The worlds of spying and showbiz would seem to be mutually exclusive. But Anna Chapman, Russia?s flame-haired former agent, is making a career of both. �Chapman, who last year was outed along with�a handful of other Russian spies working secretly in the United States, makes her television debut tonight, in a program,
?Secrets Of The World With Anna Chapman,? that promises to feature its charismatic young star doing what she does best: solving mysteries.
The program, part of a new documentary series on Russia?s Kremlin-friendly REN-TV, is the crowning achievement in a season that has seen Chapman rise from a disgraced foreign agent of dubious talent to a homespun sensation as an all-around It Girl enjoying friendly relations with a fellow former spy, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Another reportedly close female associate of Putin?s, former rhythmic gymnast and Duma Deputy Alina Kabayeva, is chairman of the oversight board of the National Media Group, which owns REN-TV.
In addition to ?Secrets Of The World,? the 28-year-old Chapman has taken on a post at a Russian bank, posed for a revealing spread in the Russian edition of ?Maxim? magazine, and starred in a New Year?s parody of the 1970s television series ?Seventeen Moments Of Spring,? in which the beloved Soviet agent Stirlitz shares a brief and poignant meeting with Chapman at a restaurant.
Chapman has added a political dimension to her career as well, joining the leadership of Molodaya Gvardia (Young Guard), the youth wing of Putin?s all-powerful United Russia party.
The group has been widely criticized for its aggressive tactics in targeting illegal immigrants and foreign critics of the regime. But speaking at a Young Guard congress in December, Chapman attempted to put a fresh face on the proceedings, donning a form-fitting red-and-black dress and calling on members ?to take pleasure in each new day? and ?begin changing the country by changing ourselves. Be happy!?
99 Fake Street
Not everyone is happy, however.
Music critic Artyom Troitsky, who has emerged as a pointed observer of the current political regime, says that for most Russians, Chapman holds no particular allure on the physical front and ? perhaps more importantly ? should not be celebrated as a national hero after failing to turn up any information of substance during her brief career as a spy.
?I wouldn?t say she?s especially popular,? Troitsky says. ?I think most people have a very ironic opinion of her. The perception is that she?s like a new favorite toy of �Vladimir Putin. So because of that, all kinds of people ? the media, bankers ? they try to shower her with all kinds of favors, because they think that she?s Putin?s toy girl.?
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