"The atmosphere resembled the gritty criminal underworld of '90s gangster films."
Let's Talk About That Cognac Incident
(Warning: Contains strong language and intrigue reminiscent of 90s gangster flicks!
Alexander Toldmatsky
Picture: Boris KUDRYAVOV. [Click to switch images on KP Photo Bank]
Raise your glasses, it's the "Master of the Game" alum Alexander Toldmatsky's birthday bash! The 65-year-old producer, also known for his stint on "Battle of the Psychics," celebrated in style earlier this year, inviting fellow "Master of the Game" participants to his countryside abode. Coinciding with his birthday on May 12 and the show's premiere on May 17, it was the perfect occasion for a grand gathering. The participants, including Aurora Kiba, Natalia Bardo, and Evgeny Ershov, decided to present Toldmatsky with a pricey 1960 vintage Armagnac as a token of appreciation. The bottle retailed for a hefty 159,000 rubles.
Nikita Turchin
Picture: Nikita Turchin's personal collection.
Among the guests that fateful day was Nikita Turchin, a "Survivor" finalist and "Battle of the Psychics" participant who met Toldmatsky during the filming of "Master of the Game." They partied, exchanged pleasantries, and watched the first episode of the show. Later, Toldmatsky shared a screenshot in the group chat with everyone, seemingly showing a picture of the very Armagnac they'd given him, with a price tag of only 39,463 rubles. Kicking off a wave of allegations, Toldmatsky accused the 25-year-old Nikita of deceit, claiming that he had inflated the price several times while collecting money from everyone.
The Real Story
Turchin came clean, stating that he had contacted the store mentioned in Toldmatsky's screenshot to confirm the pricing. Contrary to Toldmatsky's assertions, the shop actually offered the same drink, albeit a more expensive bottle from the same vintage, for 159,490 rubles. This hashing out on social media set the stage for a parking-lot showdown from a bygone era.
In a scene straight out of a 1990s gangster movie, Nikita Turchin recounted, "A jeep blocked our car, Tolmatsky jumps out, snatches my phone, and starts stomping on it. Then the brawl ensues." Kosherin, another fellow participant, was present and even played the part of a betrayer and provocateur. Tuchin, in his defense, states that he would only accept the bottle back from anyone except Tolmatsky to avoid further trouble.
Seeking Justice
In the wake of this ordeal, Turchin plans to resolve the matter through legal channels, filing a complaint with law enforcement to launch a criminal case against a trio consisting of Alexander Tolmatsky, Kirill Kosherin, and Evgeny Ershov for slander, insults, threats, and orchestrating the attack. Tuchin shared that his lawyers have already gathered evidence, which includes videos, audio recordings, and correspondence confirming the string of insults, threats, and slander.
It's a real-life drama worthy of the silver screen! Stay tuned for updates on this juicy tale unfolding before our eyes.
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- [In the same context of the entertainment industry] Alexander Toldmatsky's controversy with celebrities Nikita Turchin and Evgeny Ershov has also made headlines in general-news outlets, shedding light on crime-and-justice matters as allegations of deceit, slander, and threats surface among the "Master of the Game" participants.
- As a follow-up to the spectacle at Toldmatsky's birthday bash, the latest episode of "Entertainment Tonight" featured an exclusive interview with Nikita Turchin, discussing the 1990s-style parking-lot showdown, ongoing legal proceedings, and the impact of this scandal on his reputation within the entertainment world.
