Personal Details :
- Full Name: Viktorija Moskaļova
- Stage Name: Viktoria Modesta
- Date of Birth: 25 February 1987
- Place of Birth: Daugavpils, Latvian SSR (then part of the Soviet Union)
- Nationality: Latvian-born, later naturalized British citizen
- Languages: Latvian, Russian, English
- Profession: Artist, singer, model, futurist, speaker
- Genres: Electronic, pop, experimental
- Years Active: 2007–present
- Known For: “Prototype” music video, Bionic pop star persona
- Medical Background: Suffered a dislocated hip at birth due to medical negligence
- Number of Surgeries: Over 15 operations between ages 6–12
- Amputation: Voluntarily amputated lower left leg in 2007 to improve mobility and quality of life
- Prosthetics: Uses custom prosthetics as fashion and performance art (e.g., Swarovski leg, spike leg, stereo leg)
- Artistic Philosophy: Challenges traditional notions of beauty, ability, and identity
- Notable Performances: 2012 Paralympics Closing Ceremony, Crazy Horse Paris (2019)
- Affiliations: MIT Media Lab Director’s Fellow
- Collaborators: Alternative Limb Project, Anouk Wipprecht, Rolls-Royce, Channel 4
- Awards: Cannes Silver Lion for “Prototype”, BBC 100 Women (2016)
- Residence: Los Angeles, California
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @viktoriamodesta
- Facebook: facebook.com/viktoriamodesta
- Twitter/X: @vmodesta
- YouTube: Viktoria Modesta on YouTube
- Official Website: www.viktoriamodesta.com
Career Overview :
Viktoria Modesta began her career as a model and performer in the early 2000s after relocating from Latvia to the United Kingdom at the age of 12. Due to birth-related medical complications and a series of failed surgeries, she made the bold decision in 2007 to undergo a voluntary below-the-knee amputation of her left leg. This decision became a turning point in her artistic and professional life, allowing her to reinvent herself as a symbol of empowerment and futuristic identity.
She quickly gained attention in London’s fashion and performance art scenes, modeling in both alternative and mainstream magazines such as *Bizarre*, *Skin Two*, *Vogue*, and *Elle*. Viktoria challenged conventional ideas of disability by turning her prosthetics into wearable art, collaborating with artists and engineers to create statement pieces like the Swarovski leg, spike leg, and stereo leg.
Her music career launched with the release of her debut EP EP1 in 2010, followed by singles like “Only You” (2012) and the globally viral “Prototype” (2014), which premiered as part of Channel 4’s *Born Risky* campaign. “Prototype” garnered critical acclaim, winning a Cannes Lions award and establishing her as the world’s first “Bionic Pop Artist.” Her sound blends electronic, pop, and avant-garde elements, often tied to themes of post-humanism and futuristic identity.
In 2012, Modesta performed at the London Paralympic Games closing ceremony, appearing as an Ice Queen in a crystal-encrusted prosthetic leg. This performance marked a major milestone, further boosting her global recognition. Her artistry continued to expand beyond music, as she embraced roles in experimental theatre, fashion tech, and live installations.
Viktoria has collaborated with leading innovators such as the Alternative Limb Project, designer Anouk Wipprecht, and the MIT Media Lab, where she was named a Director’s Fellow in 2016. She has also worked with major brands like Rolls-Royce and United Nude, appearing in campaigns and art films that fuse technology, fashion, and futurism.
In 2019, she starred as the first disabled guest performer at the legendary Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris, debuting her “Bionic Showgirl” persona. In 2021, she released her third EP MOKSHA, blending spiritual and cyber-feminist themes. Through every stage of her career, Viktoria Modesta has maintained her mission to disrupt ideas of normality, advocate for post-disability aesthetics, and empower audiences to embrace individuality through transformation and technology.
Personal Life & Interests :
Viktoria Modesta was born as Viktorija Moskaļova on February 25, 1987, in Daugavpils, then part of the Latvian SSR (Soviet Union). She experienced a traumatic birth injury due to medical negligence, which led to a lifelong struggle with her left leg. By the age of 12, she had undergone over 15 surgeries. In pursuit of physical autonomy and artistic freedom, she made the life-changing decision to undergo a voluntary below-the-knee amputation in 2007.
She moved to London with her family at age 12, where she began to immerse herself in the underground fashion and performance scenes. Viktoria developed a strong passion for music, performance art, and science fiction, all of which deeply influence her work. Her early interests included piano, singing, and alternative fashion, which evolved into a fascination with transhumanism, wearable tech, and futurism.
Beyond her artistic persona, Viktoria is an advocate for body neutrality, disability empowerment, and creative innovation. She challenges societal norms around beauty, identity, and ability. She has spoken at TEDx, worked with academic institutions like MIT, and has been recognized globally for pushing boundaries in art and disability representation.
In her personal life, Viktoria has expressed a love for experimental design, cyberpunk aesthetics, and spiritual exploration. She identifies with the idea of being “post-human”—seeing her amputation and prosthetics not as limitations but as enhancements. She lives by a philosophy that embraces change, transformation, and radical self-expression.
Viktoria is currently based in Los Angeles, California, where she continues to work as a multimedia artist, speaker, and cultural innovator. Her lifestyle reflects a deep commitment to the fusion of art, technology, and social evolution.
Net Worth :
As of mid-2025, estimates of Viktoria Modesta’s net worth vary widely due to the private nature of her earnings, which come from music, modeling, performance art, tech‑fashion collaborations, and creative direction. According to CelebsMoney, her net worth stands between $100,000 and $1 million. Other sources suggest a more substantial figure—Equity Atlas estimates it at around $5 million , while InfoFamousPeople and CelebrityHow place it in the range of $2–9 million .
This variance reflects the multi‑faceted nature of her career—encompassing streaming revenue, brand partnerships (including tech‑fashion and performance art), speaking engagements, NFT drops, and her creative studio work—making precise valuation challenging.
Awards & Achievements :
- Cannes Lions Silver Award – Received for the groundbreaking “Prototype” music video as part of Channel 4’s Born Risky campaign (2014).
- BBC 100 Women – Named one of the BBC’s 100 most influential and inspiring women in the world (2016).
- Paralympics Closing Ceremony Performer – Starred as the “Snow Queen” at the London 2012 Paralympics closing ceremony, gaining global attention for her artistic and symbolic performance.
- MIT Media Lab Director’s Fellow – Selected in 2016 for her work at the intersection of technology, identity, and culture.
- First Bionic Showgirl at Crazy Horse Paris – In 2019, became the first disabled performer at the iconic cabaret venue, blending fashion, dance, and prosthetic art.
- Fashion and Design Collaborations – Collaborated with renowned artists and designers like Anouk Wipprecht and Alternative Limb Project, creating award-winning wearable prosthetics.
- Global Keynote Speaker – Featured at TEDx, tech summits, fashion innovation forums, and cultural festivals discussing futurism, identity, and post-disability aesthetics.
Fun Facts :
- Viktoria Modesta is known as the world’s first “Bionic Pop Artist,” blending music and technology like no other.
- She voluntarily amputated her left leg below the knee to gain creative freedom and enhance her mobility.
- Her prosthetic legs have included designs featuring Swarovski crystals, spikes, and even built-in speakers.
- She performed as the “Snow Queen” at the 2012 London Paralympics closing ceremony, wearing a dazzling crystal prosthetic.
- Viktoria was the first disabled performer to appear at the famous Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris.
- She is an MIT Media Lab Director’s Fellow, combining art with cutting-edge science and technology.
- Her music video “Prototype” won a Cannes Lions Silver Award and went viral worldwide.
- Viktoria often describes her amputation as an “upgrade” from economy to first class.