Mermaid Performer Says She Was Rushed to Hospital After Viral Fish Attack

Mermaid Performer Says She Was Rushed to Hospital After Viral Fish Attack

Mermaid Performer
Sturgeon Wanted To Make Me Part of His World …
Landed in Hospital Instead

Published February 1, 2025 1:13 PM PST

The viral mermaid performer who was attacked by a fish is dispelling rumors she was forced to get back to work after her run-in with a sturgeon — explaining she was immediately taken to the hospital.

Mariia Zelenina — a 22-year-old Russian performer living in China and working at Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park — spoke with People about how she almost ended up fish food … peeling back the scales on the incident.

Play video content

NewsX/Joseph Golder

MZ tells the outlet she was totally shocked when the fish — a Chinese sturgeon, she says — came up to her near the end of her solo and took a big bite at the top of her head.

Zelenina says “I didn’t understand what was going on, I began to push her away and get out of her mouth. When I surfaced, I realized that I didn’t have glasses.”

While many have speculated on what happened in the aftermath of the unexpected munch — including some claiming her bosses in China tried to force her back to work or silence her — Zelenina says that’s not true … they made sure she immediately got medical help.

Mariia admits her supervisors didn’t want the news to get out there — it’s embarrassing for any aquarium — but, she says she hasn’t been threatened by anyone.

Zelenina’s not putting on her flippers for a bit … ’cause her face is still injured and she’s not supposed to jump in the water.

That said, she’s not scared to get back to work … saying situations like this need to be treated with humor — and, she’s not afraid of the fish.

Bottom line … Mariia doesn’t see herself as a poor unfortunate soul — and, she’ll soon be back ‘Under the Sea’ with the creatures.

You can view the original article HERE.

Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Rumor He’ll Run for U.S. Presidency In 2028
Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Rumor He’ll Run for U.S. Presidency In 2028
Mathilde Tantot’s Telling the Truth with Her Hottest Shots
Mathilde Tantot’s Telling the Truth with Her Hottest Shots
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones Guarantees Travis Hunter Will Be No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones Guarantees Travis Hunter Will Be No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft
Tristan Thompson Takes Lead Role in A.I. Company for Sports Broadcasting
Tristan Thompson Takes Lead Role in A.I. Company for Sports Broadcasting
Seth Rogen Destroys Complains About Cancel Culture in Comedy
Seth Rogen Destroys Complains About Cancel Culture in Comedy
“Yellowjackets” Finally Gets Its Bite Back With Season Three | TV/Streaming
“Yellowjackets” Finally Gets Its Bite Back With Season Three | TV/Streaming
‘Emilia Pérez’ Is Like a Trojan Horse & Hollywood Liberals Fell Right for It
‘Emilia Pérez’ Is Like a Trojan Horse & Hollywood Liberals Fell Right for It
Everything We Know About the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Anime Remake
Everything We Know About the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Anime Remake
Kid Rock “respects” Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show but thinks it’s “the epitome of DEI blowing up”
Kid Rock “respects” Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show but thinks it’s “the epitome of DEI blowing up”
Drake to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival 2025
Drake to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival 2025
Team behind Drumsheds and Printworks to open new South London venue
Team behind Drumsheds and Printworks to open new South London venue
I truly am coming to gag
I truly am coming to gag
Herro edges Hield, Garland to capture Three-Point Contest
Herro edges Hield, Garland to capture Three-Point Contest
Silver: Mavs owners didn’t have ‘ulterior motives’ with Doncic trade
Silver: Mavs owners didn’t have ‘ulterior motives’ with Doncic trade
Kerr: ‘I don’t blame’ KD for not wanting to return to Warriors
Kerr: ‘I don’t blame’ KD for not wanting to return to Warriors
Stroman reports to Yankees camp after delayed arrival: ‘Ready to roll’
Stroman reports to Yankees camp after delayed arrival: ‘Ready to roll’
25 Great Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
25 Great Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
Did Netflix Ruin ‘A Different World’ With A.I.?
Did Netflix Ruin ‘A Different World’ With A.I.?
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 13 Spoilers: Kevin-Centric Teases Ruzwater Return & Dark Secrets
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 13 Spoilers: Kevin-Centric Teases Ruzwater Return & Dark Secrets
Tom Holland’s Best Performance Came in Netflix’s Star-Studded Thriller
Tom Holland’s Best Performance Came in Netflix’s Star-Studded Thriller
Top Looks From The 2025 BAFTA’s Red Carpet!
Top Looks From The 2025 BAFTA’s Red Carpet!
Sunflower Avenue: Isabelle Clarke’s Mission to Redefine Self-Care Through Fashion
Sunflower Avenue: Isabelle Clarke’s Mission to Redefine Self-Care Through Fashion
SUPERBOWL PHOTO DIARY: Katie Austin Takes on Super Bowl LIX with Fitness, Fashion, and Unforgettable Moments
SUPERBOWL PHOTO DIARY: Katie Austin Takes on Super Bowl LIX with Fitness, Fashion, and Unforgettable Moments
The Future of New York Fashion: WÀNGDA’s Rise and Reinvention of Tailoring
The Future of New York Fashion: WÀNGDA’s Rise and Reinvention of Tailoring