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Johnny Weir
c/o Ice Vault Arena
10 Nevins Road
Wayne, New Jersey, USA 07470

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questions & answers

Here are Johnny's latest answers to your questions.  
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SEPTEMBER 2006

from Christine

Q: Hey Johnny!!! I just wanted to know what do you think of Jeff Buttle?

A: I think Jeff is a great skater. He is also a nice person. I've said before that I appreciate when people are talented, genuine and kind. He fits that bill. Of course he is my competitor first and foremost, but I respect his talents.

from Adam

Q: Johnny- What is a favorite vacation spot of yours? Is there any place in the world that you have not yet seen, but are determined to visit?

A: I haven't had a vacation in some time, but I would say New York. It is such a nice place to get lost and get away. My dream vacation would be to go to Fiji. I am scared of the ocean and sharks, so island destinations scare me, but Fiji seems interesting. I would also like to visit Kiev, Ukraine, Warsaw, Poland, Tel Aviv, Israel, Irkutsk, Russia and Riga, Latvia.

from Anyutka (Moscow)

Q: Wow! Johnny, you said Alexander Uspenski is your favorite junior skater! Are you acquainted? Good luck!

A: I haven't met Sasha, but I think he's a good skater. I have seen some videos of him and I enjoy watching him skate. Very passionate. I suppose he isn't junior anymore, but none the less he is one of my favorite up and comers. I also really like Viktor Pfeiffer and Anton Kovalevski.

from Eun

Q: Hi, Johnny! If you establish your own foundation (like Bill Gates) what kind of charity work will you do? And, what do you think about donation?

A: I admire charity and donations so much. My family and I wouldn't have made it through financially without special help we've gotten. There are a lot of important causes to me. I think youth music, literacy and sports are very important. I would also like to donate to women's charities, AIDS and cancer because in one way or another all of these things have touched my life. I am not Bill Gates yet and don't have that kind of money, but I will help when it's possible. I am in the process of donating books to the library of my elementary school in Quarryville, PA. I have donated signed photos and clothes and skates to charity auctions and things. Charity is very important to me.

from Fabio

Q: Hi, Johnny! I totally admire the way you skate and your elegance. I've got a quite stupid but for me interesting question, in order to know and understand something more about you: in your room what's the most glaring thing, the one you are proud of and the one that, after all, you love best? Thank you for your time.

A: As long as I can't see my clothes, my first Nationals gold medal from Atlanta Nationals. I am still so proud of that performance. I also have a framed poster of a crocus holding the globe and it says 'Meer,' Russian for peace, I love that too.

from katja

Q: Hi, Johnny! Do you believe in horoscopes and the destiny? Do you know anything about your sign? Are you a real CANCER? Thank you and take care! :)

A: I am a real cancer. I have a lot of Scorpio in my chart which makes me a bit stronger and fiery than the average cancer, but generally I am. I am a homebody, I am protective and I am somewhat shy.

from Zoe

Q: Your skating is fabulous, but as I’m very interested in languages and culture, I was wondering something fairly unrelated. I know you’re very enamored by Russia; do you speak Russian fluently?

A: I don't speak fluently. It's very difficult. I understand quite well, and I can read and write okay, but speaking is the hardest part for me. I will learn eventually.

from Zoe

Q: Hey Johnny! At just 22, you’re still very young, but in the world of competitive/professional sports, 22 isn’t too young. How many more Olympic games do you plan/want to compete in?

A: I want to compete in Vancouver, and hopefully after the world championships of that season, I will retire. You never know where life will lead you, so we will see!

from Amanda

Q: Johnny, you seem to consider yourself a well rounded person with a great understanding of the world. But, you admitted that you did not even know where St. Louis was when you competed for the U.S. Championship there. Do you have plans to encompass knowledge on your own country, since you are the U.S. Champion, or do you plan to only study other cultures? Spokane is in Washington by Idaho by the way-- I hope to see you there.

A: Of course I knew Saint Louis was in Missouri, but I didn't know geographically where it was. I had to go to Spokane on the tour, so I kind of know where it is. Thanks for the heads up.

from Elise

Q: Johnny, I noticed a Canadian commentator once note that you had said something about daring to dye your hair blue to get totally into character. I streak my hair electric blue every few months or so. Is that too daring for you? Do you think that's too radical for a girl that's exactly your age? Would you ever actually do it yourself?

A: I have had my hair blue before. It was several years ago, but I grew out of that. I don't want blue hair anymore. Commentators sometimes elaborate on things so they can talk more.

from haylee!

Q: oh johnny.. champions on ice in phoenix. best show ever. im sure you remember me girl with the sign you blew kisses and waves and smiles at me. you were amazing! anyway the question.. out of all the cities you went to for coi... which was your favorite?!

A: I skated the best in Philadelphia, Boston and Anaheim. I enjoyed skating in my home area the most because all of my friends were there. New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Providence and so on.

from Brenda

Q: Hi Johnny, I am a big, big fan. I think you are the only really interesting and unique skater. A quick question about your costumes for the upcoming season. Can you describe a bit what your costumes will be like without giving too much away? Also, how involved are you in the design and fabric selection? How important is color to you? Finally, thanks for all of the joy you give us, your fans.

A: The short program will have my usual rhinestones and velvet flair. It will be black and white. The free is very plain for me. There will only be a little bit of color. I'm telling a story roughly based on Jesus Christ, so I can't go all out with the rhinestone crown instead of thorns! Fabric is very important to me. I skate every day in velvet pants, so having velvet in my competition clothes makes me feel comfortable. Color is also important, it has to be just right.

from Jeongeun

Q: Hi, Johnny. If you do pair skating or ice dancing, who would you like to skate with?

A: If I were a pair skater I would need someone tiny like Sasha Cohen or Mao Asada. If I were a dancer I'd like to skate with Yukina Ota, Natalia Mikhailova or Olga Orlova. I love Yukina's skating!

from Stephanie

Q: Has PETA ever come after you?

A: I have gotten so many things from PETA. I don't attack them for their choice to save animals from being coats, so they shouldn't attack me for wearing them. I wonder if they realize that all skaters wear skates made from cow?

from Violin, from Moscow

Q: Zdravstvui, Johnny! Do you remember your first love?

A: Of course. It's always in my mind and is so hard to get over losing it.

from Sandra (France)

Q: Johnny, now that you work with Marina Anissina for a little while, can you tell us what the mood at training (hard, serious, fun...), and have you got some nice anecdotes to share?

A: When we worked together we were very intense and difficult. When I couldn't quite make the move properly, I had to repeat it over and over until I could do it right. Marina Viacheslavovna is incredibly talented at finding a mood and a story in everything. She was able to pull things out of me that I hadn't done before or was afraid to do. One funny thing is when Marina would say "Go!"  She loved the last line of Meryl Streep's character Miranda in 'The Devil Wears Prada.' She got such a kick out of it, and she would use it to her advantage if I was nervous to skate or tired or anything like that. It was so funny. Also, to hear our conversations would have been crazy for anyone. We did a mixture of Russian, French, English and sign language to make ourselves understood to eachother. I had fun anyway. We work very well together.

from Lahaina

Q: I have to say, my question was going to be the same as Jamaica's about the Potty-mouth comments in your journal. I understand children hear that kind of language everywhere from everyone - unfortunately even those they may look up to. I guess I'm wondering why it doesn't bother you that you're the one setting the example? Or maybe it doesn't?

A: I don't care simply because I don't care. There are much bigger problems with our world and society then a dirty little word. I mean, people had a problem with Spongebob possibly being gay. FYI, he's a sponge and a cartoon. Children can make their own decisions in life, and hopefully they have positive influences who can help guide them. Just because I say damn, bitch, shit doesn't change their life. I used those words to express my feelings. I'm sorry if people take offense, but really think about other people's example to our world's children. George Bush is showing kids it's okay to invade a country and kill people. The Taliban is showing their region's children that Allah wants you to crash planes into American buildings and kill people. Hitler made an entire nation hate Jewish people simply for being Jewish and showed that it was okay to exterminate as many as possible. There are bigger things in life than anything I have to say in these postings, journal entries, interviews. Get over it. There are always bigger fish to fry. Write our president.

from Daniel

Q: I can't help but notice the pretty ring you often wear on your pinky finger, and I am just wondering if there's a story behind this trinket? Is it silver? Was it a gift? I like it, and wear a silver band on the same finger as well.

A: There was a story. It was white gold and had diamonds and sapphires. I don't wear it anymore. The time for that ring has passed.

from Sharon
scunningham@yahoo.com

Q: Ok - we get it - you're a queen - you think it's ok to use fowl language, say vulgar things and get in everyone's face with your attitude. So what? What do you want - a ribbon or something?

A: No ribbon. I'd prefer a diamond tiara and wand to poke you with. Thanks. haha

from Vickie in Texas

Q: Hi, I teach 5th graders and am going to do a unit on you, for them, in a few weeks. Bio, skating, etc... What would you say to my boys who may think ice-skating is a girl's sport and not exciting, if you could tell them, yourself? I wish you the best! You are SO talented and adorable! :D Vickie S.

A: Tell your boys to go on the ice, with no pads, jump and see what it feels like to fall. That should show them it's not an easy or girly sport. Also, choreograph a four minute and forty second free program for them, with four spins that each take twenty seconds or so, eight jumping passes, and two step sequences. Believe me, after that they'll want to run for three miles instead.

from HAYLEE!

Q: first your hair looked amazing at the coi in phoenix. i loved it haha and second who is your closest family member & who is the one person you can turn to for ANYTHING?

A: My Mama, Patti. She's always there for me. She's always proud of what I do. We are more like friends than any mother son relationship.

from Tanya
tsmythe@yahoo.com

Q: What's up with the Queen-for-a-day attitude. Why're you in everybody face?

A: I don't think I have an attitude problem. I just know what I want in life.  If I were in everyone's face, I would have had the pleasure of meeting you Tanya. Thanks.

from Anyutka (Moscow)

Q: Hi, Johnny! Is it you, who choose the questions to answer, and (nearly) how many letters do you receive each month on this site? and on other e-mail boxes?

A: I receive about a thousand letters per month by e-mail in addition to what gets sent to my rink. I choose which questions to answer. I try not to answer the same questions twice so if I don't answer you it's possible I've answered it before in another Q&A.

from Sue

Q: Hi, Johnny! do you know that there is a show in Russia called "Stars on ice" with famous russian skaters who skate with singers and stars of show-business. Would you like to take part in such kind of show in USA?

A: No I don't think so. I think shows like that are interesting, but I wouldn't want to go on TV with a partner who was just learning to skate. It would be too hard.

from Katie

Q: Johnny, you looked amazing at the heatherette fashion show! what was your favorite part of the whole experience? and would you want to do it again?

A: Thanks! My favorite part was the rush of walking in front of so many photographers, famous musicians and actors, my mom, Oksana Baiul and many other people. It was such a trip. I had a lot of fun and of course I would walk another runway!

from Chrissy :o)

Q: Tim Goebel wrote an article for International Figure Skating magazine about the importance of having a good education and attending regular school rather than at home. Do you agree with this? What were your high school days like?

A: I believe school is important. I don't think it's always possible to balance training and school so sometimes it's necessary to home school. I did both to make sure I had enough credits to graduate. I prefer skating to school any day, but being educated is important. I hated high school, but got the job done.

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