Vitaly Zdorovetskiy (also known as VitalyzdTv) is a Russian-American content creator famous for prank videos. His YouTube grind throughout the years has earned him a $7 million net worth. His stunts have gotten him in trouble with the law on several occasions, so fans are asking what happened to him.
Arrest in the Philippines
In April 2025, Zdorovetskiy was arrested in the Philippines after livestreaming a series of criminal acts in Metro Manila. These included attempted theft, harassment, and public threats. Authorities charged him with unjust vexation, theft, and public disturbance.
He remains in custody at the BJMP detention facility in Muntinlupa City. Though he was granted bail in June, the Philippine government continues to hold him due to his classification as an “undesirable alien.” Both Russia and the U.S. have refused to repatriate him. If convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.
Other Controversies
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy is an attention seeker. This may be the reason for his YouTube success, but it’s also the cause of his troubles. In 2014, he was first arrested for running onto the field during the FIFA World Cup final.
After mounting the Hollywood Sign in 2016, he was arrested again. In the same year, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, he was detained for streaking. Once again, Vitaly was jailed for storming onto the field during MLB’s Game 5 of the 2017 World Series.
In January 2020, he was imprisoned for five days in an Egyptian jail for climbing the Pyramids of Giza. In April 2020, he hit rock bottom for reportedly attacking a female jogger at Miami Beach. After paying a $7,500 bond, he was freed.
Early Life
Zdorovetskiy was born in Murmansk, Russia on March 8, 1992. His mother, Elena Vulitsky is a former model and raised him as a single mother. He spent some of his childhood in Odessa, Ukraine, but relocated to Boca Raton, Florida.
Vitaly attended Park Vista Community High School and tried to become a professional skateboarder but gave it up due to injuries. At 15 years old, he got his first job as a garbage collector.
His second job as a sign-spinner dressed as Uncle Sam was much more fun and later worked as a busboy at a Miami restaurant. In 2011, Zdorovetskiy participated in a scene for an adult website when he turned 18.
YouTube Career
Vitaly began making prank videos just as YouTube went mainstream. In 2012, he got his first viral hit dressing up as a zombie in Miami. As time went on, his pranks became more extreme. Currently, his YouTube channel has over 10 million subscribers, even after taking a break for a year after a skydiving accident.
He broke his neck and back, but didn’t need surgery. Over the years, the channel has gone downhill because he partied hard and hung out with the wrong crowd. Zdorovetskiy developed a huge ego and got burnt out creating content. Once YouTube became a business, he simply stopped enjoying it.
Personal Life and Uncertain Future
Vitaly previously dated influencer Kinsey Wolanski, though the two have since split. He had hinted at a comeback with a new channel under his name, featuring more risky pranks, but those plans have been derailed by his legal troubles.
At 33, Vitaly’s future remains uncertain. Once a pioneer of viral internet culture, he now faces serious consequences that could define the next chapter of his life.
