Tetiana Gaidar’s Holiday Rules

Tetiana Gaidar, a rising star shaping the future of film and fashion, was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. At the young age of 10, she began her classical ballet education, pursuing her mother’s dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. During her teenage years, Tetiana attended the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and was recruited by dance teacher Sasha Bobick. By the time she turned 18, Tetiana had become a choreographer on the popular TV show So You Think You Can Dance Ukraine. While her passion for dance was unwavering, she also found inspiration in the hit TV series, X-Files, which fueled her desire to pursue acting.

After making the life-changing decision to leave Ukraine behind and further explore her acting career in the United States, Tetiana booked a role in an action film with Samy Naceri. To prepare for this role, she underwent training at renowned facilities such as 87Eleven and Taran Tactical, where she is now one of the trainers. Tetiana has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, Jamie Foxx, and many more. Her breakout role came in the final three episodes of Bosch: Legacy (Amazon Prime, Freevee), where she portrayed the show’s main antagonist, an assassin sent to kill the main character played by Titus Welliver. She has also made appearances in Brunkala and Cash Collectors, as well as the Netflix film, Day Shift, alongside Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Megan Good. Tetiana’s upcoming projects include the action/drama film, Get the Girl. With a diverse skill set and unwavering determination, Tetiana has proven time and time again that she can achieve greatness in any field.

What inspired you to pursue a career in acting after your background in classical ballet?

I have loved watching badass characters like Buffy The Vampire Slayer & Dark Angel since I was a child. And I was enrolled in martial arts from a young age too. Dancing professionally did not promise as much of a future for me in Ukraine but martial arts did. I had a dream to become a spy. But after I saw John Wick I was very inspired to pursue acting as a career and portray those badass characters myself on the big screen.

How did your experience as a choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance Ukraine influence your acting and training style?

SYTYCD and other shows I was part of back home really taught me about prep work and being detail-oriented. Also, I have learned how to explain hard things in a simple way so anyone can understand. In acting it’s all about doing prep work for me and understanding my character. Same in dance. When you choreograph a dance routine every move has a reason and a meaning. In acting even moments of silence have meaning. Also dancing taught me discipline and focus on doing my work and process not just results.

You have worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, and Jamie Foxx. How has this impacted your approach to acting and training?

It has reinforced my work ethic. These guys have worked tirelessly for their craft. My background of teaching dance and travelling around the world with dance workshops taught me how to find an approach to different people with different training levels very easily, how to explain hard moves in a very understandable way and how to make the learning process fun. And also working with all these talented and wonderful people showed me one more time how important it is to be a good-hearted person and humble person. I admire them for that. And as we go up in our careers, we don’t forget the ones who have helped us. All the people you mentioned are very humble and loyal to their team.

Can you tell us about your role as the main antagonist in Bosch: Legacy and how you prepared for this role?

Booking this role was a dream come true. Thank you, Titus Willover and the producers and writers, on a show for this opportunity and freedom to develop my character on the show. As you know I was inspired by John Wick to pursue acting in the first place. It was surreal to book a role that is very similar to the character who inspired me once and that has a legacy to the John Wick franchise with the wonderful and kind actor Lance Reddick who unfortunately just passed away two days before the LA premiere of JW4. I trained night and day for this role, I trained physically very hard with Taran, I trained my voice with Rob Hanh. And now looking back & seeing myself in the show and how my character came out I am very proud of all the hard work I put into it. One of my first friends here, John Berthal and my boxing coach Steve Petramale told me once: “Don’t listen to anyone, just focus on your craft and it will pay off”. They were right.

You have also appeared in commercials and films like Day Shift and Cash Collectors. Do you have a preference for working on smaller projects versus larger productions?

Honestly, to me it’s not about big or small projects it’s about the energy and the people. I just completed my own short film and I had just as much fun on it as I did on any other bigger project I have done.

How do you stay in shape and maintain your fitness level, especially given your background in ballet and work as a trainer at Taran Tactical?

I strongly advocate a healthy diet that works for your body in addition to a daily workout schedule. Like 20 minutes of stretch and workout on an empty stomach in the morning. And a couple of times a week I do martial arts training. I believe in the 80/20 rule. 80 per cent diet and 20 per cent workouts, 80 per cent super clean and healthy food that suits your blood type and 20 per cent freedom to enjoy life and have fun. I also drink a gallon of water a day (for my personal body weight of 120 lb.). And other health tips that I incorporated into my diet discipline have improved the function of my body. But to talk about that we probably need separate interviews because healthy living is a commitment to me and it is all about discipline too.

You have also worked as a model for various fashion campaigns. Can you tell us about your personal style and how it has evolved over the years?

I have learned that for me personally, fashion can help me either express myself and stand out from the crowd or fashion can help me hide and stay private. When I want to stand out, I let my creativity take over and without any boundaries style myself as I creatively feel like. I’ve always been this way from the time I was a kid. I would redesign and re-dress my dolls from the moment my mom brought them home. I love to promote personal style and express myself in a way that is authentic to the individual. And when I want to stay private I just hide in my onesies.

Can you share any upcoming projects or goals that you are excited about?

So recently, John Wick 4 came out, it is the number one movie in the world and I feel very grateful to be a part of it. This is a must-see in theatres. Make sure you stay for the post-credit additional scene. Also, I am looking forward to Borderlands with Kevin Hart and Back in Action with Cameron Diaz and Role Play with Kaley Cuoco which I was part of too. I’m almost done with my own short film that I produced and starred in. I am excited about how it is coming together and I cannot wait to share it with you. I learned a lot by doing my own short film. It was very hard but very rewarding. I love producing and putting together a film with a group of very talented people.

Tetiana’s Holiday Rules

What’s your go-to travel outfit for a long flight?

My go-to is a Campbell Naked Cashmere travel set with a Theory coat for travelling and especially for flying. My second to go is Josh Brown set oversized jogger with vintage long sleeves and an oversized coat.

What are your essential beauty products to pack for a trip?

I must bring sunscreen, cleanser, serum and cream from Barbara Sturn or Honest company, and a sulphur mask in case I will have a breakout to heal. Then I love to travel with CC Chanel complete correction sunscreen, Tizo mineral sunscreen, Honest company cream foundation, eyelash curler, mascara from Honest or Better Than Sex, my brow set from Anesthesia and my YSL travel size perfume or Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique parfum travel size. When I fly, I love to bring under-eye masks or face masks. Honest Company makes great Detox and Antioxidant masks that I love to use when I travel.

Which destination has inspired your fashion style the most and why?

I think for me it’s not about destination but icons that I love growing up watching like Audrey Hepburn. Classy and sophisticated.

What is your favourite hotel and what made it stand out?

I love Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Also, in Mexico, I love Four Seasons Punta Mita and Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta with a jacuzzi on the balcony and an incredible jungle view. Recently I went to Grand Cayman Kimpton Seafire Resort. I fell in love with the Caribbean Sea.

What are your favourite swimwear styles for beach holidays?

I love Beach Bunny swimwear and Emrata.

How do you adapt your fashion and beauty routines to different climates when you travel?

Honestly, when I travel, I pack a set of clothes that I really love and I just wear the sets as they are so I don’t have to think about pairing clothes. I love layers or sets like Joah Brown. And I love my onesies that I design for myself, I literally live in my onesies when I am swamped with work. I think I’m going to start a fashion brand one day with my onesies.

What’s your favourite travel destination?

I love to travel. I have been working hard, working my whole life, and I didn’t get a chance to travel much, only for work, but I’m trying to catch up nowadays and travel more. I think one of the best teachers perhaps we can have in this life is travelling and experiencing the world, cultures and people. The last destination I travelled to was the Caribbean and I fell in love with the colour of the water. I want to go back to more different islands and experience other islands also.

Which city has the best shopping for fashion and beauty products?

I think the best shopping for fashion and beauty is always in Paris. Paris is one of the locations where JW4 was shot. I absolutely love it and I’m absolutely grateful for the opportunity to visit Paris and experience it. If you haven’t been to Paris, I would highly suggest going there. It is magical.

Photography by Tony Duran