Bolshoi Theatre Scandal: Berezovsky’s Ex-Lover Sparks Outrage with Provocative Photoshoot
Bolshoi Theatre Scandal: Berezovsky’s Ex-Lover Sparks Outrage with Provocative Photoshoot
The Incident
Every winter, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow becomes the center of attention. This year, however, the spotlight is not on the performances or the actors, but on the scandalous behavior of some audience members. The latest controversy involves Daria Konovalova, the former lover of the late Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
Konovalova posted a photo on her personal blog taken from the balcony of the Bolshoi Theatre. In the image, she is seen posing in a black top with a deep cleavage and a bright red mini skirt, sitting on the edge of a theater box in a lotus position. The caption read, “Russia stay strong. Love you.”
Public Backlash
The reaction from the online community was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Users accused Konovalova of turning the country’s main theater into a cheap content shooting location, disregarding basic respect for the art.
Comments ranged from “Leave the theater alone” to “They will soon be taking naked photos” and “This is a disgrace.” Many users expressed confusion and dismay, with remarks like “I don’t understand why they take such photos” and “This looks like a competition to see who can desecrate the theater more.” Others questioned Konovalova’s motives, stating, “This woman clearly doesn’t appreciate beauty” and “It’s time to introduce a strict dress code; this is no longer funny.”
Previous Scandals
This incident is not the first of its kind. Users quickly recalled a recent scandal involving Maria Grigorieva, a news anchor for “Russia 24.” Grigorieva posted a photo of herself lying on the edge of a theater box in a dress. Her behavior was condemned not only by online users but also by cultural figures. Nikolai Tsiskaridze, a renowned ballet dancer, suggested that Grigorieva should be punished by making her clean the theater floors. Although Grigorieva did not respond to Tsiskaridze’s comments, she did remove the provocative photo.
Other celebrities have also faced criticism for their attire at the Bolshoi Theatre. Notably, Karina Nigai caused a stir by wearing a “naked” dress. Konovalova, however, seems unfazed by the negative comments. Known for her love of revealing outfits and provocative behavior, she has always been a figure of controversy.
Konovalova’s Background
From a young age, Konovalova understood that her appearance was her greatest asset. After being crowned “Miss Yaroslavl” and later “Beauty of Russia,” she set her sights on Europe. In 2009, she met Boris Berezovsky at a party in Minsk. Initially, she was supposed to meet the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, but instead, she caught the attention of the 63-year-old oligarch.
The two engaged in deep conversations about Russia and politics. Berezovsky, who was in a deep depression due to his exile and financial ruin, saw Konovalova as a “prophet” and a “breath of fresh air.” Their relationship lasted a year and a half, during which Berezovsky showered Konovalova with gifts, including a luxurious apartment overlooking the Kremlin, a Maybach filled with roses, a villa on the French Riviera, and a yacht. He proposed to her twice, gifting her a Graff engagement ring with a large diamond.
However, their relationship was doomed. Konovalova suffered two miscarriages, which she said psychologically broke her and cooled her feelings. The final crisis occurred in the Caribbean, where Berezovsky had proposed. During a heated argument, he angrily threw the engagement ring into the ocean. They soon parted ways, and in 2013, Berezovsky was found dead in the locked bathroom of his home in England. Konovalova did not attend his funeral.
