The event unfolded in St. Petersburg as figure skater Dmitry Aliyev drew the crowd’s attention during the Russian Challenge tournament. A moment of tension arose when Bezrukov, serving on the judging panel, voiced criticism of Aliyev’s routine after Aliyev took the ice for the second part. Bezrukov spoke of the performance bluntly, even as he praised Aliyev’s obvious talent. The crowd reacted, and a chorus of boos rose from the stands as the actor continued to express his assessment. Aliyev had delivered a bold interpretation set to the song My Gypsy, a performance chosen with care by the skater. The public responded with warmth toward the routine, while Bezrukov offered a harsher, more dramatic critique that contrasted with the audience’s enthusiasm. The moment underscored a tension between artistic bravado and critical evaluation, leaving the arena buzzing about the split between the skater’s display and the jury’s appraisal, as noted by RIA News.
As the second act drew to a close, the skater’s bold choice to fuse a traditional program with a bard’s song by Vladimir Vysotsky became a talking point. Bezrukov, who did not shy away from saying what he thought, described Aliyev as a “grandmaster” yet argued that the execution needed more dramatic stakes and a touch more intensity. The audience’s reactions—loud whistles and a pervasive mood of disagreement—echoed across the venue, turning the critique into a dramatic counterpoint to the performance itself. The incident highlighted how a judge’s candid remarks can clash with spectator sentiment, creating a moment that spectators would remember long after the final chords faded. This sequence, captured and reported by RIA News at the time, reflected the fragile balance between technical execution, interpretive risk, and the theatre of live sport.
Beyond the rink, Bezrukov disclosed a personal episode about being targeted by scammers, a reminder that public figures often face new kinds of risk in the digital era. He revealed that a voicemail from Konstantin Khabensky offered an investment opportunity to help fund a health complex for disabled children. The actor said he initially agreed, but prudence prevailed when he decided to reach out to Khabensky directly to verify the details. The episode underscored the ongoing reality for celebrities who must navigate both professional obligations and everyday precautions in a world where information travels swiftly and risk can arrive in unexpected forms. The broader context of Bezrukov’s disclosures offered a window into the pressures that accompany visibility, including moments of caution, self-preservation, and the constant weighing of opportunities against potential misrepresentation.
Earlier in the Kremlin Palace, plans for Orbakaite’s appearance in a final moment were reportedly canceled, another turn in a schedule that kept fans and followers attentive to every change. The shifting lineup and the unpredictable outcomes inherent in high-profile events illustrate how quickly a program can pivot, sometimes in the middle of an evening that promises spectacle and disappointment in equal measure. In the end, the St. Petersburg tournament served as a focal point for discussions about performance, critique, and the unpredictable nature of live entertainment and sport, with observers weighing the skater’s courage to take risks against the jury’s standards and the audience’s appetite for drama, as documented by RIA News.