From Viral Fame to the Windy City: Meet Art Bezrukavenko
Interview by Miguel Ortuno, Grab Magazine | Blue Bot Advertising
With more than 3.5 million followers and over a billion views across social media, Ukraine-born LGBTQ+ content creator, YouTuber, and podcast host Art Bezrukavenko has made a name for himself by asking the questions others are too shy to ask. Known for his cheeky humor, unapologetically candid street interviews, and refreshingly honest take on gay life, Art has turned everyday conversations into viral moments. After five years in New York City, he's traded the Big Apple for the Windy City, making Chicago his permanent home and diving headfirst into its vibrant LGBTQ+ community. From exploring Northalsted nightlife to producing a documentary about the rebirth of the legendary Chicago Eagle, Art is bringing his unique voice and storytelling to his new hometown. GRAB Magazine caught up with Art to talk about his journey, his love for Chicago, life in the spotlight, and what's next for this social media sensation.
GRAB Magazine Exclusive Q&A with Art Bezrukavenko
Miguel: You've interviewed countless gay men about everything from dating to sex and relationships. After hearing so many different perspectives, what's one thing you've learned about gay men that genuinely surprised you or changed your own opinion?
Art: I think the biggest shift I've had is in my views on open relationships. It's been a hot topic for a long time, but when I started doing man-on-the-street interviews in 2022, I was pretty "conservative" when it came to relationships. I could never have imagined that open relationships could work for some people and actually be a very healthy arrangement.
As I started interviewing gay men and asking about their perspectives, sometimes even becoming friends with people I'd randomly met on the street, I began to learn a lot. It made me question some of the heteronormative expectations we bring into gay relationships and realize that not everyone has to approach love and commitment the same way.
Miguel: Let's talk about gay culture for a minute. What's one thing the LGBTQ+ community needs to stop taking so seriously, and what's something we should actually be taking a lot more seriously?
Art: I think we should stop taking social media portrayals of the perfect gay lifestyle so seriously. We constantly see people traveling, partying, and seemingly living their best lives. I've met quite a few people who live that lifestyle, and I've realized that sometimes all that traveling and partying can be a way of escaping everyday life or even running away from yourself.
I think there's an interesting conversation to be had about why traveling and this particular lifestyle are so popular among gay men. Sometimes I've felt that pressure myself, but at the end of the day, it's really not that deep. Everyone should live however they want. We just need to remember that behind those perfect Instagram pictures, there isn't always a perfect or happy life.
And I'm not saying this applies to everyone. As someone who shares a lot of my life online, I tend to post my happiest moments too. But that doesn't mean I don't have my own issues and struggles that I'm constantly working through. Social media only shows us the little piece of someone's life they choose to share.
As for what we should take more seriously, I would say our LGBTQ+ history. I think younger generations, including my own, sometimes take for granted the progress that older generations fought so hard to achieve. We should make more of an effort to learn about that history and appreciate the people who made the freedoms we enjoy today possible.
Miguel: You've made a career out of asking strangers some pretty personal questions. Has anyone ever given you an answer so shocking, hilarious, or completely unexpected that you genuinely didn't know how to respond?
Art: Absolutely. I loved that guy! I asked him, "Do you like men?" and he said, "Men? No, they can be a problem. But dick? Yes!" I laughed a lot, and he's right.
Miguel: Social media can make gay life look like one endless parade of perfect bodies, fabulous vacations, and happy relationships. Do you think it's creating unrealistic expectations for gay men, especially younger guys? And have you ever felt pressure to live up to that image yourself?
Art: I don't think it's just about gay life. I think this applies to social media content in general. People need to realize that social media is more like a movie, and a lot of what we see isn't necessarily real. It's like watching a movie where people are flying like angels. You know that's not real, right? That's how I choose to look at social media. It's entertainment, not necessarily reality.
Miguel: You're in a long-term relationship, which means you've probably seen your fair share of dating drama from the sidelines. What's the worst dating advice you hear gay men giving each other, and what's one piece of relationship advice you actually believe in?
Art: I cannot stand when people say things like, "Don't answer right away" or "Be mysterious." I don't think playing mind games leads to anything serious, and I see people overcomplicating dating so much. If you want to answer someone immediately, just do it! Don't hide who you are.
And if you're a bad texter (which, honestly, I don't really believe is a thing, BUT...), just communicate that, especially in the beginning.
The best dating advice I can give is to be open to everyone, not just people you're immediately physically attracted to. I think people are so obsessed with looks, and it's incredibly limiting. You might be missing out on someone amazing just because they don't fit your usual type.
Miguel: You're working on a documentary exploring Chicago's leather community and its history. Has making this film challenged any assumptions you previously had about leather culture, and was there a particular conversation that really stuck with you?
Art: I would say a lot of my views on the leather community have changed or been challenged as I've explored it more. Even something as simple as realizing that leather isn't just about sex — it's about community, too. For some people, it's about how leather feels, smells, or looks. For others, it's about belonging to a community. It means something different to everyone, and I find that fascinating.
Miguel: You've built an enormous audience by being open, funny, and sometimes a little provocative. Have you ever posted something that caused unexpected backlash? How do you decide when to stand your ground and when to admit you might have gotten something wrong?
Art: It happens all the time, but I think I've been pretty lucky because I've never really felt the need to publicly address any controversy. Like I said, I choose not to take things too seriously most of the time.
This past Pride Month, I posted a series of pictures holding a sign that said, "Thank you, old gays, for my rights." And God, some people really took that to heart! Some argued that it wasn't gay people who fought for gay rights, while others were genuinely offended by the word "old."
Honestly, I didn't feel the need to respond to the criticism. I chose the word "old" partly because there's a social media account called The Old Gays, featuring older gay gentlemen living their best lives. I met and interviewed them a couple of years ago, and they really inspired me.
I was simply feeling grateful during Pride Month, and I never imagined that expressing gratitude would upset so many people.
But at the end of the day, the post received around 19,000 likes and maybe 200 negative comments, if not fewer. That's the internet! Someone will always find something to be offended by.
As long as I'm not hurting anyone or being intentionally mean, I don't feel the need to explain myself every time someone disagrees with me. I'm always willing to take responsibility when I genuinely get something wrong, but I'm also not going to cave just because someone decides to take my words out of context.
Miguel: Time for a little gay honesty. What's your most controversial gay opinion? Something that might get your gay card temporarily suspended, but you're willing to defend anyway?
Art: I genuinely believe polyamory is real and that it's possible to be romantically in love with multiple people at the same time. I've never experienced it myself, but I absolutely believe it's possible. I don't think love necessarily has to be limited to one person, and I don't see why we should assume everyone experiences it the same way.
Miguel: The LGBTQ+ community has made incredible progress, but there's still work to do. What do you think is the biggest disconnect between younger and older generations of gay men, and what could each generation learn from the other?
Art: I think one of the biggest disconnects is how younger generations approach HIV prevention. I feel like not enough young gay men are informed about PrEP, and too many still believe myths and misinformation about it.
Previous generations of gay men went through so much, especially during the HIV/AIDS crisis, and fought incredibly hard for the progress we've made in HIV prevention and treatment. Sometimes I feel like younger generations, including my own, take that progress for granted, and it's honestly sad to see.
I think younger gay men could learn a lot from the experiences of older generations, while older generations can help by sharing their stories and having open, judgment-free conversations about sexual health.
Miguel: Now that you're officially part of Chicago's gay community, let's have some fun. If you could change three things about gay nightlife — whether it's the music, the attitudes, the dating scene, or the men themselves — what would they be? No names necessary... unless you want to spill some tea!
Art: It's funny because I find Chicago's gay community and nightlife so exciting! I feel like a kid in a candy store, and I'm just happy I get to experience it all. And the men here are SO hot! I swear I've never seen this many attractive guys in any other city.
If I could change something, I'd love to see more gay bars outside of Boystown and Andersonville. I think it would be amazing to have more gay spaces throughout the city.
Also, I think a lot of gay clubs could take some notes from Scarlet when it comes to music. God, the music there is just SO good! I'm definitely not a techno gay.
Miguel: If Grindr disappeared tomorrow, would gay men actually start talking to each other in bars again, or would we all just panic?
Art: Honestly, I think Instagram is the new Grindr, so gay men would be completely fine! Haha.
Miguel: What's the biggest misconception people have about you based on your social media personality?
Art: I think people assume I'm much more extroverted than I actually am. I genuinely love staying home and watching YouTube!
And believe it or not, I'm still incredibly shy when it comes to interviewing strangers on the street. I'm genuinely terrified of rejection and hearing people say no. I've done over 1,000 interviews at this point, and every single time, I'm still scared to death!
Miguel: Have you ever interviewed someone you thought was incredibly attractive and completely lost your train of thought? How did you recover, and who was it? =)
Art: I did… It was Joey Mills. I'm still recovering, though! But when I asked him, "Kiss or slap?" he said, "Kiss," so… 😉
Want to watch some of Art's videos? Here are links to several of his videos from this year with over 1 million views:
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