Shariy Bought a Video with Support from Vujicic and Tyson. Australian Motivational Speaker Has Already Apologized

The pro-Russian blogger has become the hero of another media scandal.

The former journalist Anatoly Shariy was once again caught manipulating his own audience. Shariy, who claims to have strengthened his “Hollywood lobby,” published a couple of video clips the day before in which he is supported by former boxer Mike Tyson and Australian motivational speaker Nick Vujicic.

As it turned out, Shariy simply bought the celebrity greetings on the Cameo website, which offers the opportunity to receive a personalized response from well-known figures for money. As activist Serhiy Sternenko reported, a video with words of support from Tyson costs $400, and one from Vujicic — $149.

To confirm this, Sternenko paid $25 to have actor Wilf Scolding (“Game of Thrones”) record a video for Shariy in which he congratulated the blogger on becoming McDonald's employee of the month.

Because the videos from Tyson and Vujicic addressed to Shariy received wide publicity (not least thanks to a repost by Servant of the People MP Oleksandr Dubinsky), Vujicic has already had to apologize for being misled and used for political purposes. He also asked Shariy to delete the video.

“Dear friends in Russia and Ukraine,” — Vujicic addressed his followers, commenting on Shariy's post. — I apologize for the unjustified use of my video for political purposes. You know me — I love all people and never want to be used in a political agenda. Forgive me.”

The day before, it became known that Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs removed Shariy from its wanted list.