Make-up artist Aliona Antonova had little idea when she fled her home town the morning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine that she would soon find herself among the stars at the world's top film festival.
Antonova's made-for-Hollywood odyssey to the Cannes Film Festival 2022 began at dawn on February 24, with the first bombs going off in Odessa, not far from her beauty salon and make-up school.
Now the single mum, 31, finds herself doing cosmetics for guests bound for the festival's vaunted red carpet.
"I believe in my destiny," she said.
"When I decided to come here I didn't know: would I have clients here or students? But I just knew that I should come here."
See the best photos from Cannes Film Festival's opening day:
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A guest arrives for the 'Final Cut' screening ahead of the opening ceremony of the 75th Cannes Film Festival in southern France, on May 17, 2022. AFP -
A young guest in front of photographers on the red carpet before the screening of 'Final Cut', at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. AFP -
French actress Frederique Bel arrives for the screening of 'Final Cut' at Cannes Film Festival. AFP -
French actress Frederique Bel arrives for the 'Final Cut' screening. AFP -
Eva Longoria at the screening of 'Final Cut' and the opening ceremony red carpet at Cannes film festival. Getty Images -
Jury member Deepika Padukone on stage during the 'Final Cut' screening and opening ceremony. Reuters -
Julianne Moore on stage with Vincent Lindon, jury president of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Reuters -
Cannes Film Festival jury member Noomi Rapace with Vincent Lindon, Ladj Ly, Jeff Nichols and Joachim Trier. Reuters -
Katherine Langford attends the screening of 'Final Cut' and the opening ceremony red carpet. Getty Images -
Master of ceremony Virginie Efira speaks on stage during the opening event at Cannes. Reuters -
Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela on the red carpet. Reuters -
A guest at the screening of 'Final Cut' ahead of the opening ceremony at Cannes. AFP -
Lashana Lynch at the screening of 'Final Cut'. Getty Images -
'Final Cut' director Michel Hazanavicius and cast members Berenice Bejo and Finnegan Oldfield. Reuters -
Singer Tallia Storm on the red carpet. Reuters -
Jury member Deepika Padukone at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Reuters -
Forest Whitaker, right, receives the Honorary Palme d’Or Award from Cannes Film Festival president Pierre Lescure. Reuters -
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a video address from his country, at Cannes Film Festival. Reuters -
Frederique Bel at the opening ceremony and premiere of 'Final Cut' at Cannes. AP Photo -
Miss France 2021 Amandine Petit on the red carpet. Reuters -
Crew members install the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals, ahead of the opening day of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. AP Photo
'In shock'
Antonova's story began that frightening morning three months ago.
"One day before the war started, I was arguing with my uncle because he told me soon the war would start. I didn't believe him but I went to sleep and I felt something unusual — it was fear," she said.
The next morning at 6am, her brother woke her with the news, telling her to prepare to flee the country.
"I called a taxi to check on my salon and heard a bomb and was in shock," she said.
Although Antonova hated leaving her home, employees and her beloved city, her quick escape to Moldova proved a wise decision given the massive queues that soon appeared at the border.
By chance, her son Micha, aged 4, was already with her parents in the Moldovan capital Chisinau for a family celebration.
Harnessing the power of her 72,000 Instagram followers, she quickly landed work in western European countries which had opened their borders to Ukrainians, doing makeovers and tutorials in cities such as Brussels and Berlin.
Even back in Odessa, she had set her sights on Cannes one day because "all [the] stars are usually in America but it's very far away — this is the closest place with so many stars" in one place at one time.
She contacted local beauty salons and the first one she wrote to offered her a spot as a freelancer during the festival.
"I was in shock because it was very easy," she said. "So easy that until the date to come here, I didn't believe that it will be true."
Since Antonova set up shop, she's been doing a brisk business, with the protagonists of the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler among her favourite Cannes clients. "They were so fun!"
'How brave'
Stargazing on Cannes's famed Croisette seaside promenade, she's already spotted Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway, as well as Brazilian model and actress Adriana Lima.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos from the 'Top Gun: Maverick' premiere in Cannes:
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Tom Cruise attends the screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' during the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 18, 2022. Getty Images -
Miles Teller and wife Keleigh Sperry. Getty Images -
French Alpha Jets Patrouille de France fly over the venue of the 'Top Gun: Maverick' premiere. AP Photo -
Eva Longoria in a mirrored Cristina Ottaviano gown. Reuters -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda. Getty Images -
Jennifer Connelly in Louis Vuitton. AP -
Producer Andre Lemmers and model Adriana Lima, who took pregnancy style inspiration from Rihanna to bare her growing bump on the red carpet. Getty Images -
Elle Fanning in Giorgio Armani. Getty Images -
Actor Greg Tarzan Davis attends. Getty Images -
Model Chanel Iman attends. Getty Images -
Producer and entrepreneur Mohammed Al Turki attends. Getty Images -
Actress Viola Davis on the red carpet. AP -
Iraqi singer and actress Jwana Karim. Getty Images -
TikTok star Elisa Maino. Getty Images -
Actress Blanca Blanco. Getty Images -
French model and infleuncer Didi Stone. Getty Images -
Danish model Josephine Skriver arrives. AFP -
French television host Laurie Cholewa. Getty Images -
Influencer and make-up artist Militza Yovanka. Getty Images -
Beauty influencer Malvika Sitlani. Getty Images -
Social media influencer Leonie Hanne. Getty Images -
Chinese social media personality Jessica Wang. AFP -
Russian model and actress Sasha Luss. Getty Images -
UK model and socialite Lady Victoria Hervey. Getty Images -
Italian actress Sveva Alviti and French-American actor Anthony Delon. Getty Images -
German model and actress Toni Garrn. Getty Images -
Turkish-German actress and model Meryem Sarah Uzerli. EPA -
French television personality Karine Ferri. EPA -
TikTok star India Sasha. Getty Images -
Indian actress Tamannaah Bhatia arrives. AFP
Antonova doesn't tell people she's Ukrainian, unless they ask, because she doesn't want people to feel sorry for her.
"All people who know that I am from Ukraine give support. They always ask, 'How are you? How is your family?' That's very kind," she said.
By charging up to €300 ($320) per person for evening make-up and seeking investors for her own line of cosmetic products, she's hopeful of soon flying Micha and her mother to Cannes to join her.
As far as what the future will bring, Antonova fights back tears, admitting the anxiety sometimes gets the better of her.
"I think all the world is surprised how brave our people are," she said.
"I hope it will finish very soon. But anyway when the war will be finished, it will be very hard for our people to (rebuild) everything.
"No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Now I'm on my way but I want to feel light. I'm trying to be optimistic."
52 stars who have worn Lebanese designers on the Cannes red carpets — in pictures
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Portuguese model Sara Sampaio wears red Zuhair Murad to the screening of 'Decision to Leave' on May 23. Getty Images -
Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri wears a Rami Kadi gown to the Celebration of Women in Cinema gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival on May 21. AFP -
American model Jasmine Tookes wears a gold Zuhair Murad two-piece to attend the screening of 'Armageddon Time' on May 19. Getty Images -
Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio wears pink floral Elie Saab to the Celebration of Women in Cinema gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival on May 21. Getty Images -
Sabrina Elba, wears white layered Tony Ward, attend the screening of 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' with husband Idris Elba on May 20. Getty Images -
Chinese-American socialite Jessica Wang wears a purple and gold, caped Tony Ward to a screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. Getty Images -
French actress Nathalie Odzierejko wears a black and silver Georges Hobeika suit to attend the 'Top Gun: Maverick' screening on May 18. Photo: Georges Hobeika -
American model Noel Capri Berry wears a black and gold Zuhair Murad to the 'Triangle of Sadness' screening on May 21. EPA -
Egyptian actress Tara Emad wears black and white Georges Chakra to the Celebration of Women in Cinema gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival on May 21. AFP -
Emirati actress Mahira Abdel Aziz wearing a white collared Georges Hobeika gown to attend the 'Top Gun: Maverick' premiere on May 18. Photo: Georges Hobeika -
French producer Melita Toscan du Plantier in monochrome Elie Saab at the opening ceremony gala dinner on May 17. Getty Images -
Fatima Al-Banawi, wearing blue Georges Chakra, and Mohammed Al Turki attend the screening of 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' on May 20. Getty Images -
Spanish model Gala Gonzalez wears black and silver Elie Saab to the screening of 'Armageddon Time' on May 19. Getty Images -
Romanian actress Madalina Ghenea wears green Zuhair Murad to attend the World Influencers and Bloggers Awards 2022 on May 18. Getty Images -
Romanian model and actress Stefania Cristian wears a feathered Zuhair Murad jumpsuit to the screening of 'RMN' with Samuel Le Bihan on May 21. Getty Images -
Australian actress Claire Holt wears silver Georges Chakra to attend the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. AFP -
YouTube star Liza Koshy wears silver Georges Hobeika to attend the screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' on May 18. Getty Images -
American model Jasmine Tookes wears yellow Tony Ward to attend a screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' on May 18. Getty Images -
Austrian model Nadine Leopold wears a taupe Zuhair Murad dress to attend the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. AFP -
Romanian model Catrinel Marlon wears a metallic Zuhair Murad gown to attend the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. Getty Images -
Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio wears a white feather and laser cut Georges Hobeika two-piece to attend a Nespresso event on May 22. Photo: Georges Hobeika -
Bosnian influencer Tamara Kalinic wears yellow Elie Saab to attend the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness' on May 21. Getty Images -
Catrinel Marlon wears a draped Zuhair Murad playsuit for a Cannes Film Festival photoshoot on May 22. Getty Images -
English actress Wallis Day wears sheer black Georges Hobeika to attend the screening of 'Top Gun' on May 18. Getty Images -
Iranian presenter Diala Makki wears green bejewelled Georges Hobeika to attend the Chopard Trophy photocall on May 19. Getty Images -
Dutch model Daphne Groeneveld wears red Zuhair Murad to attend the screening of 'Heojil Kyolshim (Decision to Leave)' on May 23. EPA -
Brazilian influencer Thassia Naves wears a sequinned Tony Ward down to attend a screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. Getty Images -
British reality TV star Kimberley Garner wears sequinned Rami Kadi to attend the screening of 'Decision to Leave (Heojil Kyolshim' on May 23. EPA -
French model Chloe Lecareux wears sheer white Zuhair Murad to attend the screening of 'Crimes Of The Future' on May 23. Getty Images -
French actress Simone Hazanavicius wears green Elie Saab to attend the 'Final Cut (Coupez!)' and opening ceremony on May 17. Getty Images -
German blogger Leonie Hanne wears mint-green Tony Ward to attend the screening of 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' on May 20. Reuters -
American model Tessa Brooks wears white Rami Kadi to attend the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. Getty Images) -
Norwegian model Frida Aasen wears red Elie Saab to attend the screening of 'Les Amandiers (Forever Young)' on May 22. EPA -
Lebanese presenter Raya Abirached wears a blue Georges Hobeika gown to attend the screening of 'Final Cut (Coupez!)' on May 17. Getty Images -
Indian actress Urvashi Rautela wears a white, tulle Tony Ward gown to attend the screening of 'Final Cut (Coupez!)' and opening ceremony on May 17. Getty Images -
Iranian presenter Diala Makki wears a three-town pastel gown by Georges Hobeika to attend the 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' screening on May 20. Getty Images -
Lebanese presenter Raya Abiracher wears a one-shouldered crimson Georges Hobeika gown to attend the Celebration of Women in Cinema gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival on May 21. AFP -
British influencer Chiara Sampaio wears white Tony Ward to attend a screening of 'Decision To Leave (Heojil Kyolshim)' on May 23. Getty Images -
Egyptian actress Enjy Kiwan wears a draped fuchsia Georges Hobeika gown to attend the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness' on May 21. Getty Images -
French actress Marine Delterme wears a caped Georges Hobeika dress to attend the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. Getty Images -
Lebanese model Loujain Adada wears a metallic ombre Georges Hobeika gown to attend the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. Getty Images -
Danish model Josephine Skriver wears monochrome Tony Ward to attend the screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' on May 18. EPA -
Dubai entrepreneur Hadia Ghaleb wears pink Georges Hobeika to attend a Chopard event on May 20. Photo: Georges Hobeika -
Marco Fantini and Beatrice Valli, wearing a mermaid-style Rami Kadi gown, attend the screening of 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' on May 20. Getty Images -
Belgian model Rose Bertram wears a purple Tony Ward dress to attend the screening of 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' on May 20. EPA -
Brazilian model Mari Fonseca wears metallic Rami Kadi to arrive for the screening of 'Forever Young (Les Amandiers)' on May 22. EPA -
Brazilian influencer Rafa Kalimann wears black Tony Ward to attend a screening of 'Decision To Leave (Heojil Kyolshim)' on May 23. Getty Images -
Model Ann-Sophie Thieme wears a lime green Rami Kadi gown to attend the 2022 Welcome to Cannes party on May 19. Getty Images -
Liza Koshy wears a floral Tony Ward dress to attend the screening of 'Final Cut (Coupez!)' and opening ceremony on May 17. Getty Images -
Spanish model Nieves Alvarez wears ice blue Elie Sabb to attend the 'Armageddon Time' screening on May 19. Photo: Elie Saab -
Brazilian influencer Thassia Naves wears a pink Zuhair Murad gown to attend a Chopard event on May 20. Photo: Zuhair Murad -
Viky Rader wearing a nude Georges Chakra gown to attend the screening of 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' on May 20. WireImage
