For years, Filipenko has been seen on the dance floor and in the judging panel in “Shall we dance”. Last autumn, however, he was to be seen on the dance floor dancing with the programme’s former presenter Kathrine Moholt (49).
However, it did not go as expected when the 35-year-old suffered a prolapsed neck and had to withdraw from the programme.
On Wednesday evening, Nettavisen met Filipenko in connection with the premiere party for “Sisteman ut”. The professional dancer was then able to reveal how the injury still affects him today, and how he has eased the pain with alcohol.
– The first months were absolutely terrible. I was sick and had nothing to do, so I chose to drink. I sat at home, read a bit about “Shall we dance” and hated life, Filipenko told the premiere party.
Isolated himself
The 35-year-old described the pain as something he had never experienced before.
– I trained a lot before last year’s season of “Shall we dance” and did around 400 pushups every day. I went from being in the best shape of my life to not being able to move on my left side.
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During last year’s final of “Skal vi danse”, the professional dancer was able to reveal in an interview with Nettavisen that the injury was more serious than he first assumed.
– I take pills all the time, I live on four different medicines now. The only reason I’m standing here today is because I half-doped in principle, Filipenko told Nettavisen at the time.
In the first months after the injury, Filipenko avoided talking to people.
– The first thing people asked me was: “Are you okay?”, and I hate that question. Then I have to put myself in a booth and felt sorry for myself, so I stopped answering the phone, the former dancer said on Wednesday evening.
Alcohol became an anesthetic
Filipenko was alone a lot in the aftermath of the incident, and the injury made it difficult for the 35-year-old to carry out everyday things.
– At first I was bedridden for two months, and I had to get help from friends and family. My brother flew from Bergen just to help me, said the 35-year-old in a telephone conversation with Nettavisen Friday afternoon, adding:
– I had to do things that I wasn’t really allowed to do because of the injury, just lifting carrier bags was a challenge.
The treatment Filipenko wanted took longer than he expected, so he chose to travel abroad to get help.
– I went alone to Belarus for treatment. It was much easier to get help there, because I was so tired of waiting in line here in Norway.
There was great pain following the injury. This made it challenging for the father of two to sleep at night, and found that alcohol could help with the sleep problems.
– I struggled to sleep so I took a couple of “snaps” to sleep better. It was kind of numbing, but it wasn’t so bad that I was sitting with the whole bottle of vodka. It was more like an aid.
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Went beyond the dating life
In 2022, it became known that Filipenko and his ex-wife had separated. Despite this, single life was not easy after the injury.
– It went beyond my psyche and belief in myself. I didn’t want to see anyone, and all the energy I had left I spent on my children, so that was the focus.
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Now, however, dating life is going much better, and Filipenko can say that he is open to meeting someone who takes him by storm.
– Now I’m starting to get out again. I am completely open, single, have two children, and enjoy myself. I was on Tinder for a while, but then there were so many messages and I’m bad at answering so it was just chaos, said Filipenko.
Further “Shall we dance” participation
The injury is now doing much better, despite the fact that it still affects everyday life.
– I have a slight kink in my neck all the time, and I still don’t sleep well as it hurts from lying still. The body is starting to respond a little, but I have to take time before everything comes back, but it is not certain that everything will be fine again.
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Filipenko said that the transition from the tough months improved when he was able to move more.
– The motivation to get better came when I could start working and train a little. I’m good at training, so when I’m motivated I’m unstoppable. Training back from such an injury is an easy process to look at, but difficult to decide on.
The doctor has informed Filipenko that it will take around a year for him to fully recover. During the premiere party, the professional dancer can say that he now does around 60-70 pushups every day.
When Nettavisen asks the 35-year-old if we will continue to see him in “Shall we dance”, he answers the following:
– I don’t feel finished in “Shall we dance”, but this year it probably won’t be, so we’ll have to wait until next year.
