Greek-Filipino Chippendales Performer Speaks About Touring the World, Greek Heritage

Professional singer, dancer, and performer Teddy Zervoulakos from The Chippendales spoke to Greek Reporter at The Paramount in Huntington, New York, back in March of 2020, just before the coronavirus precautions put a stop to the group’s public performances for a while.

The Greek-Filipino performer opened up about how he has found his “family” with The Chippendales.

“This is my first time doing the touring cast,” Zervoulakos says. He noted that there was a lot of new talent on the group’s “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,” he added, when the tour hopefully resumes at some point in the future.

Asked about what motivates him daily, the dancer says “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 group due to its camaraderie, even considering it a “bonding experience.” “When you travel, you get to experience different cultures and traditions,” he explains. “We also enjoy experiencing the different festivals around the world.”

The hardest part of his job, he says, is living a healthy lifestyle while out on the road due to the extensive travel involved. “It’s hard to develop a rhythm,” the dancer admitted, who nevertheless sports an admirable six-pack.

Over the last four years, the performer, who goes by the professional moniker “Teddy Z,” shared that he has grown and matured from a personal standpoint, adding 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 thirty 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.”

Asked to come up with a title for the current chapter of his life, Zervoulakos 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, the dancer says, “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,” the performer 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, and how they are getting through this time when their public performances are on hold, check out their official website here.