By: Markos Papadatos, Senior Editor
In March of 2020, Teddy Z of The Chippendales sat down and chatted with Senior Editor Markos Papadatos at The Paramount in Huntington on Long Island, as part of their “Get Naughty” World Tour. He opened up about how has found their family with The Chippendales.
“This is my first time doing the touring cast,” emcee Teddy Z said. He noted that they have a lot of new talent on the “Get Naughty” Tour this year, and he considers that a good thing. “New singers and new dancers. You can look forward to an awesome show,” Teddy Z added.
Teddy Z revealed that he is of Greek and Filipino origin. “I’m Filipino and Greek. My last name is Zervoulakos,” he said.
On his daily motivations, Teddy Z said, “I am inspired by my passion for my craft. I like to put on the best show possible for the audience. We are representing ourselves and The Chippendales as well. We all care.”
He is drawn to The Chippendales due to its camaraderie, and he considers it a “bonding experience.” “When you travel, you get to experience different cultures and traditions,” he explained. “We also enjoy experiencing the different festivals around the world,” Teddy Z added.
The hardest part of his job is living a healthy lifestyle while out on the road due to the extensive travel. “It’s hard to develop a rhythm,” Teddy Z admitted.
Over the last four years, Teddy Z shared that he has grown and matured from a personal standpoint, and he added that it has been a time of self-reflection for him. “You can grow from your mistakes, triumphs and your successes,” he said. “Even my body has changed. I have gained 30 pounds since I started.”
For young and aspiring performers, he encouraged them to avoid comparisons to other people. “Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Try to be better than you were yesterday. Just try to grow. You will see the growth if you trust the process and if you work hard. Be better than you were yesterday and you will see the long-term success,” Teddy Z said.
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he responded, “I would call my chapter, ‘The Fork in the Road.’ I am at a crossroads right now since I am in the undecided phase. There are a lot of things in the air right now.”
For Chippendales fans and supporters, Teddy Z said, “Thank you for the support and for having faith in my ability to impact your lives in a way where you become a fan. Thank you so much for supporting the show, the craft, and the hard work that we put in. The positivity really means a lot.”
On his definition of the word success, he concluded, “I want to have a positive impact on people and to empower them. I want them to leave our show feeling empowered. I want people to feel important and I want everyone to feel special.”
To learn more about The Chippendales, check out their official website.
Photo Courtesy: The Chippendales
