Grigory Reshetnik: I was once an ugly duckling, but I have transformed into a beautiful swan.

The host of the show "The Bachelor," Grigory Reshetnik, shared his thoughts on the "perfection" of his family and talked about how he overcame childhood complexes. He also imagined what he sees for himself in 20 years.

Grigory Reshetnik is a well-known television presenter, showman, actor, and director. He gained fame through his work on Ukrainian TV, with his most popular projects being "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," and "Incredible Truth About Stars" on STB.

His charisma, confidence, and ability to connect with people have made him one of the favorite TV hosts in Ukraine. Grigory is not afraid to speak about his feelings, experiences, and struggles. He is also an example of a patriot for his country.

In an interview with RBK-Ukraine, Reshetnik candidly shared the story of his battle with a childhood illness, explained how he balances his career with being a loving husband and father, and admitted how the war has impacted his life and family.

– You had an illness in childhood that led to the development of childhood complexes. What was the issue, and how did you manage to overcome it?

– It was all due to psoriasis, which could not be cured. From two months to twelve years old, it covered my entire body, and I looked like an ugly duckling. About 70% of my body was affected by various wounds. I grew up feeling like that ugly duckling. In school, I faced mockery, which greatly influenced my self-perception and self-esteem. However, my parents were very supportive, and that helped me a lot.

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Grigory Reshetnik with "The Bachelor" Alexander Terent (photo: STB press service)

When I recall those times, I feel scared because that experience was traumatic. I went through therapy with a psychologist to finally move on from those memories; they belong to the past. Due to my illness, I couldn't go to the pool and didn't know how to swim. But when my son Vanya started swimming, I decided to give it a try too. I was already 30, but I managed to learn. Therefore, I strive to show people that it is possible to improve oneself, even when life presents challenges. I find joy in helping others believe in themselves.

I have come a long way to achieve success, and sometimes I even surprise myself with how much has happened in my life. For instance, it took over six months for me to be approved as the host of the "Incredible Truth About Stars" project. I'll be honest, there are still moments when I doubt myself.

– The media image of the Reshetnik family is quite "idealized." How much of what your followers see corresponds to reality?

– My family life is successful: a wonderful wife and great children. However, people often assume that this is merely an image, a facade.

I frequently hear accusations of our family's "perfection." I won’t impose my way of life on others or try to prove anything. The idealized image of our family in the media is what people see through the screen, and of course, it is only a part of our lives. We showcase happy moments, our harmony, and love, but like any family, we also face challenges that we don’t always discuss publicly.

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The Reshetnik family is often idealized (photo: STB press service)

Perfection is a very subjective concept. What seems perfect to one person may be entirely different for another. We are always sincere, but it’s important to remember that behind any image is real life with all its nuances. Of course, we won’t be posting our arguments on social media.

I remember about twelve years ago when my wife and I had just gotten married, I didn't hide her from my followers. At that time, it was not very trendy among celebrities to talk about their partners. Everyone thought it was just for publicity or something similar. But I said, "No, this is my life." I openly declared my love for my wife, showed my wedding ring on my finger, and I talk just as openly about our children.

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Grigory Reshetnik with his wife Kristina (photo: STB press service)

I consider myself a responsible man. My parents were together for over 40 years, and I grew up in a loving family. They are an example for me. Now we are raising three sons. As parents, we want our sons to grow up in love and tenderness. We do not hit them or psychologically break them; instead, we work on their development. Thus, disagreements in our family are normal. We strive to improve our relationships to make them the best they can be. I am very grateful to Kristina for her wisdom, her love, and I am overall happy that I met her. My wife is a saint to me.

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Grigory Reshetnik with his parents (photo: STB press service)

– How do you manage to maintain a balance between family and work?

– I try not to delegate responsibilities but to actively participate in them. Despite my work schedule, I make time for my sons. I stay home with them, do the dishes, clean, take out the trash – sorry for the details. My children are growing up very quickly, so I want to enjoy every moment with them.

I believe that if a person has the desire, they can always find time. I take my children to work; they are interested in seeing what I do. Recently, my sons dubbed a cartoon, taking inspiration from me (laughs). As a father, that makes me very happy. After all, I’ve been doing voiceover work for 20 years. It's one of those moments when you feel proud of your sons.

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The Reshetnik sons voiced a cartoon (photo: STB press service)

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Grigory also voices cartoons and movies from time to time (photo: STB press service)

– As a father of three, you could leave Ukraine. Have you ever thought about moving abroad?

– No, I definitely plan to live in Ukraine. After everything we have been through, I love my homeland with all my heart.

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Grigory Reshetnik with his family (photo: STB press service)

During the full-scale invasion, we remained in Ukraine with our little children; we did not leave the country. We moved to Ivano-Frankivsk for a month and a half, but as soon as the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the Kyiv region, my wife and I returned and began to implement our projects. We founded a charitable foundation.

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In the early months of the full-scale invasion, the Reshetniks actively volunteered (STB press service)

It is emotionally challenging, but we will definitely live here. My grandchildren will learn about how great and beautiful Ukraine is and the journey it has gone through.

– What do you plan to do in, say, 20 years?

– Oh, I have many plans! I am still a young and quite ambitious 40-year-old man (laughs).

First of all, I plan to raise my grandchildren. I hope my sons will give me wonderful grandsons and granddaughters. Secondly, I want to inspire them to pursue their own projects by my example. And I believe that even in 20 years, while walking along the waterfront, I will meet young fans of the "Bachelor" project. And I will be happy to chat with them in 20 years!

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Grigory Reshetnik with his wife and children (photo: STB press service)

Also, read the interview with actress and star of the series "Head," Polina Frolova, discussing Ukrainian cinema, children, the most cherished gifts, volunteering, and favorite "power spots."