Words by Andrea Gombalová

Beyond the Role: Palina Rojinski on Identity and Confidence

For years, Palina Rojinski has refused to be defined by a single role. From her early television appearances to becoming one of Germany's most recognizable media personalities, she has consistently chosen the projects that felt authentic rather than those that simply fit the image others had of her. We spoke with Rojinski about finding her voice in the entertainment industry, growing up between Russian and German ideas of femininity, navigating beauty standards, and why her latest collaboration with Triumph is rooted in confidence and designing for real women.

Courtesy of Triumph

Andrea Gombalová: Looking back at the beginning of your career, do you feel people underestimated you?

Palina Rojinski: Yes, I think so. I was a young woman, and my first job on television was on Joko and Klaas’ MTV show, where I basically opened the curtain and delivered short on-camera intros. I had very little experience in front of the camera, and was incredibly nervous. But I quickly realized that I didn’t want to be reduced to just being the pretty accessory. First I started to work on my skills and self confidence and then I kept going to my bosses and asking for my own segment. Eventually it paid off, and I got the chance to show that there was much more to me.

Was there a moment when you realized you no longer wanted to fit into the role people had assigned to you publicly?

At the beginning of my career, many of the offers I received were heading in a direction I
wasn’t comfortable with. They mostly revolved around being the sexy sidekick,
sometimes even in fairly trashy productions. I made the decision early on that I wasn’t
going to do that, even if it meant turning down very lucrative jobs.

I’ve always been someone who stood out a little.

You managed to evolve from being perceived as “the sidekick girl” in a comedy show into someone with a very distinct identity of your own. What were the most important steps along that journey?

Looking back, I think the most important thing was that I never let anyone force me into a role that didn’t feel right. I’ve always enjoyed doing many different things – whether that’s television, film, or DJing. At the beginning of my career, I noticed that this was difficult for the media to categorize. The question I was asked most often was, “So what are you, exactly? An actress, a TV host, or a DJ?” But I never saw any reason to choose just one. What has always mattered most to me, is enjoying what I do, because only then can I pass that joy on to the audience. Whenever something didn’t feel right in my gut, I simply didn’t take the project. I think that’s how I found my own path.

Did success change the way people treated you and spoke about you publicly?

Yes, of course. But I’ve always been someone who stood out a little. Even as a teenager, I knew lots of people in Berlin. So it wasn’t a huge shift for me.

Courtesy of Triumph

You were born in Russia and moved to Germany at a very young age. Do you feel like you grew up between different ideas - and ideals - of femininity?

Definitely. My mother taught me to take good care of myself – to look after my body and my skin. Not because it was some obligation to look good, but because she saw it as an act of self-love. I noticed that this kind of self-care isn’t quite as deeply rooted in Germany. That said, I also believe in finding a balance. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of self-optimization, and I don’t think that’s healthy either.

What parts of it did you consciously embrace, and what did you later distance yourself from?

I really appreciate the emphasis on self-care. I enjoy looking after myself and my health.Our bodies do so much for us, and I think they deserve that care.

What I admire most is when a woman has the courage to find her own path and follow it.

Eastern European femininity is often associated with glamour, effort, and a staged idea of beauty from an early age. How did that shape you as a young girl?

For me, it always felt very natural to take care of my appearance and enjoy dressing up for special occasions. I still love that today. But I’m equally happy going out without makeup in a tracksuit. Like with most things, it’s all about finding the right balance.

Was there anything about the women you grew up around that you still admire today - the way they carried themselves, expressed femininity, or moved through life?

I couldn’t generalize that. What I admire most is when a woman has the courage to find her own path and follow it. That path is different for everyone. You have to trust your own inner voice and not put too much weight on outside opinions. Of course, feedback from the people closest to you matters, but ultimately only you can truly feel what your own path is.

After a period where it felt like things were truly changing, there now seems to be a certain disillusionment again. How do you personally feel about the current state of the body positivity conversation?

I do think something has shifted in the way some people think. The most important thing is that we stop judging one another purely based on appearance. You never know the story or the struggles behind a photo. Especially on social media, people are often so quick to leave incredibly hurtful comments. I would simply love to see us show more kindness and consideration toward each other.

I make time for my interests, I love trying new things, and I always reconnect with myself by spending time in nature.

Women are constantly told to “love themselves,” while at the same time being confronted with impossible beauty standards every single day. How do you personally navigate that contradiction?

I think it’s important to remember that the images we see are only snapshots. They’re often edited or taken from a very specific angle. It took me time as well, but today I’ve learned to appreciate the things I once considered flaws. I’m a real person, just like everyone else, and perfection simply doesn’t exist.

What does confidence honestly mean to you today, beyond aesthetics?

It means knowing who I am – understanding both my strengths and my weaknesses. I have a loving family and friendships that have lasted for many years. I make time for my interests, I love trying new things, and I always reconnect with myself by spending time in nature.

Courtesy of Triumph

Your collaboration with Triumph feels rooted in comfort and confidence rather than perfection. What made this partnership feel personal to you?

The deciding factor was that Triumph genuinely wanted to create something completely new together with me. The design team and I really worked side by side, finding solutions to problems that so many women with a larger bust and a smaller band size know all too well. At the same time, it was very important to me that we created lingerie and swimwear for all body types. And on top of that, everything looks absolutely stunning.

You designed pieces based on fits you couldn’t find yourself. What were your biggest frustrations with swimwear before creating this collection?

It always felt like a choice between proper support – which often came at the expense of comfort – and beautiful design. Finding a swimsuit or bikini that offered both honestly felt like searching for the Holy Grail.

A central idea of the collection seems to be support without sacrificing aesthetics. Why do you think women are still so often expected to compromise between the two?

Thankfully, they don’t have to anymore. Both my swimwear and lingerie collections with Triumph combine comfortable support with beautiful designs. That makes me incredibly happy, and I really hope they’ll bring joy to lots of women as well.

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