as a main gift. It was my first step into the beauty and fashion industry where I stayed for many years, working as a model, actress, stylist and now as a brand developer. What can I say… it’s an amazing feeling to have a crown on the top of your head. Hopefully, I will feel it again soon!
YES WE HEAR YOU ARE ENTERING MRS UKRAINE – TELL US MORE?
Yes, I am currently preparing for Mrs Ukraine International 2022. It’s a big event in Ukraine with a lot of celebrities and respected people. It is a great reason for me to finally dive into social activity again after lockdown, specifically into the charity sector. Also, it’s a great chance to make a positive British-Ukrainian cultural exchange. For example, I organised the first Charity Afternoon Tea in Kyiv recently and started to support the female Ukrainian business community here in London. The Mrs Ukraine contest will be held on the 2nd March 2022 – wish me luck!
GOOD LUCK. NOT THAT YOU NEED IT! YOU ALSO OWN OWN THE BRAND SCAN. WHAT CAN YOU OFFER ANY LOCAL SURREY BUSINESESS READING THIS?
As a luxury brand management expert, I scan every case using the luxury strategy. I don’t have much time now to take a lot of cases at the same time, as I also develop our family construction business Daniel’s Contractors & Development, but I provide my clients with the consultancy, they can also order branding, rebranding or strategy; which includes marketing and PR advice. Then I can create a team for a business to move things forward. It doesn’t come cheap though!
WE ALSO HEAR YOUR HUSBAND IS LAUNCHING HIS LONDON PROPERTY BUSINESS DANIEL’S CONTRACTORS IN SURREY – HOW IS IT ALL GOING?
My husband has 20 years’ experience in the construction sector. And currently we are moving to a new company Daniel’s Contractors & Development as we want to focus more on the development side of business. Currently we have started projects for 3 houses, but also working on the private village idea with up to 50 houses. It is my personal dream and hopefully we will find suitable land for its realisation.
AND FINALLY, AS A SURREY RESIDENT, WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING HERE?
We have a lake and forest 1 minute walk from our house. It’s an amazing place to raise kids. Also, Cobham and Surrey in general are pretty fancy! You know The Ivy Brasserie would never open a restaurant in an average village. We moved here in the middle of lockdown, so we just enjoyed nature for the first 6 months! I’m looking forward to discovering all the cool places which Surrey Rocks recommends and dreaming to meet another Cobham resident actor - Antonio Banderas - at our local Waitrose!
OXTED
01883 722207 oxted@thegrumpymole.co.uk
BROCKHAM
We are delighted you have found us and sincerely hope that you are persuaded to visit one of our five beautiful venues. Our ethos has always been a simple one - to offer delicious food in stylish but cosy surroundings and to make your experience a relaxing and special one. The food we serve is always cooked fresh on the premises and, where possible, we use local ingredients and suppliers. Our dedicated staff and professional management team will do everything possible to make your experience a memorable one - be it for business, pleasure or just to pass the time. Whether you visit for a quick sandwich in the bar, a traditional afternoon tea on linen-clad tables, or an exquisite candle-lit three course dinner, the attention to detail is the same. Our venues are often busy, particularly at weekends and Bank Holidays, so advance booking for larger parties is advisable. We hope you too will make The Grumpy Mole your special place.
020 8394 2000 cheam@thegrumpymole.co.uk TADWORTH
01737 353529 tadworth@thegrumpymole.co.uk
EPSOM
01372 721309 epsom@thegrumpymole.co.uk
We are delighted you have found us and sincerely hope that you are persuaded to visit one of our five beautiful venues. Our ethos has always been a simple one - to offer delicious food in stylish but cosy surroundings and to make your experience a relaxing and special one. The food we serve is always cooked fresh on the premises and, where possible, we use local ingredients and suppliers. Our dedicated staff and professional management team will do everything possible to make your experience a memorable one - be it for business, pleasure or just to pass the time. Whether you visit for a quick sandwich in the bar, a traditional afternoon tea on linen-clad tables, or an exquisite candle-lit three course dinner, the attention to detail is the same. Our venues are often busy, particularly at weekends and Bank Holidays, so advance booking for larger parties is advisable. We hope you too will make The Grumpy Mole your special place.
