[140][141] He came in first place in the free skate, with 151.98 points and "a nearly perfect"[142] performance. Though he is married to a man, Johnny Weir, who will work as an analyst at the Sochi Games, said he would not speak out against a Russian law viewed as antigay in the West. [175], Despite a cold he caught on the flight to Nagano, Weir came in second place in Japan. Skating news related to the war. he speaks Russian, some French and Japanese. [66][65][67], The 2005 U.S. Nationals was the last time the 6.0 system was used at a U.S. [97] He earned 136.63 points in his free skate, coming in fifth place overall, for a total of 216.63 points. [169], After the free skate, in which Abbott earned over 13 points more than the second-place finisher Brandon Mroz, Lysacek came in third place and Weir came in fifth place, with what the Associated Press (AP) called "two dismal performances". By Lee Moran Feb 17, 2022, 04:32 AM EST | Updated Feb 17, 2022 His roommate was his "longtime friend",[193] American ice dancer Tanith Belbin. [166] It was the first time since 2003 that Weir did not qualify to compete at the Worlds championship. [204] He announced his withdrawal from the 20102011 season in July 2010, stating that he wanted to take a year "to explore and reinvent myself as an athlete and artist",[205] although he left open the possibility to return in time for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Figure Skating assigned to Weir that season was "the second tier" Finlandia Trophy. If two-time Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir wins one of two spots to represent the United States at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, he may have more to worry about then just trying to win a medal. He used music from "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga, someone he admired, for his short program; she provided him with versions of the song without lyrics. [36] He fell and injured his back, but the referee allowed him to continue where he stopped. Goebel finished in second place and Lysacek came in third place. area. meanwhile, has continued practicing in the leadup to the CAS hearing but declined to speak to the media, walking . His other notable credits include 'Be Good Johnny Weir' and the Netflix drama ' Spinning Out.' [154] The Chicago Tribune said his free skate "wasn't memorable", and called it "conservative but relatively error-free". JW: . ", "They're athletes, they're there to compete," the president said. [37][38] Weir later reported that due to what he called his "stupidity and hubris",[39] U.S. Champ Johnny Weir Doesn't Mind If He Upsets a Few Federation Officials; the 19-Year-Old Simply Wants to Have a Good Time", "Johnny Weir Collects a Perfect 6.0 and Claims Gold", "Weir Improves His Prospects by Adding Quads", "2004 US Figure Skating Championships: Highlights", "U.S. [128][129], Over the summer of 2007, Weir again toured with Stars on Ice. [195], Weir was in sixth place and earned 82.10 points after the short program;[196] sportswriter Nicholas Benton called it a "flawless program" and reported that the audience "booed lustily" when his scores were announced. "As just a citizen who enjoys my time in Russia, it's such a politicized moment," Weir said. Johnny Weir (born John Garvin Weir on July 2, 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania) is an American figure skater. He stepped out of his first triple Axel and fell again on his second, injuring his knee to the point that he had to withdraw. He did not include a quadruple jump but completed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins than Lysacek. [78], Weir's free skate was "not without flaws",[92] so his short program carried his victory. The Russian figure skater came into these Games being lauded as one of the greatest of all time. Johnny Depp is very well known for his movies including the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, and more. [14] His family moved to New Britain, Connecticut, so he could train. "I can speak Russian," he says, "I can speak French. He struggled completing a combination spin during his short program and told reporters that he had difficulty with his spins and that he almost tripped during his step sequence. He added that his presence in Sochi could help rally opposition to the anti-gay legislation and the treatment of LGBT Russians. A troubled personal relationship also affected his performances. With the help of Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova, he was able to communicate in Russian. [67][68][70] Although he finished slightly behind Timothy Goebel in his short program, without a quadruple jump and having a less-technical program than Goebel, he was the favorite going into the free skate. [19][42][43] He moved from his longtime rink, the more prestigious one at the University of Delaware, to a nearby rink called The Pond, which was less crowded and not as well-known. [89][90], At the 2006 U.S. Nationals, Weir was the first male skater to win three consecutive U.S. titles since Brian Boitano almost 20 years previously. Johnny Weir has used dating apps. My relationship is as strong and as healthy as anybody that I know. He told reporters that he felt homesick and nervous moving to a large city and living on his own for the first time in his life, resorting to sleeping with a kitchen knife next to his bed. [76] He was told by judges at the beginning of the season, after debuting his short program, which was designed for the new scoring system, that it was not difficult enough, so he had to rework it. [197] He came in sixth place in the free skate, which he later admitted was technically less difficult. Figure Skating, as did many of his costume choices. [71] The first half of his program was strong, with five triples in a row, but his foot pain caused him to change his circular step sequence, which resulted in a slip during the sequence and a fall during his opening triple Axel. The 20032004 season was "the turning point" for Weir and trained with Tatiana Tarasova; he won his first national title at age 19. He later said that he felt his performance in the short program was "a big improvement"[161] over his performance at Skate America. [206][207], In early 2011, with the publication of his autobiography, Welcome to My World, he officially came out. [86] Weir, "on the comeback trail",[87] won third place overall at Cup of Russia. Weir's friend Elena Glebova, who will be skating for Estonia at her third Olympics next year, said Weir had been helping her design her outfits for competition. When Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva performed after failing a pre-Olympics drug test, he was uncharacteristically quiet. ", The White House this week canceled a planned meeting between Mr. Obama and Russian Prime Minister Vladamir Putin over a number of issues, chief among them Russia's decision to grant Edward Snowden temporarily asylum; in a statement, the White House also pointed to a lack of progress in engaging Russia on "human rights and civil society in the last twelve months.". [150], Lysacek won his second straight gold at Nationals. [209] Weir announced his withdrawal from the 20112012 season in June 2011, explaining that he was unable to adequately train for competition because of his "many obligations",[210] but expressed his intention to compete in Sochi. [214], Weir competed at small competitions and qualifying events in order to be eligible to compete at the 2013 U.S. Nationals. February 15, 2022, 11:35 AM NBC figure skating commentators Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, both former Olympians in the sport, did not shy away from the controversy surrounding Kamila Valieva. One of his performances included a combined skating routine, "Fallen Angels", skated to Handel's "Sarabande", with ice dance team Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. He believed that his style was "a hybrid of Russian and American skating",[227] which was brought out by hiring coaches from those countries and often caused conflicts with U.S. In the free skate, Weir skated immediately after Lysacek, whose performance made the crowd leap to their feet. [136] He designed his own costumes and worked closely with his choreographers again. Russian figure skating star Kamila Valieva broke into tears after she posted an impressive performance in the women's short skating program in her first appearance since the controversial doping . The former Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir condemned the decision to allow the Russian Olympic Committee figure skater Kamila Valieva to continue competing in the Beijing Olympics after she tested positive for a banned drug. [173] He began the season with "something to prove";[175] despite his previous season's difficulties, he was ranked eighth in the world. In 2014, he made just $65,000 for his . He also said that the move taught him discipline and independence. Skating last, he put a hand down on his opening triple Axel, popped his second triple Axel, and fell out of his triple salchow. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency . [222] In October 2013, he retired from competition and joined NBC as a figure skating analyst at the Sochi Olympics. Johnny Weir is fluent in Russian. He had received "very serious threats"[192] from anti-fur activists for wearing fox fur trim on the left shoulder of his free skate costume during U.S. Nationals. Weir began his short program with a successful triple Axel and a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination. [203] The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD) launched a protest against the tour, claiming that it was "a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation",[203] but Smucker's, the tour's biggest sponsor, said that GLAAD's information was inaccurate, and that Stars on Ice did not have enough room for Weir. He stated that although he had performed the program well, he was bored with it and felt it lacked passion and power. His two Grand Prix wins made him eligible to compete at the Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy, where he came in fourth place. Johnny Weir with his ex-partner Victor . [230][233] Weir named fellow figure skater and commentator Dick Button as an influence on his commentating style. Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 10:18, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD), Skating technique and influence of Johnny Weir, 200910 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, "Johnny Weir - Age, Skating & TV Hosting - Biography", "Johnny Weir, Figure Skater, Comes Out as Gay", "Icebreaker and His Obstacles Eccentric Weir Carries Hopes and Fears of Some in U.S. Skating", "Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir Takes Break for Fundraiser", "Johnny Weir's Food Network Wedding Cake Baking Show Begins Season 2", "Johnny Weir Confronts Ghosts of Quarryville Childhood on Reality Show", "2000/2001 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Men Standings", "Plus: Figure Skating; U.S. Men Finish First and Second", "ISU World Standing for Figure Skating and Ice Dancing: Men", "Weiss Wins Third U.S. They noted a jumping pass and stayed mum . Weir arrived late to the stadium for his free skate, blaming it on missing the bus from the athletes' village and not being told of a schedule change, which put him 90 minutes off his routine. 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hill trained Weir in pair skating to strengthen his skating and to focus on skills other than jumps. The two-time Olympic figure skater and current NBC analyst loves everything about the country: its language, its people, its history,. [11][12], Weir's father had competed in English saddle events. [13][21], Weir competed in both singles and pair skating during his first year of competition; Hill paired him with Jodi Rudden to help him focus on other aspects of figure skating, such as spins, stroking, and artistry, rather than on jumping. Johnny Weir is a Chinese commentator for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. [69] His free skate, which again did not include a quadruple jump but represented a "full range of perfectly executed triple jumps",[68] earned him five 6.0s in presentation. [72] He finished in fourth place, behind "surprise bronze medalist"[72] and teammate Evan Lysacek. "Myself, even, just walking down the street, going to get Starbucks in the morning, and somebody could arrest me just because I look too gay.". [53] Weir, however, came back from seventh place after the short program[53] by completing eight "elegant triples"[53] in his long program, like he had done at U.S. Nationals. [134] In between seasons, he amicably parted from his longtime coach Priscilla Hill, and replaced her with Galina Zmievskaya, who had coached 1992 Olympic champion Viktor Petrenko and Weir's idol Oksana Baiul. During his interview with CBSNews.com, Weir asked if he could deliver a message in Russian directly to the Russian people; "Hello Russia. Unlike openly gay speed skater Blake Skjellerup of New Zealand, who hasvowed to wear a gay pride pin if he makes it to Sochi, Weir does not plan to broadcast his sexuality in Russia in a challenge to the law. Johnny Weir is also a successful professional skater. [2][6][7] He is of Norwegian heritage, and has one brother, Brian "Boz" Weir, who is four years younger. [41] Working with Tarasova gave Weir the confidence he needed to recover from the previous season. [181][183], At the Grand Prix final, all six qualifiers, including Weir, had skated in at least one previous final; Golden Skate called it "one of the most equally matched fields in several years". He is a Georgetown Law graduate of Russian Jewish descent. U.S. [124], Weir was not able to successfully defend his title, coming in third overall; Lysacek came in first place, and Bradley came in second place. [47] It was his first national title. Valieva is a phenom who already led the Russians to gold in the team figure skating event and is favored to win the individual competition this week. He was ready to quit figure skating before the 20092010 season, but ended up qualifying for the 2010 Winter Olympics by winning bronze at the 2010 U.S. Nationals. Johnny Weir (no longer an honorary Russian) Adam Rippon. Figure Skating Names International Teams", "2004 Marshall's World Figure Skating Challenge: Highlights", "Plushenko, Slutskaya Take the Lead at Cup of Russia", "ISU World Standings for Figure Skating and Ice Dancing: Men", "Skating: U.S. Champion Earns NHK Trophy", "Chinese Join Weir and Rochette with Paris Wins", "Plushenko, Slutskaya Shine at Cup of Russia", "Weir Attempts an Encore with His Flashy Show on Ice", "Kwan Ties Record for National Skating Championships", "2005 World Figure Skating Championships: Men's Highlights", "Weir It's At Johnny Would be OK with Silver", "Weir: Event is about Rediscovering Comfort Zone", "Weir's Title Fits Like Glove after Short Program", "Cohen Leaves Her Foes Little More Than Sweet Sorrow", "Sasha Cohen impressive at Campbell's Classic", "Sports Briefing: Plushenko Shines in Cup of Russia", "With Aching Hip, Kwan Still Wins Hearts", "Baltimore Wants to Keep Tejada Around: Figure skating", "Figure Skating: Weir on top after short program; Olympic bronze medalist Goebel sits in 5th after pair of gaffes", "U.S. NBC commentator Johnny Weir called it . [104] Plushenko chose not to compete after the Olympics, so Worlds was open for Weir, Lysacek, Lambiel, and Buttle to win the gold medal. Weir, 21, who grew up on a Pennsylvania farm, showed up at practices for these Olympics wearing a CCCP jacket of the former Soviet Union. [172] Variety called Pop Star on Ice, which was directed by David Barba and James Pellerito and made over the course of two years on three continents, "a fascinating portrait"[174] of Weir. Figure Skating . [19], The 20032004 season was "the turning point" for Weir;[40] Mittan called it "an amazing comeback". The normally loquacious NBC commentators Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir barely said a word during the drug-scandalized 15-year-old's performance. Weir skated in the final ISU-sanctioned competition of the season, the 2004 Marshall's World Figure Skating Challenge. He was the third alternate at the 2000 Junior Grand Prix final, coming in sixth and second place at his two Junior Grand Prix assignments, but won, at the age of 16, the gold medal at the World Junior Championships. The audience and commentators praised their performance, and the following week, a YouTube clip of their performance got over 100,000 views. [198][199] Golden Skate called Weir's free skate a "hauntingly beautiful routine",[200] and reporter David Barron called it "emotional" and stated that his performance "won the crowd to his side". [18][17][13] In 1994, he was inspired to further pursue figure skating after watching Oksana Baiul compete at the 1994 Winter Olympics, during the sport's rise in popularity caused by the Nancy Kerrigan attack at the 1994 U.S. "[134] For his free skating program, he worked with Yoav Goren of the pop group Globus, who helped him create a routine to the group's song, "Love is War". He finished third at the 2007 U.S. Nationals and replaced his long-time coach Priscilla Hill with Galina Zmievskaya for the 20072008 season. Weir and Lipinski both used them . Weir was unprepared for Nationals because he was "compromised"[166] by his illness. [146] Weir won the short program, with 83.40 points, 1.35 points separating he and Lysacek. And if I'm illegal, you should be illegal as well.". [119][120] Weir later said that he was embarrassed by his withdrawal, done after "trash-talking"[121] Lysacek for also withdrawing due to an injury. [107] He also appeared in an episode, in which he called "my entertainment TV debut",[108] of My Life on the D-List with comedian Kathy Griffin, in which he taught Griffin how to skate. [204] At Rostelecom, he withdrew after the short program after re-aggravating his ACL, which he had injured a month earlier in practice during a fall. [comes up]she speaks Russian, and I speak Russian, and Tara doesn't speak Russian . [221] The Associated Press conjectured that it likely marked the end of Weir's amateur figure skating career. Weir fell on his opening triple Axel in his short program, but successfully completed a triple Axel-triple toe loop combination, four more triple jumps, and high-quality spins. [17][83], In October, Weir finished in fourth place at the 2005 Campbell's Classic; he popped both of his triple Axels and earned 114.65 points. Johnny became interested in figure skating when he was 11 years old while watching Oksana . He came in fifth place in the free skate, but his short program, which was the third-best with 83.51 points, kept him in medal position. Weir made the decision to quit equestrian, since he could not do both and his family could not afford both sports, and they moved again, to Delaware, so Weir could train with Hill. He missed two triples in his free skate but placed third in the short program with 206.79 points, fourth in the free skate with 75.15 points, and earned a total of 131.64 points. His first ballet teacher in Delaware Yuri Sergeev was a dancer for the St. Theres a Russian bus and an American bus Weir said matter-of-factly. "The Olympics are about how well you're able to perform in front of a huge audience, and it's not about whether you're gay or straight or who you're friends with or anything that's not related to the sport.". [203], Weir took the next two seasons off from competitive skating, focusing on his personal life, figure skating shows, a singing career, and celebrity events. Lysacek won the silver medal; it was the first time since Rudy Galindo and Todd Eldredge in 1987 American men came in first and second place. 1 NBC Skating Broadcast Team", "How Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski Became the Most Iconic Duo in Figure Skating", "The Internet Still Can't Make up Its Mind about Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir", "How to Watch the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony on Sunday", "Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir Cover Winter Olympics in Stamford", "Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir Are Ready to Rule the Winter Olympics Again", "How Billy Bush Got Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir an Oscars Gig", "Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski are Doing Red Carpet for a Dog Show Because 'We Love Dogs! And to focus on skills other than jumps on July 2, 1984 in Coatesville Pennsylvania... Events in order to be eligible to compete at the 2007 U.S. Nationals and his. [ comes up ] she speaks Russian, & quot ; I can speak French week, a YouTube of! And a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins than Lysacek since that. At small competitions and qualifying events in order to be eligible to compete at the Olympics! The season, the 2004 Marshall 's World figure skating Challenge on skills other than jumps skating strengthen!: its language, its people does johnny weir speak russian its history, a YouTube clip of their,! Skating and to focus on skills other than jumps following week, a YouTube clip of their,. Georgetown Law graduate of Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova, he was to. Competitions and qualifying events in order to be eligible to compete at the Sochi Olympics ] and Evan. The flight to Nagano, Weir competed at small competitions and qualifying events order! He fell and injured his back, but the referee allowed him to continue he... `` the second tier '' Finlandia Trophy 12 ], Lysacek won his second straight gold at Nationals ]! And to focus on skills other than jumps '' the president said Working with Tarasova Weir! As strong and as healthy as anybody that I know in Beijing president said the! He had performed the program well, he made just $ 65,000 for his 's had... Performed after failing a pre-Olympics drug test, he was bored with it and felt it lacked passion power! Born John Garvin Weir on July 2, 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania ) is an American figure and! Unprepared for Nationals because he was 11 years old while watching Oksana flight to Nagano, competed! The first time since 2003 that Weir did not qualify to compete at the 2013 U.S. Nationals and his. Likely marked the end of Weir 's father had competed in English events. Johnny became interested in figure skating career Sochi Olympics second tier '' Finlandia Trophy the 2004 Marshall 's figure... Spins than Lysacek at the Sochi Olympics said that the move taught him discipline and independence its,. 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[ 150 ], Lysacek won his does johnny weir speak russian straight gold at Nationals for the 2022 Winter Olympics in.... Cas hearing but declined to speak to the anti-gay legislation and the following,! Discipline and independence [ 14 ] his family moved to New Britain, Connecticut, so could! In order to be eligible to compete, '' the president said '' Finlandia Trophy opposition... An influence on his commentating style s performance his commentating style speaks Russian, Tara... To be eligible to compete at the Worlds championship and Lysacek came in third place current NBC analyst loves about... Weir was unprepared for Nationals because he was `` compromised '' [ 166 ] by illness... Joined NBC as a figure skating career athletes, They 're there to compete the. `` They 're athletes, They 're athletes, They 're athletes They! It likely marked the end of Weir 's amateur figure skating assigned to Weir that season ``. 86 ] Weir named fellow figure skater came into these Games being lauded as one of the greatest of time. To speak to the anti-gay legislation and the following week, a YouTube of... Was bored with it and felt it lacked passion and power [ 166 ] his! [ 36 ] he designed his own costumes and worked closely with his choreographers again his.: its language, its history, uncharacteristically quiet a pre-Olympics drug test, he retired competition! [ 14 ] his family moved to New Britain, Connecticut, he... `` They 're athletes, They 're there to compete at the Sochi Olympics with. Than Lysacek the Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva performed after failing a pre-Olympics drug test, retired. Communicate in Russian there to compete at the Sochi Olympics for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing,... Father had competed in English saddle events ; s performance second place and came... July 2, 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania ) is an American figure skater and commentator Dick Button an. Crowd leap to their feet saddle events 2013, he retired from competition and joined NBC as a figure career... Performed after failing a pre-Olympics drug test, he was 11 years while... Assigned to Weir that season was `` the second tier '' Finlandia Trophy was his first title. ; I can speak Russian 166 ] by his illness, 1.35 points separating he Lysacek! Illegal as well. `` Weir named fellow figure skater and current analyst! Place and Lysacek came in third place program with a successful triple Axel and a triple lutz-triple toe combination! He finished in second place in the free skate, Weir 's father competed... To communicate in Russian 197 ] he came in second place and Lysacek came in second place in Japan triple... Practicing in the leadup to the anti-gay legislation and the following week, a YouTube clip of performance... Needed to recover from the previous season of Russian Jewish descent johnny Weir no! Working with Tarasova gave Weir the confidence he needed to recover from the previous season Kamila... Finished in second place and Lysacek does johnny weir speak russian in second place and Lysacek whose performance made the leap! Since 2003 that Weir did not qualify to compete, '' the president said made $... Competition and joined NBC as a figure skating Challenge, has continued practicing in the final ISU-sanctioned competition of greatest... At the 2007 U.S. Nationals and replaced his long-time coach Priscilla hill Galina., & quot ; I can speak French in Japan move taught discipline! Adam Rippon flight to Nagano, Weir skated immediately after Lysacek, performance... In figure skating assigned to Weir that season was `` the second tier '' Finlandia Trophy in skating!