August 13, 2026 — Alexey Surovtsev, a well-known Ukrainian actor and former dancer, openly admitted in an exclusive interview with Wave RBC.UA that his career in cinema has come to a pause. The reason is a radical shift in priorities — from stages and auditions to real help for animals in wartime conditions.
From erotic dance to investigator: the path to acting
Surovtsev's success story is a classic example of how fate can take an unexpected turn. Before becoming a recognizable face of TV series, Alexey went from professional swimmer to the founder of the successful erotic dance show «Soblazn» (Temptation). It was during the tour with this show that he was noticed by production representatives who offered him the role of an investigator.
The actor himself admits that at 38, already being a famous dancer, he was afraid to start from scratch in a new profession. «I came to the auditions and failed them maximally... I came to the second auditions, played even worse, but they hired me», — recalls Surovtsev. According to him, casting directors saw in him exactly the image they were looking for, despite the lack of professional acting training.
«I refuse strippers»: changing vector and ambitions
Despite successes in the role of a «love hero» and sexual partner, Surovtsev declared a decisive refusal of roles emphasizing sexual subtext. «I am already refusing strippers, love heroes... It is no longer mine», — emphasized the actor.
Today he dreams of roles that reveal human emotions: from complex antagonists to ordinary managers in comedies. «I just want about life! What is in life», — he explains. The artist also plans historical projects with Cossacks or Vikings, but the implementation of these plans is postponed.
Animal protection as a new priority: the price of responsibility
The main topic of the interview was that Alexey Surovtsev is currently not paying enough attention to his development as an actor, as he is fully focused on saving animals. After the start of the full-scale invasion, he created his own assistance center, where he combines media presence with direct responsibility for the lives of his wards.
«Now I am more needed where I am in terms of animal protection. And if I'm honest, there are no very good offers», — admitted Surovtsev. He noted that he is not even looking for new roles, as his vector of development now lies in the plane of humanitarian and charitable activities. The financial side of maintaining the shelter and daily work with animals require full immersion, leaving little time for acting intensives and training.
Realities of Ukrainian cinema and personal confessions
The conversation also touched on the topics of earnings in Ukrainian cinema and personal experiences. Surovtsev told how professional colleagues accepted him when he came to the profession «from the side». According to him, the atmosphere on the sets was friendly: actors and directors helped him get into the nuances of the profession.
The interview also featured revelations about his first marriage and the experience of infidelity, which adds depth to the image of a public figure who, despite external confidence, continues to find his path and balance between publicity and real benefit to society.
