Fedorova began her career in the entertainment industry as a model, later becoming Miss Saint Petersburg 1999 and Miss Russia 2001. She went on to win Miss Universe 2002, becoming the first Russian entrant to win Miss Universe. She reigned for 119 days until becoming the first Miss Universe to be dethroned (the reasons for which are not entirely clear), after which the Mikimoto Crown was passed to Justine Pasek of Panama. Following her reign, she began a career in television, hosting shows such as "Good Night, Little Ones!" and "Fort Boyard: Russia". She has also participated in numerous charity projects, becoming a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2007. She said in 2016 she became annoyed and frustrated during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign because Western media pestered her for information to apparently defame the billionaire.