Volodymyr and Kateryna Ostapchuk are one of the most public couples in Ukrainian show business. He is a well-known TV host and showman, while she is a blogger who openly shares her experiences of motherhood and family life. Together, they are raising little Tymofii, building their careers, and somehow managing to do it all.
In this exclusive interview, they discuss how their lives have changed since the birth of their son, how they balance family and work, how they deal with criticism on social media, and what their plans are for the future.
Volodymyr, you are known for your sense of humor, charisma, and natural ease in front of the camera. Has your public persona changed after the birth of your son? Have you become more serious, or perhaps even more sentimental?
Volodymyr: Judging by my Instagram, I look like a single dad—here’s Tymofii sleeping, here he’s playing, and here I’m cleaning his nose. I’m 40 years old, and I have three children, so it would be strange if I were posting dance videos on TikTok. I guess I’ve finally grown up, and with that came self-censorship and some reevaluation. But I’ve always been sentimental.
Kateryna, you are very active on social media, sharing your thoughts on motherhood and personal life. How do you decide which moments to make public and which to keep private?
Kateryna: I’m naturally a very open person, regardless of my public presence, so I share a lot on social media. However, privacy is something my husband and I always discuss—we always agree on what we both publish.
I also made a conscious decision not to show my friends on Instagram. This is a part of my life that I can keep private while still maintaining a connection with my audience. For example, I can’t avoid showing my child or my husband. Additionally, this helps me avoid situations where people interact with me solely for personal gain.
Both of you have incredibly busy lives—work, public events, projects, and now parenthood. How do you manage to balance family, career, and personal time?
Kateryna: We believe that balance is only possible with help. Without it, either your family or your work will inevitably suffer. That’s why we have a nanny who helps with Tymofii and a cook who takes care of some household responsibilities.
Volodymyr: We strongly believe that happy parents mean a happy child. That’s why we work hard to ensure a comfortable life and spend quality time with our son instead of just chaotic moments here and there.
How has your relationship changed since the birth of your son? What has been the biggest revelation in your married life after becoming parents?
Kateryna: I wouldn’t say we had any major revelations because Volodymyr already had parenting experience, and Tymofii was a planned child. We prepared in advance, studied, and learned as much as we could about parenthood, so there weren’t many surprises.
However, life has definitely changed. Having a child teaches discipline and time management. If before, on days off, we could be spontaneous, now every hour is planned. It’s a completely different pace of life, but it has its own sense of harmony.
You both spend a lot of time in the media space and are familiar with the pressures of social media and public opinion. How do you handle criticism? Are there moments when you want to disconnect from the internet completely?
Kateryna: We handle criticism with understanding, but hate can sometimes get to us. It affects me much more than it does Volodymyr since he has significantly more experience in public life. He teaches me not to pay attention to negativity, often talks to me about it, and even sometimes “forbids” me from reading certain sources so I don’t ruin my mood.
A lot depends on my emotional state. If I’m in a good mood, I don’t care what people write. On the contrary, I even use it as content inspiration. But if I’m feeling down, even a small negative comment can be the last straw. I don’t believe people who say they are completely indifferent to haters.
Volodymyr, your career has had many unexpected turns—from television to blogging to hosting major shows. What are your plans for 2025? Can we expect new formats from you?
Volodymyr: Two days after the Eurovision finale, I was hosting a tuna-cutting ceremony at a Japanese restaurant: “Do you, dear guests, agree to take the best cuts of the fish for your sushi?” I love challenges and new formats.
As for my plans… If you want to make God laugh, show Him your schedule—especially in these times.
Right now, I’m working on a morning show on the “My Ukraine Plus” channel. We have a great, creative team and are developing several new formats. But I’m superstitious about these things—I’d rather do it first and then talk about it.
The Ostapchuk family proves that life in the public eye can still be authentic. They are not afraid to talk about challenges, set their own rules, and find balance between family, career, and personal life despite all the obstacles.
