In 2015, the Hollywood comedy "Spy," directed by Paul Feig and starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, and Jude Law, was released. Among the film's many cameos, Ukrainian artist Andriy Danylko, performing as his stage persona Verka Serduchka, made an appearance. His cameo in the American film resulted from an unexpected call and his performance at Eurovision 2007, with shooting taking place in Budapest over just a few days.
The Call That Started It All
Danylko’s involvement in the American film began with an unexpected outreach: representatives of the Hollywood project contacted the artist's manager and offered him a role. At the time, Danylko knew almost nothing about the upcoming film—he was primarily interested in the location and terms of collaboration. In an interview with Digital Journal published in August 2015, the artist jokingly recalled his initial reaction: "I didn't know anything about the movie then and was not in the best mood, so I asked a rather material question: 'Do they pay?'" One of the deciding factors was that filming would take place in Budapest: the artist decided to take the opportunity to visit the Hungarian capital and work on a unique project. Only later did he learn that he would be acting in Paul Feig's comedy and that his co-stars would include Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, and Jude Law.
Eurovision as a Ticket to Hollywood
Verka Serduchka caught the American director's attention thanks to her performance at Eurovision 2007. At the time, Andriy Danylko represented Ukraine with the song "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" and took second place. The act, featuring sparkling costumes, the iconic star headpiece, and energetic choreography, resonated with the European audience, and years later, it caught Paul Feig's eye. The director decided to use this persona in his spy comedy and invited Danylko for a cameo. The artist explained that Feig wanted to recreate the very act that had brought Serduchka international fame. Danylko did not create a new character for the film: he appeared as his familiar Verka Serduchka persona and essentially played himself.
Budapest and Two Days on Set
The scenes featuring Serduchka were shot in Budapest, which became one of the main filming locations for "Spy." In an interview with Post Magazine, Paul Feig explained that he had initially planned for the film to take place in several European cities, but after discovering Budapest, he decided to move a significant part of the plot there. For Danylko, working with the American team was a unique experience: in a conversation with ForumDaily, he recalled that his part took two days to film, and he was most impressed by the work organization. According to him, everything on set went according to a strict schedule—the crew prepared equipment on time, actors didn't waste hours waiting, and the workday ended so everyone could rest before the next shift. The artist also mentioned that his scenes were slightly expanded during filming: Danylko offered several of his own ideas, which were successfully incorporated. Meeting the Hollywood actors also left a positive impression; he later recalled that Paul Feig, Melissa McCarthy, and Jason Statham were open and pleasant people to interact with.
The Scene Audiences Saw
In the final film, Serduchka appears during a concert that becomes part of a spy operation. According to the plot, she performs her famous hit "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" in the familiar Eurovision 2007 attire, while dangerous events involving the agents unfold among the crowd. The main character, Susan Cooper (played by Melissa McCarthy), tries to warn of a bomb threat: she runs onto the stage, interrupts Serduchka’s concert, and takes the microphone to address the audience. Thus, the Ukrainian artist’s performance became not just a musical insert, but an integral part of a comedic scene connected to the film's plot.
'I'm Still Afraid' to Watch the Film
Interestingly, Danylko did not initially want to talk too much about his appearance in the picture: he understood the role was small and didn't want to create excessive hype. However, after the premiere, the artist was pleased with how the American team received his stage persona. Despite the fact that participating in "Spy" was a significant event for him, he was not in a hurry to watch the finished film after filming ended. In an August 2015 interview with Digital Journal, Danylko admitted he had not yet seen the movie: "By the way, I still haven't watched the film. I'm still afraid." This phrase became one of the most cited in his stories about his Hollywood experience and perfectly reflects the artist's ironic attitude toward his own appearance in major American cinema.
