“Mrs. Washington Petite Globe 2026: Svetlana Fortygin Exclusive Interview”

You hold the title of Mrs. Washington Petite 2026. What inspired you to enter the world of pageantry, and what does this crown represent for you personally?

It all started when my friend Inesse who has won 3 crowns in pageantry & is currently holding the title of Mrs North America Globe has convinced me to apply. When I finally did & went through the process, I was extremely honored to have been offered such an esteemed title from Mrs Globe Foundation. I don’t take this title lightly for a second. To me, this crown represents a responsibility to lead others, to spark inspiration and be a person people can look up to.

As an award-winning poet and author, how has literature shaped the way you communicate strength, femininity, and identity?

Writing is a way for me to express what I feel, think and believe. Its such a great outlet. I write rhymey poetry because my life growing up was chaotic but the structure in my poems helped me regain some sense of order and control. Art isn’t chaotic, it has structure and beauty to it. 

Your presence exudes elegance and discipline. What values or life experiences have helped you become “a woman of unmatched class & elegance”?

The elegance and discipline you see in me today are the result of values my family instilled in me early on. I come from a Slavic background, and it’s so ingrained in our culture to dress up, be feminine and take care of yourself. I love being girly and fun! I find it when I look good, I feel good and I love dressing up even at home or when I’m out running errands. Growing up, I learned that true class isn’t only about what you wear, but how you treat others. Handling people with respect, humility, kindness and grace. My dad was a huge role model to me, he was a businessman who was well respected because of the way he spoke and treated others. In my childhood, he often  took me to some meetings with prominent people & that taught me to carry myself with dignity regardless of what room I am in.

How do you balance the many roles you hold — titleholder, writer, wife, and mother — without losing your sense of self?

I  just take it day by day. It takes lots of discipline and focus. I have a very supportive husband who’s a very steady anchor in our family. I do the best I can & laugh at the rest. Joyful spirit makes life more fun.

You speak four languages. How has multilingualism expanded your worldview and influenced your creative expression?

I’m actually learning French as well, that will be my fifth language. When I travel, I love being able to get around & get to talk to locals really experience different cultures. Recently, I was in Italy & was able to talk to a couple on a train that gave me lots of suggestions on things to explore. Speaking different languages made me more open minded and cultured.

Pageantry often involves both inner resilience and outer poise. What has been the most transformative lesson you've learned in this journey?

I wanted to use this process to reinvent myself as a woman. To push boundaries and be a voice not only to myself but to millions of women. It may sounds funny, but as a strong woman I’ve been learning to walk in a more graceful and feminine manner. Think more like ballet dancing. I’ve been practicing my walk & doing deep stretches. We hold lots of trauma and unresolved emotions in our hips, there were times I let myself cry and let go of old beliefs. This journey for me is very healing.

What message do you hope to send to women who feel they must choose between family, career, and personal ambitions?

You must do more of what makes you happy. I learned that everything in life has its times and seasons. There was about a decade of my life where even though I worked, my main focus was raising my children. To the women who find themselves in that situation, use this time to polish your gifts and passions. Each day do something small to move yourself closer towards your dreams. Small efforts amount to big results, it’s all about consistency. And never, ever stop dreaming, because absolutely anything you believe is possible!

As an author, which themes do you explore the most in your writing, and what emotions do you hope your readers experience?

I love writing about love, romance & self discovery. I also write rhymey fantasy children’s books that I wished my 5 year old self could read as a child. I want my readers to find resonance in my stories and find inspiration and feel like they could dream again. With my writing I want people to believe in their own magic. 

Confidence is a key component of pageant excellence. How do you cultivate confidence from within on days when you don’t feel your strongest?

I remind myself of what inspiration and love I’d love to communicate to the world. Knowing that even if I could uplift one person, it’s worth it. Confidence is a choice, so even if you see me at Pilates without my glam or sparkles, I’ll smile and say hello. Because true confidence comes from within. Knowing you’re enough & you can take up space in the world. 

You represent Washington on a global stage. What does this responsibility mean to you, and how do you hope to inspire your community?

I feel very honored to have this platform. I want to show the world the feminine power embodying elegance and strength. I want to show women that they too can rise and follow every single dream they had as a girl. Because I’m doing this for my daughter, my 5 year old self & for every woman around the globe! 

What is the one misconception about pageantry or beauty titles that you wish more people understood?

Every queen in pageantry has a story. Each one has personal reasons for taking a crown. The titles aren’t only about beauty, it’s about character, grace, sisterhood, strength and charisma. We are a community of women who cheer each other on and fix each others crowns. In pageantry, us queens, we support each other because we want to show the world that together we rise.

Looking ahead, what dreams or projects are you pursuing next — whether in pageantry, literature, or your personal life?

I’m going to compete for the Mrs USA Globe title in June of 2026. I’m so excited to take the stage along with all the inspiring and beautiful queens. I’m about to release my 3rd children’s book and I’m going to start writing my memoir this year. I strongly feel it’s time to tell my story. In professional life, I’m very focused and expanding and growing my businesses. In personal life, I just want to be more present for my family and invest into our children. I also love to travel and plan on having lots of adventures and fun.

Mrs Washington Petite Globe 2026