Trickster Magazine

PST: Seeing Juhani on the lawn tractor and you doing cottage chores with a kid on your hip – like you’re not the OG Estonian influencer superstars – is surreal. Do you feel like a local legend when you’re back here, or just... Katri?

KK: Haha, so fun how you describe it – I love this stage of my life so much right now. But yes, I feel just like Katri, I don’t think of myself or feel like an influencer superstar even if I once were one, I’m just a girl who followed her dream and always wanted to do things a bit different and bigger I guess.

South Estonia still lingers in your posture, even in Bali. Let’s talk about what sticks – and what changes.

PST: What does home mean to you now – a place, a feeling, a person?

KK: It’s all of that to be fair. When i first landed in Bali 2016, it was a feeling - I really felt I wanted to live there. Being with Juhani for 16 years has made him my home, so whenever i am with him i feel at home. And whenever I come back to Estonia, it still feels homey, especially being in the countryside, out of the city, since I’m a small town girl :)

PST: You left Estonia for Bali about 10 years ago. What do the Katri of then and the Katri of now still share – and what’s completely changed?

KK: I’m still the straightforward, hardworking and quite simple girl I was before. But I do feel I’ve changed too, I have bigger dreams, my way of thinking has changed and I am definitely more positive than I used to be.

PST: What part of Võru never left you, even under the palm trees?

KK: The love for lakes and all my childhood memories that I still think about so so often, especially now that I'm a mother. I just want my kid to have the summers that I used to have!

PST: “Country Kats”– is she a persona or your realest self?

KK: I’ve always been proud that I come from a small town and grew up and spent my younger years in the countryside, it has given me so so much.

PST: Your life looks sun-soaked and remote, but is there anything Estonia gave you that the tropics never could?

KK: The love for snow for sure! Don’t get me wrong, I love love to live in the tropics, but you can't take the winter lover out of me. But, two weeks a year of winter is enough for me.

You’ve built your world online – but where does the internet end and Katri begin?

PST: I remember on one of your trips to Estonia you got spotted in sweats at Selver, pastry in hand, while some young girls snuck photos of you. Is that funny now – or just invasive?

KK: It’s both. I just think that taking photos of someone without permission is weird AF. But sweats and a croissant in hand sounds like a fit hey?

PST: How has your relationship with privacy changed over the years?  What’s off-limits today?

KK: I’ve actually been pretty private online since day one. I probably share like 30% of my life on social media, trying to keep it light, fun, and inspiring, hopefully :D. The rest I keep for myself, mostly to protect my peace of mind.

PST: You’ve said you don’t always feel the need to post. What guides that instinct – and what do you keep just for yourself?

KK: Honestly, at this stage of my life what guides it is TIME or the lack of it, lol. I’m juggling between a baby and a business, so often the only “free” time I have is the time I steal from sleep. So I’ve stopped pressuring myself to be super consistent. I just go with the flow, when I feel inspired to post or when I have something to post, I do. If not, I let it be.

PST: Does the whole AI/VR/metaverse circus scare you or does it feel like a natural movement?

KK: It does and it doesn’t. New things are always scary a bit aren’t they? I mean, I grew up in the 90s, so going from dial up phones to big screens in our pockets was overwhelming for sure. But I guess it just takes time to get used to and learn on the go. I can’t lie, I think AI makes some things easier too. I for sure use it for work purposes. But seeing all the hype around the metaverse is something I don’t understand. Like, buying virtual land and dressing up avatars – so overstimulating, for me at least!

PST: So, you too feel overstimulated by the digital world. How do you protect your peace?

KK: I DO! I just leave my phone or put it on airplane mode, easy. Having a baby has naturally reduced my screentime – I’m actually quite happy about it.

PST: Your relationship with social media feels very intentional. Was it always this way, or has it been a journey?

KK: It has been both. It’s definitely been a journey, but also quite intentional from the start. I always had this gut feeling that building a platform could open doors (even back in 2015), whether for future business, collaborations, or just creating a space that reflects my vibe and values. Maybe I didn’t always have a super clear strategy, but I was just consistent about showing up, posting, and sharing pieces of my world.

Wild femininity meets soft responsibility. What does modern motherhood look like when it's yours?

PST: How has motherhood changed you – emotionally, spiritually, physically?

KK: Oh, it has changed me! :D I’ve become way more emotional. Like, just this morning we were at a messy play class here in Bali, and when it was dance time and the kids’ songs came on, I literally felt a lump in my throat watching all the little ones. It’s kind of funny, but also very real. At the same time, in many ways I am more chill. And I truly feel the weight of being a mother and the responsibility. I also have never ever known love like this before. It’s actually insane how much I love her. She’s taught me so much already, especially patience, which has never been my strongside. Physically I feel about five years older than I actually am. :D Maybe it’s the lack of sleep talking but I once read that bringing a baby into the world takes about four years off a woman’s body, and honestly I think its true.

PST: What did you think motherhood would be like… and what actually happened?

KK: I didn’t really have any unrealistic expectations, I feel like it’s kinda what I expected to be. But I could not imagine myself as a mom before I actually gave birth.

PST: Filippa seems like she’s living the dream: she gets the best of Indonesia and Estonia, beautiful nature and wonderful people. You make motherhood look fun and light. Is that image curated, or are you really that chill?

KK: I’ve talked about it openly on my Instagram – those early days were rough. I had a hard time with breastfeeding and the sleepless nights, and Filippa had some intense gas issues going on. For the first three weeks, I was deep in the baby blues. But after about a month, things started to feel a bit lighter. Now, I really enjoy spending time with her, and I just try to roll with it. I do my best not to overthink everything – though of course, I’ve done plenty of that too! I’m not trying to curate this picture-perfect life; it’s more that I’ve found a rhythm that works for us.

PST: What’s the one thing you want to teach your daughter that you had to learn the hard way?

KK: I want her to grow up knowing that her voice, her ideas, and her presence truly matter. I want her to be confident and proud of who she is – not shaped by what others think or expect of her. Most importantly, I want her to trust her gut. I’ve ignored mine too many times growing up, and it always came back to bite me. If she can learn to stay true to herself and trust her intuition early on, I think she’ll be unstoppable. :)

Brand-builder. Producer. Visual storyteller. Digital witch. What fuels your work?

PST: Kiss’n’Thrill has gone from an idea to two physical stores in Canggu and Uluwatu. The brand’s thriving, congrats! What was the “aha” moment that brought the idea to reality?

KK: Back in 2018, I was wearing a lot of bikinis, but I was never really obsessed with any of them. I kept thinking, I could probably do this way better. I just wanted to create pieces that felt stylish and flattering – bikinis that actually give you that little spark of excitement when you put them on.

PST: If you had to design and produce something just for us Northerners, what would it look like – texture, tone, soul?

KK: I’d probably go with earthy, warm tones – think dark chocolate, burnt caramel, or forest green. And for a little something extra, I’d design some fluffy mittens and hats so your winter cold plunges can be both stylish and warm.

PST: You once said doing what you love matters most. Has passion ever clashed with profit?

KK: It hasn’t. Everyone I work with knows that I would rather do just okay and enjoy my life and still be happy doing what I do, rather than stress myself crazy, earn millions and take advantage of other people. I’m really happy with the flow we have with Kiss ‘n’ Thrill, we have been growing each year, and I would love to grow a bit more, but I still want to stick to our values and keep supporting our local Balinese craftspeople.

PST: You have this magnetic pull online, without trying too hard. What do you think people respond to?

KK: Thank you! I’ve definitely had moments in the past where I thought I should try harder – but that’s just not me. I really just want to be who I am, and if people don’t like it, that’s totally fine. I’m not here to please anyone, but if what I do happens to inspire someone, that makes me really happy.

PST: There was that 2018 drama with the Drama Princess BSH accusing you of buying followers – which turned out to be retaliation because you didn’t go on her blog show. I mean wow. Do you look back and laugh now, or did that moment shape you?

KK: I definitely hurt her ego, she did not hurt mine :)

PST: Whose opinion actually gets through to you – like, who can really shift your perspective?

KK: Have you seen that meme that says, “I ask all my friends and family for advice… and still do exactly what I was going to do anyway”? That’s me, 100%.

PST: What do you think draws people to you – whether in friendships, business, or love?

KK: I’m honest, I don’t try to please anyone, and I’m very loyal… oh, and fun!

PST: What’s your reset place – the one spot on Earth that brings you back to zero?

KK: I think it’s Italy.

You and Juhani are a rare kind of duo – enduring, low-key iconic. How do you keep that fire soft and steady?

PST: You and Juhani have been together forever (16 years). What’s the secret sauce?

KK: You take love, add similar interests, communication, honesty and similar goals, and thats your secret sauce.

PST: You co-run a production company with Juhani – how do you balance creative leadership with business? Do you ever get competitive, or is it always about pushing the team forward?

KK: We used to, but not anymore. It was never really competitive, though. These days, we only do production for Kiss n Thrill, because we still love creative shoots and that whole process, but it’s more of a passion project now. It works really well that way.

PST: You’re not married, but you’ve been together longer than most couples. What feels more powerful to you: the ceremony or the partnership?

KK: Partnership for sure.

You’ve built a life that looks like freedom. How do you pass that blueprint on – and who do you keep close?

PST: You seem to be surrounded by groups of strong women. How important has your ‘tribe’ been to the woman you’ve become?

KK: I can’t imagine my life without the group of girls I have in Bali. The support, the sisterhood, the way we show up for each other – it’s something truly special. Of course, I still have dear friends in Estonia who mean the world to me, but I’ve never experienced this kind of deep, tight-knit connection within a group before. Somehow, the eight of us just clicked so naturally, and it’s been such a gift to have that kind of energy around me – especially while running a business in Bali and now stepping into motherhood. I hold them so close to my heart; they’ve truly been a huge part of the woman I’ve become.

PST: What could Estonians use more of?

KK: Softness and kindness, that’s how I feel every time I come back.

PST: Any advice for girls growing up in small towns, craving more than what’s around them?

KK: Don’t be afraid of change. Change pushes you, shapes you, and teaches you so much. You don’t always have to have everything figured out. Your dreams and ideas and wishes can still be big. Manifest your future!

INTERVIEW BY: Paula-Stina Tasane
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Silver Mikiver
ART DIRECTION & STYLE BY: Diandra Rebase
CLOTHES FROM: Tallinna Kaubamaja & Linda Teemägi
MUAH BY: Elina Kuhta