Alexei Shmetoev was born in Saint Petersburg and began his training in acrobatics at the age of three.
He earned the title of Candidate for Master of Sports before entering the Vaganova Ballet Academy at ten.

His artistic interests are inspired by the character of Dorian Gray and the ballet The Flames of Paris, particularly the role of Philippe for its dramatic depth and emotional intensity.

Alexei’s advice to his younger self would be: “Don’t be afraid of challenges—always keep moving forward. Ballet is a path full of trials, but every obstacle you overcome makes you stronger. Believe in yourself, continue working hard, and never forget that the most important thing is your love for dance.”