interview
Name:
Maxim Onyscuk (@nuksterr)
Pronouns:
he/him
Agency:
Elite Prague, VNY Models (New York), Metropolitan / M Management / Makers (Paris), Independent Model Management (Milan)
Age:
21
Height:
6’2″
Place of Origin:
Prague, Czech Republic
Ethnic Origin:
1/2 Russian and 1/2 Ukrainian
Birthsign:
Scorpio
Did you always want to be a model? Tell us about how you were discovered.
It’s actually a funny story! I remember when I was 14, I told my friends that I wanted to be a model and would love to walk for a specific Czech designer (Jan Société). Fast forward four years, and I ended up going to an open casting for that exact same designer. The casting was run by agents and scouts from my mother agency. One of the agents pulled me aside and asked to take a few pictures. I said, ‘Sure, no problem,’ but I had absolutely no clue what it was really for! A week later, I got a call from the agency asking if I wanted to model full-time, and they already had a contract ready for me. I’ve been with them ever since.
Most memorable modeling experience so far?
Without a doubt, it has to be my Prada exclusive. I knew from the start what a massive milestone that is for any model, but coming from a small town and being flown out to another country for the first time for a job made it feel completely surreal. From the moment I arrived, getting to know the team and being treated like family was an absolute dream. The entire Prada building has this incredible, unexplainable aura—walking into the fittings and seeing the creative process up close was unforgettable. By the time the show started, the energy backstage was insane. I was so pumped with adrenaline, and walking out onto that runway was a feeling I’ll never forget. Honestly, I was in total disbelief for a long time afterward. It completely transformed my career, and I will forever be grateful to the team for believing in me.
One song you have on repeat, and why?
‘Life is a Highway’—haha! I just spent the past week touring around the country with my mother agency, and this was our ultimate anthem in the car. I already have so many amazing memories tied to it from that trip. Plus, the metaphor is perfect right now—life truly is a highway, and I’m absolutely loving the ride.
What other passions do you have aside from modeling?
Music has always been my number one passion. During COVID, I started producing music at home, and over time, that naturally evolved into DJing. Whenever I’m not modeling or in school, you can find me behind the decks. I absolutely love digging for tracks—old music, new music, different styles and genres—and finding those hidden gems is what truly keeps me going. There is nothing like setting the vibe in a room and feeding off the energy of the crowd. Growing up in a family full of musicians, music has always been a part of who I am.
What is something you’ve always wanted to do/try?
I don’t actually have a traditional answer for this because I’ve never been someone who waits around to try things. If I want to experience something, I make it happen. I feel very fortunate that life has constantly thrown amazing opportunities my way, and my philosophy has always been to just dive in headfirst. Whenever a new door opens, I take it as a sign to say yes, so I’m just constantly enjoying whatever next adventure life brings my way.
What’s one thing people may be surprised to find out about you?
People are usually surprised by how gentle and caring I am, mostly because I have a look in daily life that can come across as pretty intimidating! Whether I’m just walking down the street or meeting someone for the first time, I know my features can make me look serious or unapproachable, which has honestly been a bit of a struggle for me. But the second people actually talk to me, they realize I’m a total softie who loves taking care of others. I might look intense at first glance, but in reality, I’m just a big family person who is always trying to make the people around me smile.
What change would you like to see in the world?
More than anything, I want to see a world with far more collective kindness and less greed. It is absolutely devastating to look at the world right now and see so much conflict and war—it genuinely breaks my heart because you can see how much of it is driven entirely by selfishness and greed. It’s an incredibly heavy thing to witness. Despite all of that, I refuse to give up hope. I truly, deeply believe that every single human being is kind at their core, and that we are born to connect and care for one another. I just wish we, as a global society, could realize this sooner rather than later. If we could strip away the greed and remember our shared humanity, the world would be a completely different place.