Slovak actress Táňa Pauhofová, known for her roles in both Slovak and Czech cinema, recently participated in a groundbreaking interview format on the talk show “A sme tu.” The program features a panel of interviewers who all identify as being on the autism spectrum, offering a uniquely direct and unfiltered line of questioning. Pauhofová, typically private about her personal life, opened up in the discussion about her career, family, and experiences, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a well-respected performer.
Slovak actress Táňa Pauhofová has joined a growing number of public figures participating in a new, unfiltered interview format, tackling sensitive topics with candor.
Táňa Pauhofová is one of Slovakia’s most respected actresses, consistently sought after by directors in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. While she has scaled back her work pace since becoming a mother to her daughter, Míla, she has remained active in several projects.
Pauhofová recently appeared on the new talk show, “A sme tu,” where interviewers—all on the autism spectrum—ask direct, unvarnished questions.
Known for closely guarding her privacy, the actress made an exception, offering remarkably open and honest responses about her childhood, marriage, and motherhood.
In this article:
- the question that brought her to tears
- why she didn’t desire a traditional wedding
- whether she plans to have another child
Pauhofová has been working in front of cameras since the age of ten, with earlier roles in radio and voice acting. Despite a lengthy career, she has maintained a scandal-free reputation and continues to receive roles without relying on tabloid headlines. This is largely a conscious decision, choosing a lifestyle distinct from many film stars.
Playing Characters Unlike Herself
She frequently portrays princesses in fairy tales, attractive women in television series, and pivotal characters in films. Her presence at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival consistently draws attention, with media outlets praising her natural charm, enhanced by elegant attire and styling. However, she doesn’t prioritize this level of presentation in her personal life.
Pauhofová has always emphasized qualities beyond her appearance, once believing herself to be unattractive and prioritizing intelligence. She gained recognition early in her career, winning an IGRIC award for her role in Juraj Nvota’s “Kruté radosti.” A year later, she starred as Princess Anička in the fairytale “Čerti ví proč.” During filming, she mastered the Czech language, eliminating the need for dubbing. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films, both Slovak and Czech.
Most recently, she starred in “Vlny” as journalist Věra, a character embodying courage, integrity, and defiance against totalitarian pressure. This role is not an isolated instance; she is also known for her portrayal of Lída Baarová, a Czech actress who captivated Adolf Hitler.
Another memorable role was as a single mother in “Všetko alebo nič,” based on the book by Evita Twardzik. The character’s complex journey to find love mirrored aspects of the actress’s own life, as she was previously in a relationship with actor Tomáš Maštalír. She now appears to have found personal happiness, but recently acknowledged that her life hasn’t always been easy.
An Emotional Response
Pauhofová began her career as a child star, appearing in the television series “Škriatok.” She views her childhood as happy, though she hinted at a complex relationship with her parents. She grew up in a four-generation household and often speaks fondly of her grandfather, with whom she shared a close bond, viewing him as a source of stability and home.
During a particularly poignant moment on the “A sme tu” show, she was visibly moved by a question. Presented with a note reading, “It hurts to be me,” she was asked how that felt. The actress responded with emotion, stating, “I know how much it hurts to be yourself, and I wish no one ever had to feel that way.”
Interviewers also inquired about her private wedding, which Pauhofová clarified was a term coined by the tabloids. “We wanted a wedding that was ours, as authentic as possible. I never desired a white dress… for me, the most important thing is relationships, having close people around me. What could have been better than having it at our home in the garden, which was my grandfather’s space, that he cared for, so I had him there with me, even though he was no longer with us. Jonatán’s father officiated, I had my closest people there, and it was about us, about our decision to come together, and I wouldn’t have done anything differently,” she said.
Pauhofová is married to Jonatán Pastirčák, a composer nine years her junior, who has written music for films such as “Otec.” They are parents to their daughter, Míla, born in the autumn of 2022.
The conversation also touched on the possibility of a second child. The actress was candid in her response:
“Considering the combination of my age and the condition of my body, I think Míla will be an only child, and she’ll just have to find some friends,” she stated.
While she currently prioritizes her family, Pauhofová will soon be seen more frequently on television. Next year, Markíza television will air a continuation of the series “Zázračná Nikol,” where she plays a character quite different from herself—a confident and assertive investigator, a stark contrast to the actress known for her kindness and warmth.
Photos of the actress can be found in the photo gallery:
